After a five year long distance relationship, a mountain of paperwork and a lot of stress we finally have our decision from the UK Border Agency.

They say YES! I almost can't believe it, after all this time Neroli can finally come to the UK and not have to leave after a few weeks.

It's been a long and expensive process, and we still have to get married sometime in the next few months and apply for the FLR probationary visa which is good for another 2.5 years. Then we apply for another FLR visa for the following 2.5 years, and then finally, after a total of 10 years together we will be able to apply for ILR and she will be a permanent UK resident. Doing it the legal way takes serious time, money and commitment! Well worth it though.

So we still have a way to go and thousands of pounds to pay, but at least we can finally be together every single day and not spend months apart.

Sorry for the somewhat waffling post, I'm drinking a celebratory cognac, so not at my most eloquent.

After a five year long distance relationship, a mountain of paperwork and a lot of stress we finally have our decision from the UK Border Agency.

They say YES! I almost can't believe it, after all this time Neroli can finally come to the UK and not have to leave after a few weeks.

It's been a long and expensive process, and we still have to get married sometime in the next few months and apply for the FLR probationary visa which is good for another 2.5 years. Then we apply for another FLR visa for the following 2.5 years, and then finally, after a total of 10 years together we will be able to apply for ILR and she will be a permanent UK resident. Doing it the legal way takes serious time, money and commitment! Well worth it though.

So we still have a way to go and thousands of pounds to pay, but at least we can finally be together every single day and not spend months apart.

Sorry for the somewhat waffling post, I'm drinking a celebratory cognac, so not at my most eloquent.