Want to move but cannot afford to move back any suggestions?
Feb 11th 2013, 9:53 pm
#91
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,100
Re: Want to move but cannot afford to move back any suggestions?
I might have been intended to prevent arranged marriages and the influx of those husbands and brides from India and Pakistan, but what it does is exactly what the original poster has found out- effectively exclude British Citizens who happened to have met and fallen in love with a foreigner from returning home without months of separation and or financial distress...sickening.
What's great about this forum is that at least we know we are not alone!
I am in almost exactly the same predicament as the OP. We decided as a couple, married for 17 years with an 11 year old daughter, that now is the right time to return to my country of birth. We started to look into how to do it at the beginning of this year, thinking that would give us time to sell our house (and net far more than £64k), arrange for everything we own to be shipped, to settle down in our family house (which we would start to pay the mortgage on so as to keep in the property game), and importantly for us, find a school where my daughter can get a good education (because that is not going to happen where I am now!).
Before I looked at the current laws-we'd looked a few years ago when we'd started considering a move back then- I assumed that being a Citizen, with an American wife and a child who is also a Citizen, that 8 months (ie. to arrive in the UK a few weks before school starts to get settled) would be far more than adequate to deal with matters!!!
Boy, how I was mistaken.
It is distressing, depressing, aggravating, misguided law making that catches innocent citizens in a wide net that is poorly designed to begin with. We truly are collateral damage. Dolphins in a tuna net if you will.
However, keep your chin up. Laws are made by people and can be changed, so even if right now it seems impossible, it isn't.
Good luck.
What's great about this forum is that at least we know we are not alone!
I am in almost exactly the same predicament as the OP. We decided as a couple, married for 17 years with an 11 year old daughter, that now is the right time to return to my country of birth. We started to look into how to do it at the beginning of this year, thinking that would give us time to sell our house (and net far more than £64k), arrange for everything we own to be shipped, to settle down in our family house (which we would start to pay the mortgage on so as to keep in the property game), and importantly for us, find a school where my daughter can get a good education (because that is not going to happen where I am now!).
Before I looked at the current laws-we'd looked a few years ago when we'd started considering a move back then- I assumed that being a Citizen, with an American wife and a child who is also a Citizen, that 8 months (ie. to arrive in the UK a few weks before school starts to get settled) would be far more than adequate to deal with matters!!!
Boy, how I was mistaken.
It is distressing, depressing, aggravating, misguided law making that catches innocent citizens in a wide net that is poorly designed to begin with. We truly are collateral damage. Dolphins in a tuna net if you will.
However, keep your chin up. Laws are made by people and can be changed, so even if right now it seems impossible, it isn't.
Good luck.
I want to go home to the UK so badly I can taste it; however, I am also getting a bit concerned about matters in the UK. What is going on with the immigration over there? I have been reading about complaints from the UK citizens because some of the animals killed for meat are not stunned before their are killed (halal meat!) - and so they should be! I never thought I would see the day when animal-loving Britain would do such a thing. Are there really so many immigrants over there that "our" British laws are being changed to accommodate them to the extent that it is destroying the British way of life? In my opinion, this is just not right! What other laws have changed because of all these immigrants? I have also read about immigrants sapping the welfare benefits dry over and above UK-born citizens.
I went to university in Scotland with students from many other countries. They were my friends and I accepted them gladly. But if they want to stay in "my" country, then they adhere to UK laws. UK laws should not change to accommodate immigrants.
Feb 11th 2013, 10:00 pm
#92
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: Want to move but cannot afford to move back any suggestions?
I believe that kosher and halal slaughter of animals has been permitted for a long time in the UK.
'immigrants sapping the welfare benefits dry over and above UK-born citizens' - entitlement to some benefits is based on residency rather than citizenship.
I think we should beware of lashing out at other immigrants in this fight.
'immigrants sapping the welfare benefits dry over and above UK-born citizens' - entitlement to some benefits is based on residency rather than citizenship.
I think we should beware of lashing out at other immigrants in this fight.
Feb 12th 2013, 2:53 am
#94
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2011
Location: Schenectady NY
Posts: 65
Re: Want to move but cannot afford to move back any suggestions?
No I need it to support my husband if I dont earn that amount or have 60 grand in savings he cannot apply for his visa because he is American and not an EU citizen.
Feb 12th 2013, 6:48 am
#95
Looking Around~
Joined: Dec 2012
Location: England
Posts: 1,550
Re: Want to move but cannot afford to move back any suggestions?
But a polish guy can bring his non EU wife to live with him in UK with 'ease' ? 0.o
But a uk citizen needs to have 64K to bring none eu husband/wife ?
The biggest load of horseshit ever
- makes me so angry i am on the verge to snap and go n attack Cameron or whoever made this rule up.Hopefully this 'rule' will change ASAP
Feb 12th 2013, 11:38 am
#96
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2011
Location: Schenectady NY
Posts: 65
Re: Want to move but cannot afford to move back any suggestions?
shite ain't it ? how old are you by the way ? im 25 and the UK govt expects me to have 64K in savings..... they must be having a right laugh...
But a polish guy can bring his non EU wife to live with him in UK with 'ease' ? 0.o
But a uk citizen needs to have 64K to bring none eu husband/wife ?
The biggest load of horseshit ever - makes me so angry i am on the verge to snap and go n attack Cameron or whoever made this rule up.
Hopefully this 'rule' will change ASAP
But a polish guy can bring his non EU wife to live with him in UK with 'ease' ? 0.o
But a uk citizen needs to have 64K to bring none eu husband/wife ?
The biggest load of horseshit ever
- makes me so angry i am on the verge to snap and go n attack Cameron or whoever made this rule up.Hopefully this 'rule' will change ASAP
Lol im 37 but still its such a stupid law it makes no sense......I never thought in a million years I would need to 'pay' for my husband to come to the Scotland with me. While the Polish guy that works with my brother can also have his family there for FREE and they get to claim benefits!!!! NUTS!!!
Feb 12th 2013, 12:02 pm
#97
Ping-ponger
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Dreich Alba
Posts: 12,006
Re: Want to move but cannot afford to move back any suggestions?
shite ain't it ? how old are you by the way ? im 25 and the UK govt expects me to have 64K in savings..... they must be having a right laugh...
But a polish guy can bring his non EU wife to live with him in UK with 'ease' ? 0.o
But a uk citizen needs to have 64K to bring none eu husband/wife ?
The biggest load of horseshit ever - makes me so angry i am on the verge to snap and go n attack Cameron or whoever made this rule up.
Hopefully this 'rule' will change ASAP
But a polish guy can bring his non EU wife to live with him in UK with 'ease' ? 0.o
But a uk citizen needs to have 64K to bring none eu husband/wife ?
The biggest load of horseshit ever
- makes me so angry i am on the verge to snap and go n attack Cameron or whoever made this rule up.Hopefully this 'rule' will change ASAP
(Maybe that's the whole Surrinder Singh route thing people have talked about ...?)
I know you are only kidding, but I'd be careful about posting threats to attack politicians on a public Web site. You never know where it will end up these days.
Feb 12th 2013, 2:56 pm
#98
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2013
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 7
Re: Want to move but cannot afford to move back any suggestions?
I have to say that I am shocked after reading these posts about this ridiculous law. I am a long way from even getting to a stage to be able to start any process of moving back to the UK but reading this is not the start to my research I was looking for. I will say one thing though, my experience over here in the US is that people don't take advantage of the resources available especially when it comes to getting their elected representatives to fight their case and I guess that is the same back in the UK. Everyone and that includes me needs to write, email and call their MPs to get something done about this. In fact, I would say that, if this law isn't scrapped, I probably will never be able to come home. My American wife has a rare bleeding disorder that forced her to quit her job and go on disability. I am lucky that I work 5 mins away from home and I have an understanding employer that allows me to attend to her when she needs me but moving to the UK ahead of my wife and kids in order to get around this law is a non-starter for me.
Question for you............It has been 14 years since I left Headingley, Leeds........I suppose it wouldn't make much sense to contact the local MP now there and instead I should just concentrate on the MP representing the area where my parents now live.....right?
Question for you............It has been 14 years since I left Headingley, Leeds........I suppose it wouldn't make much sense to contact the local MP now there and instead I should just concentrate on the MP representing the area where my parents now live.....right?
Feb 12th 2013, 3:34 pm
#99
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: Back in the UK!
Posts: 2,404
Re: Want to move but cannot afford to move back any suggestions?
I have to say that I am shocked after reading these posts about this ridiculous law. I am a long way from even getting to a stage to be able to start any process of moving back to the UK but reading this is not the start to my research I was looking for. I will say one thing though, my experience over here in the US is that people don't take advantage of the resources available especially when it comes to getting their elected representatives to fight their case and I guess that is the same back in the UK. Everyone and that includes me needs to write, email and call their MPs to get something done about this. In fact, I would say that, if this law isn't scrapped, I probably will never be able to come home. My American wife has a rare bleeding disorder that forced her to quit her job and go on disability. I am lucky that I work 5 mins away from home and I have an understanding employer that allows me to attend to her when she needs me but moving to the UK ahead of my wife and kids in order to get around this law is a non-starter for me.
Question for you............It has been 14 years since I left Headingley, Leeds........I suppose it wouldn't make much sense to contact the local MP now there and instead I should just concentrate on the MP representing the area where my parents now live.....right?
Question for you............It has been 14 years since I left Headingley, Leeds........I suppose it wouldn't make much sense to contact the local MP now there and instead I should just concentrate on the MP representing the area where my parents now live.....right?
Feb 12th 2013, 3:55 pm
#100
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2013
Location: Wesley Chapel, Florida
Posts: 111
Re: Want to move but cannot afford to move back any suggestions?
Lol im 37 but still its such a stupid law it makes no sense......I never thought in a million years I would need to 'pay' for my husband to come to the Scotland with me. While the Polish guy that works with my brother can also have his family there for FREE and they get to claim benefits!!!! NUTS!!!
Who knows whether these children even exist. Sometimes makes me wonder!
Feb 12th 2013, 4:08 pm
#101
WhiteRabbit
Joined: Dec 2004
Location: USA
Posts: 1,480
Re: Want to move but cannot afford to move back any suggestions?
I think it might depend on your MP as to whether they pay any attention to the concerns of an expat.
Feb 12th 2013, 4:11 pm
#102
WhiteRabbit
Joined: Dec 2004
Location: USA
Posts: 1,480
Re: Want to move but cannot afford to move back any suggestions?
It's not Singh. It's EU free movement and worker's rights. It's the same concept that allows a Brit to move to another EU country with their non-EU spouse.
Feb 12th 2013, 4:11 pm
#103
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2013
Location: Wesley Chapel, Florida
Posts: 111
Re: Want to move but cannot afford to move back any suggestions?
shite ain't it ? how old are you by the way ? im 25 and the UK govt expects me to have 64K in savings..... they must be having a right laugh...
But a polish guy can bring his non EU wife to live with him in UK with 'ease' ? 0.o
But a uk citizen needs to have 64K to bring none eu husband/wife ?
The biggest load of horseshit ever - makes me so angry i am on the verge to snap and go n attack Cameron or whoever made this rule up.
Hopefully this 'rule' will change ASAP
But a polish guy can bring his non EU wife to live with him in UK with 'ease' ? 0.o
But a uk citizen needs to have 64K to bring none eu husband/wife ?
The biggest load of horseshit ever
- makes me so angry i am on the verge to snap and go n attack Cameron or whoever made this rule up.Hopefully this 'rule' will change ASAP
Now, they have made taking your pets easier and easier - no quarantine, blood tests. Basically a microchip and rabies test and the correct documents.
For the humans who were born and worked there and their non-EU spouses - they have made it almost impossible to go back.
My husband whom I met in the Air Force loves England as much as myself. We have longtime friends and family there. The things we enjoy doing are there and they don't cost and arm and a leg to do them - also don't have drive hours and hours to get there. (It takes about 8 hrs just to drive out of our state and see anything even remotely different as far as scenery is concerned.
We live in Florida that may seem idylic to some, but it is a tourist place. For people like us who just live here, there is not much at all to do. We do not need to be entertained. The summers are so hot and humid we stay inside as much as possible in the summer. Winters arent much better -seems we either have the heat or AC on for the most part.
Feb 12th 2013, 5:38 pm
#104
Ping-ponger
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Dreich Alba
Posts: 12,006
Re: Want to move but cannot afford to move back any suggestions?
So, an EU citizen (resident?) has more rights to abode in the UK than a UK citizen? What is wrong with this government?
Feb 12th 2013, 5:57 pm
#105
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,022
Re: Want to move but cannot afford to move back any suggestions?
Crikey, I thought the rules were crazy, now I think they seem almost deliberately spiteful. It's like they are taking the p*ss out of UK citizens ...
So, an EU citizen (resident?) has more rights to abode in the UK than a UK citizen? What is wrong with this government?
So, an EU citizen (resident?) has more rights to abode in the UK than a UK citizen? What is wrong with this government?
A UK citizen can move back to the UK at anytime. The problem is the non EU citizen spouse (and children if they are not UKCs) of the UK citizen.