Visa Exempt Home Forces Status

[fatcobra]

Hi All. I have been in the UK since march 2003. I went back home in the latter part of 2003 and returned in February 2004 to join the British Army on a visa exempt home forces status. However, through no fault of mine, nothing was heard of the army till i personally got in touch somewhere last year and hopefully will be in it later this year.

I am married to a British citizen, and to avoid breaching any immigration rules, i applied to have my status changed to a spousal or dependant visa in november last year. Though the application wasn't refused, i was adviced to wait till my current visa exempt status nears its expiry date and if by then iam in the army, things will proceed from there.
As things stands now, can i apply for any job? if so do i need permission from the army or the home office to apply for a job as i need to sustain my family. Secondly should i re-apply the switching over from the visa exempt status to that of a spouse visa and last of all, as a visa exempt status holder, what rights do i enjoy? can i apply for any job whilst waiting to join the army without unecessary scrutiny from potential employers.

Thank you

[vinny]

See also Chapter 15 - Armed forces and Chapter 15 - Armed forces annexes.