Using a PGCE Teaching Bursary to sponsor a Spouse Visa

[TomLiang]

Hi,

I am a British citizen, and my partner is a national of China, currently in the UK on a Tier 4 student visa that expires in January 2019.

I have an offer for a PGCE course, starting in September 2018, and as I'll be teaching Physics, this makes me eligible for a government (tax-free) bursary.

From October, I would be in receipt of a bursary of £26,000, which is paid over 10 months according to the Get Into Teaching website.

As I understand, this is above the £18,600 minimum income threshold, if I am able to use my bursary as non-emplyment income under Category C: a maintenance grant or stipend, associated with postgraduate study.

However, I am unclear about a statement in Appendix FM Section 1.7, specifically in section 6.4.1 on page 42, where it says that:
"The person must be currently in receipt of the grant or stipend or will be within 3 months
of the date of application, and the grant or stipend must be payable for a period of at
least 12 months, for at least one full academic year, from the date of application or from
the date on which payment of the grant or stipend will commence."
Does this mean that the PGCE bursary would not be suitable as it is only supposedly paid for 10 months, and not 12 months?
It also states "from the date of application", but if we applied earlier (before September/October 2018), would it not count if I was not actually in receipt of the bursary yet?

Basically, I am asking if, under these conditions, whether or not if my partner and I registered our marriage in the UK, would we be eligible to apply for a spouse visa for her, to allow her to stay for a further 2.5 years in the UK?

I will be very grateful for any advice or pointers as to what we can do in our situation.
Thank you.

[TomLiang]

Anybody can give me any advice?

[physicskate]

Hi,

I am a British citizen, and my partner is a national of China, currently in the UK on a Tier 4 student visa that expires in January 2019.

I have an offer for a PGCE course, starting in September 2018, and as I'll be teaching Physics, this makes me eligible for a government (tax-free) bursary.

From October, I would be in receipt of a bursary of £26,000, which is paid over 10 months according to the Get Into Teaching website.

As I understand, this is above the £18,600 minimum income threshold, if I am able to use my bursary as non-emplyment income under Category C: a maintenance grant or stipend, associated with postgraduate study.

However, I am unclear about a statement in Appendix FM Section 1.7, specifically in section 6.4.1 on page 42, where it says that:
"The person must be currently in receipt of the grant or stipend or will be within 3 months
of the date of application, and the grant or stipend must be payable for a period of at
least 12 months, for at least one full academic year, from the date of application or from
the date on which payment of the grant or stipend will commence."
Does this mean that the PGCE bursary would not be suitable as it is only supposedly paid for 10 months, and not 12 months?
It also states "from the date of application", but if we applied earlier (before September/October 2018), would it not count if I was not actually in receipt of the bursary yet?

Basically, I am asking if, under these conditions, whether or not if my partner and I registered our marriage in the UK, would we be eligible to apply for a spouse visa for her, to allow her to stay for a further 2.5 years in the UK?

I will be very grateful for any advice or pointers as to what we can do in our situation.
Thank you.

Just an opinion - at least one full academic year will mean this stipend won't qualify to sponsor a spouse.

Also, with the attrition rate of the PGCE, there is no guarantee you will finish/ receive the whole bursary. Good luck. I hope you know what you're getting into!!

[britteacher]

tomliang did you manage to find out

[Hol]

Hello

I was wondering what happened? Were you able to use your bursary over 10 months to meet the income requirements (I'm in the same position at the moment!)

Thanks!

Hi,

I am a British citizen, and my partner is a national of China, currently in the UK on a Tier 4 student visa that expires in January 2019.

I have an offer for a PGCE course, starting in September 2018, and as I'll be teaching Physics, this makes me eligible for a government (tax-free) bursary.

From October, I would be in receipt of a bursary of £26,000, which is paid over 10 months according to the Get Into Teaching website.

As I understand, this is above the £18,600 minimum income threshold, if I am able to use my bursary as non-emplyment income under Category C: a maintenance grant or stipend, associated with postgraduate study.

However, I am unclear about a statement in Appendix FM Section 1.7, specifically in section 6.4.1 on page 42, where it says that:
"The person must be currently in receipt of the grant or stipend or will be within 3 months
of the date of application, and the grant or stipend must be payable for a period of at
least 12 months, for at least one full academic year, from the date of application or from
the date on which payment of the grant or stipend will commence."
Does this mean that the PGCE bursary would not be suitable as it is only supposedly paid for 10 months, and not 12 months?
It also states "from the date of application", but if we applied earlier (before September/October 2018), would it not count if I was not actually in receipt of the bursary yet?

Basically, I am asking if, under these conditions, whether or not if my partner and I registered our marriage in the UK, would we be eligible to apply for a spouse visa for her, to allow her to stay for a further 2.5 years in the UK?

I will be very grateful for any advice or pointers as to what we can do in our situation.
Thank you.

[CR001]

Hello

I was wondering what happened? Were you able to use your bursary over 10 months to meet the income requirements (I'm in the same position at the moment!)

Thanks!

The user has not logged into the forum since 3rd May 2018 and these 2 posts. Please start your own topic with your full circumstances rather than digging up old threads and tagging on.

Thanks.