Spouse of UK Citizen moving from Australia

[trjack]

Hi there

I'm currently living in Australia. My wife and I, and our 6 children (all under 18) were all born in Australia. I am the only one of us that has UK citizenship (never lived in the UK). We are planning to move the family to the UK to stay for a couple of years or more before returning to Australia. I will be the sole income provider earning around GBP60-80k per year.

I've been advised that we'll need to arrange the following:
- UKVI Visa Fee = £1,523 per applicant
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) = £1200 per applicant

This will be based on the below scenario:
Category A (Salaried Income) - Employment income from Overseas with job offer in the UK

- British partner is currently employed Overseas for more than 6 months and this employment is permanent and you receive regular consistent income payments.
- British partner's annual gross income you receive through this current Overseas employment is more than £34,400.
- British partner has a job offer in the UK earning an annual income of £34,400 and this job is due to start within 3 months of the visa start date.
- Can combine with Non-Employment income, Pension Income and Cash Savings, conditions apply.

I'm wanting to confirm that this the only and best way to arrange for my wife and children to join me in the UK? This seems very expensive. I've also read on the home office website of a visit visa which we could get for £350 which seems more reasonable. Is this a good option?

Thanks in advance.
Tim

[CR001]

I'm wanting to confirm that this the only and best way to arrange for my wife and children to join me in the UK? This seems very expensive.

Yes it is and yes it is expensive.

I've also read on the home office website of a visit visa which we could get for £350 which seems more reasonable. Is this a good option?

Not a good option as they cannot switch to another visa category if they are in the UK as visitors. They would have to leave the UK to apply from abroad. Your spouse also won't be able to work and none of them will be eligible for free NHS use.

[Jaune08]

I'm wanting to confirm that this the only and best way to arrange for my wife and children to join me in the UK?

That’s your only option if you are British by descent (you were born abroad and got the citizenship through one of your parents) and you have never lived in the UK at any point in the past. Applying for 7 visas will be the only way for your wife and children to join you in the UK.

I've been advised that we'll need to arrange the following:
- UKVI Visa Fee = £1,523 per applicant
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) = £1200 per applicant

Yes, it will be £2,753 per applicant (19,271 in total) and it will be valid for 2.5 years only. After that, you will have to pay again to extend the visas for another 2.5 years (probably the same amount if Home Office doesn’t change the fee).

[trjack]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'd better start saving!

Cheers
Tim