Moving to UK from Canada

Hi this is my first day in this forum and I am hoping to be able to get some information and help in regards to my upcoming move to the UK.

My husband and I met back in 2004 online he moved to Canada 2006 and had to go back to UK last February. I want to go and be with him in the UK as he is not able to get back to Canada for at least another 4 years due to personal issues. We got married in 2007 and had been married just under 4 years when he moved back but had been living together for 5.

I am playing on flying to the UK end of May and want to be able to stay the amount of time he has to stay in UK with him. We are not in a financial position to apply right away for the Settlement/Spousal Visa for me what does anyone suggest for me to be able to be with him. I was not planning on buying a return ticket at this time only the one way there to be there at least the 6 months.

Any help and advice greatly appreciated

Hi Dee,

A tricky situation for sure.

It's not advisable to arrive in the UK on a one way ticket without a Visa - they will likely assume you are hoping to stay and work illegally, and this will create all kinds of issues for you on arrival.

If you are not travelling on a visa - I believe the maximum stay in the UK is 6 months for a tourist. Without a return ticket however, they will have no proof of your intention to leave. And for you, being that you do wish to stay longer - this will cause problems.

Your best bet is going to be to contact the UK Boarder Agency directly - http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ - as I would hate to advise you incorrectly. It is likely though, that they will require you to apply for some kind of visa if you do wish to stay for a longer period of time. Unfortunately, this may be your only option.

My advice is to contact them directly, so at least you know the information is correct for your current situation!

Best of luck,

Thank you myself and hubby will look into it

Hi Dee,

As mentioned by the previous poster, your circumstances are a bit tricky, but certainly not uncommon.

Should you wish to discuss your options further, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Regards,
Stephen Atkinson

That's correct.

Travelling to the UK as a visitor without showing a return ticket may lead to an entry denial. If you intend to eventually apply for settlement or spouse visa, an entry denial may also lead to a refusal of your application.

On the other hand, even if you succeed entering the UK you won't be allowed to apply for settlement or spouse visa from within the UK. You'd have to go back to Canada and apply from there.

VisaWise | Immigration Consultancy
OISC Registered Immigration Advisers
Members of the Quebec Bar
London, United Kingdom
info@visa-wise.co.uk
www.visa-wise.co.uk

Hi VisaWise:

So if I am understanding you correctly basically we're screwed I won't be allowed to even stay and or be allowed to apply for Spousal Visa.

So without paying out and getting the Spousal Visa before I even leave Canada I won't be able to stay with my husband.

Or I have to book a two way ticket with a date of return that I have no clue when I would be returning.

There is no other way I can be with my husband????

You can stay as a visitor for a maximum of 6 months if you convince Immigration Officers at the border that 1) you're a genuine visitor 2) you have enough money to support yourself without working for the whole length of your stay 3) you're going to leave at the end of your stay.

By buying a return ticket with a date of return that is within 6 months of your date or arrival, you meet condition #3. As for the money (condition #2), you'll have to show that you either have enough savings to support yourself or that your partner is earning enough money to support both of you.

However, as you're the spouse of a British citizen, you may have trouble proving that you're a genuine visitor (condition #1), that's why we recommend that you get a spouse visa first if your ultimate goal is to live and settle in the UK with your husband.

VisaWise | Immigration Consultancy
OISC Registered Immigration Advisers
Members of the Quebec Bar
London, United Kingdom
info@visa-wise.co.uk
www.visa-wise.co.uk