US and UK living in US wanting to move to Northern Ireland

[erinmckw]

Hi there,
My apologies if I'm posting to the incorrect board...
Hoping to get some information on which visa application to fill out:

US and UK citizens married and living in US for 6 years, trying to move to Northern Ireland. US does not have job offer in UK, however UK has offer in UK.

I believe I should fill out Tier 1 general (dependent) partner. Any information would be great, (and perhaps a redirect to the correct board for more information) thank you for your time.

[seagul]

Hi there,
My apologies if I'm posting to the incorrect board...
Hoping to get some information on which visa application to fill out:

US and UK citizens married and living in US for 6 years, trying to move to Northern Ireland. US does not have job offer in UK, however UK has offer in UK.

I believe I should fill out Tier 1 general (dependent) partner. Any information would be great, (and perhaps a redirect to the correct board for more information) thank you for your time.

If UK citizen has worked in USA & has earned at least £18600 and has a job offer going to start within 3 months of arriving then you should apply spouse visa instead tier1. See more information at:

https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa/partner-spouse

[erinmckw]

Thanks very much for your quick reply...unfortunately once I'm redirected to Visa4UK website, picking the "visa type" and "visa sub-type" is where I get confused. I intend on working eventually, so I consider that my "reason for visit," but I suppose my initial "reason for visit" is just to live with my husband (and child)....

Do you by chance know where I can find the "spouse visa" (within the Visa4UK website) that you mentioned?
(My apologies for my lack of knowledge, we did this in the US years ago, forgot how much fun it is )

[seagul]

Thanks very much for your quick reply...unfortunately once I'm redirected to Visa4UK website, picking the "visa type" and "visa sub-type" is where I get confused. I intend on working eventually, so I consider that my "reason for visit," but I suppose my initial "reason for visit" is just to live with my husband (and child)....

Do you by chance know where I can find the "spouse visa" (within the Visa4UK website) that you mentioned?
(My apologies for my lack of knowledge, we did this in the US years ago, forgot how much fun it is )

Actual online form non-applicant members Can't see but you need to select option like joining partner > wife > settlement

[erinmckw]

Ok, I guess I was under the impression that in order to apply for a settlement visa, my partner would have to be currently established in the UK...?
Thanks again for all your help

[Casa]

Ok, I guess I was under the impression that in order to apply for a settlement visa, my partner would have to be currently established in the UK...?
Thanks again for all your help

In addition to your husband's job offer in the UK, has he earned the equivalent of £18,600 p.a in the 6 month period prior to the visa application date AND does the UK employment have an earnings level of at least £18,600 p.a

You will also have to submit evidence of adequate accommodation available on your arrival in the UK.

[erinmckw]

Hi, Yes to both earning questions...we also have adequate accommodation (family owned rental, in which we will be moving into)

[CR001]

The options from outside the UK are :

Settlement
>> settlement
>>>> wife/husband

[erinmckw]

Thanks very much for the information, really appreciate it!

[erinmckw]

Just wondering if anyone has information on obtaining a "Spouse Entry Clearance Visa"? I'm under the impression, that I would need this completed prior to the settlement (as wife) application...?

Thank you again for all your help and input, truly appreciate it in this complicated world!

[seagul]

Just wondering if anyone has information on obtaining a "Spouse Entry Clearance Visa"? I'm under the impression, that I would need this completed prior to the settlement (as wife) application...?

Thank you again for all your help and input, truly appreciate it in this complicated world!

Apart of the advice you already be given, you can search through the forum yourself for knowing the members experience.

[physicskate]

Just wondering if anyone has information on obtaining a "Spouse Entry Clearance Visa"? I'm under the impression, that I would need this completed prior to the settlement (as wife) application...?

Thank you again for all your help and input, truly appreciate it in this complicated world!

You are making a settlement application in order to settle in the UK (not as a temporary worker, for example). That settlement is AS a spouse. In order to apply for settlement, you need to apply for a spouse entry clearance visa. It is just semantics. You must apply for your initial visa from the US. When it comes to renewal, at the 2.5 year mark, you apply for Further Leave to Remain as a Spouse (FLR(M)). After a total of 5 years on the two visas, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK, which is the last visa you would need to apply for, provided you continue to reside in the UK. As soon as you acquire ILR, you can immediately apply or British citizenship, provided you are still married.

Those are the basics. You would need to apply for a minimum of 3 visas over the next 5 years. The first one is entry clearance, and the further two must be made from within the UK. I'd budget for at least £10,000 for the three visas (and the first two also have an immigration health surcharge to pay!).

The entry clearance visa actually comes in two parts: the first is as a sticker in your passport and will be valid for entry into the UK for 30 days. When you enter the UK during those 30 days, you then pick up the rest of your visa (which is a bit like a credit card/ driving license and called a Biometric Residence Permit) from a Post Office that you have nominated when applying for the visa.

So here are the steps:
Research how you will fulfill the three requirements (and their proof).
Print out Appendix 2 and fill it in by hand, gathering your documents as you go to answer the quetions and meet the requirements.
Apply online for your visa.
Pay for your visa.
Then attend a biometrics appointment at one of 129 UCSIS centres in the UK (they just take your fingerprints and picture - the DO NOT have any info about the visa application process).
Then either upload your documents on the computer OR send copies of everything to the New York Hub.