End of travelling visa

[TROOPER88]

Hi
I am just trying to help a work colleague out and get some information.

My colleague has met a girl from Brazil who is currently in London on a 6 month visa which expires in December.

They have been seeing each other for a couple of months and have really fallen for each other and tbh it is great to see my colleague so happy.

My knowledge of visa's etc is non-existent.

The girl would like to stay in the UK but knows this is not an option as things stand but knows she could reside in another European Country.

What if they were to marry before December?

My colleague has been born and always lived permanently in the UK.

Is there any other options that would allow her visa to be extended?

Many thanks

[Doofus]

I know somebody who did exactly this, in the same circumstances. Three months after they married, she was arrested, charged with running a drug smuggling ring, and send down for about eight yesrs.

Not much help, I'm afraid.

[Pothole]

What kind of a visa?

[geeks]

Doofus said:

I know somebody who did exactly this, in the same circumstances. Three months after they married, she was arrested, charged with running a drug smuggling ring, and send down for about eight yesrs.

Not much help, I'm afraid.

Wowsers! Did said friend see that coming at all?

[Doofus]

geeks said:

Wowsers! Did said friend see that coming at all?

Nope, not a clue. He was well and truly conned.

I said I knew him. I didn't say he was a friend

[geeks]

Doofus said:

geeks said:

Wowsers! Did said friend see that coming at all?

Nope, not a clue. He was well and truly conned.

I said I knew him. I didn't say he was a friend

Ouch and fair enough, we all know what a "friend" is on PH

[Doofus]

geeks said:

Ouch and fair enough, we all know what a "friend" is on PH

Not this time

[StevieBee]

I think I'm right in saying that it is reasonably easy for a Brazilian national to gain permanent residency in Portugal. Putting aside what may or may not happen with the whole Brexit thing, this could provide a handy halfway house until the deal is properly sealed.

[TROOPER88]

Doofus said:

I know somebody who did exactly this, in the same circumstances. Three months after they married, she was arrested, charged with running a drug smuggling ring, and send down for about eight yesrs.

Not much help, I'm afraid.

Haha, that is not good!!

But he did marry; was that straight forward do you know?

I just had a quick look online and there is a family visa available for purposes such as this.

I believe she is currently on a traveling visa.

Thanks

[Doofus]

TROOPER88 said:

But he did marry; was that straight forward do you know?

I assume so. He'd only known her for 3 or 4 months, so presumably it was relatively straightforward. She hooked him, and he fell head over heels for her, but it would seem she was just manipulating him.

[TROOPER88]

Doofus said:

I assume so. He'd only known her for 3 or 4 months, so presumably it was relatively straightforward. She hooked him, and he fell head over heels for her, but it would seem she was just manipulating him.

Thank you

I am not sure it is as easy as rocking up at the registry office etc

I think there is a lot more paperwork than you may think but I will pass your comments on

[edc]

Does she have a job or any reasonable prospects of getting a decent job, probably requiring a degree? Its a long shot but should there be a suitable qualifying role being advertised by and employer and they were prepared to sponsor a visa that could work.

[TROOPER88]

edc said:

Does she have a job or any reasonable prospects of getting a decent job, probably requiring a degree? Its a long shot but should there be a suitable qualifying role being advertised by and employer and they were prepared to sponsor a visa that could work.

Yes, I believe she does have a degree, in what I am unsure.

Thank you, I will pass this on

[Xaero]

There is such a thing as a fiance visa in the UK too which can help add a few months until marriage. I think it does require a wedding date, etc though.

Even if they go down that route, it's a long slog to get a spouse visa too, and obviously a massive commitment in the way of marriage

[Du1point8]

Just me thinking a green card or whatever it is in the UK.

UK friend of mine fell head of heels for one when he was traveling, she couldnt come to the UK unless a spouse.

Married and moved to the UK, she lost interest in him within weeks and started sleeping with all the neighbors, etc... just used him to get into the UK.

How is he going to convince anyone she is not doing the same to stay here?

[bstb3]

Xaero said:

There is such a thing as a fiance visa in the UK too which can help add a few months until marriage. I think it does require a wedding date, etc though.

Even if they go down that route, it's a long slog to get a spouse visa too, and obviously a massive commitment in the way of marriage

From personal experience (may be a bit outdated now) I'd be surprised if a Fiance Visa could be achieved in the timescale & it's certainly not a cheap undertaking.

My OH is from the states and initially came over on a fiancé visa - given that this was 15 years ago or so the whole process still cost in excess of 3k (a pittance for a life of happiness etc ofc..) and I hear it is a lot more expensive now. If this is the route they want to go down they will need to be able to 'prove' the relationship - it's not just a case of applying. Evidence of time together, correspondence, photo's etc. Given they have met just in the UK and <6 months then that may be more difficult to prove it's a 'genuine' relationship that won't break shortly after marriage - especially in the light of the anecdotes above. - but that will come down to the whims of the immigration bod looking at the application unfortunately (our experience of them is very mixed to say the least).

Assuming you get the Fiance Visa they then have ~6 months to tie the knot, but be aware that in that time the lass won't be able to work in the UK. This means your friend also has to prove sufficient means of support etc (without using benefits etc) and that they have suitable accommodation (living with parents might work, but then needs their details brought into it). Post marriage the Fiance visa would need to be passed into a Marriage visa (for a few years) and then Indefinite Leave to Remain, which should be easy but again costs each time.

If the Fiance Visa can't be achieved before her Travel visa runs out she will have to leave or risk it being taken against her in the application process later. Can't remember where the application for the visa needs to be made, but I'm not sure it can be from inside the UK as a foreign national (of course you can postal apply / online but it still would have to be through the relevant embassy and I think there is an in person appointment required now too).

edit just to emphasise - if the timing's don't work out and she has to leave then they need to be very careful should she try to return on another travel visa in the meantime. Especially don't come back on one way tickets in the hope the Fiance visa is granted whilst she is here. That will only end up in a free flight back to Brazil if Border Force (or whatever they are called now) twig and a much more difficult interview at application time.

Edited by bstb3 on Tuesday 23 October 15:39

[rowley birkin]

A standard visit visa does not allow the visitor to marry in the UK, and they cannot apply for a fiancée settlement visa from the UK (entry clearance is mandatory).

[TROOPER88]

Thanks ever so much for the advice so fa. My colleague is keeping a close eye on the thread.

So, in layman terms, it sounds like the only way forward would be for the girl to leave the UK after her visitor visa expires, and apply from outside the UK for a fiancé visa?

I colleague earns ok money and has his own flat so the financial and living issue would not be a problem.

Thanks

[bstb3]

TROOPER88 said:

So, in layman terms, it sounds like the only way forward would be for the girl to leave the UK after her visitor visa expires, and apply from outside the UK for a fiancé visa?

Thanks

Yes, pretty much. Obviously there are student visas and skilled migrant visa's too, but they would still require leaving the country and would not be long term (or faster) fixes.