Can my partner live in the UK with me

[catfrances 3]

Hi all,

Does anyone know if my partner could live in the UK with me for a couple of years. I am a permanent resident of the USA and I am British. I will be applying for my USC so I can leave the USA for more than a year but wanted to know if my partner would be able to come with me if we are not married. He is American and we have a 2 month old baby together.

Many thanks!

[Boiler 43,434]

UK does not require you to be married so yes you could sponsor him.

[yuna628 9,528]

Spousal and partner immigration to the UK is as follows: You're also going to need to come up with a steady income of £18,600 and have that income for at least 6 months, or savings held for 6 months of £62,000 + an additional amount or so for each child you have. The USC will be unable to just come with you and adjust status from within the UK without having a visa and clearance to do so. So they will need to remain separated from you while you meet the requirements exclusively and file the paperwork. No co-sponsourship is allowed. Once the visa is obtained, the ability for the USC to remain in the UK is a multi-length process.

Edited August 21, 2016 by yuna628

[catfrances 3]

Spousal and partner immigration to the UK is as follows: You're also going to need to come up with a steady income of £18,600 and have that income for at least 6 months, or savings held for 6 months of £62,000 + an additional amount or so for each child you have. The USC will be unable to just come with you and adjust status from within the UK without having a visa and clearance to do so. So they will need to remain separated from you while you meet the requirements exclusively and file the paperwork. No co-sponsourship is allowed. Once the visa is obtained, the ability for the USC to remain in the UK is a multi-length process.

Thank you, you always seem to have the correct in-depth answer.

Do you also happen to know,

if I get my USC am I still eligible for all my UK benefits that I would naturally have if living back in the UK? I am going to post the question, but thought i would ask as you are so helpful.

I am British but was not sure if becoming a USC would affect that in anyway.

Thank you so much!

[Boiler 43,434]

Uk Benefits cover a large area, so I will say mostly.

[catfrances 3]

Thanks for the responses. I just want to make sure I am not missing something,

Is there any other way for my partner to move to the UK with me and my daughter instead of being separated for at least 6 months? She is only 11 weeks old and for me to go home and work full time is going to be tough if he has to stay in America. I understand the sponsorship but there must be another way if a baby is involved?

Could I stay in America and wait with him or do i need to work in the UK alone.

Thank you.

[*Snowdrop* 603]

Are you currently working at a job which meets the income requirement and have held that job with the same company for 6 months or more than one company for the last six months?

If yes, and you have a confirmed job offer for a job which meets the income requirements in the UK which will start within 3 months of your return

THEN you can apply for the visa so that all come back at the same time.

Or if you have assets which meet the requirement then you can apply.

If you are still a little way off needing to move then you could find a US job which meets the requirements - do it for six months - get a job offer in the UK which meets the requirements and you'll be able to avoid splitting up.

Or if you can save the required assets amount before you need to leave? Will you be selling a house in the US for example?

[JFH 12,189]

I don't think it's any different if there is a child involved, unfortunately. The K-1 and CR-1 processes for the USA are no quicker if you have children than if you don't.

Edited August 31, 2016 by JFH

[catfrances 3]

Thanks Trellick,

I am have been working in the US at the same company for the past 4 years, I do not have any job lined up in the UK yet. I am thinking of my options before I start any process. We are also renting in the US and do not have any house to sell or the assets they need prior. I am also on maternity leave right now and so not earning, which makes it hard to save.

Thanks for the advice...

[*Snowdrop* 603]

Well if you meet the income requirement with your current company, all you have to do is get a firm offer in writing from a UK employer also meeting the income requirements and you will be able to apply for the visa for your partner without leaving him behind.

And I say 'all you have to do' tongue in cheek as I know that isn't an easy thing to get hired while still living in a different country.

And of course that's currently - keep an eye on the rules in case they change before you move.

Also start saving - the visa process itself is pretty expensive now in the UK

A great resource a bit like this site is http://talk.uk-yankee.com - lots of help on there with people who are up to speed on all the visa requirements

[catfrances 3]

THANK YOU!!

[yuna628 9,528]

Keep in mind if you are using US job income to meet the £18600 requirement, you're going to have to make sure it meets the currency conversion which is approaching about $25,000 these days. Its one thing to have met those stateside, but quite another to then find a UK employer to want to hire you from abroad at that same exact level and find also find a place for you three to stay. Keep in mind that these rules are tough for a reason, they may be subject to change in the wake of the May administration and Brexit, and it is still currently subject to challenges in the UKSC. It's a process you need to read over carefully and there is never a guarantee. Once accepted though, keep in mind if you intend to live there with your family on a long basis, the process continues on for many years regarding their immigration status... so fulfilling requirements and paying for each change of status will be needed. I believe there would also be the health surcharge involved for the immigrant as well.