Spousal/Children Settlement Visa Question

I was wondering if someone could help me with a question regarding obtaining a UK Visa for my spouse and children. I am a dual citizen of Canada and the UK and hold a passport for both. I am planning on moving to the UK from Canada and want my wife and children to come with me.

My questions are...

1) Is my spouse and children's only option a "settlement visa"? It looks like the cost is $1300+ each person. I was reading that spouses/children of EEA countries get no charge VISAs. Do spouses/children of UK citizens not get the same free VISA?

2) I am concerned about applying for 5 x $1300 VISAs and then having the VISA rejected with no refund. Does anyone have any experience in how easy it will be to obtain these VISAs? I will have a solid job offer from my company and a start date, but how much income do I have to show for the VISAs to be approved? I have four children to support.

3) Also regarding proving your residence...I don't want to obtain a residence if I don't know my family will be approved. Can I not obtain housing once I am over in the UK?

Hoping someone can help. Obviously I don't want to spend all this time, energy and money if they are not going to be approved.

Thanks.

1) If you're a British citizen, you have to apply under the UK immigration Rules as European Rules don't apply to British Citizens in the UK.

2) You need to show that you have enough funds to maintain yourself ans your family without having recourse to public funds. You'll also need to show that you have a regular income so you can continue to maintain them in the future. The amount required is equivalent to income support levels. If you earn a relatively high salary, it should be fine if you could show that you have at least £3,000 in maintenance funds.

3) You need to provide a valid address in the UK. It can be a temporary one, but it has to be adequate to lodge 6 people.

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

Thanks for the help. Just wondering, you say that I cannot receive public funds? Why would I be prevented from receiving public funds? I will have a job in the UK, but I did call and speak to someone in the immigration office and they said my wife and children would not have public funds, but I would could. The reason I am asking is because I was assuming I would receive Child Tax Credits, etc. based I the fact that I am providing for my wife and family. Could you clarify this?

Also, what is considered adequate funds? I will be making 25,000 to 30,000 GBP to support my family (4 children plus my wife). Our rent will be around 700-900 GBP/month. My wife will be able to work part time. The settlement visa allows her to work. Does this income count?

Thanks so much.

As a British citizen, you can of course receive public funds but not your wife and children. However, when it come to maintenance funds, you have to show that you are able to maintain them without having recourse to public funds in order for your application to be accepted.

How much do you have in savings?

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

I will have approximately 5000 GBP in cash (after I pay for visas and flights) and will be starting a job when I arrive in the UK.

Your children are considered UK citizens if they are under 18. You can get then UK passports and they will not need a visa.

Make sure you get your wifes visa before she come to the UK!!!

I'm not sure my kids are UK citizens. I was not born in the UK. My father was and I applied for a British passport and got it. Why would they be considered UK citizens?

If you were not born in the UK, you're probably a British citizen" by descent". If it's the case, you can't pass your citizenship to your children. But it's a very complex area of law and it would require a complete assessment of the situation to be certain.

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

Your children are considered UK citizens if they are under 18. You can get then UK passports and they will not need a visa.

That is not necessarily true, and their age has nothing to do with it. If they are UK citizens, they will alwys be, and if they are not UK citizens, their age does not change this.

Now, their ability to enter UK as your dependany may be affected by age, but not their citizenship.