STUDENTS

[Socialist]

Hello, I am a British Citizen, born and bred here, however my boyfriend is not. I am studying at Cambridge University and he is studying and working in Leeds University. He has just entered the country and is, of course, studying. However, we intend to get married early next year. My degree doesn't finish till September 2011 and neither does his. His Visa expires in September 2011. Can we apply to get married but live seperately?

[ElenaW]

Hello, I am a British Citizen, born and bred here, however my boyfriend is not. I am studying at Cambridge University and he is studying and working in Leeds University. He has just entered the country and is, of course, studying. However, we intend to get married early next year. My degree doesn't finish till September 2011 and neither does his. His Visa expires in September 2011. Can we apply to get married but live seperately?

If you're asking if you can apply for a certificate of approval to get married, then you can do that and be married while being apart. However, your boyfriend can't switch to spouse status because one of the conditions of being a spouse is that you'll be living together. So he might have to return to his home country and apply for a spouse visa when you get things sorted. Don't forget, you need a job to show you can support both of you.

[Casa]

Also to apply for a spouse visa you must both be over the age of 21.

[Socialist]

We are well over 21. So basically what you are saying is, to apply for a spouse visa he has to travel back to his country? What if we were living together can he not apply for a spouse visa in this country?

I found this article and nowhere does it mention that he must travel back to his home country.

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/you ... abroad.htm

I'm a British citizen, and I want to marry my girlfriend who is from abroad and in the UK on a student visa. Do we need to do anything special about her status in this country?

This information applies to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

Before you get married, your girlfriend has to apply to the UK Border Agency for a Certificate of Approval, which is written permission to marry in the UK. In order to qualify for a Certificate of Approval, she must have been granted a student visa for at least six months and at least three months must remain. If she has less than three months left on her visa, she should consult a specialist adviser.

Once a Certificate of Approval is obtained, you must give notice to marry at a designated register office. After the notice to marry has been accepted, you can marry at any register office or approved premises.

Once married, your new wife must apply on a UK Border Agency form for leave (permission) to remain in the UK as a spouse. There are strict requirements that your wife will have to meet to satisfy the immigration authorities that the marriage is genuine and that she should be allowed to stay as a spouse. She will also have to show that she didn't intend to deceive the authorities when she entered the country as a student and that as a couple, you can support yourselves without help from the state once you get married. Permission to stay as your wife will initially be given for two years. Towards the end of the two year period she can apply to stay permanently

[vinny]

After marriage, he may switch.

[Casa]

The problem you have is that you won't be living together after the marriage...which is a requirement in a spouse FLR(M) settlement application. If you read through the documents you have to submit with a FLR application you'll see you need proof of joint address.

[Socialist]

When my boyfriend and I have been granted to get married, what will his status be once we are married? Will he be able to increase his job hours which are 20 hours a week maximum?

[vinny]

No change in status after marriage. Change in status only after grant of FLR(M).

[Socialist]

Ok, if he works 20 hours a week and I am a full time student (both living together) will they grant him FLR (M) ?

[ElenaW]

Ok, if he works 20 hours a week and I am a full time student (both living together) will they grant him FLR (M) ?

Depends if you're going to have £102/week left over after rent and council tax.

[vinny]

See also 3rd Party Support & Accommodation.

[Socialist]

As I will be a full time student I won't be earning, will my student loan be accepted and if he is only allowed to work 20 hours a week will he be liable to pay council tax?

[Kitty]

As I read it, you will get married at some point before you complete your studies. Your husband will then apply for FLR(M).

What are your job prospects when you graduate? If you wait until you (or he) have a job offer then your application should be assessed on the income you will be earning.

Do either of you have any savings? If you have a chunk of money you can live on, then you can refer to this in your application and to your job prospects upon graduation.

[Socialist]

He will be studying and working earning around £600 a month. I will be on student loan without a job. I could get a part time job, but neither of us will be earning full time as we both will be postgraduate students. We are exempt from paying council tax, so I guess it will be only rent and food. My student loan covers food and rent and once I've graduated job prospects are good.

[Socialist]

anyone?

[ElenaW]

sounds fine to me. Student loan/grant money can be counted towards your maintenance.