JAJ

Yes. And there is currently no formal passport control on leaving the US anyway.


Correct. And if you have been married for 4 years then it would be better to apply for the settlement visa now, as from 1 April only a 2 year temporary visa will be issued (further costs involved to switch to settlement in the UK).

THEGREATIDIOT

Cheers, buddy. It's nice to know at least one other person actually "gets it". I never thought it would turn out like this! Now I just wish we'd never come in the first place, frankly.

Forres

Best of luck returning. I lived in the US for four years and did'nt like it that much. Moved back home to the UK and did'nt like that much too. I opted for Europe instead. The UK does'nt really have that much to offer.

snowbunny

Do things one step at a time. The children's passports will cost money, but I would get them first if you can't come up with the $520 before 1 April. (What a terrible day to have a rule change.)

I know your pain as it cost quite a lot to get my Dutch husband's US visa. Treat it just like any other moving expense and save for it.

Is your eldest in school yet? Could anyone watch your youngest while you work even a part-time job? Any money you make could go to savings for a move. Being a mother to two small children is a stress and can make anyone feel trapped.... try as best you can to have some time to yourself, even if it's half an hour while hubs looks after the kids.

Take any big job or expense and try to cut it into smaller pieces to tackle one at a time. Make sure you have *some* me-time, and that you have people to talk to. Obviously we're here, but some in-real-life folk would be good too. Even if they wouldn't understand your longing to move, everyone appreciates the compromises and having to make to with less, that come from being married and having kids. Unless you have rich friends, in which case ask for a personal loan and conveniently forget to tell them you're leaving the country!

Best of luck.

Englishmum

Yes - regarding your children it is certainly the best way for them to use their British passports when they enter the UK and entirely legal and proper to do so (after all they are British citizens too!). You certainly don't want them getting something like entry for 3 or 6 months only if they come in on their US passports since they're not tourists!

As long as they leave and enter the US using their US passports there is nothing to be concerned about.

davispigeon

"I never gave up hope,even though as a teenager coming to this country,I cried myself to sleep most nights"

Yikes...sounds just like me at age 14 when I had to stay in the US with my mum rather than going home to my grandparents in the UK.

Finally, 25 years later, I have a plan for moving back to the UK.
Good luck, love.

JAJ

It is also strongly recommended to obtain British style birth certificates for the children:
http://www.britainusa.com/sections/a...=41016&a=25315

argyl1

I can't find any articles that say you can't obtain a UK Settlement Visa after April 1.

argyl1

We have applied for both US and British passports for the children. I don't need to get British style birth certificates for the kids. I was informed that a UK passport is all I need to proof their UK citizenship.

argyl1

Thanks.
I hope that you make it back.
I wish you all the best with your plans.

Bob

but there handy to have, if you lose your passport, later on in life, you won't have any proof of citizenship and then it becomes a major hassle...much easier to just suck it up and get the birth cert now.

davispigeon

argyl1: thanks.
We're waiting until my USC hubby retires (November 2010) then we're moving to England! I am terrified that I won't be able to find work. I have a PhD but I work for the government and it seems like once you've worked for the government, you are rendered unfit for work anywhere else. Especially with an advanced degree. It's kind of disheartening: I look at tons of job ads and I'm just not qualified for most of them. Maybe I'll end up as a shopgirl. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

JAJ

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/abo...tionofnewrules

Download the document linked therein. Question 45 has the confirmation you are looking for.

Regarding your children's birth certificates. Don't believe Embassy officials telling you "not to bother". They won't be there to sort out the mess if your children later in life need to replace their passports in a hurry and can't prove their citizenship.

gardnma

Only if you have adopted the bad habits of Govt workers.......
I worked for Govt Contractors for 5 years (very safe ones, so basically the same environment.....or close to it)
First job out in the "real world" was a horrific shock ........ actually had to do real work and fast too...... Panic struck fast.
Once over the adjustment, its nice now as you aren't bound by the cr@p which goes along with that environment ...... then again I left Govt work because of what you said ........ it makes it hard for you to be employed otherwise ...... but you can be. Depends on field too, natch........

davispigeon

Gardnma: it's hard NOT to turn into a slug when you work for the government. I can't tell you how many times I've been told by my superiors to SLOW DOWN.
I'm in a pretty specialized field so I'm trying to branch out in order to be more employable in the UK.