Hello! My first post .....

[Raptorgirl]

Hi All,

My first post on the forum ....how exciting!

I am a Canadian who married a Brit last July. I am now in the process of moving to the UK and had a few questions which I could not seem to have answered on the UKBA site (am I the only one that finds it super confusing?)

1) I have received my VISA but I am not clear on what type of VISA it is. It is valid for 27 months and I used a form VA4 I believe. Is this considered a settlement visa? It also says "SPOUSE"

2) With this type of VISA, am I eligible to work in the UK as soon as I arrive? Do I have to apply for something similar to the Canadian SOCIAL INSURANCE NUMBER?

3) The VISA explicitly states "no public funds" but does this include healthcare? Would I still be able to visit a doctor for free or would it be a paid service?

4) Last but not least for this post ....can someone recommend a good sports bar to watch the NBA playoff in West London? :-)

Thanks in advance for your help!

[2farapart]

Hello and welcome!! I hope these boards offer you as much help as they have been to me and many others.

1) I have received my VISA but I am not clear on what type of VISA it is. It is valid for 27 months and I used a form VA4 I believe. Is this considered a settlement visa? It also says "SPOUSE"

That's correct: it's a spouse visa and is classed as a settlement visa. They run for a period of 27 months at the end of which you can apply for Indefinite Leave To Remain (ILR) - a permanent entitlement to reside in Britain without being subject to any further immigration control.

2) With this type of VISA, am I eligible to work in the UK as soon as I arrive? Do I have to apply for something similar to the Canadian SOCIAL INSURANCE NUMBER?

Yes, you can work. You need to apply for our equivalent: the National Insurance Number. More info about this can be found in our government web site: Applying for a National Insurance number : Directgov - Money, tax and benefits

3) The VISA explicitly states "no public funds" but does this include healthcare? Would I still be able to visit a doctor for free or would it be a paid service?

You can register with the National Health Service by registering with your local doctor (take your passport and proof of address). Health care is not under the same umbrella as 'public funds' (which are state payments such as unemployment benefit, disabilty benefits etc). I recall that there are some "ifs and buts" relating to free health-care (Joppa or someone more knowledgeable than me will likely chip in) but if your sponsor pays National Insurance, you should be fine to receive free health care too.

As the most unsportslike person on the planet, I can't help with your last!

[Raptorgirl]

Thanks so much for your speedy reply :-) I hope that you and whomever are not still 2farapart!

[nyclon]

That's correct: it's a spouse visa and is classed as a settlement visa. They run for a period of 27 months at the end of which you can apply for Indefinite Leave To Remain (ILR) - a permanent entitlement to reside in Britain without being subject to any further immigration control.

You are eligible for ILR after being in the UK or 24 months. The visa is in fact good for 27 months which gives you an extra 3 months to get yourself to the UK. So, you may be eligible for ILR before your the end of 27 months depending on when you choose to arrive.

As for NBA playoffs, you do realize that the time difference means at best (should you even be able to find a place) you will be watching a replay of a previous day's game. Pubs close at 11 to 11:30.

[PhillyChic]

Congrats on your VISA Raptorgirl!

Deeper question about the 24 months...my VISA is good starting June 21, but I might not be able to move until Sept 24, maybe even a little later. My VISA is good through Sept 2014. What happens in 2 years when I want to apply for ILR, if I'm a smudge under 24 months in the UK? Will the fact that I've lived with my hub in the US for almost 6 yrs count as something?

[nyclon]

Originally Posted by PhillyChic

Congrats on your VISA Raptorgirl!

Deeper question about the 24 months...my VISA is good starting June 21, but I might not be able to move until Sept 24, maybe even a little later. My VISA is good through Sept 2014. What happens in 2 years when I want to apply for ILR, if I'm a smudge under 24 months in the UK? Will the fact that I've lived with my hub in the US for almost 6 yrs count as something?

If your visa was not issued with "KOL req", then you have a spouse visa which requires you to reside in the UK for 24 months before being eligible for for ILR. So if you arrive with less than 24 months left on your visa you'll have to apply for an extension(even though you'll only need it for a few days) before you can apply for ILR.

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by PhillyChic

Congrats on your VISA Raptorgirl!

Deeper question about the 24 months...my VISA is good starting June 21, but I might not be able to move until Sept 24, maybe even a little later. My VISA is good through Sept 2014. What happens in 2 years when I want to apply for ILR, if I'm a smudge under 24 months in the UK? Will the fact that I've lived with my hub in the US for almost 6 yrs count as something?

You may just scrape through as you can apply 4 weeks short of 2 years, but better still, try not to delay your arrival beyond the middle of September at the latest. If the worst comes to the worst, you may have to extend your visa at the present cost of £561 or £867 by face-to-face premium service, and then after a few weeks pay again the full cost for ILR (£991 or 1377 - ouch).

Your time together in US has no bearing at all.

[PhillyChic]

@nyclon Unfortunately I didn't request KOL-req, so it sounds like I've got to serve my 2 years.

@Joppa Thx for the advice. Sounds like the best course of action is to get there sooner rather than later. Methinks after living in
London for 24 months I won't have the extra cash to spare!

[nyclon]

Originally Posted by PhillyChic

@nyclon Unfortunately I didn't request KOL-req, so it sounds like I've got to serve my 2 years.

@Joppa Thx for the advice. Sounds like the best course of action is to get there sooner rather than later. Methinks after living in
London for 24 months I won't have the extra cash to spare!

As a Londoner, I can confirm that there a few things more exciting/necessary than visas that you may want to/have to spend your pounds on.

[WestCoastCanadianGirl]

Raptorgirl...

Congrats on your VISA... will be going for a Fiancée visa this summer.

Perhaps we may meet in London one of these days this coming winter.