Baynton wrote:I am a british resident holding an ILR holding a job in the UK.
My girlfriend and I decided to get married in April/July next year, in Singapore where she is from. We live apart at the moment, as we met while she was on a student visa in the UK and subsequently she had to leave as she was not able to switch from PSW to another category.
Due to work commitments (she now has a job in singapore) she will be unable to come to the UK to live with me until late 2011.
My question is, as we are going to live apart after marriage ( after getting married I'm returning to the UK and she will stay in Sg) until she is able to resign from her job at an appropriate time, would this pose a problem applying for the spouse visa?
Are there any time restrictions as to when she has to apply for this spouse visa after we get married?
And once it has been approved does she have to come over straightaway or there is a time frame of a few months?
Thank you so much for your help.
For a spouse application to be considered strong, it is important to demonstrate that the marriage is genuine and subsisting.
As you will be living in different countries, it would be worth ensuring that all forms of communications you have together are recorded. For example, telephone bills showing the actual telephone numbers being dialled to each other, Skype/msn chat/history, letters, e-mails etc. It is also well-advised that you visit each other as much as possible, and to keep records of each time you visit.
Assuming the visa is granted, the visa holder is generally expected to enter the UK within 28 days of it being granted, though I am open to correction if this is wrong.
Although there is no time limit from the date of marriage to apply for her to come to the UK, the longer you leave it, the more documentation will be required in order to demonstrate the marriage is subsisting. I would therefore recommend that the date of marriage and the date she intends to come to the UK be as close to each other as possible.
As well as demonstrating the usual evidence concerning finance and suitable accommodation, it may be useful to include further article 8 submissions, such as personal statements from each of you, photos, cards, and letters of support from friends and family.
