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International Couples - need advice

lestedlested
in Chit Chat
Hey, I'm new, so hi for starters.

I didn't see anythign along these lines anywhere else, so i thought I'd ask.

Has/is anyone else married/marrying a foreigner? My fiance' is English, living in the UK and that's where we want to get married and live. We want to do our best to follow the proper legal procedure as far as immigration paperwork goes, but it's really hard to find the information we need online. It's not a mail order bride situation or anything like that, we met when  was over there as a student and I've lived there under a student visa for almost 2 years and am hoping to return on a valid working visa in September.  Our wedding isn't until July 2011. It would really help to talk to some people who have been through or are going through something similar and might have some advice or warnings about what to look out for.  Or even if you're in the same situation as me, we could bounce ideas back and forth.
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Re: International Couples - need advice

  • spinner84spinner84
    100 Comments
    Hi, I'm in an international couple. He is European/Canadian (dual), I'm Canadian. He got a job in the US, so I came as a visitor for a few months (to make sure I could live here), and now we're getting married so I can move and make it legal.

    The legalities will be different for you than for me because it's a different country, but I am pretty sure it's easy to move to the UK compared to the US! You should look into an immigration lawyer though (just to make sure you fill out the papers properly).

    For me, the procedure is get hitched, send the marriage license and my passport to our lawyer, he fills out this paper, I sign that, then take all of the documents back to Canada, and cross into the US. Then I'll get a visa. Then from there I can apply for a work permit.

    Like I said, basically every country is easier than the US though, so I would not stress too much though you do want to take it seriously. If you are going to do the documentation before moving, this would make it most hassle-free probably.

    Definitely do'nt worry about anyone thinking it's a fake marriage if it's not. I think it's pretty obvious when people are in love! Let me know if you have any other questions.
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  • ExpatPumpkinExpatPumpkin member
    1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited April 2010
    I'm American and married a Mexican citizen; we live in Mexico.  Unfortunately, I can't really help you with immigration issues, because I didn't marry a Brit...  But there should be a lot of information online.  Have you tried contacting the U.S. embassy in London?  They may be able to point you in the right direction.

    EDIT:  I read your post again and saw that you're not currently in the U.K.  Have you requested info from the British embassy here in the States? 

    It may behoove you to apply for a marriage visa rather than entering the U.K. with a work visa:

    "Foreign nationals who are in the UK on a visitor’s visa may not usually transfer this to a marriage visa."  (http://www.aboutimmigration.co.uk/marrying-uk-citizen.html)

    I'm not sure if a work visa would fall into the above classification, but I'd find out ;) 
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  • sashajmsashajm member
    10 Comments
    I would post on the International Nesties board on the The Nest.  We have quite a few people there in the UK who would probably be able to give you more information. 
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  • SonaliPopSonaliPop member
    500 Comments
    Ah! Another couple! I am from the Midwest and moving to London post-wedding to be with my South Asian Brit! How are you doing with figuring things out?
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  • SonaliPopSonaliPop member
    500 Comments
    I wish I could be of more help but I am a dual citizen of the UK - but I can try to see if anyone I know has an option. I'm so glad to see there are other couples out there like us - it's a totally different process for us!!!
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