Perm Res & US Citizen to UK - max stay?

[Shari 6]

Questions . . . my husband, a US permanent resident from the UK since 2005 found out his mother (age 79) in England has cancer. If we go over to stay with her until the end I need to find out some things and would appreciate anyone's help.

1. How long can I (US born citizen) stay in England? One place I read 6 months, another I read indefinitely. I don't want to go over for 6 months and then have to come back.

2. How long can my husband (US permanent resident) stay out of the US? I think it is 3 years but now sure.

3. If we were to go over, could my husband find a job over there and work for the duration we are there (if under the allowed time for him to stay)?

4. If we were to go over, could I find a job over there and work?

5. If we were to go over there, would he have to change our address with USCIS to England like you do when you move anywhere in the US? We've moved three times in the past 5 years and have to send them our new address.

6. I heard if we do go over, we should buy an airplane ticket with a return for many 2 weeks even if we plan to stay longer as to not alert immigration over there with questions. Anyone know anything about this.

7. Is there anything else anyone can think of that we need to be aware of if we go over there on a temporary basis?

Thank you so very much!

Shari

[Dan J 277]

Questions . . . my husband, a US permanent resident from the UK since 2005 found out his mother (age 79) in England has cancer. If we go over to stay with her until the end I need to find out some things and would appreciate anyone's help.

1. How long can I (US born citizen) stay in England? One place I read 6 months, another I read indefinitely. I don't want to go over for 6 months and then have to come back.

2. How long can my husband (US permanent resident) stay out of the US? I think it is 3 years but now sure.

3. If we were to go over, could my husband find a job over there and work for the duration we are there (if under the allowed time for him to stay)?

4. If we were to go over, could I find a job over there and work?

5. If we were to go over there, would he have to change our address with USCIS to England like you do when you move anywhere in the US? We've moved three times in the past 5 years and have to send them our new address.

6. I heard if we do go over, we should buy an airplane ticket with a return for many 2 weeks even if we plan to stay longer as to not alert immigration over there with questions. Anyone know anything about this.

7. Is there anything else anyone can think of that we need to be aware of if we go over there on a temporary basis?

Thank you so very much!

Shari

1. That depends on what visa ( or status) you plan to visit on and the terms of that visa.

2. Up to 2 years, but a stay longer than 1 year requires a reentry permit.

3. He is a citizen, so yes. Not sure if US income tax requirements applies to permanent residents working abroad.

4. You would probably need a work visa and whatever that entails

5. You probably want to keep a permanent address in the US. Not doing so could cause him to loose PR status. As he may be perceived to be moving abroad.

6. Most countries require a return ticket for visitors or otherwise they may deny entry. This is not usually an issue with a longer term visa.

[Shari 6]

1. That depends on what visa ( or status) you plan to visit on and the terms of that visa.

Thanks for the reply. I thought you don't need a Visa to England? I didn't need one when I visited in 2005, just my passport. What did you mean what status you plan to visit on? What statuses are there?

[Gemmie 142]

If you want to live there permanently, of course you'll need more than your passport. That's just for people that want to stay up to 6 months.

. I don't want to go over for 6 months and then have to come back.

How long are you planning on going for? If you're planning on settling there for over 6 months, you'll need to look into getting a visa. You cannot work until you have this. Your husband is a UK citizen, correct? If so, he'll be able to work as normal.

Unfortunately I know nothing about UK visas as I only did immigration to the US. But I *think* there's something for couples that have been married for less than 4 years, and another if you've been married for more than that. Someone else can clarify.

Edited September 28, 2010 by Gemmie

[marlea 84]

The UK doesn't require people from the US to get visas to visit for short periods of time, but you can't just go to the UK and stay there for an extended period just because you are a US citizen. You would have to have a visa if you were planning on staying longer than 6 months.

[Shari 6]

If you want to live there permanently, of course you'll need more than your passport. That's just for people that want to stay up to 6 months.

How long are you planning on going for? If you're planning on settling there for over 6 months, you'll need to look into getting a visa. You cannot work until you have this. Your husband is a UK citizen, correct? If so, he'll be able to work as normal.

Unfortunately I know nothing about UK visas as I only did immigration to the US. But I *think* there's something for couples that have been married for less than 4 years, and another if you've been married for more than that. Someone else can clarify.

Thank you. I don't know how long we would stay - it all depends on my mother-in-law's health status. It could be extended beyond six months but we won't know. And yes, he is a UK citizen.

The UK doesn't require people from the US to get visas to visit for short periods of time, but you can't just go to the UK and stay there for an extended period just because you are a US citizen. You would have to have a visa if you were planning on staying longer than 6 months.

Thank you. Do you know a web site or where to get info on how to get a visa if it will be over 6 months?

[marlea 84]

Thank you. Do you know a web site or where to get info on how to get a visa if it will be over 6 months?

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/

This is the UK site that is equivalent to the Department of State or USCIS for people who are coming to the US. It has guides and information for any type of visas for the UK. You might look into a spousal visa, depending on how long you would need it.

Edited September 28, 2010 by marlea

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

Of all the 195 countries on this planet, the UK and Canada make it so goddam easy for their citizens to get another citizenship. Many Green Card holders would chew off their fingers if they could have it that easy. Since your husband is a Green Card holder for 5 years now, he could be a US citizen for 2 of these years already. As such, you wouldn't have to worry about him losing his resident status.

You know what they say: once the house is on fire, it's a bit late to buy a fire extinguisher.

[Shari 6]

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/

This is the UK site that is equivalent to the Department of State or USCIS for people who are coming to the US. It has guides and information for any type of visas for the UK. You might look into a spousal visa, depending on how long you would need it.

Thank you.

[Krikit 1,163]

Moving from Off Topic to the UK Regional forum to protect you from the OT-type comments. I'm so sorry to hear of your news.

[Shari 6]

Thanks.

[Justine+David 218]

Go to uk-yankee.com

This is sort of the VJ equivalent for going in the other direction, lots of good info there.

So sorry to hear about his mom

[Pooky 3,693]

You were married in the US, so if you go for the full immigration visa you should be able to work immediately if you need to.

Oh, and getting the visa from after all the preparation and making an appointment at the UK Consulate - is done in a day and you walk out with it in your passport if you are approved (and I see no reason why you wouldn't be).

As for the Big "C" ...

Been there, done that and my heart goes out to the two of you. It's never easy, but it looks as if his Mum will have family around her, which matters a lot. Good luck for your journey.

[Shari 6]

You were married in the US, so if you go for the full immigration visa you should be able to work immediately if you need to.

Oh, and getting the visa from after all the preparation and making an appointment at the UK Consulate - is done in a day and you walk out with it in your passport if you are approved (and I see no reason why you wouldn't be).

As for the Big "C" ...

Been there, done that and my heart goes out to the two of you. It's never easy, but it looks as if his Mum will have family around her, which matters a lot. Good luck for your journey.

What do you mean by full immigration visa? We don't want to move there permanently as my husband is only a Permanent Resident in the US, not a US citizen, and he can't be out of he country for more than I THINK 2 years without losing his status here. I haven't gone to those sites others have listed above yet so maybe that will tell me something. Thanks so much.

[marlea 84]

You really should look into the rules for permanent residents too, as I think he has to maintain a residence here and has to spend time here every year to keep his status. I don't think he can be gone for 2 years and still keep his greencard, but I could be wrong.