Marriage in UK on tourist (visit) visa

[Sculler]

As I mentioned in another thread, I will be in England for a year doing some work for the US Government. My fiancee is scheduled for her K-1 interview in Oct, but we will need to cancel that and probably start the process over and wait it out while we are in the UK. I have been looking at alternatives for us to be together while I am in the UK. She currently has a UK visit visa good until mid-November. I am thinking of having her apply for a 1 year visit visa so she can come and visit me (no more than 6 months at a time). One option we need to consider is getting married in the UK and then applying for a K-3 to get her into the US when my job ends next autumn. What is the rule for two non-residents getting married in the UK? I read something about a 7 day residency requirement and also something about getting a visa for it. Was that referring to a visit visa, or is there another type of visa she will need? When I talked to the US Visa Center about my current application, they told me I could apply for her US K-3 visa through the London Embassy as long as she has a legal basis for being there (one year visit visa should suffice). But if we do this we will need to get married fairly soon to allow time for the processing time for our petition in the US. Otherwise we will need to hold off getting married until late next year after we get back to the US.

I appreciate any advice/suggestions. Thanks.

1x

[msmoby_ru]

As I mentioned in another thread, I will be in England for a year doing some work for the US Government. My fiancee is scheduled for her K-1 interview in Oct, but we will need to cancel that and probably start the process over and wait it out while we are in the UK. I have been looking at alternatives for us to be together while I am in the UK. She currently has a UK visit visa good until mid-November. I am thinking of having her apply for a 1 year visit visa so she can come and visit me (no more than 6 months at a time). One option we need to consider is getting married in the UK and then applying for a K-3 to get her into the US when my job ends next autumn. What is the rule for two non-residents getting married in the UK? I read something about a 7 day residency requirement and also something about getting a visa for it. Was that referring to a visit visa, or is there another type of visa she will need? When I talked to the US Visa Center about my current application, they told me I could apply for her US K-3 visa through the London Embassy as long as she has a legal basis for being there (one year visit visa should suffice). But if we do this we will need to get married fairly soon to allow time for the processing time for our petition in the US. Otherwise we will need to hold off getting married until late next year after we get back to the US.

I appreciate any advice/suggestions. Thanks.

1x

Hi Sculler

I would NOT advise applying for a 1 year visitor visa - you would almost certainly be rejected - the most you'll get on a second visa app would be another six months - with a limit on time she could stay.

Especially as you are considering marriage  - you should apply for a financee visa. If you mention getting married on a visitor app - you will almost certainly be refused !

Here is some reading references for you.

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/ukvqr?redirect=true&promoId=1910262&reason=Join+Family&nationality=Russian+Federation&location=United+States

There are some specific forums I can advise you on via pm