Bringing my kids?

HI,

I'm Terri a US citizen. My husband is Paul, a UK citizen. We got married in Los Angeles back in February. We had originally applied for him to move here. But what we had calculated to take until late summer/early fall...well because of a new law meant to protect foreign brides, the whole process has ground to a complete halt. At the same time, our daughter has become sick. We are missing each other terribly and need to be reunited ASAP. I have a few questions and would greatly appreciate any help you can give me concerning this.

1) I live in Los Angeles. I was told that if I had all my paperwork complete and all the supporting documents together, I could go to the US consulate and have my visa that same day. After all we have gone through trying to get Paul into the US that just seems to good to be true. Is that really possible?
2) I have 4 children from my former marriage. One wishes to remain here. The other three wish to relocate with me. Their father would have no problem signing a letter allowing it. He does not support them or anything. Will that be a problem?
3) My oldest one is 19. I read that your age limit for bringing kids is 18 not 21 like the US. Is there anyway he can come too? Student visa? My husband owns his own company...culd he sponsor him? Anything?

Thanks for any advice.

Terri P O'Neale

Welcome to UKY.  I haven't applied yet, but I have watched quite a few people on this board go into the consulate and walk away with visas that same day.  The mail-in process seems to take about a week in the US. 

Someone here should be able to answer your other questions.  Good luck with everything.

Hi....Yes it is hard to believe but it can be that simple to come to the UK. If you go in person it is usually done in one day. If you get a notarized letter from your children's father there will be no problem. Unfortunately I can't help about the oldest one---I am not sure of the rules regarding that. Good Luck with everything - and feel free to ask lots of questions.

Helena

I know in comparison to US immigration, Uk Immigration seems to easy to be true - but it really is that quick!  Don't know about bringing kids over though.  One of the experts should be able to advise you on that.

3) My oldest one is 19. I read that your age limit for bringing kids is 18 not 21 like the US. Is there anyway he can come too? Student visa? My husband owns his own company...culd he sponsor him? Anything?

I overrheard the IO in Chicago talking to a guy about his daughter.  There is some sort of provision that if the dependant is a full time student and still lives at home there is some way to get them in as part of the family if they would be truly dependant.  I don't know all the specifics, but it seems to be covered here on the UK Visa website:

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1018721067523#Q1

you might want to check if you need primary physical and legal custody not just a notorized letter i went to court and won mine it even stipulates the kids can relocate to the uk... i read it on a visa sight somewhere... if he notorizes a letter the courts can make it an order just so you know my ex notorized it the judge made it a full order

Gonna have to try the letter first. He and court are Texas. I and kids are CA. They are all teens...so I think we good. At least gonna try. Thanks though.

A letter from your ex will be enough to get the children over the UK...it does not need to be notorised and you do not need to have sole custody.

If your eldest is in full time education and is financially dependent on you then she can still be classed as your dependent.


Vicky