standard visitor visa OR short term study visa for my wife?

[eco1ogy]

We're a married couple living in Turkey. I'm English and my wife is Turkish. We want to move back to the UK and I want to know which of the above two visas are more likely to be granted to my wife. Her English is already fairly advanced, and she is considering enrolling on a English language course to improve on her existing English. I'm thinking that the 'short term study visa' might also make her application stronger as she would have something lined up to start doing when she arrives-study so as to improve her prospect of finding a job there. Anyone with any thoughts, experience or advice, please!

(I have other questions and I will write another post for them)

[Casa]

Your wife won't be able to settle while on a Short Term Study visa and neither will she be able to switch to spouse from within the UK

[eco1ogy]

Your wife won't be able to settle while on a Short Term Study visa and neither will she be able to switch to spouse from within the UK

Thank you Casa. The other options are standard visitor or family. I guess it should be family visa for her then?

[Wanderer]

Your wife won't be able to settle while on a Short Term Study visa and neither will she be able to switch to spouse from within the UK

Thank you Casa. The other options are standard visitor or family. I guess it should be family visa for her then?

Think there's only standard visit visa now. There's no switching from that visa either.

[Casa]

If you intend to settle then you need to apply for a spouse settlement visa. You will need to show that you have been earning the equivalent of £18,600 in Turkey for the 6 months prior to submitting the application and have a confirmed job offer in the UK to start within 3 months of arrival, with an annual salary of £18,600.
Or you could return to the UK ahead of your wife, show 6 months of employment meeting the minimum salary of £18,600 and then submit the application.
Alternatively you would need £62,500 in savings held in an accessible account for 6 months.
You will also need to submit evidence of adequate accommodation available on your arrival and you wife must pass the A1 English test before submitting the application.
The visa fee is £956 + the NHS Surcharge of £600 to cover her first 2.5 year probationary period.

[eco1ogy]

If you intend to settle then you need to apply for a spouse settlement visa. You will need to show that you have been earning the equivalent of £18,600 in Turkey for the 6 months prior to submitting the application and have a confirmed job offer in the UK to start within 3 months of arrival, with an annual salary of £18,600.
Or you could return to the UK ahead of your wife, show 6 months of employment meeting the minimum salary of £18,600 and then submit the application.
Alternatively you would need £62,500 in savings held in an accessible account for 6 months.
You will also need to submit evidence of adequate accommodation available on your arrival and you wife must pass the A1 English test before submitting the application.
The visa fee is £956 + the NHS Surcharge of £600 to cover her first 2.5 year probationary period.

hi Casa,
Thanks very much for all the information, it's a great help. I see it's becoming really hard..as I understand, only one of the two of us would need to be making 18,600 yearly, is that correct?

[vinny]

Initially, only you.

[Casa]

Wait for Vinny to confirm, but I believe that in the 6 month period prior to submitting your application the equivalent of £18,600 pa earnings can be joint. The job offer in the UK is solely for you to meet the income level as the sponsor.

[vinny]

For the initial spouse visa from outside the UK, I think only the income of the sponsor is considered (1(c)).

[eco1ogy]

Wait for Vinny to confirm, but I believe that in the 6 month period prior to submitting your application the equivalent of £18,600 pa earnings can be joint. The job offer in the UK is solely for you to meet the income level as the sponsor.

Thanks for the info again Casa, you've been so helpful!

[eco1ogy]

For the initial spouse visa from outside the UK, I think only the income of the sponsor is considered (1(c)).

Thank you so much for helping me Vinny!


James

[eco1ogy]

For the initial spouse visa from outside the UK, I think only the income of the sponsor is considered (1(c)).

Oh I've just thought, Vinny are you talking about my earnings in the six month prior to entry, or the job I take in the UK? Just want to be sure. Thank you

[Casa]

Vinny has corrected my mis-understanding that you could combine earnings prior to entry.
In which case, only your earnings as the sponsor will be considered, both in the 6 month period prior to applying and once in the UK. When you reach the end of the first 2.5 years probationary period and apply for a 2.5 year extension, joint earnings wil be calculated.

[eco1ogy]

Vinny has corrected my mis-understanding that you could combine earnings prior to entry.
In which case, only your earnings as the sponsor will be considered, both in the 6 month period prior to applying and once in the UK. When you reach the end of the first 2.5 years probationary period and apply for a 2.5 year extension, joint earnings wil be calculated.

Okay thanks for clarifying that for me. When you say earning 18,600 pounds in the six months prior, is that a total of 18,600 or could it be Pro rata? I mean that if it's based on an annual salary then they would need to see just half of that sum

[Casa]

That's correct, pro-rata

[eco1ogy]

That's correct, pro-rata

And is it net or gross?