HI,
I live in Japan and recently got married to a Japanese national. We want to settle in the UK and because I'm British my husband has left the planning to me
I don't have a clue! I've had a look on the UK visa site on the net but as far as I understand for my husband to get a spouse visa I need to be 'present and settled' in the UK meaning I should be living, working and prove I have money there. I don't, and I don't want to leave my husband behind in Japan for any length of time. Is there any way we can move over to the UK together?
I really need some help. I don't know many people from the UK over here and the consulate here in Osaka weren't overly helpful.
Thanks C.

Try the uk-yankee site.

It's for Yanks moving to/living in the UK, but it has a very useful forum on the process of bringing a spouse to the UK.

It's also OK if you intend to settle with your husband in the UK at the same time (that's my situation). You fill in the same application form although some of the questions are clearly aimed at couples who are physically separated. Like 'When did you last see your partner'...ummm, this morning! When you write your letter supporting the application, make sure that you write that you intend to move together to the UK and settle there and that you intend to live together as a married couple in the UK.

You DO need to prove that you have enough money to support yourselves and that you will have somewhere to live. If you have savings in Japan, that'll be good. If you or your spouse can get a job offer, that'll also help. If not, you can also show that you can get a job when in the UK, like with CVs, qualifications, enquiries to agencies etc. Apparently, what's not allowed is third party support which seems really unfair to me. Where are you intending to live in the UK? Do you have any property? Will you be living with family?

Thanks for that advice! It's really really hard to find people who can help over here.
We're planning to move to London or if either of us is offered a decent job somewhere else we'll consider it, but London is my home town and it'll be much easier to look for somewhere to live there for me.

The reason I asked abotu where you'll be living is that you have to PROVE that you'll have somewhere to live. What they're scared about is that you'll land and declare yourself homeless or something like that. So if you are going to live temporarily with friends/family, then you need to provide them with a letter from the owner/tenant plus proof of ownership/tenancy. You also need to pay reasonable rent even if you're living with your parents because you're not allowed third party support!! If you'll be staying in a hotel, then you need to show that you have enough money to cover all your expenses.