Making the move...

I am a single mother from the US, and I am attempting to fill out a settlement form (VAF2 2004) using the status of joining my unmarried partner in the UK.  My partner is a UK citizen, but he currently lives in the US.  We are looking to move to the UK by August, 2005.  Can anybody give me some insight as to how to go about getting ready for this big move?  Any information or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

Your best bet is to probably send your UK partner over here a couple of months ahead of you.  Unless you both have some pretty substantial savings, he'll need to secure a job to prove that he can afford to support the two of you (and your child/children, if they're coming over, too) and that you'll have a decent place to live. 

I agree. 

Additionally, it makes sense to see if you qualify for a settlement entry clearance as a UP rather than the 2 year UP visa.  Nothing definite yet, but it's being bandied about that UPs who qualify for settlement are being issued LLR simply because they didn't know enough to apply for it.  I'm embarrassed to say that this supposedly happened in both NY and LA.  Cripes.   

Outside of that, the UK/US UP visa for M/F couples is pretty straight forward; just get your documents together - and take Lola's advice to heart.  I'm putting a UP checklist on my site in Feb/March if that's any help...

thank you very much lola & garry.  I hope to check out your web site in the coming months garry.

thanks a bunch, jim_fat...that information is really starting to put me at ease.