Uk Fiancee Visa

[EXS]

Hi all,

Following my girlfriends two previous visits to the UK on visitor visa's we are now applying for a fiancee visa so that we can get married here.

I see from the other recent posts and the VFS website that the beaurocrats have been busy changing the application forms again!

Given these changes I would be grateful for any advice regarding the following questions.

The document checklist for the settlement fiancee visa has not changed yet and still refers to VAF2, does any one know if any of the evidence requirements have changed other than the application form.

Can anyone explain why there are two options for a fiancee visa VAF1 or VAF4. Is it simply that VAF1 is for those who only wish to visit for the UK for a marriage ceremony and then return to their country after? Could you apply for VAF1 and then apply for settlement after the ceremony to avoid the extortionate fee. She plans to settle in the UK after the ceremony.

Also does the VAF4 require a marriage ceremony to take place within a timeframe. I read on a previous post the ceremony had to be within the first 3 months after entry or does this only apply to the VAF1.

Finally is the 43K the total damage for the settlement visa or is this just the initial arse raping with further fees to follow!

Thanks in advance

[the scouser]

The fees are 36000 baht for the visa application and 2600 for the TB test and your fiancée should complete VAF4 as VAF1, as you rightly surmise, is for those who intend to marry in the UK before returning to their home countries. The fiancée visa will be valid for six months and you should marry within this time frame, although the visa officer may also wish to see that prospective arrangements are in place for the nuptials.

Scouse.

[AZZZEY68]

You cannot book a wedding whilst the foreighn national is not in the UK!

(under reference AECIP 83/03). CHECK THE RULES

[the scouser]

......hence my use of the word prospective.

The visa officer will wish to see that the intended couple has an idea of when the marriage will take place, where it will be held, whether they are to have a party, if so how many people will attend, etc.

Scouse.

[paully]

with further fees to follow

There'll be further fees to follow, all right, provided you both want to remain in the UK long-term. She'll need ILR after 2 years and, of course, she'll have to pass the Life in the UK test which (amazingly) isn't free, nor is the ESOL with Citizenship course which could be an alternative. Start saving

[EXS]

Thanks for the replies

Just to be clear, as well as the VAF 4 and supporting documents she will need and Certificate of Approval for marriage.

When she arrives we book the ceremony and then apply for a certificate of approval? Does she need to get any additional paperwork from LOS before she leaves or is it the case of filling in a form when in the UK? One post mentioned affirmation of freedom to marry? Is this the same thing? She has not been married before.

How long does it take to apply for FLR, as I understand it this must be done after the ceremony but before the FV expires?

Also is the FV multi entry. She wants to come to the UK for Xmas but needs to return to LOS for a couple of weeks in the New Year prior to the wedding in March. Would this be a problem?

Is it worth mentioning that we are only having a small ceremony in the UK. We plan to have a traditional Thai wedding at a later date. Will this raise complications with the application?

Cheers

[the scouser]

If she has a fiancée visa, she does not require a certificate of approval in order to get married.

Scouse.

[Mossfinn]

CHECK THE RULES

O.K, O.K zzz's,

One paragraph of the rules doesn't make a chapter, let alone a book.

EXS is looking for advice not condescending flummery and there is really no need to shout, if nothing else, it is plain rude and obnoxious.

Moss

[AZZZEY68]

Just quote that ref number and you dont have to book anything wedding wise ECO officers cannot ask for proof of wedding booking.

PM and il send you the e mail to confirm this from registrar print it and put it in with the application it covers you.

[EXS]

Scouse,

Sorry to be a pain in the arse but now I am very confused.

The Border & Immigration Agency has a page dedicated to the certificate of approval?

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/applying/...ivilpartnership

And the local registrar’s web page states the following:

Are you subject to immigration control?

If you are planning to get married or form a civil partnership in the UK and are subject to immigration control* while in the UK the following conditions apply:

If you are coming to the UK from overseas to get married or form a civil partnership, you must obtain appropriate permission before you arrive.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Cheers

[vinny]

If you are coming to the UK from overseas to get married or form a civil partnership, you must obtain appropriate permission before you arrive.

From Important information regarding Certificate of Approval (COA) for marriage or civil partnership applications:

If you are coming to the UK from overseas to get married or register your civil partnership, you must have either a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner or marriage visitor or civil partnership visitor visa in your passport in order to give notice to marry or register your civil partnership to a registrar.

i.e. If you have either of the above visa, then the COA is not required for marriage or civil partnership registration in the UK. The visa also gives the appropriate permission.

Edited November 30, 2007 by vinny

[the scouser]

EXS,

From the BIA website:-

If you are coming to the UK from overseas to get married ....., you must have .....a fiancé(e) ..... visa in your passport in order to give notice to marry or register your civil partnership to a registrar.

If you are already in the UK, you will need to .....apply to the Home Office for a certificate of approval before giving notice to marry .... to a registrar.

All the best,

Scouse.

[the scouser]

Vinny beat me to it.

I'm sure he has these links bookmarked on his computer.

Scouse.

[EXS]

Cheers

Yep had it book marked...

So bascially only the documents listed in the VAF2 settlement fiancee visa checklist

are required?

[the scouser]

So bascially only the documents listed in the VAF2 settlement fiancee visa checklist

are required?

That should do the trick.

Scouse.

[vinny]

Don't forget that the Application forms have been updated, with settlement applications now using form VAF4.