US Student wants to marry UK Student.. What can we Do??!!

[IndieRockGirl 0]

First, I would like to give a very warm hello to all the wonderful people here, I am a newbie and signed up today, hoping that we will receive some assistance to our journey!

I will try to make a long story short. I am a US citizen, Californian, and my boyfriend lives in London, Uk. We have a loving bona fide relationship, but it is causing us extreme hardship having to fly back and forth to and from US to Uk (I am SO tired of being delayed and or/detained for NO reason, Heathrow is really a pain-- I understand and respect security but the way they treat me there would be considered unethical and infringing on my civil rights if I were in America). We really want to get married and I have no idea how this will play out. Let me explain.

First we are both students. He had just finished University and I am about to start my Masters. I got laid off last year unfortunately, and had been living off of my grants and scholarships from school, as well as freelancing journalism and working odd jobs. I do have my own apartment though and I am completely independent. We are both in our upper 20s.

I understand thoroughly the Visa process (K-1, fiance visa, as well as the K3 spouse visa) and where I am scared, is that I will not be able to provide financially for the affidavit of support because I have no documents documenting my past 3 years of working and there is no way I can provide 30,000+ especially since I closed my bank account before the banks began merging and credit began going crazy. Also, I work in a department store so that is a no brainer that it will not suffice financially. The plus side, is that he has aunts and uncles and cousins here in the states who may be able to help us, but that is all I can think of. We have so much proof of being together as well (ticket stubs, hotel documents, photographs, chats)

, and he also visits his family here as well as me. I do not want to think that this situation is hopeless. I really cant see myself moving to the UK because I always fall sick when I go over, and Heathrow caused me so much psychological distress. Im sure anyone who has flown to see their love has had some kind of immigration or custom interrogation of some kind. But I would really appreciate any advice or input. I do not believe in negativity, I am very optimistic. Thanks for any help!!

[rebeccajo 14]

Anyone can be the sponsor - it does not have to be a family member of yours (if that is what you may be thinking).

You do not need an income of $30K if there is just the two of you. Check the link for 2009 US Poverty Guidelines.

And - just my opinion - civil rights are probably more protected in the UK than over here.

[IndieRockGirl 0]

Wow, it would certainly help us because he has family in Florida and Texas. I am so embarrassed that I am a bit on the 'poor' side, but I am plugging away at school and trying my hardest to make a stable life in los angeles having just moved from st. Louis wrapping up my bachelor degree and successfully found a wonderful apartment that is within my means. I know by how much money I make at work I will be able to afford to file the paperwork, it was that affidavit that freaked me out. My family would not be of support either as my parents also had gotten laid off. The last trip I took to London to visit him, I was terrified. I had gone into immigration, and they asked me about my visit, I said tourism and they asked who I knew there. Being that I am not a liar, I told them my boyfriend. Then they interrogated me, detained me for 2 hours asking me personal questions about myself, my living situation, my boyfriend, and how I take care of myself financially and about my debit/credit cards, it was like being questioned by Police. It psychologically somehow harmed me because for weeks after that I had nightmares and had felt very bad like I had did something wrong when I did not. I was simply going to see my love, and much to their dismay I have no wish to move there and work or stay illegally. I love my home here and wish to share my happiness in LA with my man.

Thanks so much for replying!!

Anyone can be the sponsor - it does not have to be a family member of yours (if that is what you may be thinking).

You do not need an income of $30K if there is just the two of you. Check the link for 2009 US Poverty Guidelines.

And - just my opinion - civil rights are probably more protected in the UK than over here.

[Damian&Kelly 16]

I know exactly what you mean about Heathrow.. I call it hell.. Every time I flew over I was excited to see my now husband but I would cry before going and when getting off the plane my heart was pounding. They were horrible to me, they detained me for almost 3 hours, I didn't care if they did that because I was telling the truth about everything, so there was nothing for them to find. but anyways they told me they called my husband and told him that they were holding me, but they never did, and if my husband left Heathrow, it's a 2 hour drive back.

They went through all my clothes and held them up, the guy took my underwear and held them up and there were loads other people around and I grabbed them and said "yes that's my underwear" and he pointed to his wedding ring and said yes I know! Ugh no reason to hold them up! It's happened more than once, and I never overstayed always left when I said and never did anything wrong.

Sorry to get off topic there, but as for your situation, Anyone can co-sponsor for you and you won't have any trouble in London Embassy. My dad co-sponsored for us and there was no problem at all. and London usually doesn't ask for relationship proof and we had loads. All you need is a co-sponsor and you will need tax returns, paycheck stubs, and a letter from their employee.

[IndieRockGirl 0]

OMG girl I was fighting back tears. I was so nervous I was afraid they would deport me. To make matters worse, my boyfriend was waiting for me in the 'waiting room' and had no idea what was going on. Luckily, they called him to the courtesy phone and then asked him the same questions they had asked me and he had answered them exactly the same as I had. I had also told the truth but I was totally confused as to of why they would do this when so many people travel over there from the US and my friends had told me they had never been detained. I was so angry I wanted to sue them lol. Have you ever flown to Gatwick or any other airports in the area before? Many have told me next time I should change airports? Thanks for your reply, Im glad to know I was not the only victim of immigration. I call it He-THROW UP!

I know exactly what you mean about Heathrow.. I call it hell.. Every time I flew over I was excited to see my now husband but I would cry before going and when getting off the plane my heart was pounding. They were horrible to me, they detained me for almost 3 hours, I didn't care if they did that because I was telling the truth about everything, so there was nothing for them to find. but anyways they told me they called my husband and told him that they were holding me, but they never did, and if my husband left Heathrow, it's a 2 hour drive back.

They went through all my clothes and held them up, the guy took my underwear and held them up and there were loads other people around and I grabbed them and said "yes that's my underwear" and he pointed to his wedding ring and said yes I know! Ugh no reason to hold them up! It's happened more than once, and I never overstayed always left when I said and never did anything wrong.

Sorry to get off topic there, but as for your situation, Anyone can co-sponsor for you and you won't have any trouble in London Embassy. My dad co-sponsored for us and there was no problem at all. and London usually doesn't ask for relationship proof and we had loads. All you need is a co-sponsor and you will need tax returns, paycheck stubs, and a letter from their employee.

[Damian&Kelly 16]

no, I haven't tried flying to another airport, only because Heathrow is the cheapest and the closest to my husband's parents house. but we're planning a visit once my husband gets his green card, and I'm determined to fly some where else. But I also had trouble coming in to England from France by ferry. so it wasn't just a heathrow problem, but I understood the reasoning there.

I wish you the best of luck with the K-1 if you choose that route. We had a great experience with K-1 and London Embassy, actually one of the quickest petition to visa in hand that I've seen on this site.

[Anh map 2,098]

You as the petitioner are the primary sponsor and still have to complete the affidavit of support even if you will use a co/joint sponsor. So start preparing to submit the needed information.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

I will try to make a long story short. I am a US citizen, Californian, and my boyfriend lives in London, Uk. We have a loving bona fide relationship, but it is causing us extreme hardship having to fly back and forth to and from US to Uk (I am SO tired of being delayed and or/detained for NO reason, Heathrow is really a pain-- I understand and respect security but the way they treat me there would be considered unethical and infringing on my civil rights if I were in America). We really want to get married and I have no idea how this will play out. Let me explain.

Althouh seconday inspection in the UK can't have been pleasant, you will find similar if not worse stories all over VJ when people's SO's try to enter the US, including people turned away at POE.

As RJ says, anyone can be a co-sponsor. The 2009 poverty level is somewhere below $30k.....it needs to be 125% above $14,750.

It's a pretty straightforward process amd there lots of Brits in SoCal. Good luck!

[milesinfront 2]

just my opinion - civil rights are probably more protected in the UK than over here.

Well that's laughable, in my opinion.

Anyway, as the above posters have advised, get someone else to be the sponsor - in my case it was my fiance's father. You can get it notarised at the embassy in London. It's good that you have so much proof - that is your main concern.

[haleywynne 0]

Sorry it's a little off topic but have yall really had problems getting into the UK going through Heathrow? I only went through Heathrow once and she just gave me an ugly stare and let me through. I wasn't even prepared for the questions she asked! Luckily, I wasn't nervous cause I didn't know better haha.

[Terri and Seb 0]

I never had any problems flying through Heathrow, but I had an expired UK student visa in my passport usually just said I was visiting friends I'd met at uni to avoid any problems. Not exactly a lie, as my then-fiance is my best friend!

As others have said, so long as you have a cosponsor to meet the income requirements and enough money to cover the K1 filing ($455), Adjustment of Status ($1010) and other costs like the medical, any required vaccinations etc. you'll be fine. I'm a full time student with zero income and we were approved without any problems.