ILR and further travel/settlement in the EU

[Modgonne]

Hi- this one's a double-barrelled question of sorts:

Currently I'm on a spousal visa for the UK that expires 13/4/12, that was issued 13/1/12. My US passport that the visa is placed in expires on 12/6/12. My British National husband has recently accepted a job in France for a term of three years.

With indefinite leave to remain I should be allowed to accompany him to France. At what point would I be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK? Is it 28 days from the expiry of the visa or 28 days from the January date?

As a corollary to this, will I have trouble applying for the leave if he goes to France before me? Will I also need a spousal visa of any stripe to stay in and travel back and forth from France?

And just to knock this out of the realm of pure indefinite leave to remain, when should I apply for a new US passport and where do I send it? The US consulate?


Thanks in advance!

[geriatrix]

Is it 28 days from the expiry of the visa or 28 days from the January date?

Neither. It is 28 days from the 2nd anniversary of your date of entry in the UK as a spouse of a British citizen.

will I have trouble applying for the leave if he goes to France before me? Will I also need a spousal visa of any stripe to stay in and travel back and forth from France?

You will need to apply for the French equivalent of "EEA family permit". Posting this query in this forum will help you get detailed information sooner.

when should I apply for a new US passport and where do I send it? The US consulate?

See Passport Services