Spouse/visit visa for Canadian wife

[Maida]

Hello,

I'm a British citizen looking to bring my Canadian wife (recently married outside of the UK) to live with me in the UK. It seems that we would meet all the requirements for a spouse visa application although I'm not quite sure as to what the best route to take is.

Preferably, I would like to bring my wife to the UK in the short-term and follow-up thereafter with a spouse-visa application. In this case Option 1 would be: Bring her to the UK via a visitor visa for less than 6 months, and then leave the UK and proceed to make the spouse visa application from outside (as I understand that I can't make the application for the spouse visa whilst on a visitors visa). Also, would her initially coming to the UK on a visitor visa to stay with me result in any implication in the future when applying for a spouse visa?

Option 2 would be: Temporarily live outside of the UK and make the spouse visa application from outside prior to officially moving to the UK. I understand that this seems the more logical approach, although it would be more complicated for me to execute for various reasons.

I'd be very happy to hear any other options that may be viable, and if there are any implications to either of the options that I may be unaware of.

Much appreciate any assistance.

[ywlgy]

Both are fine.

As a Canadian citizen, she can visit the UK up to 6 months visa-free, provided that she does not have adverse history with immigration or laws in any countries.

[Maida]

Both are fine.

As a Canadian citizen, she can visit the UK up to 6 months visa-free, provided that she does not have adverse history with immigration or laws in any countries.

Thank you soo much for the answer, very much appreciated.

If I may ask another question, would I be able to apply for a spouse/fiance visa for my Canadian wife/fiance outside of the UK and then bring her into the UK on a visitor visa whilst the application is pending? I'm assuming if that is the case then she would need to leave the UK and re-enter on the newer visa (if accepted).

[ywlgy]

Her passport will usually be kept by the consulate whilst waiting for the decision. There might be an option to keep it to herself, ask application center in Canada. When the decision is ready, she needs to send the passport back to get the visa and come to the UK. I am not sure if during the process her presence in the UK would have negative impact on the application, as normally people travel after getting the visa. That aside, considering the current waiting time for spouse visa is within 12 weeks, waiting in Canada might be a safer and less troublesome option.