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Introduction and looking for some info : )
Hello! My name is Amanda and I was referred here from TheKnot.
I am an American citizen getting married to a UK citizen on 3 June 2012. After the wedding I am moving to England to live with him. He has never lived here and I have never lived there, and both of us are natural citizen in our respective countries.
We were originally planning on living in the US, and had almost completed the fiance visa for that, but we decided to cancel that visa and move me to England instead. We are still getting married in the US because my famly is so much bigger than his.
Can anyone give me any information about moving to England to join your spouse? We have looking into it, but honestly all the leagal offical sounding language is very intimidating. From what I've been able to figure out from research, it sounds like I just go to England with him after the wedding and then apply for that 2 year probation period thing after I enter the country. Then if I get approved, I can look for a job and settle in, but if I get declined they send me home - is that right?
I would really love to hear some stories from anyone that has gotten married in the US to a British citizen then moved to England. It's so confusing trying to figure out what needs to be done, and it would be so great to hear from someone that has experienced it first hand!
Thanks in advance!!!
Re: Introduction and looking for some info : )
Hello and welcome!
I don't have much time to respond at the mo, but basically, you can't just hop a plane after the wedding - you need to apply for your visa in the US (it took us 2 weeks in total from wedding to ready to get on the plane). You will need your wedding cert, posted up with the visa app to the consulate, and they'll process it pretty quickly, post it back, etc, and then you can fly to the UK with the visa in your passport. It'll be 2 years in the first instance, with the ability to work, etc, but not claim benefits (you still have access to the NHS, and child benefit, thru your H). After 2 years you apply for ILR, your perm visa.
Sorry - I've got to go feed the baby! Good luck!
I'm so glad you saw my post as some of the other girls info just didn't apply. We are very helpful over all here.
Anyway you will need to apply from the US and get approved while still in the US. Then you move to the UK. Going back to your original question you can change your name first, but this will set you back a few weeks, which I personally would not do.
Just wait to you get to the UK change it here and carry both passports.
Something I didn't know when going through one of my visas is you can pay someone to do it in a day. It's about $100 from the US. WELL worth it IMO. I waited 8 weeks with no news before finding out about this option. I then back tracked and used this and it was so much happier.
As soon as you get here you will be able to work, get the NHS etc. You will not be able to get benefits. After 2 years if the laws do not change you will be able become a permeant resident and a year later you will be able to become a citizen.
I wrote back to you in the other post. I met my H here, I moved here to teach and met him 6 weeks later. I have been here almost 4 years and the wedding was this past May.
Bio
Welcome! I am an American citizen, married to a Brit, we had our wedding in Atlanta, lived in London for 3 years (had our son there), then moved back to Atlanta. Where in Atlanta are you?
Everyone else is correct, you have to apply for your visa in the US before you can move over to the UK.
As far as the passport goes (your post on the Knot asked this I believe) you can travel to the UK on your passport with your maiden name, all that matters is your passport and ticket match, so just book your ticket with your maiden name. But keep in mind then that your visa will be in your passport with your maiden name. If you want to change your name you will have to legally do it with the ss office, get a new passport, then apply for a UK visa, which will definitely add several weeks.
Wow, what a coincidence!! I'm just OTP North near a place called Canton : ) Maybe some time we could meet up? I'd love to meet with someone in such a similar situation as me.
Thanks to everyone for the wonderful advice and the warm words of welcome. I'm looking forward to posting here more often : )
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