Spouse visa for Ukrainian wife and two stepchildren

[woodstock1]

Hello again everyone, our saga continues at a slow pace and I'm here to ask advice again. In summary, we married in October 2012 in Odessa. I have been travelling every couple of months back to Odessa to see her and the kids. It is putting a strain on us for sure at times. My wife has now successfully passed her English language test, and I am now earning enough to meet the financial requirements. I am still not renting suitable accommodation, as I'm renting a room and we are trying to save enough for the almost £3000 for the visas applications. I understand that there is no guarantee of acceptance. My questions are these, I have been approved for a personal loan which would cover the visa applications, but I don't want to accept the offer if the Home office will use it as an excuse to reject our applications on financial grounds. Does anyone have experience of this situation? How in depth into our finances do they go? Also, assuming that we get approval, what is the process involved to make sure my stepchildren(7 and 16) will not be sent back to Odessa once they reach 18?

A very big thank you to all who take the time to read and answer questions such as these, this forum is a real lifeline...

Many thanks...Si..

[WR1]

Taking out a personal loan shouldn't have any impact on the visa application.

The financial requirement for sponsoring your spouse and two children is £24,800. For this you would need to provide the past six months pay slips and their corresponding bank statements to show money going in (assuming you are employed as you don't state whether you are employed or self employed).

However, the concern is with the accommodation aspect.

In order to bring over your spouse + 2 children, you will need to provide some form of a accommodation report, from for example the local council or an estate agents that shows there will be no overcrowding in relation to the Housing Act 1985. This is going to be difficult with having renting just one room.

[woodstock1]

Thanks for your prompt reply WR1, regarding the accommodation, right now I am searching for a suitable 3 bedroom house to rent. This is why I would like to take out the loan, rental deposits and visa applications will take ages to happen if I don't raise some money from somewhere else!.... again many thanks...Si

[Wanderer]

Personally I don't think it's a good idea to borrow money for visas, but obviously that's a personal choice. The fees on top of cost of flights, costs of settling in, the second round of visa costs comes round sooner than think, borrow again and things seem to spiral.

My Partner is Russian and she goes home twice a year, you need to factor that in too for your Ukrainian family, especially in the first year or two when she'll probably miss home.

Remember too (if I remember Ukr Law correctly) you'll need both a court order and the fathers permission (if still living) to allow the children to leave Ukraine, that can cost.

[anotherone_waiting]

Hi Guys,

I wondering if someone can suggest/advise me on similar scenario as well please? I am settled person in UK and my wife has a partner/spouse VISA.

Now i am planning to bring my 2 step sons to the UK since kids are suffering in Brazil.

I own a house and have a good job but not sure what exactly is the process and requirements are.

Brazilians dont need VISA to enter UK so do i need to apply their visa from Brazil itself or can they enter UK on tourist Visa on arrival and then get that converted ? since one of my portuguese mate did the same few years ago.

Any advise or suggestion will be appreciated. Thanks

[Wanderer]

You cannot switch from visit visa (or waiver) in-country, with few exceptions, of which this scenario isn't one.

You'll need to meet the financial test, i.e. earning around 26k pa for the last six months (or is it three!?), have permission to remove the children from the home country and natural father (check Brazilian law, usually a court order and fathers permission needed) and the visa fees.

[Casa]

6 months employment Wanderer.

[anotherone_waiting]

You cannot switch from visit visa (or waiver) in-country, with few exceptions, of which this scenario isn't one.

You'll need to meet the financial test, i.e. earning around 26k pa for the last six months (or is it three!?), have permission to remove the children from the home country and natural father (check Brazilian law, usually a court order and fathers permission needed) and the visa fees.

Many thanks WANDERER.

I am actually struggling to find out the law in Brazil. Not sure if a court order is needed or Notary declaration by kids father is enough since if we get a court order that will be custody and in order to get the Visa we need to be sole responsible.

I believe there are some moderators from Brazil on this forum as well, not sure how can i bring it to their attention.

Do you any anyone who can possibly confirm this please????