Extending FLR

Married July 2006, FLR Nov, 2006. (marrage Visa)

Moved to UK Jan 2007, unable to find work, after 3 months moved back to states.

Worked in states 6 months, decided to make another go in UK.

After 6 months, 15 interviews for Physio assistant jobs, I found temp work with the Royal Mail, during holidays. Let go after the holidays. 3 more months of unemployment, back to the states, traveling Physio making good salary, supporting wife as she attends Uni, for nursing degree.

Hope to be in a better place, financial 3 years from now once wife graduates from Uni.

My marrage visa expires 7/11/2008.

How do I apply for an extention, if it's even possable from the USA?

What would be my best course of action, at this time??

Thank's for any assistance/direction you can provide.

                                 Joe

Ps: I miss my wife very much, she was able to spend 3 months with me this summer before going back to start Uni.

It is clear, as you no doubt appreciate, that you could not possibly apply for ILR, and of course you do not even ask about that.

Your choices are :-

• in the UK use form FLR(M) to apply for a further 2-year spouse visa
• in the US, let your spouse visa lapse and then apply for another one

But in either case you really do have to show that you intend to settle with your your wife in the UK. But from what you post I am not convinced that is the case. Am I wrong?

Ya, your wrong. Have you ever been unemployed? With bills adding up? Knowing you can make a good income in one place, and be able to pay your bills. Yet in the UK, it's much harder to find work, at least for me. I have been in Physio Therapy for over 20 years and it's what I know, it's what I'm good at, and I enjoy it.

 I plan to settle in the UK, would be there right now if I could. Yes it's hard to fully appreciate someone else's resolve from a few lines asking for help. But not sure I care for your tone, regarding my resolve to be with my wife.

                                         Joe

Hey, no offence intended. Clearly you have an intention of having a continuing relationship with your wife, but you could have that without intending to settle in the UK.

But it is not me that you need to convince about this. Whoever looks at whatever application you end up making is the one who needs to be convinced that the spouse visa ... a settlement-class visa ... is actually appropriate.

Hopefully you will find suitable employment in the UK in the near future. Have you tried sporting teams ... such as professional Football teams? Looking forward to seeing you running on to the field of play when a player gets injured during a match (if this is indeed to sort of thing you could do).

Joe, 'intent to settle' is a bigger-picture term not having entirely to do with the strength of feelings for your wife.  It includes more.  From what you wrote, your 'intent to settle' is a decision driven by where you can find work.  John's point (which I echo) is that your going back-and-forth does not indicate having cast your lot to living here. 

If John sees it, and I see it, then for absolutely sure an ECO will see it.  You'll need to cover yourself for that vulnerability.  It's good advice.  Something to think about before popping off the cork at someone.

Agree with the guys.

Ask yourself this question - if you apply now, get the visa in two weeks, when will you want to come to the UK and how long will you stay?

If you would come within the next three months, move all of your stuff over, and stay forever, then you have the intent to settle.

If you won't want to come on a permanent basis for 6 months or a year or more, and really want the visa to use as a glorified visit visa, then you can't apply.


Vicky

As an aside, as employment seems an issue for you, if you are a physiotherapist, have you tried to get registered on the Health Professions Council, considered assistant physiotherapy jobs or within care homes as a care assistant with disabled people? Just some thoughts if you have intent to settle in the UK.

Contacts and Resources for Physiotherapists:
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/Types_of_Job/p!eipaL?state=showocc&idno=118&pageno=9

Information on Assistant Physiotherapists:
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/Types_of_Job/p!eipaL?state=showocc&idno=711&pageno=1

Chartered Society of Physiotherapy:
http://www.csp.org.uk/director/about.cfm
http://www.csp.org.uk/director/careersandlearning/workinginternationally/comingtotheuk.cfm

Health Professions Council, international qualification recognition:
http://www.hpc-uk.org/apply/international/

Jobs in Social Care:
http://www.socialworkcareers.co.uk/socialcare/default.asp

Many of us have had to make financial and career sacrifices to be with our spouses. You have to decide what course of action is best for you both. Best of luck.