Retirement to the UK visa questions

dosh, spondulaks, bread, the mean green....

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. 

Actually the community project is a licensed business in the UK.  It is a supporters' trust for an EPL football club.  I have worked (and continue to) for it as well as am a shareholder.  My work has been unpaid.  I have designed web adverts for the trust.

It sounds as thought this application is too complex for Garry and I to assist you on the basis of the little information you have given here.  We don't know the details of the links to the UK, we don't know how much money you intend to bring in, and without this is it igoing to be impossible for either of us to give you our opinion on what information is needed and what your chances of success are.  These applications are often down to the discretion of the ECO, and while we could give you our opinion on whether an ECO will be minded to excercise this discretion, for us to give this opinion on the basis of only half the facts would be contrary to our ethical obligations.

(Hope you don't mind me speaking for you on this one Garry).

Victoria

Not at all.  I appreciate your candour.

But just to add that the connection with the local football club isn't going to score highly as a close connection, because if that's so, then  every BUNAC person can claim the same thing.

I had to send paperwork for my mom and dad's app.  To prove their 'close connection'.  I had ILR by then, and my kids are dual nationals, which went a lot way towards strengthening their application from what their attorney said. 

Thanks Garry and Victoria for all your help and advice.  I agree I probably need to seek out a good immigration lawyer at this point.  Was hoping to avoid the expense but now feel very shaky about my chances of success with no close family connection presently in the UK.

Cheers,
Nancy

I agree I probably need to seek out a good immigration lawyer at this point.  Was hoping to avoid the expense but now feel very shaky about my chances of success with no close family connection presently in the UK.

Cheers,
Nancy

It can't hurt, as one of the conditions of the visa is apparently a 'close connection'. 

My dad just automatically assumed he needed an attorney to help.  If one is of independent means, it's not too terrible an expense.

19.7 - Close connection with the United Kingdom
Having close relatives such as parents, children, brothers or sisters settled in the UK satisfies this requirement. More distant relatives are only acceptable if they have recently been an established part of the applicant’s household or if they are the closest surviving relatives of the applicant. Where you see evidence of emotional closeness, you should give this more weight than the question of actual relationship.

Close connections would include long standing possession of property in the UK or long periods of Crown employment on behalf of the UK Government (Dependent Territory service can be considered a contributory factor only - see below).

You may consider periods of previous residence and lengthy periods of study in the UK as contributory factors provided there is other evidence of a close connection. Short periods spent in the UK as visitors are not normally considered significant unless they were/are very frequent.

Where no one factor provides the necessary close connection with the UK, you should look at all the evidence put forward by the applicant and decide if, when taken together, the requirement has been met.

Where no one factor provides the necessary close connection with the UK, you should look at all the evidence put forward by the applicant and decide if, when taken together, the requirement has been met.[/i]

This is where word-smithery and getting the right spin are worth their weight in gold. 

gold. 

Gold being the all-important part . . . 

Gold being the all-important part . . . 

I have considerable assets (beyond my pension) but would be loath to sell all investments here (because of getting hit with huge capital gains tax) and move it all there.

I have considerable assets (beyond my pension) but would be loath to sell all investments here (because of getting hit with huge capital gains tax) and move it all there.

I'd see an attorney(s).  It may be possible as well to set up your estate as a trust(s) and incorporate some things and transfer deeds/titles/patents, etc. to the trusts or corporations and invest in this fashion.

I'd see an attorney(s).  It may be possible as well to set up your estate as a trust(s) and incorporate some things and transfer deeds/titles/patents, etc. to the trusts or corporations and invest in this fashion.

It is set up as a trust and I'd be adding to it the proceeds of the sale of my house.  I might have enough to meet the alternative financial rule (in lieu of close connection to the UK rule).  However, I believe one needs to transfer their assets to the UK and reinvest.  This would mean liquidating most of my trust and moving it (as well as huge capital gains taxes in the US).  If it were simply a matter of moving the trust to a financial manager in the UK then it would be less of a disaster.  In any case, you are quite correct that I need some sound advice on my options.  Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions.

Nancy