Retirement to the UK visa questions

I plan to retire this June and want to move to the UK in mid July.  I meet the income
and age requirements and will be living with a close friend.  I have been going on holiday to the UK since I was 15 and have many close friends.  I identify with and consider the UK home.  My questions are these:  1.  If I apply online, how long should it take to get an appointment in NYC?  2.  Once I have the appointment how long does it usually take to get the visa?  3.  Am I prohibited from travelling to the UK once the process has started?  This is particularly critical as I will have no place to live in the US after mid July and have my plane ticket.  4.  Would it be a better idea to go in July on a visitors visa then apply in the UK?  5.  Would it make sense to hire a lawyer to file all the papers if this ensured a speedier, no glitch process?

All advice greatly appreciated.

Cheers

I assume you are talking about coming as a Retired Person of Independent Means?  These applications are usually quite straight forward and can be done quickly if you have all the necessary supporting documentation.  I would be surprised if the application took more than 10 days, and if they don't have to interview it could feasibly done the same day, but you should really call the consulate for confirmation.  If you want to move over in June, make the application anytime now and ask them to defer the date of the visa.  It is definitely not a good idea to try to apply from within the UK, as the switch from visitor is unlikely to be allowed and you may be refused entry if they know your intention is to settle.  Finally, you won't be able to travel after application as the consulate will have your passport.

If you wish to get representation to help you, you can find a list of companies on www.oisc.gov.uk where you will also find my company listed.  As far as i can see, the only likely reason for refusal would be if you don't have enough supporting documentation, so it might be a good idea to get someone to check over this for you.

Victoria

Depending upon the consulate, there can also be slightly faster turn-around on an application.  I put one through Cairo in 4 days where the average turn-around is 6 weeks.  Rio 2 days.  Also seeing same-day turn-around in Minsk, Moscow and the like.  But it all depends on the consulate.

I assume you are talking about coming as a Retired Person of Independent Means?  These applications are usually quite straight forward and can be done quickly if you have all the necessary supporting documentation.  I would be surprised if the application took more than 10 days, and if they don't have to interview it could feasibly done the same day, but you should really call the consulate for confirmation.  If you want to move over in June, make the application anytime now and ask them to defer the date of the visa.  It is definitely not a good idea to try to apply from within the UK, as the switch from visitor is unlikely to be allowed and you may be refused entry if they know your intention is to settle.  Finally, you won't be able to travel after application as the consulate will have your passport.

If you wish to get representation to help you, you can find a list of companies on www.oisc.gov.uk where you will also find my company listed.  As far as i can see, the only likely reason for refusal would be if you don't have enough supporting documentation, so it might be a good idea to get someone to check over this for you.

Victoria

Yes, that's the category I intend to apply for.   I have supporting documentation for my income (more than enough to meet the criteria).  I wonder if I need any documentation of a close connection to the UK?  I have friends there (2 of more than 20 years) and go over as often as I can.  I will be residing with a UK citizen (at his home), but the relationship is not long enough (nor at the stage yet) to apply for any of the partner categories.

Do you know which application form I need to complete?  It's not at all clear on the website.

Many thanks!

Depending upon the consulate, there can also be slightly faster turn-around on an application.  I put one through Cairo in 4 days where the average turn-around is 6 weeks.  Rio 2 days.  Also seeing same-day turn-around in Minsk, Moscow and the like.  But it all depends on the consulate.

I would apply through the New York consulate.  Plan to send in on-line application (once I figure out which application form I need to complete for retirement with independent means visa) and make an appointment for an in person interview in May. 

I plan to move mid July so hope this is enough time.

I plan to move mid July so hope this is enough time.

That's fine.

I would suggest targeting your submission date around mid-May, and simultaneously requesting a forward activation date in July. 

Over to you, Victoria...

That's fine.

I would suggest targeting your submission date around mid-May, and simultaneously requesting a forward activation date in July. 

Over to you, Victoria...

I had planned to apply online soon then request an interview date second week in May.  What does 'a forward activation date' mean?

I will furnish the following docs (can you suggest others I need?):

Birth Certificate (certified original)
Passport
Statement from retirement board with amount of pension (effective July 1)
Recent bank and other financial statements showing amount of other income
Recent statement from town assessors office showing value of my present home (being sold)
2005 Income Tax Return
Letters from two old friends in the UK attesting to my character and long expressed intent to retire in the UK

At the interview I may be accompanied by the friend with whom I shall be living in the UK

Thanks,
Nancy

ps  I just read the rules for 'close connection to the UK' and I'm panicking.  It doesn't look like I pass muster on this...even though my parents retired to Guernsey years ago (but are no longer alive...and are buried in the US).  One of my friends who's writing a letter is eminent (a county counselor) but the other isn't.  Even though I visit as often as I can, it's always short stays due to job constraints here.  Do you know how much weight they put on this rule if the income, age and domicile requirements are easily met?

At the interview I may be accompanied by the friend with whom I shall be living in the UKw

They can accompany you to the consulate, but might be left in the waiting area during your interview.  The NYC consulate is very relaxed about the rules on this, more often than not the rules are ignored completely.  So I would go ahead.

They can accompany you to the consulate, but might be left in the waiting area during your interview.  The NYC consulate is very relaxed about the rules on this, more often than not the rules are ignored completely.  So I would go ahead.

Garry,

I've decided to go ahead and file the application this weekend (with fingers and toes crossed).  As soon as the appointment website opens May appts, I'll go ahead and schedule.  In the meantime I'm getting together letters of recommendation from as many friends in the UK as I can, also a letter stating my contributions to a community project over the past few years.  I do hope you're right about the NYC consulate being relaxed but want to have as much documentation as I can manage.  BTW, still don't understand what you said about requesting a forward activation date to July. 

Can't tell you how much I appreciate all the help and encouragement you've given me.  My sanity is slowly returning...

Cheers,
Nancy

I think he just means that you can have your visa postdated to start in July, otherwise the start date will be the day the consulate approves it.

I do hope you're right about the NYC consulate being relaxed but want to have as much documentation as I can manage. 

To be clear, they are relaxed about allowing non-applicants (i.e., sponsors and friends) into the interview area, which they are absolutely *NOT* supposed to do. 

It doesn't mean they are relaxed about the way they reach decisions.

To be clear, they are relaxed about allowing non-applicants (i.e., sponsors and friends) into the interview area, which they are absolutely *NOT* supposed to do. 

It doesn't mean they are relaxed about the way they reach decisions.

Do you think they would refuse me because I don't have family currently living in the UK?  I'm having my friends (of 20+ years) write letters of support on my behalf (one is a county counselor) and I have documentation that my parents settled there when they retired (even though they are no longer living).  I have not lived there for long periods (although spent 2 months there once) but have been going quite regularly and identify with the culture and lifestyle more than with the US.  I also have done a lot of work (unpaid) as a graphic artist for a UK organisation and am getting a letter from the head to document my involvement past, present and future.

Is this hopeless?  I'm getting really worried that all my dreams and plans are about to come crashing down.  Don't know what to do.  If it fails what are my options?    :\\\'(

If you are seriously minted, that can mitigate the lack of substantial ties.  If not, then your ties to the UK would need to be deeper than having worked on a community project and identifying with the culture here.

Long-term residence can help, but it needs to be along the lines of double digits in years. 

If you are seriously minted, that can mitigate the lack of substantial ties.  If not, then your ties to the UK would need to be deeper than having worked on a community project and identifying with the culture here.

Long-term residence can help, but it needs to be along the lines of double digits in years. 

What do you mean by 'seriously minted?'

Having *lots* and *lots* and *lots* of money....



Victoria