ILR - Funds

[philna99]

Hi Guys,

I am looking to move back to the UK with my wife and our 3 kids in the next few years so thought I would start doing some research.

We were thinking of doing it a few years ago but decided the time was not right. However, I think some of the rules have changed since then.

Anyway, I am interested in what funds are required? I read somewhere that you now need to earn 22,500 pounds per year as a minimum BUT if you do not have a job yet then could you have say 30,000 pound in cash would that suffice? We actually also plan on buying our own house as well outright before we move over.

I am a British male, my wife is Khmer so does she need the ILR? we have 3 children all with British citizenship. We have been married for 10 years.

If anyone has any tips or pointers then I would appreciate it.

Thanks

[Casa]

According to my calculations, if you have £30,000 in savings, you are currently £16,500 short of the required funds. (Wait for confirmation on this figure). The minimum annual earning level is £18,600. Your wife doesn't qualify for ILR. She would have to apply for a spouse entry visa which would give a 2.5 year probationary period. She would then apply for a further 2.5 years, after which she could apply for permanent residence (ILR).
Bear in mind though that if you're not thinking of relocating for a few years, rules will almost certainly be updated before then.

[Amber]

If you are using savings alone, you need well over £60,000

If you've got a job offer in the UK that could suffice subject to what you've earned in the last 12 months,

If you've got disposable income, perhaps consider the surrinder Singh route,

For the UK route you should read annex FM (click)

[philna99]

According to my calculations, if you have £30,000 in savings, you are currently £16,500 short of the required funds. (Wait for confirmation on this figure). The minimum annual earning level is £18,600. Your wife doesn't qualify for ILR. She would have to apply for a spouse entry visa which would give a 2.5 year probationary period. She would then apply for a further 2.5 years, after which she could apply for permanent residence (ILR).
Bear in mind though that if you're not thinking of relocating for a few years, rules will almost certainly be updated before then.

Would I be better off waiting to buy a property, this would give me a lot more money to show? I thought having a property owned outright would be more important?

I also thought if you had been married for more than 4 yrs you only have to live there for 2.5yrs before you can apply for ILR?

I see the amount of money you require has gone a lot from the last time I researched (which is a good thing).

[philna99]

If you are using savings alone, you need well over £60,000

If you've got a job offer in the UK that could suffice subject to what you've earned in the last 12 months,

If you've got disposable income, perhaps consider the surrinder Singh route,

For the UK route you should read annex FM (click)

I would be going down the savings route. I was considering buying a house and then having 30k for savings but it sounds as though I should just show our savings instead and buy a property at a later stage?

In the 60k savings, is the rental of a property included in that or would you need to show money to cover rental as well?

[philna99]

Thanks for both your replies ; - )

[philna99]

I have just been reading the info on savings and it says if you have 3 children then you will require a minimum of 27,200 pounds per year x 2.5 years.

BUT it then says below:

The financial requirement does not apply to a child who is a British citizen (including an adopted child who acquires British citizenship).

Does the above mean if my children are British citizens then we only need the 18,600 pounds per year x 2.5 years?

Thanks again.

[Amber]

Yes, British children are ignored.

The savings alone would be, 16000 + (2.5 x 18600) = £62,500

It doesn't matter about rent if you have the savings.

Savings must be held as liquidated savings for 6 months, though, the time as shares, bonds etc can be counted towards this period.

[philna99]

Yes, British children are ignored.

The savings alone would be, 16000 + (2.5 x 18600) = £62,500

It doesn't matter about rent if you have the savings.

Savings must be held as liquidated savings for 6 months, though, the time as shares, bonds etc can be counted towards this period.

Thanks for clarifying.

One more thing, I must of missed it but I can not find it ; - ( but what is the 16,000 pounds for? You have 16,000 + (2.5 x 18600) = 62,500? I can not see where the 16,000 comes in?

Thanks

[Amber]

Basically the first £16000 of any savings are ignored, then, as the visa is based on 2.5 years, it would be the threshold (18600 in your case) x2.5 + 16000. You see, as a general rule for means tested benefits, only savings over 16000 prevent entitlement, so they decided to use that figure.

See page 37 of the Annex FM link above.

[philna99]

Ok thanks, I understand where the figure comes from now.

So, you need to hold the 62,500 in liquid assets? You say 6 months but is that is all or only the 16,000?

Can you point me via a link to somewhere that explains the "Leave to Remain" and "Indefinite Leave to Remain" plus also where the "Spouse Visa" comes into it ; - ). I would like a good place to find all the info I need so I can soak it in.

Thanks

[vinny]

See also Glossary. A spouse visa gives leave to enter.

Alternatively, consider initially going to Europe with your wife and working there for a few months.

[philna99]

See also Glossary. A spouse visa gives leave to enter.

Alternatively, consider initially going to Europe with your wife and working there for a few months.

Thanks Vinny.

I am not worried about the financial part of the application. I understand that bit now so not do need to go down the Europe route ; - ).

So, I need to apply for the "Leave to Enter" first? This is the VAF4A form? Is this the 2.5 yr probation period? My wife and I have been married 10 years and have 3 kids if that makes a difference. When do we apply for the "Indefinite Leave to Remain"?

Cheers

[Amber]

6 months for all the savings.

The leave to enter will be 2.5 years then after that another 2.5 years leave to remain then after that settlement, each time you apply you will need to make the financial requirement subject to any Home Office changes.

[philna99]

6 months for all the savings.

The leave to enter will be 2.5 years then after that another 2.5 years leave to remain then after that settlement, each time you apply you will need to make the financial requirement subject to any Home Office changes.

Ok thanks, now I understand.

Is the financial requirements the same amount (currently) for each of the 3 stages?

[Amber]

Subject to changes, though, I assume you'll be working by then and will satisfy the requirement as per your earnings.

[philna99]

Ah.. yes will have earnings instead.

Thanks, for all the info.