Moving from France to UK

[gprit]

Can anyone update me on current procedure/requirements? - probably save a lot of time searching!
I am British, my wife is Thai (with Thai passport). We have two young sons who are British.
At the moment we live in France but are considering returning to the UK - we have been married for nearly 7 years, are fesident in France, pay taxes here etc..and my wife has a French Carte de Sejour (resident card).

I am retired and she does not currently work, as she looks after our toddler. Her English is good and years ago she had English certificate when she left Thailand.

What are the processes? Is it still based on income / savings? If I went ahead to the Uk to find housing, would she be able to travel with the children without me?

Advise welcome - thanks

[Zerubbabel]

Hello

Yes, it's still based on revenue / savings. Without revenue and savings, you can't use the UK law to bring your wife back to the UK.

However, if her Carte de Sejour has been delivered uder EEA route in France, you may come back under Surinder Singh. In such scenario they won't test your revenue and savings.

However, you need to return to the UK now.The cutoff date is 31/12/2020 to lodge a valid application.

She needs a visa to travel to the UK with your children.

[gprit]

Thanks for the quick reply.

Her carte de Sejour is 'Family member of Family of EEA national' and 'all professional activities' so presumably this would qualify under SS route. Her centre of life has been in France and she is on tax returns, in Healthcare system etc.

Why would she need a Visa to travel to UK with children? Is that only because she would be travelling alone? Can Visa be obtained by post?

What changes after 31/12/2020..ie after Brexit finalised?

thanks

[Korekt]

Why would she need a Visa to travel to UK with children? Is that only because she would be travelling alone?

It is because she is not a citizen of the UK.

[gprit]

Still confused about Visa(!), If she was allowed to enter the UK under SS application, then surely that would be the entry permission....not a separate visa?

[gprit]

Trying to read more on gov.uk site.....they say that biometrics are necessary..?...The only available location is PARIS, some 5.5 hours away.....impossible with small children and current CV19 climate.

Also.....to apply she needs to be outside uk (which she is)......but I am also outside uk....is that ok or are they assuming I would be in the UK already

[AmazonianX]

Trying to read more on gov.uk site.....they say that biometrics are necessary..?...The only available location is PARIS, some 5.5 hours away.....impossible with small children and current CV19 climate. You have identified the available option, deciding how well you need it and or surmounting the hurdles to its possibility lies with you.

Also.....to apply she needs to be outside uk (which she is)......but I am also outside uk....is that ok or are they assuming I would be in the UK already Your not being in UK not a problem so far all required documents are in support of application are in order.

[gprit]

Thank you for the reply...but bearing in mind the CV19 situation....it would be tantamount to lunacy to travel form a 'free' area to one which is highly infected!!! Let alone no social distancing on travel, and having to wear masks for days at a time.

[AmazonianX]

Thank you for the reply...but bearing in mind the CV19 situation....it would be tantamount to lunacy to travel form a 'free' area to one which is highly infected!!! Let alone no social distancing on travel, and having to wear masks for days at a time.

That is why as said before the expediency due to extenuating circumstances of the pandemic lies with you. If not expedient now, may be appropriate at a latter date.

[Zerubbabel]

For the Brexit and the transition periods, there are multiple key dates.

The one relevant for you today is Dec 31, 2020. You need to be in the UK before that date in order for your to be eligible to the EU Settlement Scheme for your wife.

If you are not in the UK by then, you will still be able to use different routes in 2021 but they are less automatic than what's available now.

[Korekt]

Still confused about Visa(!), If she was allowed to enter the UK under Surinder Singh route application, then surely that would be the entry permission....not a separate visa?

The EEA family permit which is what a Surinder Singh application is, is a visa.

It might be semantics or not but what is clear is that your wife needs to apply for permission to enter the UK.