PLEASE HELP? 2 1/2 years overstay on UK spouse visa!

[betrue21self]

My friends & forum, I really need your help and advice urgently! Here are my circumstances:

I am an American citizen, married to a British Citizen, and we are currently living in the UK. We were married 1 January, 2008. I came to the UK on a SPOUSE/CP visa 26 March, 2009, and it expired on 12 June, 2011.

When it came time to renew, I did not have the £900+ to pay for it, and then shortly thereafter (22 September, 2011) I was involved in an auto accident and have been pretty much laid up for the past 2 1/2 years. I have claimed no benefits nor received any public assistance since my accident, simply living off savings, friends & family help and financial support.

It's a new year and a new start for me, and by the grace of god I am physically able to go to work again, and I have found a job as a consultant that will pay me £800 a week for my services. However, now they are asking me for a copy of my visa and right to work in the UK, and of course I do not have one?

If I cannot get this resolved immediately, I will lose the only opportunity I have had to get back on my feet and provide for my family again, and moreover I am terrified of being deported?!

I'm looking for anyone that has had similar circumstances, and what actions they can recommend I take and do not take, or anyone that has knowledge of what options, or paths, or forms, or visas, that I have available, given my special circumstances (i.e. married 6 years, auto accident, expired visa, high paying job offer, etc.) to sort this ASAP and stay in the UK and keep my new job, please?!

Note*** I don't have the funds or the time to hire an attorney, which is why I am seeking ANY help and advice I can get on this forum, in addition I am painfully aware of the mistakes I have made, so please go easy with me, ok?

Thank you so very much,

Timothy in Caversham

[vinny]

See also Spouse visa expired can I apply indefinite leave to remain.

[Seneca]

You can use this form to regularize your stay as well as what vinny has provided http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... _flrfp.pdf

It is highly unlikely you will you will be able to provide documents required in order for you to get that job. Focus on sorting out your status first for now.

[vinny]

Unfortunately, overstayers cannot legally work.