Moving back to the US

Mainly they are looking for communicable diseases like TB, which the UK also tests for although only for certain countries.

Until  2008 you could not get a visa if you had HIV unless you had a special waiver. 

To all those moving back to the US:

I know it's just another expense, however PLEASE consider becoming Naturalised British Citizen if you have met the 3 year residence requirement and you hold ILR, you never know what the future holds and it will make your life easier if your life leads you back to the UK.

To all those moving back to the US:

I know it's just another expense, however PLEASE consider becoming Naturalised British Citizen if you have met the 3 year residence requirement and you hold ILR, you never know what the future holds and it will make your life easier if your life leads you back to the UK.

I thought about that Weby.... But my husband is itching to get out of here. Lol. So after 3 years I can apply? Hmmmm. I just might.

I'd love to, but we'd have to get my ILR plus whatever it cost to Naturalise, and we just don't have it at the mo. It does scare me, thinking how much harder it will be to get back in to stay by not doing it.

Hubby says we won't be coming back here to live, but you never know what the future holds.

I'd love to, but we'd have to get my ILR plus whatever it cost to Naturalise, and we just don't have it at the mo. It does scare me, thinking how much harder it will be to get back in to stay by not doing it.

Hubby says we won't be coming back here to live, but you never know what the future holds.

I had my ceremony 7 days before my husbands US visa was approved last year. We received my ILR in April 2010, filed his petition with the Embassy in June 2010, filed his visa application in October 2010, applied for my Naturalisation in November 2010...we were wheels up and back to the US the end of March 2011. Did we spend the money for nothing? Maybe. But with all 4 of us now being British citizens it's comforting to know that, if we should need to go back for whatever reason, that I can give the two fingered salut to UKBA flash my pretty red passport and waltz right through the border.  No stress.

I had my ceremony 7 days before my husbands US visa was approved last year. We received my ILR in April 2010, filed his petition with the Embassy in June 2010, filed his visa application in October 2010, applied for my Naturalisation in November 2010...we were wheels up and back to the US the end of March 2011. Did we spend the money for nothing? Maybe. But with all 4 of us now being British citizens it's comforting to know that, if we should need to go back for whatever reason, that I can give the two fingered salut to UKBA flash my pretty red passport and waltz right through the border.  No stress.

Certainly seems like a good use of money to me. You never know what will happen and given the fact that your husband and children are UKCs, it seems wise. You might want to retire somewhere in Europe or your children might decide to move back to the UK when they're grown and you will have the option of going as well.

Thanks for the advice WebyJ, that is something I've thought a lot about. I only just applied for ILR though, it'll probably be another 5 or 6 months before I even have it and I'm not ready to wait another year after that to move back. I know I might regret it in the future. Just hope it won't come to that. I hate the idea of moving back here anyway, so it would have to be some really extreme circumstance to make it happen. Fingers crossed it's not a decision I'll have to regret in the future!

To all those moving back to the US:

I know it's just another expense, however PLEASE consider becoming Naturalised British Citizen if you have met the 3 year residence requirement and you hold ILR, you never know what the future holds and it will make your life easier if your life leads you back to the UK.

Very much agreed. I regret not getting mine- you never, ever know what will happen in the future.

"now being British citizens it's comforting to know that, if we should need to go back for whatever reason, that I can give the two fingered salut to UKBA flash my pretty red passport and waltz right through the border.  Grin No stress."

haha WebyJ

Thanks for the advice WebyJ, that is something I've thought a lot about. I only just applied for ILR though, it'll probably be another 5 or 6 months before I even have it and I'm not ready to wait another year after that to move back. 

If you came in on a fiancee visa 2.5 yrs ago and are only now applying for ILR chances are that when it shows up you'll have met the 3 year residence requirement and will be able to apply for Naturalisation immediately.

The spouse of a British Citizen requirements for Naturalisation are you have to have 3 years residence (on any visa type) AND hold ILR -- even if you have just gotten it.

Look into it, really it's worth your while.

Thanks for the advice WebyJ, that is something I've thought a lot about. I only just applied for ILR though, it'll probably be another 5 or 6 months before I even have it and I'm not ready to wait another year after that to move back.

You arrived in the UK in July 2009, right (I had a quick look at your earlier posts)?

That means you will be eligible to apply for citizenship in July 2012.

As long as you hold ILR (which you should get by July) and can prove you were in the UK exactly 3 years prior to your citizenship application date (and you meet all the other requirements), you should be able to apply for UK citizenship in July.

I didn't realize that. Thank you both for the heads up. I don't know how I had it mixed up in my head, but I was thinking I had to have ILR for a year before I could apply for citizenship. Do you know how long and difficult the process is?

I didn't realize that. Thank you both for the heads up. I don't know how I had it mixed up in my head, but I was thinking I had to have ILR for a year before I could apply for citizenship. Do you know how long and difficult the process is?

You do have to hold ILR for a year if you are an economic migrant or aren't married to a UK citizen. But because you are married to a UKC, that requirement is waived. Time on visitor's visas even counts toward this--if you were in the UK on an extended visitor's visa before entering on a Settlement visa, you can count it towards the residency requirement. If I remember correctly, Historyenne did with no issue. Also, as the spouse of a UKC, you can apply for citizenship and then leave the country as soon as the UKBA receives the application. You do not have to wait for a decision. You can move back to the US and have your ceremony/apply for your passport there.

Also, as the spouse of a UKC, you can apply for citizenship and then leave the country as soon as the UKBA receives the application. You do not have to wait for a decision. You can move back to the US and have your ceremony/apply for your passport there.

Awesome! Thank you for the info. We're going to look into doing it this way. I don't think we'll be moving back to the UK in future, but it would be nice to have everything settled just in case, you never know what the future holds!

Edited to ask if you have a link to that info on the UKBA site? I was searching for it, but I couldn't find anything specific saying that you didn't need to be in the UK during your application.

Awesome! Thank you for the info. We're going to look into doing it this way. I don't think we'll be moving back to the UK in future, but it would be nice to have everything settled just in case, you never know what the future holds!

Edited to ask if you have a link to that info on the UKBA site? I was searching for it, but I couldn't find anything specific saying that you didn't need to be in the UK during your application.

It's not specifically written anywhere other than in the Residence Period explination which says you must be IN THE COUNTRY on the day the UKBA receives your application. If you use the NCS (Nationality Checking Service) they photocopy all your documents (so you have your passports for travel) and submit the application to the Home Office for processing and they advise you wait a minimum of 5 business days before doing any sort of travel so you're still in the country when the application is received by the Home Office. You just desingate that you want your ceremony in the US at one of the authorized locations. Simple.