Simple step-by-step outline for spouse process?

[Strawfrawg]

Good afternoon.

I am a citizen and current resident of the United States, marrying my UK citizen/resident fiance at a ceremony in the US this summer. I intend to start the visa process to join him in the UK as soon as the marriage occurs (with the intention of eventually becoming a UK citizen).

I have been reading the UK government's immigration website, but am finding it less than perfectly straightforward as far as the step-by-step process. I'm hoping someone here can help me.

What I would like to know:

1. In the simplest terms, what is the process from first spouse visa through naturalization? All I need to know is the names of the visas I need to apply for (in order), how long they are valid, and when I need to be applying for the next one in the succession.

2. Regarding the financial requirement: Am I correct that all we need is for my partner to be able to demonstrate that he has been consistently employed for the past six months before the date of my application, at a salary equal to or greater than £18,700 (gross) per year? If he meets that threshold, is there anything else we have to demonstrate, finance-wise...as far as savings, my U.S. income, etc.?

Thank you in advance for your kind response.

[CR001]

The form you need to complete is VAF4A when applying from abroad. For information, if you want to look at the form used from within the UK FLR(M) (not applicable to you if applying from the USA), it has a quite a bit of info. Links to FLR(M) and the guide below :

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... _11-14.pdf

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... _11-14.pdf

You will be applying for a spouse (also known as a settlement) visa. It should be granted initially for a period of 30 months.
The visa will need to be renewed after 2.5 years, meeting all the same requirements again as for the initial visa.
This extension will be for a further 2.5 years.
Once you have completed 5 years residence, you will need to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) on form Set(M) meeting all the requirements again including passing the Life in the UK test.
Only once you have been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) can you apply for citizenship on form AN on the basis of 3 years residence as the spouse of a British citizen and once you get approval and attend the ceremony, you can apply for your British passport.
It is a minimum of 5 years before you get to the citizenship stage.
There is quite a big fee for every stage you go through.

Your spouse has to meet the financial requirement of £18,600 and provide proof thereof. Your income will not be taken into account as you are applying from abroad.

You need to supply accommodation evidence and provide your spouse payslips, bank statements and letter from employer, etc.

[Strawfrawg]

Thank you, Char! That was very helpful. The links are greatly appreciated.

A follow-up question, based on your feedback:

If we get married in the States and he returns home, is it even possible for me to go to the UK and apply from within the country? If I wanted to do this, how would I enter...as a regular tourist? That doesn't seem likely to be legal....

We chose to marry in the States because there is no special visa for him to come over to marry me, and there is only a 24 hour wait for a marriage license. This seemed simpler. Are we missing something?

Thanks again.

[Greenie]

No you can't come to the uk as a visitor and then apply for the spouse visa. You need to apply from the US.

[Strawfrawg]

Thanks, Greenie.

[gemology]

Hi Strawfrawg,

I am in the exact same position with my Fiancee (US citizen). We are now planning to marry soon in the US then apply for a spouse visa.

I'm aware that there is no need for a special visa for me to enter the US, marry and then leave, however I'm having trouble finding out for sure whether I need to obtain any documents from the UK to take with me to the US which show I am able to marry. My local registry office has not been any help. I have not been married before so don't need any divorce certificates or anything.

Has your Fiance had any luck establishing whether he needs any documentation for your US marriage to go ahead?

Thanks