Partner visa journey

[Foxy88]

Hi,

I have a partner in South Africa where I am originally from. Almost 4 years ago I came to the UK to work. My partner was going to follow after I'd found a place and she had sold our things, packed etc (we lived together for 3 years)

She came a few months later on a tourist visa just because it was quick and she wanted to see me and see where we were going to stay. Unfortunately when she went back, covid hit almost immediately and everything got locked down which made things difficult for us for about 2 years.

We applied for an unmarried partner visa for her but this got denied because in her tourist visa she said I was a "good friend" - she only said this because she didn't want the tourist visa to get rejected on the grounds of her being seen as a risk of not returning back to SA and staying here illegaly with me.

So... I feel like we've really jammed things up and need a solid way forward now. I went to see her recently, and proposed to show her that I'm commited and we'll get through this together, since she was getting super unnerved about the rejected visa.

My question: Should I even attempt the fiance visa application or should I just do a marriage ceremony in SA and go for the spousal visa?
- I prefer the fiance visa because we get to have a proper romantic wedding and not just a paper signing.
- The fiance visa is cheaper initially which is also good since I've spent so much money on flights and the other failed visa.
- I'm nervous they'll reject the spousal visa on grounds of us just trying to get her a "green card"

Any help or advice is really appreciated!

[Foxy88]

Also... I don't really want to get married in SA with a marriage officer, then apply for an unabridged marriage certificate with Home Affairs, wait 6-8 weeks for that, which all then just adds another 2-3 months onto my fiance getting some sort of decision on a visa.

[CR001]

You don't need an unabridged marriage cert from SA for a spouse visa. Just the normal one with both your names is sufficient.

Fiance visa valid for six months costs £1538, so not really cheaper.

[Foxy88]

OK great news on the unabridged certificate!

Long term no, its not cheaper but it gives me time to save a bit at least and I don't have to fly back to SA at another £1500, so instead of paying £1,538(visa) + £1,872 (IHS) + £1500 (flight) now for a spousal, I can just pay £1,538 (visa) for fiance.

Sounds like you're saying I should go for the spousal though? A bit disappointed but not surprised.

[AmazonianX]

It making the options clear and laid bare before you. Choice of which lies with you.