Forum Immigration UK


Forum of expats in the Immigration UK: Ask questions and participate to discussions concerning expatriation.

  Search the whole website

  User's Charter  -  Help  -  Terms and Rules  -  Privacy Policy

✎ EN Want to marry a UK girl

Discussion in 'Immigration UK' started by Skeniver, Jun 17, 2007.

  1. Skeniver

    Skeniver New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2007
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Hi there

    I am in a pickle. I am a 25 year old South African lad. Been living in the UK for a year and a half on a Working Holidaymaker visa.

    About 2 months ago I met a UK girl (23) and we have fallen in love something chronic. She has a job with great career prospects, so I am willing to stay here. The problem is being able to do that.

    My visa expires in December and I have no idea of how to stay. We are both willing to get married if that means I could stay. Not for convenience, but things are accelerated with my impending departure.

    The problem (I think) would be in getting a spouse visa, as I have been advised by a few South African friends who have done it, is that we cant really prove a relationship, because its been so short. So I am worried that it will not be approved. They all had photos and birthday cards, etc to prove they have been together.

    Is this true? Or what other options do I have? Seeing I would have to apply in South Africa I don't want to marry her and then not be allowed back into the UK cause I don't have a visa.

    Any advice would really be a great help, cos I am in a bit of a low place right now, when I should be on the high that love brings!!!

    Thanks
    Neil
     
  2. Skeniver

    Skeniver New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2007
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Just to add a bit.

    While I don't think my grandparents were born here (would qualify me for an ancestral visa), I know they have UK or Irish passports.

    Does this afford me any possibilities?

    Thanks again
     
  3. Triple H

    Triple H Addicted member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2005
    Messages:
    1,279
    Likes Received:
    0
    Gender:
    Male
    City:
    Dublin
    Living In:
    Ireland
    Nationality:
    British (GB)
    Languages:
    English
  4. Skeniver

    Skeniver New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2007
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Yeah I understand that part. the problem is getting the spouse visa, because as I understand it, I may have to prove a relationship for it to get approved, and we can't really prove one, as we haven't been together that long...
     
  5. Kaitain

    Kaitain Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2006
    Messages:
    72
    Likes Received:
    0
    Gender:
    Male
    Living In:
    United Kingdom
    Nationality:
    British (GB)
    Languages:
    English
    It's not all that hard to prove a relationship: first relax and take a deep breath.

    Second: as you've only known one another for 2 months, you are most definitely in the "honeymoon period" for the relationship - since you have another 6 months left to go before your visa expires, there's no need to rush into doing anything just yet.

    A) Third: as you've only known one another for 2 months, you are probably not living together; however, you will be exchanging telephone calls, SMS, going and seeing places and taking photos with the two of you together, going on weekend breaks (keep the receipts), that kind of thing. That proves a relationship.

    B) If you do happen to move in with your belle, make sure you declare to the UK electoral register that you've moved to that address: as a SA citizen, you're not eligible to vote, and the electoral commission will send a letter stating this. Additionally inform the local council you've moved there so that your name appears on council tax records. Those help to prove that you have "lived in a relationship like a marriage", though that part is really unnecessary.

    C) It is also not the end of the world if you find yourself back in South Africa for 6 months, provided you make use of technology and keep the relationship going (and keep records of all of it): admissible proof of relationship includes emails, MSN messenger (or equivalent) logs, Skype call logs, postcards. The difficulty of making an international relationship work also lets you know the strength and calibre of it.

    In principle there's no reason why you can't apply for your COA at the end of next month based on whatever you can put together for (A). There's nothing to stop you moving in with your belle in a couple of months and doing the things in (B) while waiting for the decision. It means that if the worst happens, and you find yourself back in South Africa for Christmas, your application for a fiancé's visa should be a breeze.
     
Loading...
Similar Threads Forum Date
✎ EN Pakistani girl (me) wants to marry a boy in uk Immigration UK Jan 24, 2018
✎ EN Can I marry my girlfriend whilst... Immigration UK May 21, 2012
✎ EN Portugese Girl marrying Pakistani national Immigration UK Oct 13, 2011
✎ EN British girl (me) wants to marry pakistani boy in uk Immigration UK Sep 11, 2011
✎ EN Marrying a UK citizen girl.. Immigration UK Apr 5, 2009

Share This Page