FIANCEE VISA and VISA Applications MORE than 30 Days in Advance.

[Dr Graham]

Gee, I didn't want to clutter up this section of the Forum by starting a new thread about something that MUST have been covered before.
So I've spent AGES trawling through past pages, only then to find that all the old threads are now CLOSED anyway !

After my Fiancee's Marriage Visa Application was Refused last year, we are now trying again.

Last year we applied for a MARRIAGE VISA because we could find NOTHING on either the UKBA Website, or the VFS Global Website, about the FIANCEE VISA ...... we even made an email enquiry asking for the Price and an Application Form, but were told that we needed to complete a VAF1F, (MARRIAGE VISA) Application.

We assumed the FIANCEE VISA WAS NOW OBSOLETE.

Since then I've been told by several Visa "Agencies", and have read on this Forum, that DESPITE all the LIES from the UKBA, the FIANCEE VISA IS STILL ALIVE & KICKING !

We have actually revised our plans and have decided we will marry in Phil' instead of the UK, so this time Stacy only needs to apply for a Tourist Visa.

For PERSONAL INTEREST ONLY, while searching for an Application Form, Guidance Notes, an Instructions for the Tourist Visa, I looked for this ELUSIVE "Fiancee Visa".

ONCE AGAIN I can find NOTHING on either the VFS Global, or UKBA Websites, about Fiancee Visas !!!

Even using their Search Facilities for "What Kind of Visa do I need ?" FAILS to find it, and it DOESN'T APPEAR on the UKBA's list of Visa Charges !

So would somebody please send me a link that will take me to this elusive beast ?


On a different VISA subject .....
Has anyone in Phil' ever tried to apply for a Tourist Visa MORE than 3 months in Advance ?
Did the UKBA "Play Ball" ?

I'm visiting my Fiancee in June and we are hoping that Stacy can spend Christmas with me in the UK.

Manila is a long way from Dipolog and with only one flight a day it's not possible to get to VFS the same day you fly in, or to fly home the same day after your appointment either, so a MINIMUM of 2 nights Accommodation is also required.

Last time I visited her, Dipolog was having Several Power Interruptions per Day and because of them several Government Offices were not able to provide the Original Documents Stacy need to support her Visa Application.
So I left Dipolog a few days early, with Stacy, and we spent the last days of my holiday in Manila, collecting all the Certificates she needed and then presenting her Visa Application.

We planned to do the same this time, until I noticed on the VFS Website that it says you should make your application UP TO 3 MONTHS IN ADVANCE.

[Nick30]

Why was your marriage visa refused Graham?

[Terpe]

Dr Graham,
Look here:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/partnersandfamilies/partners/fianceesproposedcivilpartners

and here:-

http://www.vfs-uk-ph.com/visa-info.aspx

[Terpe]

.......Has anyone in Phil' ever tried to apply for a Tourist Visa MORE than 3 months in Advance ?
Did the UKBA "Play Ball" ?

Normally UK Visit Visa's are NOT issued more than 3 months in advance of travel dates. The duration (validity) of the visa is 6 months.
Not trying to be negative here but, if you so desired you could write a nice letter to a Senior Manager within immigration at the Home Office, but special permission would still not be granted. Sorry.

Additionally, I just want to make you aware that a 'tourist visa' may prove very difficult to secure under your specific case (Non Family ... Boyfriend)
Your fiancee will need some very convincing evidence that she has no intention of deceiving the ECO with reason for entry, and that she will not be entering for marriage or overstay. Please be warned on that. If you feel insecure ask for professional advice or ask specific questions here.
No offence intended.

[medg22]

Hello Dr. Graham. I have read your post and I might be able to share some useful info about your enquiry because I have been in that situtation as well when I was still in the Philippines. Here it goes... Me and my hubby now are in a relationship for 4 years when we decided to get married (me to apply fiancee visa). So I decided to get a solicitor just to be sure for our 1st application. Completing all the needed documents took me 3 months, and it only took me 3 days to get my VISA. And guess what? all along I thought I am getting a fiancee visa but what i got was MARRIAGE VISA valid for 6 mos (I should get married within 6 months). So Fiancee visa is probably the same as marriage visa. Im not sure but it might be. And since I had my solicitor, he was the one who provided me with the appropriate application form.
So, if ever you need the list of necessary documents for MARRIAGE VISA, don't hesistate to ask me. Goodluck. :)

[Terpe]

Marriage Visa and Fiance(e) Visa are not at all the same.
Fiance(e) Visa is essentially a settlement visa. It is granted for 6 months vailidity. Means that you must get married within the 6 months validity, then once you are married and whilst you are still in UK you apply for FLR (Further Leave to Remain) as spouse.
A Marriage Visa is essentially a special visit visa. It is valid for 6 months BUT the holder MUST return to their home country before expiry. It is intended to allow a marriage (and honeymoon) to take place in UK for whatever reason, but it is not a settlement visa route and it is not a switchable visa. The holder must return home.
Any further requirement to enter the UK again will require a new application.

Hope that clarifies the issue.

[joebloggs]

Marriage Visa and Fiance(e) Visa are not at all the same.
Fiance(e) Visa is essentially a settlement visa. It is granted for 6 months vailidity. Means that you must get married within the 6 months validity, then once you are married and whilst you are still in UK you apply for FLR (Further Leave to Remain) as spouse.
A Marriage Visa is essentially a special visit visa. It is valid for 6 months BUT the holder MUST return to their home country before expiry. It is intended to allow a marriage (and honeymoon) to take place in UK for whatever reason, but it is not a settlement visa route and it is not a switchable visa. The holder must return home.
Any further requirement to enter the UK again will require a new application.

Hope that clarifies the issue.

:xxgrinning--00xx3:

marriage visa you would have to leave the country b4 your visa expires whether your married or not, and if you did marry you would have to apply for a spouse visa from your own country, as you need something called 'entry clearance' to stay, which you don't get with a marriage visa, but you do get with a fiancee or spouse visa (thats why a spouse or fiancee visa is a lot more expensive than a marriagevisa)

[medg22]

Marriage Visa and Fiance(e) Visa are not at all the same.
Fiance(e) Visa is essentially a settlement visa. It is granted for 6 months vailidity. Means that you must get married within the 6 months validity, then once you are married and whilst you are still in UK you apply for FLR (Further Leave to Remain) as spouse.
A Marriage Visa is essentially a special visit visa. It is valid for 6 months BUT the holder MUST return to their home country before expiry. It is intended to allow a marriage (and honeymoon) to take place in UK for whatever reason, but it is not a settlement visa route and it is not a switchable visa. The holder must return home.
Any further requirement to enter the UK again will require a new application.

Hope that clarifies the issue.


Ok. Thanks for the clarification. But what happened to me was i got a MARRIAGE VISA when I was in the Philippines and I got married after 5 months here in UK. And then I went to the UKBA 3 days before my visa was due to expire to apply for a 2 years extension which is also known as a SPOUSE VISA. I did not have to go back to the Philippines at all although I had an option to go back since I had a multiple entry type. And I was luckily granted staright away with permission to work :) That confuses me about the difference between fiancee visa and marriage visa. :Erm:

[medg22]

:xxgrinning--00xx3:

marriage visa you would have to leave the country b4 your visa expires whether your married or not, and if you did marry you would have to apply for a spouse visa from your own country, as you need something called 'entry clearance' to stay, which you don't get with a marriage visa, but you do get with a fiancee or spouse visa (thats why a spouse or fiancee visa is a lot more expensive than a marriagevisa)

:Erm::Erm::Erm: not in my case though... please read my reply to Terpe.

[Smurfette07]

Hi i am also applying for a fiancee visa, would you kindly help me with the list of documents i need and what process you went through. thank you very much :)

[Lancashirelad]

Hi Smurfette welcome to the forum!

if you type Fiance into the search box top right hand corner of the page you will find lots of help on Fiancee visa :)

[sars_notd_virus]

Ok. Thanks for the clarification. But what happened to me was i got a MARRIAGE VISA when I was in the Philippines and I got married after 5 months here in UK. And then I went to the UKBA 3 days before my visa was due to expire to apply for a 2 years extension which is also known as a SPOUSE VISA. I did not have to go back to the Philippines at all although I had an option to go back since I had a multiple entry type. And I was luckily granted staright away with permission to work :) That confuses me about the difference between fiancee visa and marriage visa. :Erm:


http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf2visitors#564063682

Special Visitors Visa(visitors coming to get married.marriage visit visa)

'If either you or your future husband, wife or civil partner are not EEA (European Economic Area) or Swiss nationals,you can visit the UK together to get married or register a civil partnership as long as you intend to leave the country within six months. ''

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/partnersandfamilies/partners/fianceesproposedcivilpartners/

''fiance(e) or proposed civil partner (not as a visitor for marriage or civil partnership), will normally be given permission to stay here for 6 months. You must not work during this time. After you have married or registered your civil partnership, you can apply to stay here as the husband, wife or civil partner of a settled person(FLR) If they approve your application, they will give you permission to live and work here for 2 years. Near the end of the 2 years, you can apply to settle here permanently if you are still married or civil partners and intend to live together.(ILR)''



....Hello Medg!!! Terpe is correct marriage visit visa is different from a fiance visa,even the visa application fee is a lot different... its either you did not inform the UKBA that you are just a special visitor to marry or you did apply fiance visa whilst you were in the Philippines and what you have just apply to stay here is called FLR(further leave to remain)..what application form did you use when you applied in the philippines?

[Dr Graham]

Thank you everyone, and especially Terpe for the links.

I do think the UKBA (and VFS) Websites could be better designed, so this Visa could be found more easily.

In reply to Nick30.
Our ECO decided that my Fiancee might try to Overstay and might even Seek Employment, so he Refused her Application, and Denied her the Right of Appeal !

And that was DESPITE the fact that we'd already stated that she would only stay for 3 months, because I have limited income and couldn't support her for much longer than that in the UK, and because she had young children back in Phil' and had never spent any time away from them before.