Tier 4 Student to Fiance Visa

[luna359]

Hi there

I am an Indian who is currently on a Tier 4 Student Visa (MSc in Cancer Therapies) which expires on the 16th Jan 2021. This is in the UK. A couple of weeks ago, my long term boyfriend who I have been staying with while studying in the UK proposed to me (I said yes!). We would really like to get married and start a life together here in the UK and was wondering what the best route would be.

We thought the best thing to do was to apply for a fiance visa before my visa expires as my current visa would naturally extend until the fiance visa is given (hopefully). We could then get married within 6 months and then apply for a spouse visa.

One issue we found was that due to some sources, it is not possible to apply for a fiance visa while on a student visa,

“You cannot apply for a family visa if your family member is in the UK temporarily on a work visa or student visa”.

https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa

This is confusing as plenty of other sources say that it is possible to switch from a Tier 4 to a Spouse visa if you have a fiance who is a UK citizen.

We also thought it might be possible to get married while I’m on my student visa however this expires in 2 weeks and we need to give 28 - 70 days notice for our wedding (marriage notice period with possible home office checks).

In terms of proving we have a genuine relationship, we have plenty of photos, records of messaging, skype calls, in the UK. I have seen his family multiple times and my fiance has visited me in India twice. We have also lived together.

Thanks!

[CULLINAN]

See coronavirus relaxations may work given you can not travel abroad in National Lockdown and maybe able to extend current visa or switch in UK now?

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus ... -in-the-uk