Uk Visa For American To Accompany Gf W/student Visa)

[RealRyguy]

Hello,

I apologize in advance if this was answered already. I have looked over the thread : http://www.thaivisa....nt-visa-basics/ and was not able to find a direct answer to my question(s).

I'm American and have been living in Thailand a little over 4 years now and have been dating a Myanmar national the entire time.

She has been accepted to study her MFa in the UK.

I want to continue our relationship and travel with her. However we are not married.

What are my options?

What kind of Visa can I apply for and what are the requirements?

I have emailed the VFS Visa Information Service however I have only recieved an automated message. It has been 4 days now with no actual reply. I made a phone call and the woman on the phone tried to redirect me to the website. She then urged me to wait for a reply to my message as there is a queue systemso it may be awhile longer. I'm getting nervous and am trying to plan so I need TV's help with this.

I appreciate any help. I simply wish to visit the UK with her for the 2 years it takes her to graduate without having to be obligated to make such an important decision as marriage.

Again, sorry if this has been answered before or if the info is availabe. I'm very confused and have called other agencies and only recieved mixed/conflicting answers.

Thank you again in advance!

Cheers!

[7by7]

I'm sure you know that as an American you do not need a visa to visit the UK. However, you would still be subject to the UK's immigration rules regarding visitors.

Basically:

• You could stay in the UK for no longer than 6 months on any one visit.
  
• Usually you could stay in the UK for no longer than 6 months out of any 12 as a visitor.
  
• You could not work.
  
• You could not study.
  

Furthermore, even though you do not need a visa to visit the UK, if an Immigration Officer at your port of entry had reason to believe that you intended to break the conditions of entry as a visitor then you would be questioned and could be refused entry.

So, the only way a visit would help was if you are prepared to, and can afford to, spend 6 months in the UK without working, leave for 6 months, re-enter for another 6 months etc.

You are sensible enough not to marry her just to get a UK visa; but even if you did there is no guarantee that you would get one as a student dependent.

Husbands do count as dependents of students and can live in the UK with their spouse whilst the spouse is studying; but only under certain conditions.

From Can you bring your family?

From 4 July 2011, you cannot bring your dependents to the UK unless you are:

• sponsored by a higher education institution on a course at NF level 7 or above which lasts 12 months or more; or
  
• a new government-sponsored student following a course which lasts longer than 6 months.
  

Even marrying her and then applying for settlement as her spouse, or if you have been living together in a relationship akin to marriage for at least the last two years and so meet the criteria for unmarried partners, may not work as you would need to meet all the settlement criteria. Including having an income of at least £18,600 pa or cash savings of at least £62,500. (See UK Settlement Visa Basics)

I am not sure if you would qualify for settlement as her spouse or unmarried partner anyway as she will be in the UK with a non settlement visa and so, technically, not a UK resident.

So as I see it you have only two choices.

Either:

• find a suitable course for yourself and obtain a Tier 4 student visa, or
  
• see if you can obtain one of the various types of work permit.
  

BTW, VFS is simply a visa application centre; they simply collect applications and fees for forwarding to the embassy. They are not allowed to give UK immigration advice nor say which type of visa may be suitable.

Edited February 7, 2013 by 7by7

[RealRyguy]

Thank you very much 7by7. Even though I don't see this as good news I am grateful for the information you have provided.