Planning summer move. Many questions, support, timing, etc

[wesramm]

So, let me apologize in advance for not finding the post that is certainly out there already with answers to this question. Let's face it, there are 173 pages!!

So, my wife and son are British citizens. We all live now in the US, but want to move to the UK in the summer.

Thing is, while we will probably be able to sort out a flat before we get there (family on the other side), to take care of the accommodation requirement, I am worried about the Support requirement.

I have an MS in Mechanical Engineering, and according to some guidance that I saw, this should be sufficient to allow me a visa. Has anyone any experience with this kind of thing? Do I need to have employment lined up before I go? How flexible / rigid are the UK immigration folks on this issue? We'll have plenty of savings, but it may be that neither of us has a job lined up before we arrive.

Now, having said that, it is possible that I will have a job lined up. Also, I have been continuously employed with the exception of graduate school for 14 years. Does this help?

Anyone???
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Also, if I apply ASAP to make sure I cross all the t's and dot all the i's, it will be months before we intend to travel. Can I tell them the day I want to travel and will the date the visa per that request?


Any help would be appreciated, as the forms and rules are mind-bogglingly complex. And no one really knows how these things will go.....

Wes

[ElenaW]

How long have you and your wife been married for?

If it's over four years and you've been living anywhere but the UK for that amount of time you qualify for ILE which is permanent residence. One of the requirements of that is the KOL test which you can take while visiting the uk and then apply from the US for ILE when you come back.

[wesramm]

We have been married over 11 years (married in the UK), and have a child. Having lived before in the UK and having visited 6-7 times over the last few years, I am sure I could pass this test, BUT, passing this test doesn't get me around the Support requirement, though, does it?

Thanks,

Wes

[ElenaW]

We have been married over 11 years (married in the UK), and have a child. Having lived before in the UK and having visited 6-7 times over the last few years, I am sure I could pass this test, BUT, passing this test doesn't get me around the Support requirement, though, does it?

Thanks,

Wes

No it does not, you still have to prove that you won't be using public funds. I was told it's £100.95 per week after rent and council tax and an additional 60(approximately) per child (per week). Your application would be quite strong if you secure this job that you say may be a possibility. Your savings will be a big help in showing that until you start getting steady income, you will have enough to live on.