ILR

Is that what I have to apply for after 2 years in the UK with Spousal Visa? Now, what exactly is needed for it? My visa doesn't expire till January 2011 but I want to be prepared and aware. I know you need to take the life in the uk test. Does financials play a part? We have our own place but only have £300 after all bills left over for food,etc. Who knows what will happen in a year. Hopefully I'll get a bloody job! lol. But if someone can give me some links and advice, that would be great. I already know it is horribly expensive. haha.

there's absolutely no point in giving you advice about it, by the time your spousal visa runs out chances are the system will be entirely different.  Keep saving your post, but otherwise forget about it for at least the next 6 months- we will probably have a better idea about what will be happening by the end of this year.

Ok, thanks springhaze. 1 more question though.

 Is this the last visa I have to do before I can permantly stay here? I don't want citizenship as we want to go back to america in the next 5 years or so.

As springhaze said...watch this space.

Vicky

Ok, thanks springhaze. 1 more question though.

 Is this the last visa I have to do before I can permantly stay here? I don't want citizenship as we want to go back to america in the next 5 years or so.

Hah, you've hit on the nub of the current legislation.  It may be that ILR disappears completely, and we will be forced either to get citizenship or leave.  But even if you want to return to the US, citizenship might be the best option, that way you won't have to worry about immigration control should you ever wish to travel to the UK again after you move. 

Thanks historyenne. I'm guessing that's not a good thing...  I thought it might but idk. But if I get citizenship wouldn't that mean that my american rights are stripped?

Thanks historyenne. I'm guessing that's not a good thing...  I thought it might but idk. But if I get citizenship wouldn't that mean that my american rights are stripped?

No, not at all.  You can hold both UK and US citizenship.

Oh phew! That's good then. Thanks. Does it cost alot of get citizenship?

yes.
it is around 850 pounds  for the application at the moment, and another 75 pounds  for passport.

Citizenship costs £720 currently, the £850 is for postal ILR applications currently.  With everything changing though fees will go up.  Plus we've seen fee hikes for at least the past 3 years.