Studying in the UK, Visa information for my Wife

Hi all,

So here is my question. I am due to start studying in the (Liverpool)UK in September 2009. The school has informed me that i do not require a Visa as i currently hold a UK passport through my parents. My fiancee and I will be getting married this coming July. She does qualify for the ancestry Visa as her grandmother was a UK citizen. Would this be the best type of visa for her to apply for? I understand that she does not qualify for public funding under this visa (IE. Unemployment etc.), but will she be covered under the NHS? The reason I ask this is that we will be there for at least four years while i am studying. Also, does she have to have a job in the UK prior to coming over to live? Is there anyone over there right now on this visa that could help us out?

Cheers,
Andy

You have two options. She can apply for an ancestry visa or she can apply for a spousal visa with you as her sponsor.

Spousal visa lead to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) faster 2 years, while Ancestry takes 5 years.*

Really up to you which she chooses, either visa will allow her access to the NHS.

*This is under the current system. Do appreaciate that there are proposed changes to abolish ILR and replace it with probationary citizenship which will lengthen the time required before naturalization.