Child Tax Credit Advise

Dear Members,

Would appreciate if someone can provide some guidance.

I am a UK Citizen who lives outside of the UK. I applied for my wife's spouse visa by showing available funds of 65,000 in savings. We have 3 children of all whom are British.

We are returning back to the UK. My wife has received her spouse visa which details 'no recourse to public funds'.

Once getting back to the UK, until I find myself a job - I intend to apply for Child Tax Credits to give myself a bit of buffer with expenditure. However I have read that we need to apply jointly. Questions that I have are as following:

- Will applying for Child Tax Credits effect my wife's renewal after her 30 months ? Obviously this is only a temporary state whilst I find a job. I understand this is something they ask during renewal time.

- Will the question arise, you have ample savings, why are you applying for public funds? My understanding is this is irrelevant. Given that I do not have an income yet, us all being British allows us to claim (ofc not my wife).

I would appreciate any guidance.

Best Regards,
Maz

Tax credits MUST be claimed JOINTLY. No effect on spouse visa.

You likely won't qualify for any benefits with that level of savings.

You will also be subject to the habitual residence test and unlikely to claim anything for at least 3 months once you are in the UK.