Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 1:46 pm-
Hi,
I also met someone from England (and been here 8 years now).
I think you do not really understand how UK immigration works so I will try to help you to avoid making mistakes:
1- If you are going to the UK to live permanently.DO NOT BOOK YOUR FLIGHT BEFORE HAVING YOUR VISA ! If you are going on holiday then this is ok (no need for a visa) as long as you have a return ticket. As a visitor you cannot work and you cannot apply for a visa from within the UK you have to apply from Canada and wait for your visa before moving to the UK
3- Now the question is what type of visa?
It is not as easy as you may think to come and live here.
Your choices:
1- Fiance visa for people who are planning to get married within 6 months (after you receive your visa), you cannot work on this visa, once married you apply for a spouse visa and when you get it you can work
2- Did you live with this person for more than 2 years (that you can prove with documentation and bills)?
If yes you can apply for a Unmarried Partner visa
3- You get married (before moving to the UK) and apply for a spouse visa
You cannot be sponsored unless you are applying for one of the previous visa.
You cannot apply for a settlement visa this is for people who have been living permanently (legally with a visa) in the UK for over 2 years.
It seems to me that you are rushing things a "little" bit. Maybe you should go there on a holiday just to see how things are (here and with your boyfriend) then come back here and decide what to do .but don't try to go to the Uk (to live there) without a visa because you will not be able to apply for a visa once you are here you need to apply from Canada.
If you need more information just ask me, it looks to me as if the solicitor you talked to confused you more than anything else. You can also see the different visa on the official UK visa website:
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/