Fiancee Or Girlfriend?

[Rich05]

Is it better to say she is your fiancee or just your girlfriend. And do you need to provide any kind of evidence to show that you intend to get married? Little confused about this. The word fiancee is getting used a lot on the forum!

[GU22]

Are you talking about a visa application? If so, which country and what type?

It is better to tell the truth, there is a difference between a fiance and a girlfriend.

[Rich05]

Yes for the visa application, we've been together 14 months. I'm British but I live and work in Portugal (moved very recently). I haven't asked her to marry me yet, I wanted her to spend dome time with me here before I do that.

So what's the difference between financee and girlfriend in the eyes of the embassy? Is there any documentation involved? Excuse my naivety.

[the scouser]

A fiancée is a lady with whom you have an agreement to marry. If you're applying for a visit visa, I'd describe her as your girlfriend.

Cheers,

Scouse.

[Rich05]

Ok, thanks.

If she was my fiancee would I be able to apply for a spouse visa?

[the scouser]

Rich,

You'll have to discuss with her what your intentions are: just a visit, or something more permanent.

Should you decide to marry your girlfriend, then I would advise doing so in Thailand and then apply for a family permit for her to join you in Portugal.

Cheers,

Scouse.

[GU22]

Ok, thanks.

If she was my fiancee would I be able to apply for a spouse visa?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't know the Portuguese system, but I imagine that it is broadly similar to the UK.

A spouse visa is for a spouse, that is husband or wife, to travel to the UK with, or to join, their spouse and settle in the UK with them. A fiance visa is issued so the fiance of a British resident can travel to the UK, get married and then apply for settlement.

As mentioned by Scouse, as a citizen of an EEA country living in another EEA country your wife would be entitled to an EEA family permit, but she must be your wife to qualify. Unlike a spouse or fiance visa, it is free. As a resident of Portugal you obviously apply to the Portuguese embassy.

[Mighty Mouse]

A fiancée is a lady with whom you have an agreement to marry. If you're applying for a visit visa, I'd describe her as your girlfriend.

I agree with this summation.

In my case I referred to my better half as my "partner." Rather than use the prefix of Mrs. or Miss, I used M's.