Ancestry Visa , another question.....

Okay, first post, but many more to come no doubt. Here is the background.

I will be heading for London with my wife and kids on a 3 year "Visiting Forces" posting this coming July 08. Now here is where it gets a little different.

I am retired. My wife though, is still in the forces and she is the one who is being posted. Myself and the kids get to tag along on this adventure as military dependants.

If I go over on the regular "Visiting Forces Dependant" Visa, I can not work in country as I understand it.

But, I qualify under the Ancestry Visa because my grandfather was born in London and I have all of the paperwork to prove it.

However here is the problem. While I do not "need" to work, I might "want" to if the situation arises and I get bored enough during the posting.

I am ex-military myself and have been a Computer Consultant for the last twenty years so I am not looking to setup a hard business but rather do some casual work for extra spending cash as needed.

Now my reading of the conditions of the Ancestry Visa is that "I intend to work and actively must look for work".

I have looked at the actual Ancestry Visa application and they want everything except a pint of blood and no doubt that will get added later.

So what does anyone think my chances of getting a Ancestry Visa are and being welcomed with open arms if I write them a nice letter explaining my situation.

or

Have I overlooked some other option to cover my situation?

I think the important fact is that you will not be a burden on public funds . that you may or may not find employment is a more private decision -- that you will be self supporting is the key fact.

Which is to say indicate you will actively seek work, indicate you will be financially independent . and use your own discretion on how active you will be.

My opinion only.

Cheers,
GB

I didn't have a job when I came over - and wasn't asked at anytime to prove that I was looking for work.

As RGBaker says, the important thing about the visa is that you are not seeking public funds (through tax benefits, being on the dole).

Whenever I entered the country on my visa, I was asked what I did for a living - I'm sure if you said "self-employed computer consultant" that would be fine.

The only time it would be really important is if you want to extend your visa in order to seek citizenship - you will be asked to prove your employment history.

Thanks for the replies. I have managed finally to straighten out the details of the VISA for Members and dependents of Visiting Forces under NATO.

The good news is that under the NATO agreement, I can work in the UK permit free. My daughter though can not until she is of legal age (don't know what that is yet thought). Once we arrive, our Passports get a special stamp from the military that removes a ton of restrictions.

Now I only have to figure out which bank, cellphone, internet, home phone.etc, etc to go with.