Applying for Visitor Visa for fiancee before marriage

[daonline]

Hi,

I'm currently on ILR and planning to get married in couple of months in India.

Since getting a spouse visa takes time, we intend to apply for her visitor's visa BEFORE the marriage.
Idea is she can travel to UK with me immediately after marriage (on her visitor visa) and stay here for couple of months. We'll apply for her spouse visa immediately after her return to India.

Since she doesn't have enough funds in her account, either myself or our common friend can help her sponsoring/meeting the cost of her visit towards accomodation and travel etc.

Couple of questions for which I'm seeking advise -

1) Is it advisable for that our common friend should help sponsor cost towards her visitor visa
Or
Is it advisable for me to do that ?

2) In light of above arrangement, will it have any impact - positive or negative, when we later apply for her spouse visa ?

Any other words of wisdom or caution will be highly appreciated.

Thanks for your time.

[daonline]

Just to add, she hasn't done an international travel before. Not sure if that's going to impact any of the visa(s)

[SimonS]

Hi daonline,

First I should say I'm not an expert. However, I am going through the process of settlement Visa application for no EEA Spouse and my experience and knowledge would lead me to the following answers/questions

1) Are you proposing that once married, your spouse travels to UK on a simple tourist/visitor Visa and stays with you for a couple of months?

That is definitely not a good idea. She would have to lie about her relationship with you which would jeopardise and msot likely kill the future Spouse Visa.

2) HO will cross check these details. Similarly, what possible reason could your common acquaintance give for sponsoring her that would be honest and accepted?

I honesty beleive that there are no short cuts after you are married which will be looked upon positively.

[daonline]

Hi,

SimonS - Thanks for taking time to reply.

1) Are you proposing that once married, your spouse travels to UK on a simple tourist/visitor Visa and stays with you for a couple of months?

That is definitely not a good idea. She would have to lie about her relationship with you which would jeopardise and msot likely kill the future Spouse Visa.

Yes the idea is to travel asap after marriage. I'm just trying to understand my options and implications around that idea.

I get your viewpoint, though one question is if I sponsor her trip as a fiancee and clearly establishing my relationship (yet on visitor visa, not fiancee visa) and we apply for visitor visa before marriage. Do you think this can have negative impact on when we later apply for spouse visa ?

Thanks.

[SimonS]

The standard visitor visa has replaced many categories including family visitor visa. I'm not an expert but looking at the guidance, so long as you declare everything and meet the support requirements it should be fine to apply for visitor visa.

Good luck
Simon

[Casa]

What evidence of strong ties to her home country are you proposing of submitting?