Spouse Visa

[viewvictor]

Hello everyone i must comend you for your very good advises.I am a nigerian married to a british girl for three years now,we currently live in ireland where i have a 5 year residence permit(eu).i have also applied for and recieved the EU family permit thrice before to visit.
My problem is i want to go for a masters programme in the UK in september next year,i would meet the three year residence in the EU to get EU fees in the university but i have to be settled in the uk.by september next we ll be married for 4 years where i can get an indefinite leave to enter and subsequently after passing the knowledge of life test get the ILR,but the problem is that i would miss my admission before a decision is taken as it says it could take up to 12 weeks to make a decision .
I know its a long way yet but its good to start palnning early.In a nutshell what do you advise i do,
1.Go for a spousal visa anytime now before i start the programme and get the limited leave to remain
2.wait till september 2009 and go for the 4 year rule

what do you advise .thanks a lot

[vinny]

If you want to use the UK Immigration route and apply as a spouse, then it may be worth entering on an EEA family permitwith your wife, or as a visitor, and passing the Life in the UK test first. You may get ILE after 4 years of marriage.

However, see also I am a British citizen. Can my family members apply for an EEA family permit to join me in the UK? and 21.4.8 - Non-EEA Family Members of British Nationals (Surinder Singh cases).

See also Home fees: who is eligible?