So I've been refused - spousal visa

by **Amaryah** on Thu Oct 12, 2006 12:03 pm

Hi folks,

I was wondering if anyone knew of a REALLY good immigration lawyer? I've just been refused a spousal visa because I went on a honeymoon. I left the UK with less than 6 months remaining on my current visa and therefore (or they're telling me) my application is not valid and they are allowed to kick me out of the country despite them recognising that I have set up a home here.

Oh, and they've welcomed me to go to South Africa and apply from there (and I can even bring my husband with me, aren't they kind!) Seems that it's a bit of a form letter and they couldn't be bothered to change the 'South Africa' to a 'Canada'. I do have the ability to appeal while remaining in the country, but I really just want it all to be over, so I'm willing to return to Canada to have it done more quickly.

Any advice will be appreciated,

Amaryah

by **turquoise** on Mon Oct 23, 2006 4:33 am

I had no idea they could refuse you a spousal visa if you left the UK within six months of expiry. Good to know.
Can't offer any advice, except to say check out the forum: www.immigrationboards.com Go to the discussion forum- it's a really useful board for answering questions regarding visas, etc etc.

by **ballinger** on Fri Oct 27, 2006 6:10 am

Amaryah, I am so sorry. I remember your original posts and I can't believe they refused your application in the end.
Unfortunately can't offer any advice on how to fix the situation but my thoughts are with you.my sister went through the same thing with US immigration and I remember her frustration. Good luck and please keep us posted on your progress. :smt056

by **Deus** on Fri Oct 27, 2006 9:42 am

I believe you need to be some sort of sub-species to work in immigration.

Good luck!

by **Reba** on Sat Oct 28, 2006 5:45 am

Wow, that's harsh. What type of visa did you have to start out with?

It may be quicker to just go home to Canada and apply from there. AFAIK, spousal visas only take a few weeks from outside the UK. I've seen a few other couples do the US to UK thing and it was a whole lot quicker and less painful than US immigration!

If they can sort it out before your current visa expires tho, stay where you are. Check your local phone listings for lawyers, it would probably be better to have one there than in Canada.

by **Amaryah** on Mon Nov 06, 2006 11:50 am

Hello Everyone,

So the visa fiasco is over. I had a meeting in Ottawa on the 26th at 9am. I was out of the office with my passport and visa in hand by 10:20.

To me this just reinforces my belief that the Home Office is utterly incapable of any reasonable behaviour and that Canadians (despite working for the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office) are polite, friendly, and have the ability to think rationally. I asked them if I could retrun to Canada in two year's time to apply for my indefinite leave to remain. Unfortunately, I can only do that through the Home Office. Hopefully they begin to employ people who aren't morons.

Amaryah

by **ballinger** on Tue Nov 07, 2006 2:39 pm

Amaryah, that's so great! I'm glad it worked out in the end and it must be a huge relief.
I just got my British citizenship today, proving that if you keep handing your money over to the British government, you will eventually get something in return!