Help! An idiot's guide to marrying a Ukrainian

[woodstock1]

Hello everyone, I'm new here so be gentle!!
The story so far.... I met a fantastic woman on one of those 'dodgy' internet bride sites. OK i know about the horror stories and the desire for a passport etc... I have known this girl for just over 6 months and we get on very well.In October this year I plucked up the courage to fly to Odessa and actually meet her. I was pleased to see she was actually at the airport waiting for me, i was a little concerned about landing in Odessa and being left stranded, but all was good. My Question is ..We are going to get married,and I want her to join me in Britain. But,with all the talk of immigration quotas being cut etc, how or even can we both live in Britain? Will I have to move to Ukraine to be with her,and will I ever get a visa? She has two children from her deceased husband, how will they get visas?? I have so many questions, I don't know where to start!! Any help or advice will be greatly appreciated, many thanks...Simon

[AkMike]

You'd better settle down a bit and get to know her more first! You really need to spend alot more face to face time with her in real life. 1 visit isn't nearly enough to get to know someone. `Puter time doesn't count nealy as much as time together. How much time did you spend on this visit? Have you met her family and friends?

This can and does work. I've known my wife almost 7 years already. But we spent about 3 months together over 3 visits before I felt comfortable enough to consider popping the question. By moving too fast you're going to face long term problems for all 4 of you.

Life in Ukraine as a foreigner w/o the language skills needed won't help you get employment there. Can you support a ready made family in England? The paperwork isn't easy but it can be done by yourself w/o barristers.

[Gotno Gizmo]

I share AkMike's advice about slowing the pace a bit, it does seem rather rushed. However, it's not what we think it's more about what the British migration guys will think and say. I'm a retired Brit living with my girlfiend in Lugansk, so I share your enthusiasm for Ukrainian ladies.

Things to consider:-
1. The British migration guys will ask about how you met (they're biased against internet meetings). They will want to see real evidence of total time spent together, and I'm talking months rather than days, to show that the relationship is well established.
2. I think that you would have to have married her in Ukraine first as fiancee visas are very rarely granted, and that is not a quick or easy matter.
3. If your lady has children, that is an added impediment, and will involve the father (assuming he is still alive), in legally granting the childrens departure from Ukraine without objection.
4. Your financial ability to support the wife and chidren (wives cannot legally work for the first six months), and ability to offer suitable accommodation will be questioned. It will be better in this regard if you own your property rather than renting. They will want to see bank account statements and evidence of regular full time employment. They may ask to see utility bills to demonstrate continued residence at your stated address for some time.
5. You don't say how old you are, but it would be better for you to be under 40, and for your wife to be not too much younger than you, otherwise they take a more sceptical view about the longer term prospects for the marriage. If your wife is university educated and has a good record of employment it enhances your prospects.

Although some of the above detail is not officially written down, it is based on own experience of refusal and of talking to others at airports, who have girlfriends here. I have to advise you that the "right of abode" situation is a hardening one given the growing anti migration sentiment prevailing within the UK.

Employment in Ukraine could be extremely difficult depending on your skills. I assume you don't speak Ukrainian or Russian, so your situation is more limited. Furthermore, wages are much lower here and you would undoubtably have to change your lifestyle. But if you really feel that you want to spend the rest of your life with this lady and she feels as strongly about you, love will find a way. Good luck !

[ace-interpreter]

you doing a great job. and it is a big challange.
as you decided to do in such a way. so please ask the questions you have. we will try to help you as much as possible.
Vasyl

[AkMike]

Considering that this "one post" member said that back in November and never returned say that theye have decided their own fate w/o the experience of others that have already been down that path.
Best wishes to him and good luck.

[AkMike]

Considering that this "one post" member said that back in November and never returned say that theye have decided their own fate w/o the experience of others that have already been down that path.
Best wishes to him and good luck.