How to get a visa to live / work in the UK

Canehdian1
New Member



Joined: 30 Dec 2006
Posts: 6
Location: Canada

Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2006 9:43 am

 

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Hi Everyone, 1st Posting.
Question and confirmation, if anyone knows. My wife's (married for 3+years) father was born in the UK. From scouring many of the websites available, I believe she can apply directly for her passport with supporting documentation (birth certificate that shows her father's name, etc; father's birth certificate that shows his place of birth, parents name, etc; and the actual passport application). I am also under the impression that I can move with her for an initial 2 year period (although I have read elsewhere that it may be a 3 year period) after which I can apply for my own citizenship? Would she be considered a British Citizen, by descent?

Thanks!

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The The
New Member



Joined: 02 Jan 2007
Posts: 4
Location: Vancouver

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2007 4:16 pm

 

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I applied for my ancestry visa in the summer of 2004. My experience was different.

When I applied for my visa I sent notarized copies of all the documentation rather than original birth certifiates. The British High Commission didn't mind.

I believe one needs only $1,500 minimum in a bank account. I think that's what I was told. Obivously more is better. Best to call and make sure.

To show that I had a place to stay, all I did was print out an email that a friend wrote saying I was welcome to stay at her house. There was no need to get the deed or official letters.

Again, best to check with the High Commission to know for sure what is needed if you're unsure.

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Canehdian1
New Member



Joined: 30 Dec 2006
Posts: 6
Location: Canada

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2007 5:28 pm

 

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"The", thanks very much for the information. When you suggest to contact the High Commission, is the one you refer to located in Ottawa, or directly in the UK (as I've seen a 1-900 or 1-800 with a rather high toll associated) to gain specific information from?

Also, does anyone know what my situation is (being the husband) of a person who will be entering using a British Passport? I've only noticed a brief paragraph that states I have to wait for 3 years before I can apply for my own citizenship.does anyone know if I am able to be employed during the first three years? So much information! Thanks again.

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The The
New Member



Joined: 02 Jan 2007
Posts: 4
Location: Vancouver

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2007 10:10 pm

 

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Phone the High Commission in Ottawa. They are the ones who handle visa applications from people who are still in Canada. It appears you now have to phone an outsourced partner that, surprise surprise, charges an exorbitant fee to take phonecalls pertaining to visa applications. I would try phoning the High Commission directly at 613 237 1530 and see how far you get with questions about eligibility. If you have to phone ABTRAN, then dial one of these two numbers:
1 900 528 8472 (Premium rate C$2.80 /minute)
1 800 951 1444 (Credit card rate C$2.80 /minute)

You'll pay through the nose.

As for your wife, to answer your earlier question (and I'm sure you already know the answer), she appears to have Right to Abode. If her father was born in the U.K. and held citizenship when she was born, and if she was born before 1983 and is a Commonwealth citizen, then she should have no problems.

As for you, it's pretty straightforward. Either way, if your wife is entitled to settle in the U.K., you are free to join her. If she is given citizenship through Right of Abode immediately, you will be joining her as the spouse of a British citizen.

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AngelKiri
CanuckAbroad Regular


Montrealer now living near Manchester

Joined: 29 Aug 2006
Posts: 66
Location: North West England

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 6:38 pm

 

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TheThe, you may have got away with the bare minimum in your application, but when I called the UK Visa high commision in Ontario, what I listed where the requirements they gave me over the phone to ensure that I would PASS a Visa application. Keep in mind, for me failure was NOT an option!

Keep in mind, I did not have a university degree, waiting job offer or spouse or other items that might have been 'pluses' on the Visa application forms.

I went it blind based on my own lowly merrits and what I listed in my post as 'Musts' was what I was told I required as a single non-British affliated Canadian citizen wishing to go to the UK. Each case is obviously based on specifics of each applications details, just wanted to clarify that as just because it was a peice of p*ss for you to get through it, doesn't mean it will be for others.

Keeping in mind of course that failure in your initial application for a visa stage creates a much longer & more detailed 'appeal' process, I thought it would be fair to me to clarify my application circumstances for any other possibly 'naive' querents out there.

Good luck to you all, it can be easy for some, it can be a whole heck of a lot harder for others.
_________________
I LOVE KD

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Hutch
New Member



Joined: 06 Jan 2007
Posts: 3
Location: Toronto

Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 8:00 am

 

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AngelKiri, I completely agree with you.
I'm currently getting ready to apply for a UK ancestry visa and I can't afford to take any chances.

Your information is valuable and greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much.

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Canehdian1
New Member



Joined: 30 Dec 2006
Posts: 6
Location: Canada

Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 8:53 am

 

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Thanks for everyone's advice and great details. Just a questions, Angel, The and Hutch - did you all apply for an Ancestral Visa? If that's the case, was this based upon having a grandparent that was born in the UK? I have a friend who had a paternal grandfather born in England and is interested, but felt there was much luck as she read from the BritishHighCommission.gov.uk

UK Born Grandparent

It is not generally possible to claim citizenship through an UK born grandparent.

Is this something different than what you're applying for, or the same?

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Hutch
New Member



Joined: 06 Jan 2007
Posts: 3
Location: Toronto

Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 2:06 pm

 

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Hi Canehdian1,

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QUOTE:
UK Born Grandparent

It is not generally possible to claim citizenship
through an UK born grandparent.
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Your friend cannot obtain British Citizenship directly because she was not born in the UK or her parents are not UK nationals. She must apply for entry clearance first and live in the UK for five years before satisfying the British Immigration and Nationality officials.

I am applying for a UK ancestry visa through my GRANDFATHER. Your friend is eligible to apply through her grandfather as well providing she can fulfill all these requirements too:

(taken from the British High Commission website)

Do I qualify for UK Ancestry?
You will qualify if you can show that:

1. You are a Commonwealth citizen
2. You are aged 17 or over

3. You have a grandparent who was born in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. You have a grandparent who was born in what is now the Republic of Ireland before 31 March 1922.

4. You are able to work and intend to do so in the UK, and you can support yourself and any dependants, and live without needing any help from public funds.


If granted a UK Ancestry visa your friend is given entry clearance to the UK (just don't piss off the custom officers at the airport ) and allowed to live and work for 5 years. If she chooses to stay after the 5 years she can then apply for citizenship.

This is outlined on the Home Office - Immigration and Nationality website:

Ways of becoming a British citizen:

Naturalisation
Foreign nationals may apply for certificates of naturalisation. This also applies to Commonwealth citizens and Irish citizens.

Applicants must:

1. Have lived legally in the United Kingdom for five years (the last year should have been free of any time limit);

2. Be 18 or over
3. Not be of unsound mind;
4. Be of good character;

5. Have sufficient knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic (depending on their age and physical and mental condition); and

6. Stay closely connected with the United Kingdom.


Sorry I can't offer proper links. The forum won't allow me to. But look at the British High Commission website for Canada. And look up the Ancestry Visa. That will give you most of the information. I also recommend following Angelkiri's advice. I called the Ottawa British Embassy with my own questions and they confirmed everything that she's already told us.

I hope I could help!
Good luck to your friend!

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