Husband (non EEA national) applying for student visa

jlolololo · Post by **jlolololo** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 6:36 pm

My husband has been accepted on an MSc course starting in September. I'm a dual UK/Irish national, he's African, and we live together in Africa. In August we'll have been married for three years and we have a son, who's also a dual UK/Irish national.

Currently he holds a UK five year visitor visa.

We jointly own property in the UK, close (>20 miles) from the university he's been accepted at.

Do any of these factors (my citizenship, his current visa status, property ownership) have any bearing on his student visa application? Is a student visa our best option, given our situation?

ETA: We are worried about proving we have enough funds to cover the fees and living expenses, as our money is in a UK bank account which is in my name only, and on the guidance it says that the funds should be in a bank account in the student's name, or in the parents'/legal guardian's.

Sorry if this question is poorly worded or seems stupid, and thanks for any advice you can offer.

Post by **Greenie** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 7:32 pm

Any reason why you're going down the student visa route rather than spouse visa route?

jlolololo · Post by **jlolololo** » Sat Jun 25, 2011 9:26 am

This is what I'm unsure about - will he still be entitled to study if we apply for a spouse visa instead?

Do you think a spouse visa would be the more straightforward option for us?

Post by **Greenie** » Sat Jun 25, 2011 9:31 am

jlolololo wrote:This is what I'm unsure about - will he still be entitled to study if we apply for a spouse visa instead?

Do you think a spouse visa would be the more straightforward option for us?

Yes and yes.

jlolololo · Post by **jlolololo** » Sat Jun 25, 2011 10:07 am

Thank you Greenie

Post by **vinny** » Sat Jun 25, 2011 10:30 am

See also Guidance.

jlolololo · Post by **jlolololo** » Sat Jun 25, 2011 10:58 am

Okay, I have just been reading the guidance on the UKBA website.

I'm feeling slightly concerned about applying for a spouse visa - if we tell them that he is coming to the UK to study, won't the ECO wonder why we are not applying for a student visa? Or does that not concern them?

Post by **Greenie** » Sat Jun 25, 2011 11:14 am

jlolololo wrote:Okay, I have just been reading the guidance on the UKBA website.

I'm feeling slightly concerned about applying for a spouse visa - if we tell them that he is coming to the UK to study, won't the ECO wonder why we are not applying for a student visa? Or does that not concern them?

Are you going to be living in the UK with him? If so then the spouse visa is the obvious choice and they are more likely to think that he doesn't really intend on studying he just wants to come to the UK to live with his wife if he applies for a student visa. A student visa is really for those who want to study but don't qualify for leave in another category.

jlolololo · Post by **jlolololo** » Sat Jun 25, 2011 11:22 am

Yes, we will be living together in the UK.

Many thanks Greenie, I have further qs but I'll ask them in the family members section.

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Husband (non EEA national) applying for student visa

Husband (non EEA national) applying for student visa