I recently got engaged and my future hubby lives in London. We have booked me an airline tckt round trip to trvl on 4/25/08. I am concerned because on several sites I have visited, it says that I do not need a visa but some say I do.

Do I need to apply for a visitor's visa prior to my trip to get entrance in the UK or will they grant that once I arrive?

If I don't need to apply in advance, what will I need to provide to custom officials once I arrive so they don't deny me entry? (I read on a blog from some1 esle that she got denied to visit the UK because she didn't have enough money to prove she can support herself.)

Will I be able to convert this visitor's visa to a spousal visa before it expires or must I wait til it expires?

Can someone prepare me for what I need to do just to visit the UK?


It is my understanding that as a US citizen I am not required to apply for a visitors visa and I will be granted permission to stay for up to 6 months by custom officials once I arrive. We are not planning to marry until the end of this year. We are planning to marry in the states and then I will apply for my spousal visa so we can be together permanently in London.

I have read several post on here where people have gotten there spousal visa in 1 day, 2 days, and 18 days. I understand that I need to submit all of the appropriate paperwork and pay all the neccessary visa fee's, biometric fee's, and etc. However, I am not concerned about the paperwork, I am more concerned with how will they perceive our relationship.

We met over the internet in February 2008 and we are planning to get married at the end of my visitor's visa. It is my understanding that I can't convert it to a spousal visa, it must expire then I can apply for one.

We will be meeting for the first time later this month and I will be staying in London for a month to get to know him better. He will be coming back to the US with me and residing here til we get married which will be close to the end of the year. We are getting a place together with both our names on the lease. I am concerned that they may not think our relationship is geniuine, which it is.

I have never been more sure about anything in my life. I feel we are soul-mates and I dislike the fact that we have to prove to someone that we are in love and this indeed is real. I understand why these measure are put in place...but I don't think anyone can truly judge if someone else is in love or not. Anyway.... if anyone has went through what I am going through or if anyone has any advice.... please share. :headscratch:

A girl desperately in love and wants to be with her soul-mate!!!

 

Hey Tom,

Thanks for replying. We are both actually in our thirties so the age will not be an issue. I really need to know what to expect from the custom officials when I arrive.

I will have proof of employment, a round trip ticket (which I only plan on staying for about 2-3 wks), my passport, and my paycheck stubs.

Will that be proof enough that I can sustain my visit in the UK? Or, will i need to provide a copy of my bank statement just to visit.

I only plan on telling the officials that I am visiting as a tourist. Which in all honesty is true. I will see the sites and just have a mini vacation. My intentions are to come back to the states til the end of the year.

It is unfortunate that I haven't received that many replies back, considering there are so many US citizen on here with the experience of travelling to the UK. I just want some information. I am not asking anyone to critique our relationship per say.....just to provide me with the general knowledge. This is my first international trip and I am very nervous about what to expect.

Anyone out there that can provide me with some information based on their own personal experience would be truly appreciated.

Please Share.....

 

Very Helpful Information, Thanks

Hey MissMegan,

Thanks for responding back. I will make sure I have all the information you suggested. I will have approximately $600-$800 usd in my account at the time of my arrival. Within five days after arriving I will get paid another paycheck direct deposit which will increase that and bring my total over $1500 usd. Do you think that will be enough funds or should we put more in my account?

I will be getting my travel shots on the Monday before I leave and I am just hoping they won't make me sick. l will bring with me my passport, US driver's license, birth certificate, verification of employment letter, paycheck stubs, proof of direct deposit of payroll checks and frequency, the address where I'll be staying and last but not least my round trip ticket. Is there anything I forgot? Do they need a sample of my blood too? (LOL , but I do understand the importance of national security and why they take such measures.)

Hey Megan, I also want to say thanks for clearing something up for me. You mentioned that I will have entry clearance when I visit and I don't need a visa. I was thinking I might have to apply for a visitors visa but you have clarified that for me, thanks a lot!! You asked me if we would be ok, if I am not working while I am there and vice versa. He will be travelling abroad once every two months to conduct his business and I will be getting paid time off because I am using my vacation time.

I hope all goes well with you and your spousal visa and I hope you and your fiance have a wonderful wedding!! I never knew how much this entailed to get a visa. I hope you get yours approved in one day like the other lady on here was talking about. I will be travelling to Abbeywood... which is in a borough in London. Do you know much about that area?

Thanks again for all the information you have shared and if anyone else have any information please share. ttyl