--Tier 5 Youth Mobility SWITCHING to Spouse route--

[Andy626]

Hello everyone!

Fiance - New Zealand Citizen
Me - UK Citizen
I recently has an appointment with an immigration expert but wanted to just clear some details up


I'll get straight to the point:
-My fiance will be applying for the "Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Visa)" she covers all the points for that so not a problem.

- During her stay about 5 months in we plan to marry by switching to the spouse route

- I'd like to get some info on this process, for example can you switch this visa while being in the UK on the tier 5. I've seen some people say she'd have to travel back to NZ to get the visa and some saying you don't so I'm confused.

Thank you for your time

[Casa]

It is possible to switch to Tier 5 to FLR(M) from within the UK. However, if you intend to marry in the UK, bear in mind that as your fiancee is a foreign national without permanent residence, you will only be able to register your intent to marry with a Home Office Registry Office.

The Registrar is then legally bound to notify the HO who can then extend the notification period from 28-70 days in order to interview you both should they choose to do so before the wedding can take place. Not all couples are interviewed.

Do you meet the minimum income level of £18,600 p.a?

In addition to the visa fee of £993 postal (£1583 in person) your wife will also have to pay the £500 IHS Surcharge.

[Andy626]

It is possible to switch to Tier 5 to FLR(M) from within the UK. However, if you intend to marry in the UK, bear in mind that as your fiancee is a foreign national without permanent residence, you will only be able to register your intent to marry with a Home Office Registry Office.

The Registrar is then legally bound to notify the HO who can then extend the notification period from 28-70 days in order to interview you both should they choose to do so before the wedding can take place. Not all couples are interviewed.

Do you meet the minimum income level of £18,600 p.a?

In addition to the visa fee of £993 postal (£1583 in person) your wife will also have to pay the £500 IHS Surcharge.

Hello Casa!

First off thank you for answering my post:

I believe when I spoke to the adviser he mentioned that taking this route would mean both our incomes would be accounted for since were taking this route rather than going with the marriage visa from the start, with that we easily cover the £18.6k as combined were about £36k.

I should point out our jobs are possible to perform anywhere since we work as an artist, voice actor & online content creator and we've been together for about 4 years with evidence of us visiting each other multiple times.

I did hear about possibly being interviewed as well so that's fine and since we can both work on the Tier 5 the charges are fine.

The process which we were given was:

1. Apply for the (Tier 5 Youth mobility)
2. Get approved (hopefully)
3. Use a FLR(M) (believe it was M)
4. Switch to the Spouse route which allows for 2 1/2 yrs
5. Continue to extend from there till permanent residence

Again thank you so much for answering us, it's very difficult to get the answers these days.

[Casa]

Both you and your wife will have to submit your most recent 6 months of payslips + the corresponding bank statements showing that you meet the 18,600 p.a minimum income level.

Respected Guru, Frontier Mole has previously advised caution over the prior intention to settle in the UK when the Tier-5 visa application was submitted.

[Andy626]

Both you and your wife will have to submit your most recent 6 months of payslips + the corresponding bank statements showing that you meet the 18,600 p.a minimum income level.

Respected Guru, Frontier Mole has previously advised caution over the prior intention to settle in the UK when the Tier-5 visa application was submitted.

By "both you and your wife(fiance presently)" do you mean we'll have to submit to prove that COMBINED we meet the quota?
Cause that makes perfect sense and is fine, wouldn't expect them to trust me xD

I was told by the adviser that it's a bit "iffy" to go down this path but is technically fine as long as it's a genuine relationship and isn't blatantly being done as a fast way in.

I should point out that the only reason were doing this method rather than staying on the Tier 5 and extending from there is my fiance is christian so marriage is very important to us when living together (Should have said that earlier)

[Casa]

You haven't considered a fiancee visa?

[Andy626]

You haven't considered a fiancee visa?

I was informed by the adviser about this route so I naturally assumed it'd be the better one to take.

With the fiance visa would she be able to switch to it from the Tier 5, use our combined income or base it off of hers for it AND continue to extend the stay until we eventually hit permanent residence?

Or are you suggesting the use of the fiance visa instead of the entire other process?

[vinny]

With a fiancé visa, she wouldn't be on Tier 5. They normally grant leave for max of six months. You must satisfy the financial requirements on your own. After marriage, she must switch to FLR(M), prior to her leave expiring. She wouldn't be allowed to work until they grant her FLR(M).