Girlfriend Visiting me in the UK, Plans for the future

[seagul]

Unless anything has changed, there appears to be a British Council test centre in San Salvador.

"IELTS tests take place in San Salvador on various dates throughout the year. Registrations are processed and administered by the British Council in Mexico City."

https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/lo ... l-Salvador

These versions of tests might be for other purposes but there is none for spouse visa purposes there as per HO list.

Hence the caution in my comment 'unless anything has changed'.

Well in case of spouse visa where HO only want to see some evidences strictly from their list then there shouldn't be any search be made anywhere else except their guidance/list.

[CandyLee]

In which case i'm assuming it would be useful if I also provided a letter to detail our circumstance, where she will be staying, that I will be supporting her and provide evidence that I have sufficient income to support her during her visit here?

She can just put down your address on the landing card. And there is really no need of any financial evidence or proof that you can support her for the time being. You can still get that all ready if you want, just in case if they want to look at it. Sufficient funds are mainly for people who are on short studies and to prove that housing/tuition was paid for and they have enough money to survive their stay. I was never once asked about how I or my partner will support myself while I was in the UK. I've also assisted 3 people with short studies/trips to the UK in the summer and none of them were asked to show any proof. But it's always better if you have it prepared, if needed. I'm just saying, you don't need to stress yourself out about this.

I've only encountered one minor issue and that was on the last year. The immigration officer thought that I lied about our circumstances. He asked if we were engaged and I said NO, but we did discuss about planning on getting married (which was the truth), but he still didn't believe that people would date for 6 yrs without being engaged. So he rang up my husband and told me that if he addresses me as his fiancee, then he will not allow my entry as that would prove I was a liar. Of course when my husband answered the phone, he referred to me as his girlfriend, so we were safe. In your case, it would be really easy, if they ever have any questions or problems, she can just say that you are also travelling with her and they can question you face to face.

[Casa]

@seagul Thank you for your learned guidance on advising members.

[corey01]

In which case i'm assuming it would be useful if I also provided a letter to detail our circumstance, where she will be staying, that I will be supporting her and provide evidence that I have sufficient income to support her during her visit here?

She can just put down your address on the landing card. And there is really no need of any financial evidence or proof that you can support her for the time being. You can still get that all ready if you want, just in case if they want to look at it. Sufficient funds are mainly for people who are on short studies and to prove that housing/tuition was paid for and they have enough money to survive their stay. I was never once asked about how I or my partner will support myself while I was in the UK. I've also assisted 3 people with short studies/trips to the UK in the summer and none of them were asked to show any proof. But it's always better if you have it prepared, if needed. I'm just saying, you don't need to stress yourself out about this.

I've only encountered one minor issue and that was on the last year. The immigration officer thought that I lied about our circumstances. He asked if we were engaged and I said NO, but we did discuss about planning on getting married (which was the truth), but he still didn't believe that people would date for 6 yrs without being engaged. So he rang up my husband and told me that if he addresses me as his fiancee, then he will not allow my entry as that would prove I was a liar. Of course when my husband answered the phone, he referred to me as his girlfriend, so we were safe. In your case, it would be really easy, if they ever have any questions or problems, she can just say that you are also travelling with her and they can question you face to face.

Thanks CandyLee, that's really reassuring to hear. If we are engaged, would this be a problem? Or is the problem that the immigration officer believed that you weren't being truthful with him?

[CandyLee]

Yes, it was simply because the immigration officer believed that I wasn't being truthful with him.
Being engaged is not a problem at all. If you were engaged, they may ask to see her fiancee visa(which would allow her to get married in the UK). She can just say that she didn't apply for one cause you intend to get married in El Salvador.