Russian mother

[s_saini]

Hi

One of my friend has some problem with his wife's visa.

He is British, has two children with his wife, Wife is Russian and holds visitor visa for two years. problem is she can only stay for 6 months in a years. My friend (her husband and two children are all British). She is the mother of two British children.

My friend is earning 18K.

My question
a) What options are his wife has to apply in country to switch from visitor visa to another category?
b) Is their any way, she can apply on behalf of children.

Thanks

[Wanderer]

a) None

b) Father will have to earn £18,600 pa for 12 months and the mother apply for Spouse visa with Father as the sponsor.

This is the normal way, why haven't they done this? Attempting to live in the UK on visit visas is a recipe for disaster.

[s_saini]

Hi Wanderer

Thanks for your prompt reply.

I want to ask you another question.
If he earn £18600, will his wife apply in country to switch to spouse visa or she need to go back and then apply from home country.?
If she need to go back, then problem is the children's education etc..

Regards
Saini

[Wanderer]

Will have to be from applicants home country, as it's not generally possible to switch in-country from a visit visa unless under extreme circumstances, which IMHO this isn't.