Confused expat, guidance needed pls

[maibm]

Hi everyone, require your guidance on a somewhat complex situation.

In 2017 my wife was granted a spouse visa. She arrived in August 2017 and then in 2018 due to a unique career opportunity, we moved overseas. Her spouse visa expired after the 2.5 year period and since then we’ve been visiting family in the UK and she’s been travelling on a visit visa. Now we’re looking to move back to the UK and would greatly appreciate your support in understanding a few points.

First, we’ll be applying for a spouse visa (restart the whole process as her first visa expired). I’ll be applying on the basis of cash savings of £100k which I’ve held for a year. I believe the 5 year route is still available?

Second, once the visa is granted is there a certain minimum duration of time she is required to reside in the UK during the 2.5 year visa?

Third, I’m aware she is required to have a valid IELTS - she did IELTS academic earlier on in the year - can someone advise what scores are required under the academic test for the spouse visa.

Finally, in terms of the application with UKVI, is this something I can do myself or is it something I would need a solicitor for?

I’d be really grateful for any advice and happy to answer any questions but all this is really confusing for both of us.

Many thanks.

[maibm]

Hi all,

Would really appreciate some guidance please

[secret.simon]

Don't know much about the current rules for cash savings, but I think that £100,000 held for a year should be sufficient to meet the requirement. But wait for others to advise further.

Re permitted absences on a spousal visa, again not certain (so wait for others to advise), but I don't think there are any limits on absences on a spousal visa.

The limitations are more indirect. Your spouse will need to be in the UK to apply for the extension in 2.5 years, under current rules. And they can't leave the UK until they receive the extension (i.e. they can't just file the application in the UK and leave).

Also, after getting ILR, they can't be outside the country for more than two years at a time.

And if the goal is British citizenship, there are absence requirements for that (British citizenship is not a part of the immigration pathway, which ends in ILR, but is under different laws and has different rules and requirements).

You should be able to deal with the application yourself and can always come back here in case you need help with the application form.

I hope that this answers some of your questions and gets the ball rolling for thinking of other queries.