UK Ancestry spouse question

Hello,

I am a new member and I love reading all your posts, which are full of information and advice!
I am in the very early stages of moving to the UK and I plan to apply for a UK Ancestry visa (I had one years ago when I was single).

I have some questions and hope you can help me out. I did try to find the answers via your forum, but am still a little confused .

From what I have read online, I should not apply any earlier than 3 months from intended date of travel. So if I am planning to move in August 2012, I should not apply any earlier than May 2012? Can I apply in March or April and say my date of departure is August? How does one post date a UK Ancestry visa?

Regarding the documents I need to submit, can I submit notarized/certified documents versus originals if I do not have all the originals?

I also have a question about my husband's visa. Should he apply as my 'dependent' (which he really won't be) or is there a spouse visa under the UK Ancestry visa application? He is self employed and works for a client in the UK so technically he already has work in the UK (even though he works from home in Canada). He is considering the Entrepreneur Visa - is there any benefit to him getting this visa versus the Ancestry one with me? We also have a 5 year old son and are planning to settle in the UK. I intend to work but will not have a job lined up beforehand but will be actively looking once we arrive. Perhaps it makes more sense for the whole family to apply under my UK Ancestry visa?

We are also taking our 2 cats and I was very happy to read via the DEFRA website about the new rules taking effect in January 2012. Does anyone have any experience to share about taking their cats to the UK - i.e. did they adjust okay, how easy is it to find a good vet, pet sitter, etc...

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Cricket

Your visa will run from the date of issue, not the date of your arrival. So for example, if you apply get your visa in March, it will expire in March 2017 and you'll have to extend it if you want to continue living in the UK as you won't be eligible for ILR (permanent residency).

As for your supporting documents, you should try and get your originals. In order to get a certified copy of a document, a solicitor will ask to see the original, so you'll still need your originals.

The simplest way for your husband to join you is to apply as your dependent. The Entrepreneur visa is way more complicated and requires a lot more supporting documentation (and money!), so we would advise him to apply as your dependent. The term dependent doesn't mean that the applicant doen't earn their own money, it just allows family members to join UK Ancestry visa holders in the UK, so it's similar to spouse visa for temporary migrants. Also, since you have a son, it would really make more sense that you fill only one application and include your husband and son as your dependents.

Last thing, you'll have to start looking for a job before applying as you have to show that you intend to seek employment in the UK by providing proofs of your applications, etc.

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

Thank you very much. This is very helpful, I had no idea '5 years' started from date of visa issue and not arrival. When it comes time to apply for my ILR, is there a maximum one can extend the visa - i.e. more than 3 or 4 months? I don't want to wait too close to our planned departure and then have something delay us in the visa application, but if the process is faster than 3 months, and we have all the required paperwork, then it may make sense to wait a little longer.

Will follow your suggestion about submitting only the one application for all 3 off us and I appreciate the tip about looking for work. I will contact some job agencies and companies beforehand, and keep a record. Thanks again.

You should be fine if you arrive within 3 months as there's a discretion given to caseworkers to accept ILR applications that are short of 3 months or less but as it's a discretion and not a right we usually advise our clients who wish eventually to ally for ILR to arrive within one month of the date of issue.

The process is faster anyway. If you apply 6 to 8 weeks before your planned travel date, you should get your visa in time.

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