Moving back to England with American wife and kids?

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

If you look on the Home Office UK Visas website:

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/in...ivespartners#Q1

If you and your husband, wife or civil partner have been living together outside the UK for four years or more, and you meet all the necessary requirements to stay permanently in the UK, you may be granted indefinite leave to enter. These requirements include showing that you have the necessary level of knowledge of the English language and life in the UK (see relevant section of this guidance for more information).

Here's info about Life in the UK test (KOL):

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/ecg/settlemen...ledgeoflanguage

[imaisha 0]

Yes yes I knew about that. But that would mean flying back to the UK to take the test, then coming right back here to apply right away. Seems silly. I meant more like is it possible to go over with LTE, take the test soon after and apply for ILR long before your two years are up. More like the way here you can adjust status from another visa at any time, you don't have to wait until that visa is about to expire. Looks like no, you've got to wait out the two years before applying.

Thanks though!

Edited July 24, 2009 by imaisha

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

Yes yes I knew about that. But that would mean flying back to the UK to take the test, then coming right back here to apply right away. Seems silly. I meant more like is it possible to go over with LTE, take the test soon after and apply for ILR long before your two years are up. More like the way here you can adjust status from another visa at any time, you don't have to wait until that visa is about to expire. Looks like no, you've got to wait out the two years before applying.

Thanks though!

I'm not sure that's my understanding of it.....a friend of mine recently did this, but she flew over on a seperate visit, took the test while she was there and then applied for ILR when she got back. However, I believe if she hadn't done that she could have applied for Further Leave to Remain (as someone married for at least 4 years), passed the KOL test and then applied straight away for ILR.....could be wrong about that, but that's how I understood it.

I think if you have lived in the UK for a couple years that KOL test is gonna be a helluva lot easier than if you have not.

[rebeccajo 14]

I believe the 2010 changes have to do with the 5 tier system and won't effect family immigration.

Not so.

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=55609.0

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Apparently its no longer in question but is now law as of 23rd. So if anyone needs to know the new requirements look up Borders Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009.

These changes will not be occurring in 2010 as you have said (hence my earlier response that in 2010 only the tier system will be evolving) but in fact will be occurring on July 2011.

[rebeccajo 14]

Apparently its no longer in question but is now law as of 23rd. So if anyone needs to know the new requirements look up Borders Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009.

These changes will not be occurring in 2010 as you have said (hence my earlier response that in 2010 only the tier system will be evolving) but in fact will be occurring on July 2011.

lancer -

I did not state that laws were changing in 2010. I stated the legislation is up for consideration till that time.

Upon googling Borders and Citizenship Act of 2009, one can find that further draft bills are expected beyond the one passed July 23.

So all I am saying is that Parliament is still working things out.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

I see. Thank you for clarifying your earlier comment it, I found it somewhat vague.

Edited July 25, 2009 by lancer1655

[Robyn-n-Kris 72]

This is something i'll be keeping an eye on. Kris and I are planning on moving back to the UK (either Scotland or there abouts) in about 9/10 years time. I'm hoping to make sure we know all we need to do before then.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

I imagine we'll move back someday as well. I will say I kinda wish I had stayed 2 more years and applied this year for UK citizenship. But then again part of the reason we moved in mid 07 was because I could see the economic storm clouds on the horizon and felt had I waited I would have been "stuck" in the UK until the economy fully recovered.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

I imagine we'll move back someday as well. I will say I kinda wish I had stayed 2 more years and applied this year for UK citizenship. But then again part of the reason we moved in mid 07 was because I could see the economic storm clouds on the horizon and felt had I waited I would have been "stuck" in the UK until the economy fully recovered.

We delayed a return to the UK for this very reason....though I did get offered a job there, it would have been a sidewise move....chance of getting something better/career progression seemed slim. Got promoted here so it was all good

[RubyWine 0]

We moved to the UK 4 years ago and the system was so much easier......there was no medical checks or police certificate.. We had to prove we could support ourselves and have a place to live.

Wyatt was entitled to NHS as soon as he set foot in the country - in fact the doctor never asked for any paperwork or proof, just looked at his passport. He was allowed to seek work right away and was free to travel in and out of the country.

Was quite a shocker to me after being put 'through the treadmill' with fiancé and spousal visas and if we had known it was so flipping easy to come from USA to UK we would have done it that way first.

Wyatt sat his Life in the UK test before he applied for permanent residency and apart from when he decides to go for citizenship I am happy to say our mountain of paperwork collected over 7 years can finally get thrown on the bonfire!!

The best site to help you further is http://www.UK-yankee.com/. Visa Journey helped me so much when going to USA and uk-yankee helped me going back!!

Pauline

Edited July 28, 2009 by RubyWine

[Robyn-n-Kris 72]

We moved to the UK 4 years ago and the system was so much easier......there was no medical checks or police certificate.. We had to prove we could support ourselves and have a place to live.

Wyatt was entitled to NHS as soon as he set foot in the country - in fact the doctor never asked for any paperwork or proof, just looked at his passport. He was allowed to seek work right away and was free to travel in and out of the country.

Was quite a shocker to me after being put 'through the treadmill' with fiancé and spousal visas and if we had known it was so flipping easy to come from USA to UK we would have done it that way first.

Wyatt sat his Life in the UK test before he applied for permanent residency and apart from when he decides to go for citizenship I am happy to say our mountain of paperwork collected over 7 years can finally get thrown on the bonfire!!

The best site to help you further is http://www.UK-yankee.com/. Visa Journey helped me so much when going to USA and uk-yankee helped me going back!!

Pauline

I've already joined that forum and will keep watching things. Kris plans to help me learn alot before we get around to moving back. We both can't wait till that day arrives. For now we will continue to deal with living here and all the heat that comes with it. LOL

[rebeccajo 14]

We moved to the UK 4 years ago and the system was so much easier......there was no medical checks or police certificate.. We had to prove we could support ourselves and have a place to live.

Wyatt was entitled to NHS as soon as he set foot in the country - in fact the doctor never asked for any paperwork or proof, just looked at his passport. He was allowed to seek work right away and was free to travel in and out of the country.

Was quite a shocker to me after being put 'through the treadmill' with fiancé and spousal visas and if we had known it was so flipping easy to come from USA to UK we would have done it that way first.

Wyatt sat his Life in the UK test before he applied for permanent residency and apart from when he decides to go for citizenship I am happy to say our mountain of paperwork collected over 7 years can finally get thrown on the bonfire!!

The best site to help you further is http://www.UK-yankee.com/. Visa Journey helped me so much when going to USA and uk-yankee helped me going back!!

Pauline

I've already joined that forum and will keep watching things. Kris plans to help me learn alot before we get around to moving back. We both can't wait till that day arrives. For now we will continue to deal with living here and all the heat that comes with it. LOL

Things will probably change a lot between now and then, Robyn. Immigration wise that is.

[Robyn-n-Kris 72]

of course it will change. I have no doubt. It's why we are going to keep an eye out on it all for now till then. LOL