swilt170571

Thank you, we initially would not have any continuing income when moving to USA as we would both be leaving our UK based jobs. So in terms of savings I think we possibly can scrape it, and if I can use my house as well, even without selling it then financially that side should be fine...

ian-mstm

You'll want to get an appraisal of its value from an estate agent so that you have an accurate idea of its value.

Ian

Noorah101

And don't forget it's only the equity in the home that counts.

Rene

Pulaski

Personally, I would knock say £5,000 off the value for closing costs to sell it and wouldn't recommend relying on more than 90% of the value of the property.

So say the estate agent says the market value of the house is £205k, and the mortgage is currently £120k, knock off the £5k for closing costs, then take 90% of the value, so £180,000, then deduct the mortgage, leaving net equity of £60,000.

swilt170571

Hi All,

I meant to ask previously, when applying to move over to USA with Family, and once the request is approved (hopefully) do you have a set time to get yourself over there?

Example I apply today, it takes x months to get approved do they insist we then only have x amount of time to get over to America and register what ever we may need to there to say we have arrived?

I know when my Wife came this way (into UK) she had something like 20 odd days to get here once her visa was approved so it was hell of a rush!...

Thanks in advance

civilservant

The visa is valid for 6 months from the date of the medical. The earlier you have the medical, the sooner your issued visa will expire.

swilt170571

Thank you....

"Plan at the moment" is to try to move after Daughter finishes A Level and Son GCSE both June 2018, so need to plan a good start time to start the application process....

Regards
Simon

swilt170571

Happy New year everyone. I cant believe how old my thread is time fly's.

So now I am getting closer to having to make serious decisions on our future. Ideally I wanted to move California this year but realistically it may have to wait a little longer but I am looking at all those options now.

Just to summarise

My Wife is American working here in UK as a Teacher.
My Children who will be 16 and 18 this year are not hers.

Can anyone recommend if the above quote is still valid for applying to move to USA for my wife, me and the kids?

Previous thread discussed that my wife would need to be my sponsor, she probably wont have a job when we initially move over there nor a massive amount of savings. I will have savings that would cover the costs, plus in theory a good chunk of equity in my house. Would the savings need to be in her bank? Even though if we got divorced courts laws in this country wouldn't care whos name they were in! any further advice / knowledge as always is greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Noorah101

The process is the same, but the kids may age out (something for you to look into).

Assets are considered joint, and need to equal 3x the amount lacking in income.

Rene

swilt170571

Hi yes its the kids I was worrying about if its 18 or 21 as mentioned earlier in the thread. i dont think i have found a definitive answer on the US Websites that I have been looking at... :-(

swilt170571

o it looks like it is 21! god knows why i hadnt spotted that before! :-(

https://www.uscis.gov/family/family-...nent-residents

Pollyana

I know this got mentioned way back in the thread, but I'm not sure if you picked up on it - your wife should seriously consider getting UK citizenship before leaving. Her Spouse Visa will expire,and if you ever want to move back to the UK you will have to sponsor her all over again - which is no easy feat these days.
Please give it some serious thought.

swilt170571

Hi - Yes it is something I remember. Do you know how long she has to be in this country (UK) before applying for it?

tom169

https://www.gov.uk/becoming-a-british-citizen

scrubbedexpat099

Assets need to be easily realisable.