Family immigration for family of person with Right of Abode from Russia

[timarkovich]

Ok, I've read section D. I understand. Thanks

[JB007]

Thanks for the guide. I'm looking at it now

Some people on here will be able to calculate how much savings you need to sponsor your wife and 2 children, which is why CR001 asked how much you had and told you about the 16k not counting. She wasn't being nosey. she was trying to help you. And they will know what savings count and how you can add to that to make the requirements under that category, using other sources (not self employment).

The self employment route is more complicated, but there should be others on here who will know that too.

The 3 visas and 3 Immigration Health Surcharge will not be cheap. You have been given the links to those.

[timarkovich]

Thanks. It's clearer now after I've read Section D

[JB007]

Thanks. It's clearer now after I've read Section D

Yes, you need to choose your financial route, which is one of the requirements for a visa.

And the reason the fist £16,000 cannot be used, is that the UK's low income welfare benefit is called Universal Credit and that has a cut-off of 16k.

Did you read that your wife will also need to meet the English requriements?

[timarkovich]

I have around 100,000 in savings

[timarkovich]

Yes, I did read about the English requirement. My wife speaks excellent English. How is that proven to the government?

[CR001]

Yes, I did read about the English requirement. My wife speaks excellent English. How is that proven to the government?

She needs a minimum A1 English test from a UKVI test provider.

https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa/knowledge-of-english

[timarkovich]

Thanks, and children?

[CR001]

The English requirement is only for applicants who are between 18 and 65 years of age, as the link explains.

[JB007]

I don't quite understand about the length of the visa. could you possibly explain?

Your wife's visa will be for 33 months. Then before that expires, she applies for a second visa which will be for 30 months. At 5 years, she can then apply for ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) and then British citizenship.

If the amount required is calculated per year, you multipy that by the length of the visa. You do that with your savings for the savings route too.

The same with the the Immigration Health Surcharge, the amount needed per year for their first visas, will be mulitipied by 3.

[timarkovich]

Thanks for all your helpful information. My children are still in school, and so I'd like to be settled in the UK by mid-August. From your experience, is this possible, or out of the question?

[CR001]

It is possible.

However, if you are putting them into state schools, there is a process involved. For example, my daughter was out of school for 4.5 weeks once she arrived due to school capacity issues and no places available. Plan accordingly.

[timarkovich]

Thanks for the heads up. I'm trying to find out now about applying in advance for a state school. Do you need to already have the Family Visa before you can apply for a school?

[CR001]

You need proof of address in the UK and in my daughters case, they needed proof of visa and passport.

We had to apply through the Council and list the schools in order of preference and then wait for a school to confirm a place.

[timarkovich]

I understand.

[anna105]

It seems everyone who has already applied for a family visa is today receiving an email from the home office extending the standard waiting time for visa from 12 weeks to 24 weeks. I would be surprised if you were able to get visas before schools start in September. Sorry

[timarkovich]

Thanks for that last piece of information. Impossible for us to stay in Russia for at least another 6 months. So another question: If my family and I move to another country temporarily, would it be within the rules to apply to the British Embassy in that country for a Family Visa, even though my wife is Russian? Thanks

[secret.simon]

If my family and I move to another country temporarily, would it be within the rules to apply to the British Embassy in that country for a Family Visa, even though my wife is Russian?

To the best of my knowledge, you can apply from any country where the applicant has a right of residence. The applicant should not be on a visit visa in the country from where they are applying for a British visa for.

But I am not certain on these details. Wait for others to respond further.

[timarkovich]

Can anyone else possibly clarify this? I don't want to drag my family to another country and then find out I can't apply for a Family Visa because we're not in Russia.

[AmazonianX]

Can anyone else possibly clarify this? I don't want to drag my family to another country and then find out I can't apply for a Family Visa because we're not in Russia.

Take note of the right of residence where you are headed to.

[Casa]

The advice is correct that your wife will be unable to submit a Settlement Visa application from a country where she is on visitor status.

[vinny]

Moreover, waiting times:

UKVI is prioritising Ukraine Visa Scheme applications. Applications for family visas may take up to 24 weeks to process.

[timarkovich]

Thanks again for all your help. Basically, we're up the creek without a paddle. Can't stay here because it's too dangerous. But can't get into UK because my wife has to apply from Russia. I have tried to contact UKVI but it's impossible too. Paid 2.74 to email a question, but was told they don't answer personal questions. Could anyone offer any advice? Is there any way around this ridiculous regulation? Thanks

[vinny]

Applying for a visa if your visa application centre (VAC) is closed

If your VAC is closed due to coronavirus restrictions, you can apply online and select a VAC in another country worldwide to submit your application and biometrics. You’ll need to make sure you’re permitted to travel to that country beforehand.

You’ll be able to make any type of UK visa application. You must select the country where you would like to submit your biometrics at the start of your application.

This concession has been extended to 30 June 2022.

If you’ve already submitted your application through Access UK and now intend to submit your new application at a different VAC from the one selected in that application, you’ll need to make a new application and select the VAC where you’ll submit your application.

I suspect they may be as flexible because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine? There may also be options to keep the passports after biometrics so that travel elsewhere before the decisions is possible.

[timarkovich]

Thanks for your response, Vinny. Is it possible to contact anyone in UKVI to find out if there is any flexibility?