Visa possibility for spouse on return to UK

[Blodoern27]

Hi all,

I am currently in the UK with Settled Status and my wife joined me on a fiancée visa then duly converted to the first FLR(m) extension.

I am now facing the prospects of a very attractive professional opportunity abroad, for which my wife would follow me.

My interrogation is about the possibility of a future return to the UK in a few years before my Settled Status lapses.

Would this be as "simple" as a new Spouse visa for her, effectively restarting from zero and providing we tick all standard boxes for living together and minimum income prior and after return to the UK? Or would there be additional complications?

[secret.simon]

Would this be as "simple" as a new Spouse visa for her, effectively restarting from zero and providing we tick all standard boxes for living together and minimum income prior and after return to the UK? Or would there be additional complications?

That would depend on the rules in place at the time that a new spouse visa is applied for, assuming that she and you apply to return after her current FLR(M) has expired. If her existing FLR(M) has expired, it will be an application as if she has never had that visa at all.

For instance, under the current rules, you would need to have earned more than £18,600 p.a. in the six months immediately prior to the application AND a confirmed job offer for a job in the UK paying at least £18,600 as well.

I presume that your marriage took place after 31st December 2020.