Hi,
First my story:
Arrived in UK in March 2004 on EC, upgraded that to LLR on 03/03/2006, and then to ILR on 21/07/2006. (spouse of national - married outside uk in 2003)
We decided to go to Australia (Uk national spouse's parents/whole family live in Australia), and have PR for Australia
Left UK 7 May 2008
We decided that Australia is not for us, and want to return.
If I can make it back before the 2 years period is up (7th May 2010) (thus having to leave my wife behind for a bit here in Australia to complete our selling, pets transport etc), will my ILR stay valid (with her not in the UK)?
I have heard it is possible that the immigration officers can deem it that I am not returning to stay in UK (my wife is still in Australia), and cancel my ILR on return. I may have to return before my wife does , as we would not be able to finish all our ties this side (selling, pets transport arrangements etc).
I phoned the local visa office at the high commission, and the guy there said that as long as I return, by the 7th May, all will be fine.....but is it possible he may be wrong?
Can I be refused my ILR upon returning? (they will see my Australian PR visa, as it is on the next page, and find my wife is still in Australia, thus showing that I still have strong ties with Australia)
sushdmehta wrote:
If you stay abroad continuously for more than 2 years, you lose your settled status - unless you can prove that you have lived in UK for most of your life or have strong ties to UK (e.g. - family). (
Immigration Rule 19).
Lets pretend I cannot make it back by the 7th May.....
Can someone clarify 'strong ties'?
If my wife is a british national, and she wants to live in the uk, does that qualify as 'strong ties', even if she herself is also returning?
I worked for the same company in the UK, all the time I lived there, and they continued to use my services as a software developer from Australia (they were my only income in Australia, but they are based only in the UK), and I return to work again at their offices in the UK.
Does that also qualify as part of 'strong ties'?
Is there a possibility I can reapply for ILR (direct) if I can't make it back by the 7th May?
Tia