Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

My parents just left after visiting us in the US and i'm really sad. My husband and I have talked about the possibility of moving to England in the near future, and right now I am thinking about it a lot because I miss my family so much. Apart from the fact that I am not yet eligible to apply for US citizenship and would prefer to have that before returning to the UK, my other concern is getting my husband there. We don't have a lot of money and we don't own any property, so how will this affect our appliication? I read something about proving financial stability and a place to live. We obviously had to fulfill a similar requiremnt for my PR application here in the US, and we mangaged by getting co-sponsers (plus I was already in the US), but I really don't know how the US to UK immigration works. Anyone have any experience with this? :unsure:

Thanks!

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

I have recently returned with my New Zealand husband from Australia.

First question. What jobs do both of you do?

As for accomodation, all we had to do was provide a letter from my brother in law stating he owned his home and was willing to give us a double bedroom in his house and provided evidence of it.

As for money, all you need to do is provide evidence that you have enough money to support yourselves until you find work. You do not have to have a fortune. Make a projected budget for yourselves for expenses you will incurr until you find work.

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

Well, at the moment I am just working as an administrative associate at an educational institution (though i'm working on a title change), and my husband is still a full time student (he will complete his degree next year). I have two degrees and plan to change to a different career path than my current one.

I'm glad to hear that you were able to get a letter from your brother-in-law concerning a place to live. I was hoping we could do that with my parents who are also willing to sponsor.

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

I am going through exactly what you are going through right now under the current laws and regulations and here are some links that I found helpful:

"One of the most important qualifying criteria is that you must be financially secure and have adequate accommodation arranged by the time your spouse or partner migrates to the UK on a settlement visa. You must assure the British government that you have the capacity to support the person you wish to sponsor and can afford to live in the UK with your family, including any dependents, without requiring any disbursements of public funds."

http://www.marriagevisahelp.com/inde...rriage-visa-uk


and:
http://www.immigrationboards.com/vie...ettlement+visa

We were advised that the documentation needed to prove accomodations are at the very least : an affidavit signed by th owner of the residence, a certified copy of the property deed, and offical documentation to prove the size of the dwelling. We were also advised that we would need the equivalent of at least 1/2 a year's income suitable for a family of 3 in the UK saved if we did not already have prior employment established upon on our arrival, and we must also provide proof of our education and credentials to establish that we were not employment "risks" once we arrived in the UK. HTH. :)

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

Thank you for the links - i'll check those out! I think we should be okay on the accommodation then - my parents own their home, which is a three bedroom residence, so there would be room for us to live with them until we found our own place. As for the savings, we'd have to work on that, or we might be able to find jobs before we arrive. Do we both have to find jobs, or can it just be one of us? Also, what do they consider a suitable income for two people?

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

Hi! I just got off the phone with an immigration advisor in London who's advice is pretty consistent with the others I spoke with. To answer your question about the employment issue: 2 jobs are obviously the most secure route, but if you are married- one will suffice as long as the earnings are adequate enough to support 2 people ( Which by the way- in the UK is not that much. I was getting quotes of 14,000-20,000 pounds annually for 2 adults depending on what part of the UK you are moving to. London will obviously be alot more.). I was reading your post as I was speaking to the advisor and asked him about the sufficient funds situation in case you did not have employment lined up (which would describe our situation). He said that he processed many applications that were successful where the applicants only had 5,000 pounds in funds , and he even processed apps where the applicants were granted visas with only 1000 pounds in funds. Every case is different and it all depends on your education and potential to be employed. Some occupations are alot more in demand than others. Why don't you go here:

http://www.oisc.gov.uk/

Check out the different advisors available, check out which ones offer free consultations (I was just speaking with an advisor from www.globalvisas.com), and speak to an advisor directly. You don't have to pay for their services to get the most basic questions answered and it will give you a piece of mind knowing you spoke with a professional who is up to date on all of the current rules, laws, and regulations. Good luck to you doll! ;)

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

The reason i asked about jobs is it depends what you do as to the availability of jobs. We had an easy ride because OH is a nurse.
I am not well enough to work, OH did not have a job to go to when we got here, but managed to find loads of job ads and several email communications from recruiters keen to offer him job interviews. This satisfied the visa people and it was granted, so in actual fact you DONT have to have a job set up just be able to show it is highly likely you can find work on arrival.

We only supplied evidence of enough money to support us for 3mths and it was accepted.


Also, I am the British citizen and was unable to work, yet it was also accepted that OH is the sole income earner. I did not have to have a job to support him at all.

I also discovered a little known piece of info. Where it says "no recourse to public funds" that only applies to the new migrant and NOT the British citizen.
If disaster strikes the Brit citizen is eligible for benefits help but not allowed to claim funds for the immigrant. I was told this when we applied for a nurses accomodation house in Sussex. They asked if we needed help to pay the rent up front. I said no, but she informed me that I was eligible to ask for it but not my husband :huh: You probably wont need it, but handy to know just in case!

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

Thanks for checking into that for me! :) The savings we would need does not sound as daunting now either! I think by the time we would apply, we'd have enough. Going home is looking much more possible now! :thumbsup:

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

That's a shame - OH was originally training to be a nurse! We could both get a variety of jobs with our degrees, particularly in business. OH is looking at government/political jobs out here, but I don't know what he would be allowed to do in England in those areas because he wouldn't be a citizen.

I'm glad to know about the benefits being available to me. It makes sense really. That's how it is here too. Even though i'm not eligible, OH is.

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

I hope it all goes well for you.

I remember worrying and fretting over it all so much! The good peeps on here will remember i suspect LOL :eek:
In the ned it isnt as daunting as it appears, although the form filling and gathering all the correct information is a pain in the rear.

I would start looking on UK job sites for hte kind of work you could both do when you get here and see how the job market is faring.

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

I think the thought of going through a similar process that we went through to get me PR status here was just stressful. Plus, when you feel homesick, the thought of just being able to get on a plane, go home, and never come back is a comfort. But it's not that easy, unless you want to leave your husband behind! lol

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

Has anyone felt homesick going back to the UK, as weird as that sounds, after living elsewhere? There are things I like about being in the US, and there are things that made me want to move from the UK in the first place, so I'm wondering how it will really feel to move back now.

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

well i can only tell you about my own experience,we were in OZ for seven years ,i was always homesick,left a great social life with family and friends and although we met some lovely people ,never got over being so far away from the UK.
i came back very two years and the feeling never went away ,alot of people said you will go back to the UK and be glad to go back to OZ that was not true for me.
We lived in Joondalup outside of Perth ,and although a lovely place, we found it too quiet, not the right place for me PERSONALLY,I felt like it had no soul
yes coming back was very daunting ,as we have risked it all and opened up a business ,but after the first few months ,which have been frantic as we have bought a house and set up a business and started our lives up again, we are starting to feel like we are living a life and seeing the UK through different eyes.
The parts i did not like are still here !! but the parts i do like outweigh them!.
Nothing in life is handed to you on a plate,you have to really work hard at it .
We really tried in OZ to make it work,but we were there for seven years and yet on Chrismas Day we really did not know what to do with ourselves,although we love being together as a family ,but we love socialising and now its great .
We have so many fiends that have welcomed us back and we are always busy .People do move on ,and you move on from them ,but good friends will always be there ,and that is what we have found,we are so happy being back .We still have our stresses, like anywhere but i wish i could have gone back a few months ago and met myself and told myself everything was going to be alright .!!!!!!!:)
I was having heart palpitations ,the last few weeks , felt quite ill with it,but then we were having alot of abuse from people telling us we were mad to go back .If only i could meet them now ............

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

Me too. I am new here, but have been reading everyone's experiences. Myself and my daughter moved to the US in '05 (I moved with work). Since then my daughter has moved back to the UK to go to university, I married a US citizen in 2007 and we are moving back to the UK no later than June of next year. We both just came back from the UK after visiting family and I really didn't want to to come back here. Still don't know where we will be moving to, but it will be the south east, family are there and daughter is at Brighton Uni. When I first came to the US I never imagined just how much I would come to miss the UK, but it has happened. It is great to read everybody's comments and invaluable information when you are embarking on the long drawnout process of getting the dog ready to go as well as the OH lol, so thankyou to everyone.

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

I get homesick for the States on a regular basis. :o

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

Glad to hear that after seven years abroad you are happy to be back in the UK! I have a UK friend living out here too, but in another state, so we don't get to see each other very often at all. She seems to be quite settled, but me not so much. I sometimes wonder if I lived closer to her, or just lived in a different area I might enjoy it more and feel more settled. I can relate to what you said about the place you lived being not right for you and having no soul - that's how I feel about this area.

I don't have any friends that would tell me i'm mad to go back, but I've often questioned myself on that matter. I feel lucky to have been given the opportunity to live here and even apply for citizenship one day, but with family not getting any younger, I wonder if it's worth it.

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

Sounds like we have been here around the same amount of time! I was telling my parents and my husband the other day that when I came out here in 2005, I wasn't expecting to meet and marry a USC and stay here. The prospect of spending a couple of years abroad while working on a degree seemed like fun, and I was open to all possibilities, but I assumed I would return after my degree. I came out here with one suitcase and left everything else at home. I still consider England to be home, but i've also come to see the US as a second home and I do think I would miss it, but probably not as much as I miss my family right now.

So, how did you handle getting your dog ready to move? I have two cats, so that's another concern I have about moving back to the UK. One of the cats get's upset traveling in a car, so i worry about putting her on a plane.

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

That's a long drawn out process too. There are quite a few threads here on the PETS process. I just started with my dog, he had his blood drawn for the rabies titre the other day, so now just have to wait at least six months! As far as the journey goes, there isn't too much choice, they have to go as cargo. I contacted BA the other week and they gave me a quote of $997, my dog weighs 10.5 lbs!!

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

If it's any consolation, Suzy (see photo, left) is a bad car traveller but did fine crossing the Atlantic (all three times!)

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

I really need some help myself, Ive been living abroad for 15 years. Im planning on coming back home, but what I keep hearing is very unsettling.:( It like we're not welcomed back into our country of birth, whats going on. In my case, I have not much family back home, my mom passed in Miami, so only elderly family members and a few friends left there. I will be able to stay at a friend for say a month, but I have been told that I have to take a HRT test. Habitual Residence Test, when i read what it was for, I knew things were'nt the same back home. But Im determined to come home, no matter what. :thumbsup:

If theres anyone out there that could help me with research as in Links to informative sites, regarding benefits, housing, etc. Dont worry Im not a sponger I do plan on getting a job but in the meantime could do with a little help. Plus I have saved up enough for a first month, plus deposit for a flat within my LHA range (1 bedroom flat self contained).

Thanks, and its so sad how we're not treated or should i say welcomed back into our own country, really sad.:(

I eagerly await your responses.........:thumbsup:

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

If it's just you coming back alone and you are a UKC then I don't think you have to worry. My understanding is that you can just go home. If you have a non-UKC spouse then you have a little more to consider, I think.

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

No its just me, i have no kids, but I was told that I have to apply for Jobseekers benefit but they will ask me to take the HRT, then if I pass I will get benefits, it not I will be screwed or appeal. I dont know whats going on. Like I said I have enough money for a first month and deposit. I am told that if I get accepted for HB, that they will pay my rent after a few weeks. Im confused, is there anyone that was away for 15 years, a UK Citizen by birth, who applied for benefits until they got on their feet.. If there is please tell me what experience you had returning and what you did, PLEASE IM RUNNING OUT OF TIME...........lol

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

It looks like you may not be eligible for all benefits immediately upon returning, but within a period of time (how long is not clear from what I've read) you should be eligible again. One place I read 1-3 months, but it's on a case by case basis. I bet there's plenty of info on this forum if you do a search, and maybe someone reading this will know more because they have already returned home. I'll let you know if I find out anything more!

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

Cuddles, I think as a UK citizen you'd agree that it wouldn't be right for any UK citizen to turn up, live on benefits for a few weeks, perhaps get some pricey medical care and then return home. The HRT is to prevent that. They simply want proof you're planning to stay. Have severed all links to previous residence etc.

None of this applies if you don't want benefits. We're returning soon, and we'll simple walk in. We'll get basic health care immediately. If you turn up in urgent medical need of something that hasn't just occurred, they want the HRT again.

That's as I understand it, and it makes sense to me.

Bev

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

thanks alot English Bride. I really appreciate the help. I have been searching for someone that was away like me, for 15+ years and with no children, to see what their experiences were but no answers as yet...........Im hoping to find that someone or those ppl, until then I will be biting whats left of my finger tips off...........lol

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

BEVM I totally understand what youre saying, I guess its a good way of prevent us UK citizens that come back for the benefits and run away again, but it is hard on us they genuinely want to come home to stay. Guess thats how the cookie crumbles.....are you returning as well, are you staying indefinately and if you are, what preparations have you made, not being nosey just need so info, thanks

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

If you were offered several hundred pounds for an hour or two of work, you'd hardly complain ... but that seems to be what you are doing. It's not "hard". I understand that coming back is stressful, but from what I have read on here, the HRT isn't that big a deal, it just involves a little work on your part to understand what is needed, and provide it.

I wouldn't be surprised if a few weeks after coming back, you are then complaining about how easy it is for benefit cheats to fool the system, why should UK expats be allowed to waltz into a hospital while on holiday and get free treatment, etc.

Take a deep breath ... it really isn't as big a deal as you think, and the relatively minimal work you have to do in order to demonstrate that you are not on a brief benefit-paid holiday from the States. It currently seems like a huge hurdle because you probably have a lot of other things to deal with at the same time. You won't change the system, but you can change the way you respond to the system ... relax and focus your energies on doing what you need to do in order to comply with the rules. There are lots of folks on here who have been through this and there is plenty of advice already on past threads - maybe try an Advanced Search for HRT on MBTTUK. Good luck!

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

We're returning from Canada, but we don't need benefits or jobs, so we're lucky that way. I'll keep working as a writer and my husband's retired. We won't have any property in Canada, so I don't anticipate any problems.

Other than our stuff eventually arriving safely and us having a place to put it by then! Two and a bit weeks to moving day. :eek:

Bev :)

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

Dunroving, what do you miss about the US. Just curious.

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

I do recall some of the issues that you endured while still out here. Sent a mail supporting your decision and now am so glad you are happy with your life there.
All too many people here have some weird thinking about what is best for another and then you get the other lot on line here that are too thick to argue the subject but go for the person.
And then the thread is closed when a response is called for.

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

Thanks Dunroving, I guess I am a bit too stressed, I will take your advice and a deep breath and do my best. Thanks to all you guys who offered advice and knowledge, its really nice to know that there are mature, kind hearted and decent folks back home, wish me luck.

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

Mark Twain said something along the lines of "There were hundreds of terrible events in my life. Some of them actually happened". His point was that we fret about terrible things happening and most of the time the fear and anticipation is far worse than the eventual reality (which often ends up being no big deal). So, be diligent, but don't be fretful. Remember Mark Twain!

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

In rough order of importance:

My history. Many folks talk about MBTTUK because they miss their old friends, where they grew up, etc. (their "history"). For me, my history in the UK growing up is something I'd mostly rather forget, and I have very little contact with friends and family (in fact most close family are dead and gone anyway). However, from a long period spent in the States, I have many memories of "growing up" as an adult, and lots of dear friends and people who I consider (and who consider me) as family, in particular two close friends who I consider to be brothers (and vice versa). Also, I have a very well-established professional history in the States, so when I go to conferences it is almost like a professional family reunion.

Professional integrity (in my profession at least, i.e., academia). Despite its definite shortcomings, working in academia in the US is a much more rewarding experience, underpinned by professional integrity and student respect. In the UK, especially my current position, it's more like working in a bad comprehensive school at times. I enjoy my job maybe 10% of the time, whereas in the States it was closer to 90% of the time.

Optimism and positivity. Take the p*ss all you like about Americans being naive and unaware, but I'd much rather be faced with optimistic naivety every day than glumness and cynicism. I enjoy intellectual sophistication, but in so much UK entertainment where the critics laud "gritty realism" I see "worship of misery and cynicism" There are days I simply can't watch the news because it seems they've hired people to think of the most disturbing words possible and the newsreaders seem to be trained in dramatic effect ("barbaric cruelty", "horrific injuries", etc., etc.) I know sh*t happens in the world but sometimes the UK media seems to revel in it rather than in the goodness that exists in the world.

Standard of living (this is related to my personal situation). After working my way through 6 years of grad school, then working and saving like a dog for 10 years, I was mortgage-free. In the meantime, the insane housing bubble here in the UK, in conjunction with the dollar/pound exchange rate explosion prior to 2006, I now find myself with a 25-year £165k mortgage (I'm 13 years from retirement). I could go back to the US today and be (almost) mortgage-free again.

Lastly, the weather in the States suits my lifestyle much better. The dreadful roads and persistent rain around Glasgow mean that I rarely ride my bike any more, whereas I used to ride 4-5 days a week, 200-400 miles every week, most of the year in the States.

There's other stuff, but these are major things. I already went over the word limit. ;)

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

If you're unhappy where you are, does it help to move to another state or city? Sometimes I think maybe I would feel happy in the US if I moved out of this town. I wonder if I want to go home to England right now partly because i'm not happy in this town.

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

I think this all depends on what you're fed up with in the first place... if it's only the place and not the rest of the package that comes with living in the US then yes... I just got fed up with not being able to travel like I used to in the UK, the crap holidays, expensive health service... missing British company, food, humour; shops, nightlife.. so no matter where I live in the states; that's not going to go away... :)

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

Well, let's just say that there's nothing in this town and if I had the chance I'd have moved to a different location in the States already. I miss my family in the UK more than anything else. But because I haven't really had the opportunity to move to the places in the US I really wanted to be all along, I feel like I can't know for sure that I wouldn't be happy living in one of those places. It doesn't help that I also hate my job and there aren't many opportunities for changing that here.

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

Where do you live now?

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

I would give it ago and have a bash at living in another part of the states. Know what you mean about the job situation.. that's how I feel here; I do feel very stuck in a rut, which is something that I had never experienced back in London. I would say try living somewhere else and then you'll have your answer. This is my second place in the states now (we lived in Miami before)and I'm realising that no matter where we live in the US, I'll still be pining for all those things I miss back home, despite Austin being a great city. :)

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

Have to agree with you here. This is my second place to live too. First was CA which I really quite liked. To me CA is more like a different country, than a different state. For the last 2 years I have been in Memphis - me and the south just do not go together! We were thinking of moving to another state but really I believe I would still be unhappy. Have friends here but they can't make up for my family, especially my daughter who is at Brighton Uni.

Re: Concerned about the process of moving back home
 

Yeah I had no idea it would be so difficult to be away from family and friends. I really regret not watching my niece and nephew grow up and all the weddings, births that we keep missing. I just have this constant feeling of missing out all the time.. Can't wait to get back!!