Getting back to the UK

My husband is a UK citizen, and we've been married for five years here in the US.  Will I have to fill out a ton of paper work to live and work in the UK?  Any help would be great! 

Nope .. not too much paperwork ... you just apply for a spouse visa...as you have been married more than 2 years you're eligible for a permanent one. Check out the ukvisas website for exact details and how to apply. It's a reasonable straightforward process. Good luck!

Nope .. not too much paperwork ... you just apply for a spouse visa...as you have been married more than 2 years you're eligible for a permanent one. Check out the ukvisas website for exact details and how to apply. It's a reasonable straightforward process. Good luck!

It is actually FOUR years you must be married to get a permanent UK residence aka (ILR). For the US it is 2 years you must be married to get US non-conditional PR.

Is there a different rule for couples living outside the UK?  I'll get my ILR after two years of being married (and so will everyone else I know!).........

Is there a different rule for couples living outside the UK? I'll get my ILR after two years of being married (and so will everyone else I know!).........

Yes, the rules are different for those who are married to UK spouses but don't live in the UK.  If they've been married less than 4 years, they come in on a 2-year Spouse Visa (the equivalent of the FLR) and then apply for ILR after the 2 years.  If they've been married longer than 4 years, they can go directly to Indefinite Leave without having to apply again in 2 years.

thanks for clarifying!   

Happy to help! 

Thanks guys!  Y'all have been much help 

I went and looked at the application on the UKVisa website, and it's pretty detailed!  I guess before we move, my husband will have to go and find a house or someplace to live?  We were thinking of maybe staying with my mother-in-law for a while.  And I guess he'll have to have a job before we go and live there too!? LOL  I know this sounds funny, in fact writing it, I'm like DUH!  How do we expect to pay for things when we're over there?!?!  Also, would I have to apply  for the visa while I'm still here, or can I do it there?  So confusing!!!  I've said it once, I'll say it again, I'm SO glad this message board is here!

You'll have to apply for - and receive - the visa there before coming over here.  If you can establish residence at your mother-in-law's that should clear up the "where you live" problem.  You should just be able to get a letter from her stating that you are allowed to live there.

At least, from all I have found out lately in doing my own research this is correct.

It might not be necessary for your husband to go ahead of you and be seperated. If you have savings and can prove ability to get work (by showing them your quals and resumés) they will probably grant the visa anyway. If not they will not out and out refuse, they'd just ask you to get a co-sponsor (usually a family member). If you have a house to sell in the US they would take the collateral from that into account. Even just a few thousand savings should be enough to secure the visa.