Visa granted

gphiver · #1 (**permalink**) 20th June 2012, 02:56 AM

WoooooHoooo! I received my "rights of access to a child visa" today.

Soon I will post my time-line. I am told this was quite a unique visa and a year in the making. I slip over to the UK after a long drive across country.

Thank you all for your comments, help and encouragement.

2farapart · #2 (**permalink**) 20th June 2012, 02:21 PM

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! A less usual visa yes, but a wonderful outcome.

AnAmericanInScotland · #3 (**permalink**) 20th June 2012, 02:28 PM

Yes, congratulations! It must be a huge relief to have a positive outcome and to be on your way to see this child(ren)

Would you mind telling us a little about your visa? Obviously there is a child involved, but what I'm curious about are the details of the visa-is it to live in the UK, or for a set period for a visit with the child for whom you hold access rights?

I've been reading here since 2009 and I'm pretty sure you are the first person who has talked about this particular type.

gphiver · #4 (**permalink**) 20th June 2012, 02:59 PM

Hello and thank you it is a huge relief to be able to be with my kids.

My children live with their Mother in UK. They were born in USA and moved over after we divorced many years ago. I had been looking for a way to get over their but I am not a dual citizen. Since we have been divorced I have always been involved in their lives, seeing them as much as possible each year and talking every week.

Last September I discovered this visa through searching the web. There were five pieces that I had to qualify for. ie, I have proof of regular contact with my kids, I am divorced from their Mother, my kids live with a UK citizen and they are UK citizens...

My solicitors told me I could have the visa in 3-4 weeks of application. Unfortunately it took about seven months due to the requirements and the long distance. Letters of accommodation, a statement from my ex-wife took awhile and my solicitor was not the best communicator but they did get me the visa.

My visa is valid for one year then I apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. The twelve months is a type of probationary period to make sure I am there to be with my kids. The only restriction on the visa is "no access to public funds". It is a MULT entry visa. I am told I can live indefinitely.

I am very lucky and excited that I stumbled upon this visit and to have a good solicitor to help me with the process.

AnAmericanInScotland · #5 (**permalink**) 20th June 2012, 04:20 PM

Thank-you for the details of your visa, and WOW, that is an amazing thing you have done!

After I posted my question I went looking for info on the UKBA site but reading your post is amazing-to work that hard, and to be willing to give up your life in America to be a real part of your children's life is truly amazing. Especially in this day and age-I'm sure people would say you could write, email, Skype...as the mother of two now adult children I know that letters, email, and Skype are not enough to a real parent!

Do you mind if I ask about the logistics-are you going straight into work, or will you be looking for work on arrival? Will you be living close enough to the children that you'll be able to see them daily? Forgive me if I'm being too nosy, it's just very interesting to me that a father would go through all of this for his children, truthfully it makes me tear up to read that there are fathers out there like you

Congratulations again on your visa, and good luck with your new life in the UK.

gphiver · #6 (**permalink**) 21st June 2012, 02:54 AM

I don't mind. Maybe this will help someone who is trying to do the same thing someday.

I have been working as a Park Ranger for the National Park Service for the last 8 years. I am currently in Alaska and planning to drive to the East coast to catch my flight.

I have been applying for jobs in UK but it seems a lot of the positions would prefer me to be in country so I can interview in person. I have had a few phone and Skype interviews but at this time I do not have a job to go to. I have friends and family that I will be staying with until I am fortunate enough to find work. I will try to live as close as possible to them. It will depend on work.

All of this is a risk but my kids are worth every bit of it.

Thank you for your nice comments. Some have been very supportive of my decision.

AnAmericanInScotland · #7 (**permalink**) 21st June 2012, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gphiver

I don't mind. Maybe this will help someone who is trying to do the same thing someday.

I have been working as a Park Ranger for the National Park Service for the last 8 years. I am currently in Alaska and planning to drive to the East coast to catch my flight.

I have been applying for jobs in UK but it seems a lot of the positions would prefer me to be in country so I can interview in person. I have had a few phone and Skype interviews but at this time I do not have a job to go to. I have friends and family that I will be staying with until I am fortunate enough to find work. I will try to live as close as possible to them. It will depend on work.

All of this is a risk but my kids are worth every bit of it.

Thank you for your nice comments. Some have been very supportive of my decision.

I lived on Kodiak in the mid-seventies ('74-'76, USCGR AD) and fell in love with Alaska-except the Alcan, lol! Beautiful scenery, bumpy beyond description in late summer back then, wow

Erm, hopefully it's a little less bumpy now? Safe journey

One's children are always the most important-best wishes on your job hunt! Please keep us posted on how it goes for you and your family-you are absolutely right that this might help another parent one day.

Rndebidee · #8 (**permalink**) 21st June 2012, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gphiver

Hello and thank you it is a huge relief to be able to be with my kids.

My children live with their Mother in UK. They were born in USA and moved over after we divorced many years ago. I had been looking for a way to get over their but I am not a dual citizen. Since we have been divorced I have always been involved in their lives, seeing them as much as possible each year and talking every week.

Last September I discovered this visa through searching the web. There were five pieces that I had to qualify for. ie, I have proof of regular contact with my kids, I am divorced from their Mother, my kids live with a UK citizen and they are UK citizens...

My solicitors told me I could have the visa in 3-4 weeks of application. Unfortunately it took about seven months due to the requirements and the long distance. Letters of accommodation, a statement from my ex-wife took awhile and my solicitor was not the best communicator but they did get me the visa.

My visa is valid for one year then I apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. The twelve months is a type of probationary period to make sure I am there to be with my kids. The only restriction on the visa is "no access to public funds". It is a MULT entry visa. I am told I can live indefinitely.

I am very lucky and excited that I stumbled upon this visit and to have a good solicitor to help me with the process.

Congratulations!! I wish you much success in finding a great job in the UK so you can remain there and be an important part of your kids lives. Like AAIS, I too have not seen this kind of visa before and your posting will surely help another divorced person who might be in despair about their separation from their kids and this visa route offers some hope for them.
Well done, and again Congratulations!

expatathome · #9 (**permalink**) 27th June 2012, 06:40 AM

Just read your story and I'm so happy for you! Wow it'll be a change from the wilds of Alaska but worth it as you say and as well as being near your kids great to experience living in a European country with a culture in some ways similar but in other ways very different from our own. Where abouts in the country do you plan to move? Best of luck anyway and well done!