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Topic: Spousal visa timing  (Read 897 times)

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Spousal visa timing
« on: August 19, 2005, 06:32:52 PM »
Hello all,  my Brit wife has finally talked me into moving to England.  We have a plan worked out, but now she is getting nervous.  I have done several searches and read a lot of posts and the Britainusa site, but would like confirmation from someone that has made a similar move. 
The plan so far is this: Our house sold way faster than expected, so she will return to England next month and start looking for a job and a flat.  Her brother has room for her to stay while she looks.  I plan on going early next year, likely Feb or March.  I am receiving unemployment sub  pay until the end of January.  There is also a good chance I will be called back to work by then, which will mean I can quit and collect my holiday pay, as well as lock in another year of service credit.  I also need to liquidate a lot of household goods and our vehicles, pay everything off, close all the accounts, etc.  It will also allow time for me to visit my family scattered around the states before I go. I can stay here with family.

She wants to go now so that we don't have the expense of moving twice, as well as having our son change schools an extra time. ( We are in a rural district and short-term rentals are non-existant.) Besides the massively homesick thing :)

Will this work?  Should we apply for the visa now or closer to when I leave?  If we apply now, we won't have the cash from the sale of the house that we are counting on for the means of support until we find work there.
Thanks for reading long post.
Often we do what makes sense even when it isn't any good.


Re: Spousal visa timing
« Reply #1 on: August 19, 2005, 07:04:23 PM »
Why don't you make an in-person appointment at your nearest British Embassy to get your visa?  Then you can get your visa the same day and head out when you want.  It's not the cheapest option, but it does cut out the waiting time.  How long have you been married?  If it's greater than 4 years, you come to Britain as a permanent resident.  If it's less than 4 years, you come in on 2-year visa called Limited Leave to Remain, and then apply for permanent residency just before that one expires. 

Also, once you get the visa, you can come and go as you please to visit your wife and son in the UK until you get all the lose ends tied up in the US and are able to cross the pond for good.


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Re: Spousal visa timing
« Reply #2 on: August 19, 2005, 08:17:35 PM »
My advice would be to get your visa asap... then you won't have to worry about meeting deadlines etc with it in the future, as the hardest part will be over.   ;D  Get that out of the way as early on as you can... its the most important part of your move.

Also, applying earlier means getting your UK citizenship earlier, as well.   ;)

I wish you the best of luck in your relocation.  Take care.   :)
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." -Dr. Seuss


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Re: Spousal visa timing
« Reply #3 on: August 22, 2005, 02:56:41 AM »
Lost Angel, 
I'm not sure I follow.... 
Why would having your visa early speed up the citizenship process. 
Don't you actually have to be resident in the UK for a certain period in order to qualify for the citizenship. 

I don't know how having a visa but still living in the United States would speed that up. 

Thanks for the assistance. 


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