Advise Needed: UK student visas for my Cuban boyfried

[Nikal]

Hi, I'm after some advise or guidance on the best way to get my Cuban boyfirend to the UK.

I met my boyfriend over 5 years ago and have been to Cuba on several occasions and spent a fair bit of time with him. We have talked about marriage but I'd really love for him to visit the UK and be able to live with him for a while here first.

How easy is it to get a student visa for a Cuban National and how much does it cost? Also what are the working restrictions with a student visa? And, would he be able to leave the UK to visit other countires (European or other) during this time?

Would it then make it easier to get my boyfriend over here on a spouse visa, once married, if we have spent time living together in the UK? (BTW This is not the reason for trying for a student visa, I would just like him to experience life here too).

And finally (and maybe the stumbling block), he was refused his Cuban exit permit earlier this year for a different visa. Any experience on what the chances are of getting this approved if it's been refused in the past?

Sorry for so many questions but any advice, contacts etc would be great.

Thanks.

[vinny]

See also Guidance - Students (INF 5) and 12.4 - Students and how they qualify;

Husbands, wives and partners (INF 4) and 13.5 - Spouses/civil partners and how they qualify.

[Nikal]

Thanks for the links...

What are the working restriction on a spouse visa?

[JAJ]

What are the working restriction on a spouse visa?

None.

Is he going to be allowed to leave Cuba?

[Nikal]

I don't know if he will be able to leave... but things are changing in Cuba (slowly).

I'm planning to go back out to Cuba next month to see him so will see how things are then.