Settlement Visa Uk

[MaprangHolmes]

Hello would it be possible to apply for a settlement visa for the UK if you do not have a job as of yet but have savings of say £25,000 and would have a place to stay at which they would be no cost. (ie: my fathers home). Or would it be better to apply for a family visit visa for my wife so that she come go to the UK for 6 months while I get a job and then return to Thailand and then apply for a settlement visa. Any advice on this would be great.

Thank you

[ThaiVisaExpress]

We have applied for settlement visas for people who are unemployed & remember third party support is allowed as you have mentioned.You must be able to demonstrate that you can maintain & accommodate your partner without recourse to public funds.

• Are you a job seeker ?
  
• Was you previously employed & made redundant?
  
• Your savings how long are they likely to last?
  

Feel free to contact me for free advise I am currently in the UK & my details can be found on my website.

[7by7]

Funds for maintenance can come from the income and/or savings of the applicant, the sponsor, a third party or any combination of these. Whoever is providing funding must provide evidence of their ability to do so. If a third party is contributing then it is a good idea for them to write a letter of support explaining why they are doing so.

Employment prospects of both applicant and sponsor can, if necessary, be taken into account. You should provide a job search plan and details of your employability; and your wife's if she intends to work.

Accommodation with your parents is not a problem. They should provide details of the property to show that there is at least one room for the exclusive use of you and your wife. If they own the property then they should provide evidence of this, if they rent then a letter from their landlord granting permission for you to live there.

See Maintenance and accommodation for more.

[ThaiVisaExpress]

You would need to convince the eco you meet the rules without further information its difficult to advise.

[Thongkorn]

The UK Government is trying to Implement a new Criteria , The Applicants British partner will have to have between £18000 and £25 000 in the bank to apply for a Settlement Visa.

[MAJIC]

The UK Government is trying to Implement a new Criteria , The Applicants British partner will have to have between £18000 and £25 000 in the bank to apply for a Settlement Visa.

I believe it was stated as /or income of the same!

[bobrussell]

The partner should have earnings to this level. I don't know anyone with £18-25K in the bank at any one time! The idea is to make sure that the partner is able to support his or her family without the tax-payer having to subsidise the family unit.

[7by7]

The UK Government is trying to Implement a new Criteria , The Applicants British partner will have to have between £18000 and £25 000 in the bank to apply for a Settlement Visa.

The government is not trying to do any such thing.

There is, however, a policy document on family migration currently under discussion, and one of the proposals in this is to set a minimum income level for those sponsoring family members applying for settlement. One item being discussed is the level of income required and between £18000 and £25000 pa has been suggested.

Whether this discussion will result in a limit being set, what that limit will be and what effect savings etc. will have; no one outside the government knows yet; and probably no one within the government either!

If the government does decide to set such a limit, they wont have to try very hard; they'll just do it!

[Thongkorn]

The UK Government is trying to Implement a new Criteria , The Applicants British partner will have to have between £18000 and £25 000 in the bank to apply for a Settlement Visa.

The government is not trying to do any such thing.

There is, however, a policy document on family migration currently under discussion, and one of the proposals in this is to set a minimum income level for those sponsoring family members applying for settlement. One item being discussed is the level of income required and between £18000 and £25000 pa has been suggested.

Whether this discussion will result in a limit being set, what that limit will be and what effect savings etc. will have; no one outside the government knows yet; and probably no one within the government either!

If the government does decide to set such a limit, they wont have to try very hard; they'll just do it!

Thats not what i read . it talks about personal assets, nothing to do with income.

[ThaiVisaExpress]

We will await his reply

[7by7]

[Thats not what i read . it talks about personal assets, nothing to do with income.

What is 'it?'

Can you provide a link?

Reforming family migration to promote better integration

Plans to reform family migration are outlined in an ongoing consultation which includes proposals to......introduce a minimum income threshold for those sponsoring family migrants..............

(My emphasis)

See also Paras 2.19 to 2.23 of the consultation document; "We propose to introduce a new minimum income threshold for sponsors."

It does mention savings as a supplement to income, but there is nothing to justify your original statement "The Applicants British partner will have to have between £18000 and £25 000 in the bank to apply for a Settlement Visa."

NB, the consultation is now closed.

[MaprangHolmes]

Thank you for your replies if I am understanding you correct then I can use this money to show I have enough money to support both myself, wife and child, stay at my fathers home does not seem to be a problem. My wife already has had a family visit visa before so could I use some of the documents I used to support that application? I was given a sum of money last year which will show on my bank account I would guess it would be better to write and explain how there was a large deposit into my account. Any other views or comments would be appreciated.

Thank you

[7by7]

Yes, you can use the money you have in the bank; but it isn't going to last for ever so you should also show what your plans and prospects for future employment in the UK are.

You can use some of the same documents as before, but update them.

ECOs are always suspicious of large, unexplained amounts appearing in bank accounts. You should explain in your sponsor's letter where this money came from.

You may find this topic helpful.

[MaprangHolmes]

Thank you for that if I understand the rules correctly my wife can not claim any sort of benefit but I am still able to for example child benefit, working and child tax credit that sort of thing. Also if my wife wanted to work is she allowed to and if she is able too does she need to get a work permit.

Thank you for your help so far.

[7by7]

You can claim child benefit and tax credits must be claimed jointly by a husband and wife so she must be included in any tax credit claim.

You can also claim any other benefits to which you are entitled, but cannot claim any extra due to her living with you.

Any benefits you may be able to claim once living in the UK cannot be used to satisfy the maintenance requirement.

See Public Funds.

Spouse visa holders can work immediately they arrive in the UK, and do not require any other permission to work such as a work permit.

Edited January 9, 2012 by 7by7
Addendum

[ThaiVisaExpress]

The money will only be looked at as a temporary measure, not forgetting your wife can seek employment.

[dracos]

I will be in a similar position soon applying for settlement visa for the wife without a job in the UK.

What OP does not mention is where they are currently living. My wife and I are currently living in Thailand but planning to relocate to the UK soon. I work for a large international company here in Thailand and am hopeful of securing a transfer to the same company in the UK or if not my plan was to include in the application details of past employment history showing that I have been able to obtain constant employment for several years, current UK market salary for my position and recent job advertisements for positions I could fill. I am reluctant to commence proper job search yet as filing the application 3 months in advance I do not want my current employer to discover my plans to leave, as if the visa is not approved for any reason then we will stay together in Thailand until we can meet the requirements to be approved.

Similar situation in terms of cash in the bank, staying with parents etc and have no recourse to public funds (not having lived in UK for over 5 years & no dependents coupled with level of savings we have means I cannot apply for anything based on my understanding of the welfare rules).

My question therefore is: In the case where there is no guaranteed UK employment, do immigration consider a good track record of having worked continuously overseas and then moving back to the UK as a more favourable position than having been living in the UK without secured work for a period of time, or, is past history largely irrelevant as they just look at future potential? (hopefully they take into account future potential can be based on past achievements????)

[MaprangHolmes]

I will be in a similar position soon applying for settlement visa for the wife without a job in the UK.

What OP does not mention is where they are currently living. My wife and I are currently living in Thailand but planning to relocate to the UK soon. I work for a large international company here in Thailand and am hopeful of securing a transfer to the same company in the UK or if not my plan was to include in the application details of past employment history showing that I have been able to obtain constant employment for several years, current UK market salary for my position and recent job advertisements for positions I could fill. I am reluctant to commence proper job search yet as filing the application 3 months in advance I do not want my current employer to discover my plans to leave, as if the visa is not approved for any reason then we will stay together in Thailand until we can meet the requirements to be approved.

Similar situation in terms of cash in the bank, staying with parents etc and have no recourse to public funds (not having lived in UK for over 5 years & no dependents coupled with level of savings we have means I cannot apply for anything based on my understanding of the welfare rules).

My question therefore is: In the case where there is no guaranteed UK employment, do immigration consider a good track record of having worked continuously overseas and then moving back to the UK as a more favourable position than having been living in the UK without secured work for a period of time, or, is past history largely irrelevant as they just look at future potential? (hopefully they take into account future potential can be based on past achievements????)

I am the same as you in that I am living in Thailand at the moment.

[7by7]

MAA10 Assessing adequate means of maintenance

The following list, which is not comprehensive, is intended as a guide to the factors which may need to be considered when assessing means of maintenance:

• the applicant's past and current employment;
  
• do the applicant's / sponsor's educational qualifications and any other skills or qualifications offer a reasonable chance of obtaining employment? If so, that should be viewed as sufficient to meet the maintenance requirement without having to make further enquiries.
  
• the sponsor's current or proposed employment;
  
• any plans the applicant has for employment in the UK;
  
• What is the unemployment situation in the area in which the couple intend to settle? High unemployment in a particular area or amongst a certain age group with particular skills (or lack of them), is not in itself sufficient to show that the maintenance requirement has not been met. It would be a relevant factor if the couple's plans were not realistic or if they did not have any skills or qualifications.
  
• any arrangements which have been made, or could be made, by the sponsor, any other relatives, friends or contacts in the UK in connection with the plans for employment;
  
• satisfied that job offers are genuine and the work likely to last for the foreseeable future;
  
• any support which will be forthcoming from others.
  

[MaprangHolmes]

MAA10 Assessing adequate means of maintenance

The following list, which is not comprehensive, is intended as a guide to the factors which may need to be considered when assessing means of maintenance:

• the applicant's past and current employment;
  
• do the applicant's / sponsor's educational qualifications and any other skills or qualifications offer a reasonable chance of obtaining employment? If so, that should be viewed as sufficient to meet the maintenance requirement without having to make further enquiries.
  
• the sponsor's current or proposed employment;
  
• any plans the applicant has for employment in the UK;
  
• What is the unemployment situation in the area in which the couple intend to settle? High unemployment in a particular area or amongst a certain age group with particular skills (or lack of them), is not in itself sufficient to show that the maintenance requirement has not been met. It would be a relevant factor if the couple's plans were not realistic or if they did not have any skills or qualifications.
  
• any arrangements which have been made, or could be made, by the sponsor, any other relatives, friends or contacts in the UK in connection with the plans for employment;
  
• satisfied that job offers are genuine and the work likely to last for the foreseeable future;
  
• any support which will be forthcoming from others.
  

After looking at the UK border agency web site it says that the annual income not including housing is only £5.500 given that I would not have any housing costs do you think that I would salsify the maintenance requirement by the amount of savings and by showing that I have qualifications in both Business and IT?

Link http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2011/november/30-family-route

Edited January 13, 2012 by MaprangHolmes

[ThaiVisaExpress]

You are of course entitled to public funds your wife is not ,you would need to satisfy the processing eco you meet all the requirements.

[7by7]

The ECO will take into consideration your savings and how long they are likely to last, any support available from third parties and your and your wife's employment prospects.

From what you have said, £25K in savings and good employment prospects, I would say that this is sufficient; but it's not my decision to make.

[MaprangHolmes]

With the review of family immigration, recommending the raising of the current income levels to sponsor a partner coming to the UK.

Does anyone know when this is likely to happen?

[7by7]

No, afraid not.

Whether this discussion will result in a limit being set, what that limit will be and what effect savings etc. will have; no one outside the government knows yet; and probably no one within the government either!

[MaprangHolmes]

When applying for said visa is it possible to delay the start of the visa for 3 months like you can for example a family visit visa?

[7by7]

Yes, the start date of all UK visas can be postponed for up to three months.

I strongly advise checking the start date of the visa immediately it is received; mistakes cannot be rectified later.

As spouse and partner settlement visas are valid for 27 months but the holder only has to be resident in the UK for 24 months to be time qualified for ILR, most applicants don't bother with this. But if your departure from Thailand will be delayed beyond three months after receiving the visa, then it is worth doing.

Remember, though, that the visa holder cannot use the visa to enter the UK until the start date at the earliest!

[tribalfusion001]

I'm in a similar situation. I was living in Thailand from December 2010 until August 2011, working and not working. I met my fiancee in February 2011 and she is currently in the UK with me on a general visit visa, we are going back to Thailand on 7th February. On return to Thailand we will be getting married and will be applying for a settlement visa.

I found employment back in the UK after 2 weeks and I was laid off just before xmas with 14 other employees, xmas/new year is not the best time to find employment and now I have 3 weeks left and no job! I will be able to show an account balance of about £7000 when the application is forwarded to UKBA and my parents will be 3rd party support, their account balance will be about £14000.

My employment prospects are still good in the UK, I worked in customer service and debt collection for a large utility company for 5 years until June 2010 (made redundant) and recently I was working as a window fabricator, it is possible that they may recall me when the work picks up. My fiancee is a cook by trade, she can cook Thai food and western food, she has 7 years experience of cooking in Thailand, I think she would have no problem in getting a job as a cook in the UK, hygeine certificate needed, her English has greatly improved with her time in the UK and she is taking the English test with Tirnity next week, GESE exam. I live in Essex, so not a deprived job area and will be staying with parents again if the visa is granted.

Any helpful advice welcome...