Ohio to Leicester to Ohio to Essex

Hello all!

I am new to posting on UKY though I have been reading many conversations on here for awhile now.

Just thought I'd pop in and say hello as I begin the process of applying for a fancy new Spousal Visa.  I would love any tips people have to offer.  For some reason, the idea of moving back to the UK is really freaking me out at the moment despite the fact that I did the same thing a couple of years ago.

I first moved to England in January 2010 when I studied abroad at the University of Leicester.  I met my now-husband three days into my semester there.  We didn't "officially" start dating until a few weeks before I left in May.  We continued our LDR for several years, making it work thanks to Skype and a few international visits.  He proposed at Christmas 2011 at my home in Ohio.  I moved back to England in September 2012 to attend graduate school at the University of Leicester (again).  We got married in June 2013 and spent several months living in Essex.  We spent a few months visiting my parents in Ohio until it was time for him to go back to the UK.  Our original plan was for him to move here to the US but he recently found a job in Essex.  The jobs has lots of perks- close to his home, 25 vacation days, lots of sick time, NHS health care, significant raises and bonuses, etc.  It makes more sense for me to move over there, at least for the time being.  However, this make me really nervous and I'm not sure why.  I've lived there before, I like England,  and I love my husband and his family.

Anyways....  I have a little while to get ready to move as we have to wait six months before we can even meet the financial requirements and apply for a spousal visa.  I would appreciate any tips people have when it comes to applying for Spousal Visas, coping with moving, etc.

Thanks for reading!  Looking forward to joining the UKY community.

Not all of those things are job perks.  Treatment on the NHS is free to all UK citizens.  It has nothing to do with your job.  A spouse visa will also give you few access to the NHS.  25 days vacation is standard in the EU.

Well, they may not all be directly due to the position but they are perks.  I am aware the NHS is open to all UK citizens.  I meant that having assured access to health care is a perk compared to a position in the US that does not necessarily come with health care.   

I am aware the NHS is open to all UK citizens.  I meant that having assured access to health care is a perk compared to a position in the US that does not necessarily come with health care.

And i's not just open to all UK citizens - it's open to anyone who lives in the UK legally. So, when you move to the UK on your spousal visa, you will be entitled to free NHS healthcare as well .

Hello! Fellow Ohioan here and I coincidentally also studied abroad in Leicester, albeit just couple years before you. I also met my partner while I was studying there! Did you go to Kent State?!

Those are definitely perks when the alternative could be a job in the US with no/very expensive healthcare and 5 days of leave! Best of luck with your move!

They are not perks in the UK.

Hello! Fellow Ohioan here and I coincidentally also studied abroad in Leicester, albeit just couple years before you. I also met my partner while I was studying there! Did you go to Kent State?!

I did indeed go to Kent State!  What a small world!  I studied abroad in Leicester through the Honors College.  My cousin did the same thing (in 2001).  Are you permanently settled in the UK now?

I did indeed go to Kent State!  What a small world!  I studied abroad in Leicester through the Honors College.  My cousin did the same thing (in 2001).  Are you permanently settled in the UK now?

How funny! I was in the Honors College too. Are you local to Kent? I'm originally from Tallmadge. But yes, permanently settled in the UK now. I've been here over four years, having originally come to do a master's degree, and am just a few months from applying for my settlement visa. (Trying not to worry about that until I really have to, though.)

Good luck with your impending application! If you ever want to meet up in London with another Ohioan, just let me know! 

I am from the Canton area- I live outside of Hartville.  I have been reading and re-reading everything that we will need for the application and, while I know that the application itself should be pretty straight forward, I am still freaking out!  Best of luck with your application when you do apply.