immigration/visa services company recommendations?

Hi everyone,

This forum is great -- lots of incredibly useful info & opinions!

My husband & I are strongly considering moving to the UK.  We are both U.S. citizens, and this would be our first time living overseas.

We think that my husband will clearly qualify for the Tier 1 (General) category, and could probably (after doing our homework on getting all his documentation in order) apply successfully on his own.  However, my case is less obvious and I feel like I could use some professional advice. 

I'm familiar with this list: newcomer link: http://www.oisc.gov.uk/ [nonactive] but I would prefer to hear about other people's experiences and recommendations/warnings.  The fees are fairly high, so I want to make sure we go with a good company. I would love to read about your experiences!

If this topic has been covered before, please feel free to refer me to the link.

Thank you.
 

However, my case is less obvious and I feel like I could use some professional advice. 

Why? If your husband clearly, as you say, qualifies for Tier 1 (General) then you would get a visa as his dependent, and thus have the same unrestricted ability to work as him. You don't both need to apply under Tier 1 (General).

Also, you don't mention children, and there might not be any, but if there are, they would also get visas as a dependent of your husband.

My company do this if you would like to contact me.

Vicky

Thanks for the replies. 

To clarify, I am aware that I could apply as his dependent.  We're wondering if it's somehow better (more secure?) for me to try for Tier 1 (general) as well, so that my status in 3 years isn't dependent on him being able to renew... for instance, if he were to lose his job right around the time he needed to renew? We're not worried about divorce, but I do feel weird being his dependent.  Maybe I just need to get over it! 
 
I would be able to clearly to meet the 75 pts. for a Tier 1 (general) visa within the next 6-12 months.  Right now, I'm probably 5 points shy. We were hoping to move sooner.

Vicky -- I'll take a look at your website and may very well be in touch.

Still, I'd love to hear anyone's experiences with using a company?

Other experiences?

When a given case was going to take more time than I had, I would refer them to Bates Wells or Cameron McKinna or the Rights Partnership or DJ Webb or Devinshires.  Plus about a dozen or so small 'specialty' firms for things like nannies, OTR dependents, unmarried partners who are still legally married, the filthy rich, and so on. 

Never had a complaint.  But you have to remember that when you go to a bang-up name, there's a bang-up price tag attached.  A straight-forward application can run about 5,000 pounds or more, and that's not crazy because I've seen it enough times first hand.

Like John says, for a T1 General, if you think you qualify, then it's not necessary to go kicking in doors on Chancery Lane; if you need help, then Vicky's fine also (especially if you get the UKY discount).    Fair rates.  It all depends upon how confident you are about the application...