my situation and any advice welcome

[andrea1967]

I am a UK citizen and my partner (husband to be) is Mexican.

I lived with him in Mexico for 3 months till it was time to come back to England as my return flight was due. Truthfully I would have satyed in Mexico but there were a couple of things that bothered me... We are not wealthy people and cannot afford to go to some peaceful remote town to make a living...ie we dont have lots of savings. So our lives would have to be in a big town or city where we may find work. Problem with that was and is... I speak little spanish (am learning slowly) so work was gonna be a prob for me. And my partner is only skilled in building trade and work was sparse and he could only ever earn $70 a week at best. We managed and we were (and still are) very happy. BUT not only was that an issue, he has not family (some distand cousins etc but thats that) and I obv dont have family over there.. so had we lived there till out old age we simply would have struggled as we would not have been able to save very much on his wages alone. Plus as well because of our likely location (city/town) there was always a danger for me (being a guera - white girl...) those of a criminal nature look upon ppl like me as easy target for kidnap.. it really is like that. In our 3 months there we could only afford a 2 room shack and we had drug dealers at end of street, peole were shot and killed, and toward the end of my 3 months I really felt like these drug dealers were taking notice of me.... I did not feel safe.
Anyway - I came back to UK. 5 days later my partner followed.... with the little money we had - we got a flat and furnished it. Bought a small old car (it works haha)... and I looked for work... and this is were I have struggled. I have been doing some self employed bits but it is no where near enough ( In IMMIGRATION eyes ) to support us. So I have had to claim housing benefit. I would have claimed this anyway... but as for everything else... we have managed...
The thing is this I am 44 years old and for first time in my life I have found love. I have been married before but I have never wanted anything as much as I want this man. We have lived together now for close to 8 months and it has been 24/7 practically. He is due to go back to Mexico in 1 months time... and so we look at our options.
We have no money left and what we do have we use to pay for our outgoings... HOWEVER we will do what I need to to get the cash to sort out immigration etc for him to be here as my husband...
So what do I do? I could go back to Mexico and trust me I would but it concerns me the dangers that could face me/us.
And why would we go there when the only family we have between us is in UK...
My family love my partner and my Mum does too - trust me she has hated anyone else I have known (thats Mums haha)
I wonder what are my options?
Marriage and a marriage/spousal visa? Does he have to go back to Mexico to apply for this?
Maybe my family could sponsor him?
He speaks fluent and very good english what about getting an employer to sponsor him?
We need to buy time so I can get a job and save some cash so we can without money worry apply for spousal visa etc..
If he cant come here I will go to Mexico and thats probably a dangerous thing to do... adivce help etc appreciated guys.. and thanks I know its been a long one :0)

[vinny]

See also Guidance.

If he wants to settle with you, then he should apply for the appropriate settlement visa from Mexico, subject to the MAA and A1 requirements. It may be better if you marry him in the UK before he returns to Mexico. Third party support is currently possible, but perhaps not for long.