Fiance Visa - What happens next?

dizzyc · #1 (**permalink**) 04-01-08

Hi, some of you might have read already that my boyfriend and I were planning to marry in Tunisia later on this year. After long discussions we have decided to marry in the UK and therefore I will be applying for a Fiance visa. I understand that if succesful he will initially have a six month visa to enable him to get married then we would need to apply for a two year extension. The cost of the fiance visa is the same as a spouse visa but my question is do we have to pay again to get the two year extension? I am slightly confused but if what I read is right we would have to pay twice which seems a bit unfair. If anyone has been through this process I would be grateful if you could give me some advice.

Thanks very much x

dizzyc · #2 (**permalink**) 04-01-08

Hi Nicola, the way I've understood it is that if we apply & get a fiance visa it is only given for a six month period - that is the maximum time they give you to get married whilst in the UK. Once you get married you then have to apply for the spouse visa I think - this is where I'm getting confused. I thought the fiance visa was a settlement one valid for two years but I've read tonight that it's only for six months. I'm thinking that if he has to pay £500 for a fiance visa then has to pay another £500 for a spouse visa that this is unfair. I might have got this totally wrong though which is why I'm hoping there's someone on here that has been through the process. It's so confusing!! x

samwella · #3 (**permalink**) 05-01-08

Hi Dizzy, I know of someone how applied for the fiance visa, it is granted for 6 months and works pretty much in the way of a tourist visa, while in the uk they aren't allowed to work, they basically have the right to come to the UK to get married. Then once you're married and the 6 months in up, not sure if you can apply before this date, you probably will be able to apply a month before hand as with the leave to remain, then you apply for the 2 year spousal visa and yes you need to pay again. and also if after this you want to apply for the leave to remain this can only be applied from the end date of the spousal visa and not your marriage visa. It all depends how you want to do this and if you want to get married in the UK you can only do this on a fiance visa! hope this helps. good luck

Lizj · #4 (**permalink**) 06-01-08

Hi Dizzy,

I too read it like Samwella says, plus to apply for the settlement visa he will have to apply via the embassy in Tunis!!!! So they've got you all ways.

We've still not got anywhere with the visitors visa after they refused to take his application before Xmas, I'm still waiting for them to reply to my complaint!!!!!!!!!

dizzyc · #5 (**permalink**) 07-01-08

Hi Liz

Did you complain directly to the Embassy in Tunis? I can't believe no-one has got back to you, that's shocking. Maybe you should find out who you can complain to in the UK, perhaps your local MP would be able to help? Has your fella now handed in his papers? How long do you think it'll be before you get a decision? Best of luck hun, I hope it goes well for you both anyway xx

samwella · #6 (**permalink**) 07-01-08

I know exactly what you mean, but not the Tunisian embassey but the French consulate, I swear that they are unhelpful on purpose!

Lizj · #7 (**permalink**) 07-01-08

Hi Dizzy, No we have still not handed in the papers as waiting for a reply, I sent an email to Tunis and London, the person in London replied straight away , asked for more info and got war and peace, he apologized for the trouble we had had and he has forwarded all the info to the ECO in Tunis for them to reply directly to me. They have had two full working days last week and I am giving them till 3pm today to reply and then its WAR!!!!!!

I am so stressed out with it all as I'm sure so many of you here have or are experiencing, they seem to have forgotten its peoples lives they are messing with. I can't find words strong enough to describe what I think of them and they are certainly not printable.

Lizj · #8 (**permalink**) 07-01-08

Hi Nicola,
I went onto the UKVisa's website and there was a link, to 'contact us', that was replied to pretty quickly and it is them I will contact again this afternoon, although they are anonymous.
You will need to provide
your husbands name
date of birth
ref. no of application

Hope this is some help, also someone elses husband has appt for 15th Jan when they are now closed and they also have been unable to get an answer, its disgusting.

Good Luck and let me know how you get on, if I think of anything else I'll let you know

samwella · #9 (**permalink**) 07-01-08

I really don't think these people realise that this is people lives they mess with, it really is your life in their hands

dizzyc · #10 (**permalink**) 11-01-08

Hi Nicola

Congratulations!!! I am SO pleased for you hun, when is he coming over then? I bet you are so relieved and really excited. Best wishes to you both in the future xx