Originally Posted by verystormy

As you are over the maximum age for all of the permanent visas, all you are going to get is a 457 or what ever its replacement is. That means a temp visa, at the end of which you have to move back. But, it comes as well with a big bag of issues. These include:
If your kids reach university age, they will be treated as international students. But, when you return to the UK, they would have to be home 3 years or be treated as international students in the UK.
A number of states charge 457 kids for education - it can be a lot
Partners of 457's can have issues getting work
The visa is tied to the employer, so lose your job and you have a very small window to find another company willing and able to sponsor (not every company can or will) or leave the country.


Also, the fact you have "persuaded" your wife now is a worrying comment. Emigrating can be an incredibly stressful thing to do and it has claimed more that one marriage. Doing it when one party has had to be persuaded into it can cause BIG problems down the line