Staying in the UK

I have lived over in the Uk two seperate times and would like to live there permanently.  I have no idea where to start.  Is there an easy way to do it or do I have to go through all the red tape?  If anyone can help I would very much appreciate it.

Thanks

Hi!

You mentioned that you have lived there twice already. What kind of visa were you on? Do you have a British partner?

Any more info/details you can provide about your current situation will help everyone here give advice.

I was only on a visitors visa both times and yes I do have a Brithish partner.  So whatever help you could provide would be great.

Thanks,  Michael

There's lots of info on this site already posted about various visas and there's no 'easy way'. In short though, you either need to get a fiance/spouse visa, a highly skilled migrant worker visa, or an unmarried partner visa where you can prove you have lived together for 2 years or more. Take a look at the other links and forum threads on here and then let us know more about your specifics if you have any questions.  

Oh, you can also do a student visa should you be so inclined to go back to academia.

I cant go with a student visa because I am to old.  I did try a work permit when I was over there but it was denied.  I have been over there for two and a half years over two different stays.  How do I prove that I have been over there for two years if I didnt have a bank account over there?

Aren't visitor's visas limited to six months?  How did you manage 2.5 years on two visitor's visas?

Fell in love and forgot to leave.

Okay, so the answer to your previous question is that you don't prove that you have lived there for 2.5 years, because that would be proving to them that you were there illegally and would probably ensure that you are not let into the UK ever again.

This puts you in a bad spot as far as trying to get any other kind of visa, because you run the risk of being asked about previous visits to the UK.  I haven't been through any visa procedures yet, so I don't know if that's a common question.

Options include HSMP (Highly Skilled Migrant Programme), getting a work permit, or fiance or spouse visa (if your partner is opposite sex).  There is an unmarried partner visa, but you have to show that you have lived together in a relationship akin to marriage for 2 years, and it seems you won't be able to do that.

That's all I can think of.  Maybe other folks know of other options.

Hmmm. You're not really 'too old' to get a student visa - I came over at age 30 and am now almost 34. The question is would it make any sense for you to return to school for any reason, including allowing you to be with your partner? That said, obviously you'd need to rule out the other visa/permit options.

Okay, so the answer to your previous question is that you don't prove that you have lived there for 2.5 years, because that would be proving to them that you were there illegally and would probably ensure that you are not let into the UK ever again.

If you ever get back into the country to stay, this will come out when you do your NI number interview to obtain a number in order to work (when you're legally able to do so).  They question you on all your trips to the UK.

I have to slightly disagree with Peedal, I had an NI interview and my trips to the UK were never discussed and I had visited several times over the years (though had never overstayed!). That said, I was in the UK on an obviously bonafide student visa and was only allowed to work for 20 hours/wk. Of course, all they had to do was run my passport number to see what I'd been up to so that may be why it was never discussed. You probably have not done yourself any favors I'm afraid.

The student visa aspect might be why your interview was different.  Because the rest of the experiences I've heard of have been like mine.  He wanted to know all the dates I'd entered and left the UK previously and took copies of my passport pages.

It's a puzzle, I guess. He did photocopy my passport, but then again, some of my trips weren't in it as the old passport had expired that showed some of the trips. Do you think I'll need to get another interview when I'm legal to work full time? Gad, I hope not - more paperwork and interviews!  

No worries!  Once you have your NI number, it's yours for life!  No more interviews!!!