I am a UK Citizen. My husband is a USA Citizen. My husband has decided he wants to retire in the UK . Do we need to apply for a Settlement visa?

Thanks,
Kath58

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Spouse_Immigration-UK

Yes and you must apply outside of the UK, you cannot go there and apply once there. However you can pay an expediting fee of around $300 extra (it's pretty pricey anyway, I think something like $1000) and get the visa in about a week, but he'll need to go and get his biometrics done (the UK Government has contracted local USCIS offices to do the fingerprinting and photographing).

Don't take any notice of the English language requirement as this does not apply to US citizens.

So do I have to apply to Washington DC.

Thank's for the information.

Kath58.

Kath, Elvira's link is a good starting point, and this one as well.
http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?board=17.0

You need to start the process online, as mentioned check the link provided. Washington don't issue visas, I think only NYC, LA and Chicago do but you have to apply via the website, not directly to those offices.

When were you thinking of applying? Only I noticed you have furkids to bring to the UK. The rules on importing pets are changing from January so you might want to wait until then.

However UK immigration rules are highly likely to be changing in April, making things tougher, therefore I suggest moving between the pet rules changing and the new visa rules changing to get the easiest deal overall.