Update on Immigration status - married to Bajan
 

Hey guys,

An update on my stuation that may help others in the same position.

I married my Bajan husband nearly 2 years ago and applied for Citizenship a few months later on. Had a call from Immigration yesterday re a letter they sent me in January that was returned to them (not entirely sure why). Went in today to collect this letter and it was to grant me a 3 year permit to work and reside here whilst my citizenship is being dealt with... :thumbup:

The guy said that this is what they are doing now for recently married couples and my Citizenship will not be done until this this 3 year permit ends but that in the meantime it allows me to carry on and work here. The permit cost $800 BBDS.

Left Immigration walking on air, now to find a job...:rofl:

S

Re: Update on Immigration status - married to Bajan
 

That sounds like fairly good news, good luck with the job hunt!

Re: Update on Immigration status - married to Bajan
 

Good to hear some good news from immigration - good luck and update us when ya providing excellent customer service somewhere shines x

Re: Update on Immigration status - married to Bajan
 

Shines that is fabulous..


YEAH!!!

Re: Update on Immigration status - married to Bajan
 

Thanks guys!:D

Re: Update on Immigration status - married to Bajan
 

Great news!!!! Very happy for you, Shines!

Foxy

Re: Update on Immigration status - married to Bajan
 

Congratulations Suecell!

Good luck with the job hunt, its great news.

Re: Update on Immigration status - married to Bajan
 

That is indeed great news!!... I must give them a call and see if I can get the same now. It makes so much sense to be allowed work.... To be honest, that is all I care about at the moment, whenever citizenship is forthcoming doesn't bother me too much..... I hope this is a new policy that has come into effect, across the board, and not just something that was done on an officer's whim, in your case!!

Re: Update on Immigration status - married to Bajan
 

Well I had my letter saying the same at beg of Feb, I have been married more than 2 years.
After paying the $800 I was told that an official document will be raised which doesn't take long at all. Does anyone know how long not long is in Barbados???? lol I'm still waiting and apparently need this document for an NI number.
I too am very happy with this result....:D

Re: Update on Immigration status - married to Bajan
 

If my experience with my citizenship is any indicator-- the time from receiving the notice to paying the money was as fast as I could drive there-- the time however until getting the photo document was about 3 months. This was 2 years ago.

I would suggest that you go with the document that you have now, associated receipts and all of your citizenship documentation and go over to NIS and see what they will do for you. Your NIS ID is directly linked to PAYE and taxes, the National ID is linked to the electoral board for voting registration, and as well, I believe they use the photo certificate from immigration to verify your identity before giving you a Barbados ID. NIS is in the business of collecting revenue, ie, if you want to work and pay taxes they will take the $$$.

NIS is pleasant and they move fast, it's worth a shot...GL!

Re: Update on Immigration status - married to Bajan
 

Hey Zanne,

Nice to see you back and thanks for the advice, I will take a trip to see them!

S

Re: Update on Immigration status - married to Bajan
 

Hey Shines, thanks! I lurk around these days and don't say much! But I know what you all (who are now in the same boat as I was 2 years ago) are going through so I feel like it is important to help when I can.

Re: Update on Immigration status - married to Bajan
 

I was in Immigration today to renew my visa extension. I enquired about this new visa for people in the "citizenship by marriage" process. Unfortunately, I can't get it yet :( . They are working their way up the line and are still only dealing with people who made their applications in 2007!! Could be a while before they get to me (having only made the application 3 months ago)..... Disappointing!!.... But at least I know I will get it eventually...... They said they will be sending out letters to people who they are ready to deal with.... So keep watching the post!!

Re: Update on Immigration status - married to Bajan
 

I applied for citizenship in August 2008 so you may be closer than you think ;)

Re: Update on Immigration status - married to Bajan
 

I applied in August 2006 and got my citizenship in May 2008, so I have hard time believing they have only gotten to 2007 in the last 2 years.

Re: Update on Immigration status - married to Bajan
 

Congrats shines and tizzy01. Have u already done the interview here in Barbados? Just wondering, I also hope to hear from them soon. Gud luck with the job hunt.

Re: Update on Immigration status - married to Bajan
 

Nowhere near the interview stage yet. This is just an interim permit to allow newly weds to work here for 3 years.

The guy at Immigration said that my 3 year wait for citizenship begins again from the date on the letter they sent me about this permit, not from the date I originally applied for my Citizenship. So hopefully 3 years from now I may be at the end of this process.

Although then we have to follow the process for my UK born daughter to my non-bajan first husband. The same guy at Immigration told me that she has to remain on a student visa until she is 18 and then she can apply for status herself as an adult, they will take into account at this stage the fact she will have lived here for 16 years (by then) and that her step father, mother and sister are Barbadian Citizens.

Then again who knows what the rules will be in a year from now ;)

Re: Update on Immigration status - married to Bajan
 

Wow Shines, I didn't know that we had another 3 year wait from this letter!! That sucks.....at least we can work in the meantime though.
Have you had your official document through yet and did you try NIS yet?
Tizzy