In 2011 we spent the summer in Oxford under a USAF (Air Force) research program. My husband collaborated with an Oxford professor who does similar work as he does here in the US as a civilian scientist. Our two children and I went along just for fun.
My husband received his Tier 5 visa, and the rest of us received Tier 5 dependant visas, and we had no difficulties when going through immigration at Stansted when we entered the UK (other than the officer being rude to my antsy 5 year old twins).
We are considering doing the same program again next summer. The first time, I never questioned why the kids and I had to have the Tier 5 dependant visas. Now, with the wonderful government sequestration furloughs cutting into our savings, I'm wondering why we have to get these expensive visas when the kids and I are just going as tourists. It's not like we're staying the 2 year maximum the visa allows. We'd be there less than 3 months. Forking over £600 for the visa applications and then having to show £1800 in the bank for our support is painful!
Can anyone offer any insight into the necessity of the dependant visas? I certainly don't want to encounter any difficulties at immigration, but I don't want to unnecessarily spend money on visas either!
Thanks!
Lesley
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