will i no longer need a permit to work once i marry?

Hi
I came to the UK on a work permit in May 2003.  I'm SOOOOO sick of my job....getting married in May 2006 and wondering if as soon as I am married if I can just apply to work somewhere else....will i no longer need a permit to work and can I apply anywhere i want....thanks

Well, if you apply for FLR after your marriage, then, yes, I would assume you could change jobs at will, because your ability to work would be tied to being married to a UK citizen, not the Work Permit.

As an aside, I don't think it would hold up any intentions of citizenship you might have.

Example:

A.  Enter May 2003 on WP - eligible for ILR May 2007 - eligible to apply for citizenship May 2008.

B.  Enter May 2003 on WP.  Marry in May 2006, apply for FLR.  Obtain ILR in May 2008, and eligible for citizenship immediately upon receipt of ILR.

There is a one-year requirement to have had ILR if you are applying on any other basis other than marriage.  However, if you are applying for citizenship based on marriage, then there is no time requirement - you simply have to have ILR (and satisfy the residency requirements).

You will, however, be putting off getting ILR one year if you do it based on marriage rather than your WP.

I'm very happy to be corrected if I'm wrong on this.

That sounds right.

If you are sick of your job, you can find a new one, but the new employers would have to make a work permit apllication for you before you start.


Victoria

There is a one-year requirement to have had ILR if you are applying on any other basis other than marriage.  However, if you are applying for citizenship based on marriage, then there is no time requirement - you simply have to have ILR (and satisfy the residency requirements).

This is good material for a FAQ. 

Since the overwhelming majority of spouses follow the well-known 2 years probation + 1 year ILR migration path, it's easy to forget the rules.  Or at least to confuse the 1 year ILR with a similar (but inapplicable) rule for economic migrants.