UK Visa Enquiry

Hi I need some immigration advice, swift replies would be extremely grateful.

My girlfriend is Turkish and she is in the United Kingdom on an au pair visa. I am a British Citizen, we have been together for approximately 1 year. Her visa expires shortly and we are wondering what her options are for staying. The Home Office has informed me that settlement in the UK can not be reached through an au pair visa, they also said my girlfriend would most likely need to go back to Turkey, and could apply for a fiancé visa. Basically my question is how can she apply for indefinite leave in the UK.

Many thanks, Paul.

Ideal viable option as per details is to marry pursuant to a committed relationship then apply for a spousal visa. Process is either:

1. Marry in Turkey and apply for spousal visa.

2. Apply for a fiance visa in Turkey. Have marriage in UK. Switch to spousal visa in UK.

1 is in the longer term cheaper and less hastle.

Initial/probationary spousal visa is for 24 months. 28 days before the end of this period she can apply for ILR. Both visa applications require you to meet stringent rules especially those pertaining to subsistence of a relationship and having enough funds to accomodate and maintain without social security benefits. Go through th e family immigration forum - there are plenty of posts on the procedure.

Ignore at your peril - under no circumstances should she stay in the UK beyond the validity of her visa.