Lottie24

My husband (US Citizen) and I (British expat) are considering moving to the UK in a couple of years (maybe longer).

What would be the correct steps for me to take regarding moving back to the UK? I believe I would abandon my green card but I'd still want to be able to visit the US on holidays. Would I need to obtain the usual ESTA and then have my i-407 to show the immigration people at arrivals? Or is it more complicated than that?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Speedwell

Lottie, you'll find this part of the forum extremely helpful. Maybe one of the mods will even help out by moving your post there. http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=61

kins

If you've been in the US long enough then I would apply for US citizenship so that you don't have to go through the hassle of reapplying for a Green Card if you move back here again.

When I left the US the first time around I abandoned my Green card and came to the US on the visa waiver scheme, but now they have ESTA you would need to use that.

I never had any problems visiting the US once I'd abandoned the GC.

nun

To move back to the UK you should first make sure you have sufficient income or savings so that the UK immigration folks will give your husband a visa. Then you need to decide whether you want to abandon your Green Card or get US citizenship before you move. That is a tricky decision and will depend on your family circumstances, future plans and finances.

Lottie24

Wow, thank you all for your quick replies. I won't have been in the US long enough to get citizenship before moving back to the UK. But we intend to stay a few more years so we can save some money ($30k+). My parents are happy to sponsor us too. Thanks again.

dunroving

Have you looked on the sub-forum on the MBTTUK part of the site?

There are a few threads on the new reg's regarding bringing non-EU spouses into the UK. The sticky at the top is particularly relevant - you'll need to put the kettle on as it's a long one.

SanDiegogirl

Your parents won't be able to sponsor your US husband only YOU the British citizen can do that.

Rules have changed since July 2012 and there are financial requirements which you have to fulfill.

Read the following document to see how you can qualify:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/si...df?view=Binary

Basically you either need an income of 18,600 per annum either as new job or in conjunction with current job earning that amount or savings/investments if no income.

Since you only need three years as spouse of US citizen I don't see why you can't apply for citizenship before you leave the US if you don't intend to move to UK for another 2 years or so.

Bob

That's not going to be enough cash to sponsor the OH to the UK and they don't have joint financial sponsors anymore, so your parents won't be able to help.

coral11680

how long have you been there? I think you only have to be living there for 3 years to become a citizen when you are married to a US citizen. I would wait til you are eligible. I'm so glad I got my citizenship as I'm thinking of moving back there.

nethead

I think this only applies if you've been married for more than 5 years.

JAJ

No it doesn't.

Noorah101

5 years as a PR, unless you're basing the citizenship on marriage to a USC, in which case it's only 3 years as a PR.

Rene

nethead

I thought you had to have been married to a USC a certain length of time, in order to get citizenship after 3 years as a PR. Otherwise it was 5 years.

Speedwell

http://www.uscis.gov/us-citizenship/...es-us-citizens

You don't even have to be an LPR for 3 years if the USC spouse is stationed abroad in certain occupations for longer than a year and you intend to return with your spouse to the US after the expiration of the posting abroad.

Lottie24

This is great info everyone, and will really help in making our decision to move to the UK.

I've been here 2 years in April but have only had my green card since March 2013 (they forgot about me and were late sending it out).

Just so i'm clear, on the second bullet point - "Be a permanent resident (green card holder) for at least 3 years immediately preceding the date of filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization" - does this start from the date I received my first green card, or will it start from the date I receive my green card without the restrictions? I'll be getting my restrictions removed in March 2015.

If it's the former, then that should put me at qualifying for Citizenship in March 2016? If the latter, then March 2018 would be the earliest I could qualify.

Bob, that's a shock that my parents wouldn't be able to sponsor my husband. We all believed that would be okay. If $30k is not enough, do you know what figure we're looking at?

Thanks all!