Uk Visa Questions

[tariq]

Good morning from a very windy Romford!

Right... I'm a little short on time so apologies if the answers to my questions are already covered elsewhere on the site - I am sure they are.

My GF has visited me twice in the last 2 years on UK visitor visa's without any problems.

If we next apply for a visit based on a fiancee visa I understand this will allow her to stay upto six months without working. After that, and so long as we get married within the first 6 months, she can apply for a 2year extension and she can then work.

Towards the end of this extension she can apply for ILTR to stay in the UK permanently, however, she must pass the "Life In The UK Test".

Firstly, is my understanding correct?

OK my next questions are:

My girlfriend's level of spoken English is OK but only OK. A combination of my thai and her english allows us to communicate fine without too many problems. I have seen samples of the Life in the UK test and to be honest she is really going to struggle. Her written English is no where near the standard to be ale to even understand the questions nevermind answer the questions (By the way I struggled with some of the questions and I am a British citizen of reasonable intelligence!)

So, I guess my question is if she is unable to get thru the test what happens next? Can she just apply and return on another spouse visa after the first one expires? Straight away or does she have to wait for a period of time between applications?

Help!!! If there's anything else I need to be aware if please let me know.

Thanks a lot people...this site has proved to be invaluable to me over the last couple of years.

Tariq...

[farangmal]

Good morning from a very windy Romford!

Right... I'm a little short on time so apologies if the answers to my questions are already covered elsewhere on the site - I am sure they are.

My GF has visited me twice in the last 2 years on UK visitor visa's without any problems.

If we next apply for a visit based on a fiancee visa I understand this will allow her to stay upto six months without working. After that, and so long as we get married within the first 6 months, she can apply for a 2year extension and she can then work.

Towards the end of this extension she can apply for ILTR to stay in the UK permanently, however, she must pass the "Life In The UK Test".

Firstly, is my understanding correct?

OK my next questions are:

My girlfriend's level of spoken English is OK but only OK. A combination of my thai and her english allows us to communicate fine without too many problems. I have seen samples of the Life in the UK test and to be honest she is really going to struggle. Her written English is no where near the standard to be ale to even understand the questions nevermind answer the questions (By the way I struggled with some of the questions and I am a British citizen of reasonable intelligence!)

So, I guess my question is if she is unable to get thru the test what happens next? Can she just apply and return on another spouse visa after the first one expires? Straight away or does she have to wait for a period of time between applications?

Help!!! If there's anything else I need to be aware if please let me know.

Thanks a lot people...this site has proved to be invaluable to me over the last couple of years.

Tariq...

Your Wife can either sit the life in the UK test OR go to collage and pass ESOL (English speakers of other Languages) exams.

These ESOL English courses MUST have a Citizenship theme and content. Most Collages are running them now but be aware the length of the course and the time it takes for the certificates to be issued in respect to her visa ending. And although Collages are running them we found it very hard to get a place because the classes were full of Eastern Europeans trying to improve their English.

My Wife passed her four exams in a five Month period and her English reading and writing improved greatly.

I called immigration asking them what happens if she couldn't get a place? They said they would give another two years further leave to remain until she passed her exams.

Edited March 1, 2008 by farangmal

[vinny]

If we next apply for a visit based on a fiancee visa I understand this will allow her to stay upto six months without working. After that, and so long as we get married within the first 6 months, she can apply for a 2year extension and she can then work.

Towards the end of this extension she can apply for ILTR to stay in the UK permanently, however, she must pass the "Life In The UK Test".

Firstly, is my understanding correct?

I don't think that she would want a Visit for marriage or civil partnership visa.

Apply for a Fiancé(e)s/proposed civil partners visa. Marry. Apply for FLR(M). Followed by 2 year probationary period. Apply for SET(M). Read form SET(M)'s requirements now as there are documents to collect over the two year period.

Hopefully, she would have plenty of time to meet with the Knowledge of language and life in the United Kingdom requirements. Else, she may apply for FLR(M) again.

[tariq]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Much appreciated.

Tariq...