Quote Originally Posted by Arthur Little View Post
My thanks to all contributors who welcomed me into their midst and responded sympathetically to my predicament by giving me the benefit of their advice based on their own experiences. I also include *those whose comments at first glance, smacked of cynicism but, in fact, managed to put a smile on the face of a somewhat trauchled (bedraggled, if you're not a Scotsman) "youngish" (at heart) pensioner. I would hasten to assure *them that, far from trying to 'buck the system', I am merely a decent British citizen who fell in love with an equally respectable lady who, unfortunately, happened to be living at the opposite end of our planet. As a retired public service worker, living on a modest occupational pension of maginally over £6,000 per annum, is it any wonder I opted for the "least expensive" method of bringing my intended to the UK??? ... !!!

As to Government Officials monitoring the site: Let them!!! I've nothing to hide ... (I've even divulged my total earnings, for God's sake; how many people are prepared to do that?) so why should my good lady and myself be penalised when all I'm trying to do is give her the opportunity to sample the realities of life in either the UK status quo, or a potentially independent Scotland. Besides, remarriage is a huge step at my time of life, and I am keen for her to meet my grown-up family first to alleviate their natural apprehension. In other words, I would prefer to shut the stable door BEFORE the horse bolts! Tell me, what's so wrong about exercising caution blended with long-term optimism?
If you see applying for a visitor visa as a way for your good lady to sample life in the UK for a short period of time, then I can understand why you are doing it and I wish you good luck.

But if you see applying for a visitor visa as a way of getting your good lady permanently to the UK then you are being very naive. It will be very difficult and even if you do succeed you will not avoid the costs of the additional visas that are needed.

Unfortunately immigration is not cheap even for someone (recently) married to a British citizen - current minimum cost is ~£1200, though it wouldn't surprise me if that jumps to ~£2000 if the government changes the rules as planned next year.