My understanding

[spiritbear928]

Wife is British. I am USA. My take is that she needs to work for a year making the US equivalent of 18600 pounds then get a job offer in the UK and we can move together. I apply for a visa and after I am in I can use my income as well to renew. I also understand that after 3 years I could apply to be a UK citizen and at that time technically (though we wouldnt probably) we could go live in anywhere in the EU we wanted. Soemtime in there I would apply for soemthing called ILR which would mean that I would not hae to keep renewing my visa but I could work in the UK once I get my initial spouse visa

Does that sound about right?

[spiritbear928]

I am still learning about all this and although we are a good 5 years from making the big move I am trying to make sure we get everything figured out ahead of time and no surprises. I really hope we are able to spend our later middle aged years in the UK,

[WestCoastCanadianGirl]

You might want to start your homework closer to your projected move date, as the immigration laws can and do change.... what is in effect now may or may not be law in 5 years, especially when it comes to settlement in the UK and the government's need to crack down on sham marriages and those who are in the country illegally.

Good on you for wanting to get all of your ducks in a row before you apply, but given that you're still 5 years away from moving, the information that you get now will be sadly out of date.

[mehemlynn]

Originally Posted by spiritbear928

I am still learning about all this and although we are a good 5 years from making the big move I am trying to make sure we get everything figured out ahead of time and no surprises. I really hope we are able to spend our later middle aged years in the UK,

Hi Spiritbear928,

No matter how well you plan, immigration is a moving target. The information you have above is good currently, but the amounts might change at the annual reviews they are planning on (most likely go up).

There is also always the possibility that the rules will change again. Five years is a pretty long time.

M

[WestCoastCanadianGirl]

Any spousal visas that are applied for and granted after July 9, 2012 are subject to the 5 year probationary period prior to settlement (i.e. you'll have to live in the UK for 5 years before applying for ILR). The applicants must also meet the current financial requirement as well as needing to pass the Life in the UK test and prove your English qualification (you, by virtue of being an American citizen, are exempt from the English requirement).

You might want to look at this document to get a sense of what the current rules are.

Good luck to you.

[spiritbear928]

I thought the time period was less because we have been married so long. Maybe not anymore.

Originally Posted by WestCoastCanadianGirl

Any spousal visas that are applied for and granted after July 9, 2012 are subject to the 5 year probationary period prior to settlement (i.e. you'll have to live in the UK for 5 years before applying for ILR). The applicants must also meet the current financial requirement as well as needing to pass the Life in the UK test and prove your English qualification (you, by virtue of being an American citizen, are exempt from the English requirement).

You might want to look at this document to get a sense of what the current rules are.

Good luck to you.

[WestCoastCanadianGirl]

Originally Posted by spiritbear928

I thought the time period was less because we have been married so long. Maybe not anymore.

The Home Office revoked that clause effective midnight on July 8, 2012.

Sorry to disappoint.

[spiritbear928]

Ok I see that it is not

[spiritbear928]

So what does being on a spousal visa vs settled entail? I could live and work on a spousal visa and have my income count toward our financial ability to stay there as I understand it. How long after settled before you can become UK citizen. If you flunk this test what happens? Can you take it again?

[spiritbear928]

Can you live in the UK without ILR and work etc

Originally Posted by WestCoastCanadianGirl

Any spousal visas that are applied for and granted after July 9, 2012 are subject to the 5 year probationary period prior to settlement (i.e. you'll have to live in the UK for 5 years before applying for ILR). The applicants must also meet the current financial requirement as well as needing to pass the Life in the UK test and prove your English qualification (you, by virtue of being an American citizen, are exempt from the English requirement).

You might want to look at this document to get a sense of what the current rules are.

Good luck to you.