I'm Flummoxed by All This -- Little Help?

Sorry to appear so thick, but this site is packed with so much info (as is the Interweb in general) that I have info overload and my brain has shut down. I thought I could post my details here and someone could walk me through what I need to do to get my wife and kids over to the UK.

- I am a dual citizen -- I hold current UK and US passports. I was born and raised in the UK, but for the past 10 years I've been in the US.
- My wife is a US citizen, and we have been married since 2002. Kids are 4 yrs. and 18 mos. and hold valid US passports.
- I don't currently have a residence, bank account, or job in the UK, but my parents live there and could help from that end if needed.


What do I need to send, and where do I need to send it? How much will it all cost, and how long will it take?

Thank you in advance to anyone who has the patience to throw any details my way. Don't link me to anything unless it's really clear and helpful.

Have a look here:

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf4husbandswivespartners (especially the last sentence of the How to Join my Husband/Wife/Partner in the UK part)

and also these threads might be helpful too:

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=49818.0

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=50146.0

Generally starting off here: http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/ is a good idea.  It is concise and straight forward.  When you have a good idea what you are doing, go here to apply: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/

You've been married over 4 years. Therefore your wife can apply directly for indefinite leave to enter if she takes the Knowledge of life in the UK test. She can do that on a visit. You will need to get British passports for your kids, who are British citizens through you. Only your wife will need the visa.

So everyone else gets personalized help except me? [sigh] OK, I'll start digging.� 

Personalized help: you probably qualify for the 282c endorsement.  Oops.  Not you, your wife.  One of the things I do is prevent them from quietly deep-sixing this provision.  And they are hot to do just that.  So don't let grass grow under your feet!  Personalized.  

[mod note]

Anyone wishing to offer suggestions or who has offered suggestions, thank you very much. Anyone who doesn't should just ignore the thread.  Nobody is being forced to offer help. The same questions get asked everyday.  Either point people in the right direction, give an answer or ignore it.  Don't have a go at the person asking.

You will need to get British passports for your kids, who are British citizens through you. Only your wife will need the visa.

And to add to this, it's a rather simple thing to do. We did it for our daughter who was born in the US. We just had to send in our marriage cerificate, my husband's British birth certificate and my daughter's US birth cerificate along with the passport application and passport photos of our daughter. Easy peasy.

Thanks all -- the kids already have British passports (took care of that when they were born) but the spousal visa seems like a bit more of a chore.

Do you have specific questions about the spousal visa? We'd be happy to help in that instance...

Thanks all -- the kids already have British passports (took care of that when they were born) but the spousal visa seems like a bit more of a chore.

Actually it is quite simple...compared to the US immigration process coming to the UK is a quick and painless operation kinda like pulling a hangnail where the US process is like having a limb amputated...graphic metaphor but it works.

Anyway...best place to start is here: http://londonelegance.com/transpondia/spouse/

The online application website is here: http://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/Welcome.htm currently the cost is $878.00 +$12.00 to have your documents returned to you by UPS if you do not use an approved facilitator.

Guidance on the application is here: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf4husbandswivespartners

A paper version of the application is here: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/resources/en/docs/1903073/vaf4a

And the documents checklist is here: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/resources/en/docs/1903073/settlementdocschecklist

If you want to know what the ECO's are looking for when the process spousal applications you can find their internal guidance instructions here: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/ecg/chapter13/ Spousal instructions start with 13.5.

Hope that helps...See what happens when you ask nicely and interact a bit? Best of luck to you.

I am a Dual UK/US Citizen and my DH is a US Citizen, married for 10 yrs and lived in the USA the whole time.  Don't have children so I can't help you regarding children but as you already have passports for them they are sorted.

Here is what I included in my DH's Application, PM me with any questions, I am more than happy to help and give you some examples of docs that I included.  Some of your wife's paperwork will differ than my DH as he has a Police Pension but it will give you a guideline.

Anyway here is a link to my list: http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=52460.0

Step 1. Get all the required documentation together before applying as it less stressful to have have it together beforehand than to be scrambling at the last minute.

Step 2. Apply online for the Spousal Visa and ask in the comments section for the KOL (REQ). 

KOL (REQ) allows your wife to take the "Life in the UK Test" after arriving in the UK straightaway and then apply for ILR which can be done immediately after you get the test certificate.  The only documentation you should need for ILR is proof of your acceptable living conditions and proof of funds. 

If your wife can fly back to the UK before she applies for the Spousal Visa and takes the test then she can apply for Permanent Residence from the USA and skip the ILR.   Depends on costs of the extra flight/time versus the extra money needed for the ILR visa once you get to the UK.  Not sure how you apply Stateside going this route as MY DH asked for the KOL (REQ) and will do what he needs to do once we are home.  Extra flight back for him was the same price if not more than the cost of the ILR Visa which is why we chose KOL (REQ).

Step 3. Send all your documents via mail (slower, could take up to 3 months to process) or courier (fast, DH got his visa the same day) to the British Consulate in your area.

Step 4. WAIT !

Step 5. Fly home