Apply for a spouse visa, question about agency

swiggy · Post by **swiggy** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 8:13 pm

Hello, my husband is british and we have been married for over 12 years. We have been living in the US for the entirety of that time.

We are hoping to move to the UK this summer. To facilitate this, I'm applying for a spouse visa and have just signed up to have The Visa Bureau assist us. Does anyone have any information on this company regarding their reputation, etc.?

Kitty · Post by **Kitty** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 8:37 pm

I don't know about the Visa Bureau I'm afraid, but something to remember is that if you have been living with your husband in the US for all that time then in your applicatoin you should remember to request Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE) subject to passing the Knowledge of Life in the UK Test (KOL):

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/ecg/settle ... #533388182

swiggy · Post by **swiggy** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 8:46 pm

Kitty wrote:I don't know about the Visa Bureau I'm afraid, but something to remember is that if you have been living with your husband in the US for all that time then in your applicatoin you should remember to request Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE) subject to passing the Knowledge of Life in the UK Test (KOL):

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/ecg/settle ... #533388182

Yes, I was aware that this was an option. Thank you.

I also wanted to know, since my husband has been gone from the UK for so long, will there be a problem with me being approved? Also, he doesn't have a job in the UK yet, since we're waiting for me to get approved before he moves back - will that cause problems since he won't be able to show that he can support me in the UK?

Kitty · Post by **Kitty** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 9:21 pm

Do you have any savings? You will need to show that you can live in the UK "without recourse to public funds": if your husband doesn't have a job then this may be difficult.

Do you have somewhere to live when you get here?

Is there any chance your husband could come to the UK ahead of you and get himself established first?

swiggy · Post by **swiggy** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 9:32 pm

Kitty wrote:Do you have any savings? You will need to show that you can live in the UK "without recourse to public funds": if your husband doesn't have a job then this may be difficult.

Do you have somewhere to live when you get here?

Is there any chance your husband could come to the UK ahead of you and get himself established first?

Between retirement and savings accounts, we have about $34,000. But, we wanted to use some of that to pay off debt and to pay for the move itself. We will be staying with his family until we find a place to rent.

My husband could come to the UK himself, but it's not as likely for him to find a job as it is for me. Once in the UK, I will be working at the US Embassy - but I can't be hired for the job until I have permission to work in the UK. My income is what would support the family, not his.

Kitty · Post by **Kitty** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 9:42 pm

I would say that your savings are probably fine: what do you think you'll have left after all your moving expenses?

Do you have evidence that you have been offered your job subject to obtaining the correct immigraiton clearance? If your future employer can provide confirmation of the offer, and the salary you can expect when you arrive in the UK, then I think you're good to go.

As to accommodation, your husband's family will need to provide evidence that they own the place where you will be staying, or that their landlord gives permission for you to stay there. You will also need to provide evidence that the house is large enough to accommodate you all without being overcrowded:

MA11 - MA14 Adequate accommodation

swiggy · Post by **swiggy** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 10:12 pm

Unfortunately, my employer can't officially offer me the job without me having the proper permit to work there (it is the government, afterall). And, they're not likely to be able to provide any documentation stating that it's conditional on my having the proper permit either.

My in-laws will not have a problem showing that there is adequate space and that they own the property.

We are already going to be in the UK for 2 weeks in the summer for a wedding, so assuming my paperwork is complete by then, we won't have to pay for any additional plane tickets as we won't be returning to the States. Moving our belongings will then only cost about $5,000.

Kitty · Post by **Kitty** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 8:51 am

I think that your savings will probably be adequate on their own.

However, being able to show you have employment on offer is a good addition. Have you nothing in writing from your future employer at all? Did they just make the job offer over the phone?

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Apply for a spouse visa, question about agency

Apply for a spouse visa, question about agency