Switching to spouse visa while on WHM-possible? Advice neede

gracey82 · Post by **gracey82** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 4:30 pm

Hi there, I would like to ask some advice and help regarding my situation. I have already obtained a WHM and am offered a job in the UK. But I would like to stay in my job for more than one year but my employee will not apply work permit on my behalf and my profession is not on the shortage list. I have a UK citizen boyfriend of 2 years (long-distance relationship) but end of this month I will be going to UK and stay with him with my job offer and my WHM. I wish to know, at the end of the one year, what are the best options for me to explore for a longer stay in the UK in order for me to stay with the job? (not looking at permanent but at least for another one or 2 years). If we get married, will I able to convert my WHM visa into spouse visa without me having to return to my home country? Will I able to switch the type of visa I am holding? And I were to get marry in the UK, must I return to my home country to get a entry clearance and etc before I can enter UK to register with my bf? (because I read somewhere written that for marriage visa application,unless I am in the UK on a long-term visa (more than six months, which I will be with my WHM visa), I cannot apply for marraige or spouse visa in the Home Office in UK.

Anyone has any insights on this? Any advice would be great and appreciated!

VictoriaS · Post by **VictoriaS** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 5:57 pm

As the law stands at the moment, if you marry you can switch without having to return home, but if you want to switch to work permit then you will have to go home (unless it is shortage skill). Everything else will probably change within a year.

Victoria

thirdwave · Post by **thirdwave** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 11:49 am

VictoriaS wrote:As the law stands at the moment, if you marry you can switch without having to return home, but if you want to switch to work permit then you will have to go home (unless it is shortage skill). Everything else will probably change within a year.

Victoria

Hmm..that's an ominous statement..You obviously know something that we lesser mortals don`t

Are you talking about the introduction of the point based system or is it going to be something more substantial?

gracey82 · Post by **gracey82** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 2:59 pm

Thanks for the reply. But if I aply for a spouse visa after getting marry, the spouse visa will allow me to work for 2 years in the UK. Will I able to apply for spouse visa in the UK and continue working after being granted without having to return to home country? Thanks!

VictoriaS · Post by **VictoriaS** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 5:08 pm

gracey82 wrote:Thanks for the reply. But if I aply for a spouse visa after getting marry, the spouse visa will allow me to work for 2 years in the UK. Will I able to apply for spouse visa in the UK and continue working after being granted without having to return to home country? Thanks!

Yes, I have already said.

Victoria

VictoriaS · Post by **VictoriaS** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 5:10 pm

thirdwave wrote:
Hmm..that's an ominous statement..You obviously know something that we lesser mortals don`t Are you talking about the introduction of the point based system or is it going to be something more substantial?

When the points based system comes in there will be changes made to the switching rules. I suspect that even less will be permitted than is now.

Victoria

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Switching to spouse visa while on WHM-possible? Advice neede

Switching to spouse visa while on WHM-possible? Advice neede