Here is some further information based on conversations had.

Having gone through the whole process of helping my Fil wife apply for a fiancee visa from a Middle-East country and subsequently a successful FLR (M) application with resulting spouse visa and ID card, I think I can give good advice here to those still applying or confused by the British Embassy requirements. First, you cannot satisfy British Embassy that the two of you have a relationship unless you have proof that you have met. You need photos of the two of you together in Dubai. My wife got a Visit visa to UK first, so that we could get photographic evidence that we had met. We wrote letters to each other as evidence that the relationship was ongoing. We kept a Word document of all our yahoo Messenger chats etc etc.

If you already have photographic evidence of having met in Dubai I agree you do not need a visit visa to Britain. ee visa now. As fiancee visas run out after 6 months, your visa should not start until less than 6 months before your wedding as you also need time to apply for a spouse visa afterwards. It is correct that fiancee visas can take up to 3 to 4 months (all depending on how well you present your case) but we received ours after just 4 days without being given opportunity to state what date we wanted visa to commence from.

Also bear in mind that you need to be in Britain at least 1 month before you are allowed to marry anyway. It would be best to wait until you get your visa before making plans for your wedding. You can always change the date later. British Embassy just need to see evidence that you plan to get married ie a form from registry office will suffice

I advise that you apply for fiancee visa interview in September and do not travel to Britain until you receive the visa. If it takes 4 months you should change your wedding date once you arrive in Britain. If you get it quickly then all your plans may fit together. Regarding work. Best you do not commit to working in another country until you are married and receive your spouse visa after getting married as your application will probably be rejected as they may assume a marriage of convenience

The reason I state September is just in case you get visa immediately. You do not want it to expire before you get married. Unless you can change all your plans and go to Britain in say October and get married before January. Do not make firm commitments until you receive the visa

When it comes to evidence that you have met: the BE will not accept Internet evidence. They want to see proof that you have met face to face in person. In other words they need proof that you met in Dubai. Regarding sponsorship from your boyfriend: He will need to prove that he can support you without you becoming a burden to public funds. He also needs to prove that he has long-term accommodation you can stay at. His financial evidence could be savings statements showing how much he has to suppport you with and/or payslips to show he has a secure job.

The reason I state September rather than earlier is because you need 1 month before you can legally get married. Registry office will not book up wedding until fiancee has been at an address for at least 7 days and marriage cannot take place until a further 15 days has passed = total 22 days. Then you will need to apply for spouse visa afterwards so will need at least 2 months left of your 6 month visa when you arrive. Therefore you should not receive visa earlier than September = 4 months.

A visit visa is only necessary if you do not already have photographic evidence that you have met. If you have proof that you have met you do not need to visit first. You can apply immediately for fiancee visa and so save the cost of an unneccessary extra air fare


In reply to other topics but similar, my replies were:
At the end of the 2 years of your spouse visa (FLR) you will want to apply for ILR indefinite leave to remain (unlimited stay in Britain). At this time you will need to prove that the 2 of you have been living together consistently. The Home Office will want to know for sure that it isn't a marriage of convenience but a TRUE marriage. I would advise it is ok to visit home (Fil) for emergency reasons or for a brief holiday but best to go together. Basically always keep in mind that after 2 years you will be applying for indefinite stay so you need to build up your "portfolio" now. Best not to do anything (unless necessary and can be justified with evidence) wich might jeopardise your application in 2 years time.

You cannot apply for work permit until you are married. After you get married you will first need to apply for extension of your fiancee visa to a spouse visa = 2 years. Under spouse visa you will be allowed to work.

Therefore, once you are married on Jun 18th you can immediately start applying to the Home Office for spouse visa via their website. You will need to print-off the FLR (M) form and follow the instructions. However, best not to apply for FLR (2 years extension to your visa) until you have 1 month left on your 6 month fiancee visa. In the meantime (after your wedding) spend time getting your passport amended to married name.


My thorough investigation into Home Office and British Embassy website tells me (if I have understood them correctly) that they do not want you to apply for extension to your visa more than 1 month before expiry date - maybe that is the ILR - I will look again. If you did apply too early your application would be rejected. Note more clarity given by someone else in next post (immediately after this one).

Regarding question on Birth Certificates and other documents:

Hi. are you applying for fiancee visa to British Embassy to come to Britain? B Embassy are very clear on their website that your documents MUST be originals.

I can identify with your concern of giving away your original birth certificate. You are quite right to be concerned. What country are you in at the moment? My wife and I are experienced in her application for fiancee visa and spouse visa outside and inside Britain.

The advice given about giving a certified copy of birth certificate is true as I was also advised this by professional body. It all depends on what is easier and less expensive for you. You could get another original if you want, but it may be easier to actually visit British Embassy. However you WILL have to leave with them ALL your original documents - not just Birth certificate but originals of ALL the documents they ask for.

If you are applying for Fiancee visa outside Britain it takes up to 3 months to process so they will not give your documents back immediately. In our case (miraculously?) according to our prayers the fiancee visa was ready for collection just 4 days after she visited the BE. Best to hand in original documents (rather than mail) and collect later rather than them send through the post

When it came to spouse visa we presented all original documents by visitation choosing "premier" service. After being granted the visa all documents were given back to us immediately