Need Help about moving to England

Hello, Here's our background -
My wife and I are both Canadian Citizens. We have 2 children, both born here (4.5 & Nearly 7) -
My wife was born in Birmingham, England in 1976 and as such can move back to the UK with no hassles, even get a passport if needed.
The reason we are contemplating a move is as follows:
Our daughter (4.5) has been diagnosed with a severe speech disorder (Apraxia); as such, the government in Ontario (we live in Brampton), has proved help for her in the form of speech therapy with a licensed speech pathologist/ therapist. At the same time, she also is receiving occupational therapy help.
The problem is, that as soon as she turns five (May 2012) all this help will end - we will have to find our own speech therapy and/ or send her to a special school. all this takes a lot of money, which we cannot afford. There are very few / to 0 charities that can help with her specific problem.
We are told that she needs speech therapy to help her speak & yet she cannot get the speech therapy she needs.
In England, there is much more help for her .. there are special schools, most of which are charities and there is a much more intensive system to help children with the special needs that she has.
My wife is a legal secretary, and she can get work quite easily in any office - as for me, for the last nearly 4 years I have been running my own cleaning company (not huge - but we get by).
What are our options? What is the best way to go about this - if we decide to go - it will be next summer 2012 as our daughter will need all the help she can get.
Thank you

Your children are UK citizens by descent from your wife being born in UK. So the first thing to do would be to apply for their UK passports, along with your spouse's. It can take a few months. I would think that the fact that the children are UK citizens will make it a LOT easier for them to be eligible for help.

You will have to immigrate on a spousal visa, so you need to get this started. There are others who will know the timeline on this.

Your spouse will have to be making concrete plans to settle in UK, as your visa will be based on her having the intention to move to UK permanently.

The processing delays for spouse visa applications made from Canada are about 2 months. We recommend that you both start looking for a job as it will increase your chances of success. Even if you don't actually get a job offer, you'll have to provide evidence that you've tried to find a job by providing copies or print-out of the job applications you've made and communications with employment agencies.

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

The processing delays for spouse visa applications made from Canada are about 2 months. We recommend that you both start looking for a job as it will increase your chances of success. Even if you don't actually get a job offer, you'll have to provide evidence that you've tried to find a job by providing copies or print-out of the job applications you've made and communications with employment agencies.

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

Thank you for your help - Here's what we have done so far:
1) My wife & 2 children now have their British Passports
2) My wife went to the UK in March and got all the info she needs re: medical help etc. and returned to Canada.
3) We are in the process of selling our home here in Canada to get funds to move (about 20,000 pounds will be the funds available)
4) My wife's aunt will vacate her home for us to live in so we have our own place until we can move to our own place.
5) Our aunt is also willing to write a letter on our behalf to sponsor me - stating that she is willing to care for my expenses until I get a job (or my wife gets a job).
6) I speak, read & write English fluently.

With the above coming into place - how are my chances to get a spousal visa?
Also, is it better that I apply before or after my wife moves back there? i.e. should my wife be in the UK first? Which is better for my chances?

Thank You very much.

p.s. I have sent an inquiry e-mail to info@visa-wise.co.uk twice but have not had a reply.

Ihab

We replied to your first email and provided you with all relevant information.

We replied to your first email and provided you with all relevant information.

Thank you, yes - But I was referring to this one:

"Hello,
I have sent e-mails to you before; but I just want to clarify some information I received.
I realize that the immigration rules will be changing in April. I know that it will be more difficult for someone to be sponsored to live in the UK. Please note, I am asking these questions of you because we will more than likely be using your services when we are ready to apply for my visa.

If I explain our situation, would you be able to direct us in the right way?

My wife of over 14 years is a British National. Our 2 children who were born in Canada are also British Nationals. All three of them have British passports.
My wife wants to move back to the UK to be with her family before September 2012 to place our children in the school year and of course we would like to move there together as a family; separation for a minimum amount of time till I get my visa is the only option.

Money Situation:
We own a home in Canada which we will be selling over the summer. This will give us a savings amount of at least 20,000 pounds if not more. This hopefully will prove to the Border agency that we have funds enough to maintain ourselves till I find work.

My wife’s aunt lives in the UK and is a UK National. She is ready & willing to write a letter of sponsorship for me; which as per the UK Border Agency website states:
“Consideration will also be given in cases where a friend or relative in the United Kingdom may offer financial assistance until the applicant is free to take employment.”

Job Situation:
My wife is a trained legal secretary. Although she does minimal work for her employers at home, she has been a home maker since our daughter was born 5 years ago. She would like to keep it that way if at all possible; but of course willing to do something to make sure I get there.
I have my own little cleaning company. I don’t make very much, just enough to get by. I would probably be doing something else when I do arrive in the UK. I have experience working in insurance as well as extensive customer service & training experience.

I am considering getting the CeMAP (Certificate in Mortgage Advice & Practice) qualification while I am here in the summer; either taking the exam here or in the UK. That may help to prove that I am wanting to work and maintain myself in the UK. If this will help, please let me know.

I myself am not able to apply for any job while I am here since I am not able to work in the UK without a visa.

Housing Situation:
My wife’s aunt will be giving us her home to live in alone until we move to our own place. It is a 2 bedroom house in Cornwall.

The decision has been made for us to move, it’s just my visa that stands in the way. I don’t have ajob that makes 150,000 pounds or more per year, but I am willing to work hard to provide for my family. I know that I will not have access to public funds for over 2 years, and that is alright. I am a hard worker. We just want to be together as a family in the UK.

Language Situation:
Both of us speak, write & read english fluently. Our children are aged 7 & 5 and have gone to Canadian schools since kindergarten.

Looking at our situation, and knowing the changes that are coming – what would be the prudent thing to do?
Would it be better fo rmy wife to move to the UK first and then I apply for my settlement visa? Or should she do this from Canada first? Which is better? Our funds will could be in both our names to prove that we have the means of maintenance.
I am asking because you are the experts."

If you can advise me a little - that would be great - thank you.
Ihab

Your clarification didn't bring anything new which would have made us change our initial recommendation to apply before the change of Rules.

We maintain that if you apply now, the financial situation (income + savings) of both you and your wife will be taken into consideration as opposed to after the new Rule come into effect as there will be an income threshold of £25,700 for the sponsor (your wife). So if you plan to apply after the change of Rule which can be anytime between today and June 2012, your wife should indeed come to the UK first and try and get a job paid at least £25,700.