What kind of country stops people who love each other from being together just because they don't have lots of money?
What kind of country tells you it's possible to have a relationship with someone from another country as long as they have the correct entry papers, then makes it impossible for them to obtain those papers because they don't have enough money to get to the British consultate dealing with their State ... Since Katrina, visa applications from Mississippi are dealt with in Chicago instead of New Orleans.
Now, one visit to the windy city might be just about affordable but it's pretty certain a second visit will be necessary because most people applying to settle in another country have to undergo some kind of interview. For some reason this can't be done at the same time as giving your biometric fingerprint details for your visa ... oh no, there has to be at least two trips between Jackson and Chicago costing $200 a piece ... and who says there won't be a third?
On top of that the visa costs £$950 and the flight between $800-900 ... and they want to know how much money you have in the bank and I expect they'd raise an eyebrow if you told them "nothing, now I've had to fork out for everything else."
It's been suggested he come here as a visitor and apply for a change of status when he's here ... good idea and a lot cheaper initially but NOT POSSIBLE according to Worldbridge (the organisation with trained advisors to help US citizens decide which visa is required for their purpose). They don't give immigration advice but they did inform me it's not possible to alter one's status from "visitor" to "settlement" once he's in the UK. He has to return to the US in order to do that.
Okay, so we could just save up and apply for settlement but does anyone really believe the authorities will look at our case and say "they've only been in eachother's company 20 days, they got married and she went home after 3 days, that's cool, let's give him a settlement visa". I'm seriously doubting it, bureaucrats are trained to be suspicious. Even if we can provide proof, it's all up to them whether they decide to tick the boxes or not ... so what do we do? Take a risk on a settlement visa and lose all that money if they say "no" or settle for spending six months together and at the very least legitimising our relationship in the eyes of the immigration authorities?
This is the most frustrating thing I've ever been through. I have never done anything in my life before that was legally wrong or even slightly immoral, yet I feel I'm guilty until proven innocent ... and all I did was fall in love.
I thought I lived in a fair minded, tolerant country but it seems they've joined the ranks of Babylon alongside the rest of the money-grubbing world where only cash talks and love means nothing.
Well, Babylon has a fight on it's hands, we're going to battle on as long as it takes.
I hope it doesn't kill the pair of us in the process.
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read more blogs!
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Jacksonboy
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Nov 4 @ 4:22PM
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Don't give up and best of luck 
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Fender
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Nov 4 @ 6:10PM
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I'm keeping my fingers crossed for both of you girl! 
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1frantastic
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Nov 4 @ 7:48PM
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take your case to the media....and perhaps can earn some $$$ doing it as well as putting it out in front for all to see...
maybe even make a tv movie about it...lol
has his congressman said anything about shortcutting any red tape? or any representative you have available to you?
make a stink! the squeaking wheel gets oiled!
From the TAZ....lol....me...
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ceecee1952
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Nov 4 @ 10:26PM
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write the story...
(waving)
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missliss78
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Nov 4 @ 10:35PM
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Wish I had some advice for you, but it's all Greek to me.
The old saying is "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" so do what ya gotta do.
And continued good luck, my dear.
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sweetxy
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Nov 5 @ 12:48AM
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I hope you will try to learn more about their rules and you may find out the best way that work out for both of you through US immigration and the british consulate.
This link says something about worldbridge
http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/visas/
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Josuha
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Nov 5 @ 1:07AM
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Your living in a country which is number one, outside of communist counties, for surveillance of their own people.
What makes you think your 'free'?
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Borty
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Nov 5 @ 4:50AM
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Maybe you could get one of those investigative journalists to write something about it...sometimes they even do documentary's for the BBC...shit you could help them write it and get paid for it...next thing ya know...BINGO...got a career...well maybe I'm getting carried away...just an idea...never know until ya try sorta thing....see...I just don't think about panties all the time.... 
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BionicCouple
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Nov 5 @ 5:32AM
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I would like to thank everyone for the links they've sent me but I have done a lot of research on this, Chris and I have been in this long distance relationship since April 2008 so I have had a lot of time to look into it.
There is actually very limited information on line although it seems to the contrary. The only official sites are those provided by the Home Office, many others are designed to bring custom to agencies who make money from people wanting to emigrate but can't find their way around the sites.
If I had the money I would see a UK solicitor specialising in immigration but I don't think they would tell me anything I don't already know.
We know the correct procedure for settlement, we just can't afford it at the moment because it will include two trips to Chicago, one to give biometric evidence and another to discuss the application.
We are pretty sure our relationship won't be seen as valid because of the short amount of time we've actually spent together, married or not ... although what possible ulterior motive either of us could have other than wanting to be together, I really don't know.
The only affordable way forward at the moment is for him to come to the UK as a visitor for the maximum period allowed (6 months). US citizens don't need a visa to visit the UK, they can travel on a visa waiver, as I did when visiting the US. The waiver doesn't cost anything so all we will need to pay for is a return flight, and of course he will need to bring some money with him for expenses. This is also a grey area, Worldbridge inform me there is no specified minimum amount of money visitors are required to bring. So presumably one could travel broke, but I wonder how many red flags would go up if you did. When I went to the US for 20 days I wasn't asked how much money I had. I guess we won't know the answer to that one until we try, immigration can ask whatever they want.
As for the surveillance in this country, we have a certain amount of CCTV in towns where there has been a problem with youths and gang culture but unlike the US the police can't come into our homes without a warrant and they certainly can't plant surveillance devices. I believe Mr. Bush approved a law that allows the government and the police to do just about anything they please. I can't remember the name of it, but I can find out if necessary.
However, my reference to freedom was more in connection with what I was brought up to believe, that UK and US citizens are free to come and go around the world and settle in other countries. I knew it involved bureaucracy and paperwork, I didn't realise how bloody expensive and difficult they're prepared to make it. Okay, so I was naive and this has been a rude awakening.
There are people on this site who care, there are those who only care about themselves, I have experienced both over the years to the point where rude, uncaring comments are water off a duck's back ... I'm only pleased the majority who take the time to comment have something constructive and supportive to say.
Thanks again to them.
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Wing_Zero_75
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Nov 5 @ 9:02AM
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Just hang in there. I know it will be hard and time consuming. Just remember how much you and Chris love each other, that may be the only thing at times to hold you 2 together with the stress. Just dont give up EVER. I dont think you will, but at times it will seem like an option.
Im rooting for the 2 of you.
Any possibility of you moving over to the states? We could use another decent person in this country, they are few and far between. And no, I am not refering to anyone here off hand.
Larry
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thenewguy295
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Nov 5 @ 10:07AM
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Welcome to the world of big government and central authority where they have to have their noses in everybody's business.
Best thing to do is educate yourself as thoroughly as possible about every aspect of what you are trying to do, what they want and expect and then at least you'll have fewer unpleasant surprises.
My experience with gov't has been that if you are not doing anything wrong then generally you will be able to achieve your goal. Just keep plodding ahead.
Good luck.
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misschoos
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Nov 5 @ 1:56PM
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I wish you both the very best. I am sorry I can't offer any more words.
~*~
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