We contacted Global 4 Immigration as I and my husband were confused by the advice, I was given by UK border control when I attempted to enter the UK on my USA passport. I was advised that to enter the UK I needed a UK entry visa if I plan to marry in the UK. I explained to the UK border control that I had plans to settle in the UK and was advised to apply for a visit visa to marry. UK border control allowed me to enter the UK based on my USA passport as a visitor which was nice of them but as our planned UK wedding was soon, I decided to fly back to the USA and obtain a visit visa to get married.
I was not aware that I could not extend my visit visa once in the UK and that there was another visa option open to me being the fiancée/fiancé visa. This visa is still for 6 months like a visit visa but with one major difference, with a visit visa you must depart the UK and apply to enter the UK under the partner 5 year route whereas fiancée visa costs much more but you can remain in the UK and apply under the partner 5 year route. I was fuming as you can imagine considering now, I am heavily pregnant, and my baby was due in a few months’ time.
My husband decided to obtain legal advice and we contacted Global 4 Immigration. We received free consultation where we found out the correct rules and potential roadmap to our complex situation.
We explained all of our issues which was covered in detail by the firm approval care letter and we were provided a road map to follow so we can comply to the immigration rules and I have hopefully less stress as having a baby is stressful enough.
From advice received, having my birth in the UK, I did not realise this could be such an issue, I did not think to inform the Home Office that my UK visa trip had two purposes, marriage and to give birth. I was advised the Home Office investigates medical treatment in the UK and I did not provide this.
The next issue was, what if the birth of my child is delayed or even worse have complications, this visit visa was an obstacle as I know I had to depart the UK. Another possible issue was, what if my child first passport cannot be issued in time as my child must travel back to the USA with me.
Paul from Global 4 Immigration represented our cases and his recommended roadmap and processes that were tight but durable meaning as I did not break any immigration rules whilst in the UK. The plan was to obtain my child first British passport under fast track and then travel out of the UK and then apply to return to the UK.
Paul also advised us that their charges are set fees so I knew in advance what all the costs would be and their approval care letter outlined the end to end visa process.
Firstly, Paul explained the process and issues in two documents, business terms and approval care letter. As soon as our child was born, advised to obtain the birth certificate and passport photos asap and them apply for the child passport online and not paper form which Paul processed under the priority fast track route.
Paul then prepared my complex visa application whilst I was still in the UK. The application had various elements to cover, my adverse history, explaining my UK trip and my child being born in the UK without Home Office consent or knowledge, previous marriage, my partner financials as he operates his own business which is more complex if you were just employed.
As the visa could not be submitted until I departed the UK in June 2019, Paul completed the online visa form which I logged in and confirmed if correct. In the visa form it asks if you ever had any issues such as visa refusals or criminal convictions basically anything relating to your good character. A very long time ago I had a couple of issues which I was advised best to declare, and Paul would explain this in his visa support letter. The Home Office rules stipulate, you should not apply under priority entry visa (6 weeks processing time instead of 12-24 weeks) if you have any adverse history. I was desperate to return to the UK with a two-month-old child as my husband was only able to take so much time off from work. Paul advice was it worth applying under priority as the offences are very minor, but he explained caseworkers are notorious to delaying applications unless you explain things carefully to the immigration rule it applies to.
Paul then registered my visa account and booked my biometrics with VFS Global the Home Office commercial partner. I was also advised of some upgrade options to make my application easier which I purchased with Paul help.
Paul visa support letter covered all immigration rules that I fell under with answers whether applicable to my application type or not, covered key issues and stated where document evidence was provided plus, provided a more in-depth document check list as the Home Office one does not always understand your unique case.
I am pleased to say I got my visa in just 5 weeks and landed in the UK and obtain my aftercare letter outlining what to do moving forward.
It pays to get expert advice and even better do it before you even think about applying for a visa or travelling to that country as it will help with your stress levels.
I would personally like to thank Paul and his team for all their effort and would highly recommend their firm.