Spouse/civil partner visa questions - help!

[Badly Drawn Girl]

Originally Posted by Jenny Marie

We also included a budget, which I think was helpful too. My husband broke down all the costs he paid living in his house and then make a second budget that figured me in as well as predicting food costs and such. We stuck it all in a nice binder with tabs and a table of contents and things seemed to be fine.

Wow, is this really necessary? I just submitted my online application and I stated that we combine our income and share all our expenses, and that we make X amount of money per month. It's practically impossible for us to figure out a budget where only one of us would be providing income because we've had a joint account almost since the beginning of our relationship.

[Jenny Marie]

I don't think a budget is totally necessary, but it looks nice. Ours wasn't exact either. Just vague estimates. Makes it look like you have your finances all lined up and such.

[Crazywolf]

Hi, just found this forum and looking for information for my situation. I am British man and I have been living and working in Dubai for over a year. I got married here to an Iranian woman and we would like to move to the UK. The problem is that all the information we have found is about bringing your spouse to the UK when you are already living there, There is nothing to inform you of what to do when you both want to move there together after living out of the country for a long period of time.

The problem lies with the fact that they require you to have job and home before you move back or bring your spouse. The problem i have is that my wife is on my Visa and if i leave to get a job and home in UK without her that leaves her in Dubai illegally. I have sent e-mails to the British Embassy and Visa offices but i do not hold out much luck in that department (probably just a list of links taking me to sites i have already been to and found nothing)

This is getting to be very urgent now as we would like to start a family and this is not the right environment to start raising kids.

I would appreciate any help that anyone could give me in this matter.

Thanks in advance

[Badly Drawn Girl]

Originally Posted by Crazywolf

Hi, just found this forum and looking for information for my situation. I am British man and I have been living and working in Dubai for over a year. I got married here to an Iranian woman and we would like to move to the UK. The problem is that all the information we have found is about bringing your spouse to the UK when you are already living there, There is nothing to inform you of what to do when you both want to move there together after living out of the country for a long period of time.

The problem lies with the fact that they require you to have job and home before you move back or bring your spouse. The problem i have is that my wife is on my Visa and if i leave to get a job and home in UK without her that leaves her in Dubai illegally. I have sent e-mails to the British Embassy and Visa offices but i do not hold out much luck in that department (probably just a list of links taking me to sites i have already been to and found nothing)

This is getting to be very urgent now as we would like to start a family and this is not the right environment to start raising kids.

I would appreciate any help that anyone could give me in this matter.

Thanks in advance

As far as I'm aware, you are not REQUIRED to have a job in the UK in order to sponsor somebody. My SO and I were in the same situation, having met while working abroad in New Zealand, so he had also been out of the country for some time. We had no problems having my spousal visa approved. Basically they just want you to show that you are both capable of financially supporting each other (i.e. your wife cannot end up on the dole) and that you have ties to the country. We proved this by including a letter from my brother-in-law who owns a house in the UK and who was offering us a place to stay while we searched for accomodation of our own. Really it's not that unusual for people to meet their spouses while traveling abroad.

[Crazywolf]

Many thanks Badly Drawn Girl. I have been worrying about this problem for so long now. I know that they are clamping down on marriage for Green card type scenarios so i have to check even the smallest details. At least my wife's spoken English is very good so i suppose that is a bonus as well.

Again thanks for the information.

[peacefuljourney]

Originally Posted by MichelleAlison

This forum is for giving and asking advice. Please ask as many questions as you wish.

Michelle

Hi Michelle - You are always so kind and humble! I just want to say your positive attitude is refreshing and inspiring.

[peacefuljourney]

Hi - I just applied for, and received, my entry clearance visa, both for myself and my 13 year old. It was a long process. I also moved from one country to the US and then to the UK. What I did was this: I used my god-sister's address in the US as my contact address. I used my work address in the UK as my contact address in the UK. I used the YMCA as proof of immediate housing upon arrival (you will satisfy this requirement when you give the Scotland address). I deposited money into my UK bank, which was opened for me by my employer. My employer also wrote a letter of invitation, a contact letter and my work permit, as well as my very lengthy work contract. The visa application is long but all good things come to those who wait! You must apply for the biometric scan.

The Consulate wants to make sure that you're married; that you won't be on welfare and that you won't be on government housing. Do what Izzy says and keep your official mail. I also am applying for LTR after 5 years, but don't have the benefit of a spouse! However, I'm very employable, which you may want to add to your list of "to-do's" if you're not already.

My advice? Apply for the visa from the US. If I were you, BEFORE filling out any visa application I would call the embassy (at 12 dollars a call!) or invest in a good immigration lawyer. Once you complete the visa on-line, you CANNOT make a change. You have only one chance, and if you are rejected, you must appeal. That will take forever. What a pain. But it's like that everywhere; think how hard it is to get a vsia for our country!

Wishing you the best - PJ