Immigrating to the UK

[Priapus]

Strictly speaking, it should be your money. You need to be in control of the funds for 9 month* and provide proof of the source of the funds. Profits from a house sale can make up part of the funds but is exempt from the 9 month* period.

As I understand it, they scrutinise the proof of savings because people exploit the process by “borrowing” from a family member then once the visa is issued send the money back to the next family member.

*I forget what the exact period is.

It can be a “gift” from family, too. The money can be from any legal source. The only three strict requirements are:

1. It’s in yours, your partners or a joint account
2. It’s in the account for 6 months or more
3. It can be accessed immediately with or without penalties

The current amount needed is £88,500 - which is circa R2 bar.

 

[Paul Kemp]

It can be a “gift” from family, too. The money can be from any legal source. The only three strict requirements are:

1. It’s in yours, your partners or a joint account
2. It’s in the account for 6 months or more
3. It can be accessed immediately with or without penalties

The current amount needed is £88,500 - which is circa R2 bar.

We went this route. Point I failed to make is that the checks are in place to weed out sketchy “borrowing”. But it still happens.

I could share an anecdotal evidence of a commonly used sketchy practice but it would infuriate @AstroTurf
“The boats” are just part of the problem with our brethren from the continent.

 

[Priapus]

I would be slightly more inclined to agree with you if both the sponsor and spouses incomes were taken into account but they are not.

It’s a chicken and egg situation. The applicant’s income cannot be counted, because they cannot get a job without a visa.

What I do disagree with, is the relevance of the sponsor’s current income - what difference does it make if they were earning R0 or R60k a month?

As long as they have a job that meeting the MIR, starting writhing 3 months of getting to the UK, that’s all that matters. How is previous income abroad relevant?

You end up with many strange situations like the one we find ourselves in. My wife ended up going through several career changes just to get to the point where she can earn the MIR only for it to add another 14 to 16 months to the timeline before I might be allowed to apply for a visa as she is now considered "self employed".

Thats rough; stay strong though - April is close now!

Where about in the UK are you moving to?

So now we are in a situation where I am looking after our (British by Descent) children till April when they will fly over (this was the time I would have also flown over if it was not for the MIR change). I will then move in with my wife's parents so that I can send the money saved on rent + petrol to my wife and children or save a bit more for when I am finally allowed to move over or for the likelihood that the Cost of the Visa and NHS fee will increase before then.

The fees are unlikely to increase; if they do it will only be July or August I suspect.

Anyway, 3 British Citizens and the 3 people I care for the most on this entire planet will be suffering financially for at least the next 6 to 8 years for me to be allowed to live with my family, I feel guilty about it then I remind myself that it is not me that created this ludicrous profiteering visa system.
For interest, this is the cost for the first visa (It needs to be renewed at a similar cost after 2.5 years).

View attachment 1788347

To be fair, you can drop £2500 from those costs. No need for a solicitor and I get priority is wanted in your case - but it isn’t s must for people.

Ironically, the whole MIR is pretty much pointless as Spousal visa holders have no access to public funds and the only result of keeping one parent from their family is that two or more people will end up using social benefits if the British parent becomes unable to work.
What happens to my kids if my wife dies?

No visa allows access to public funds. I think the point of the MIR is that people can at least support themselves and their family in someway.

If you were in the UK and your wife passed away; you’d be able to apply for a parent visa (As your child is British).

Sorry to hear you’re going through all this and I know it’s tough. It will still be tough once you’re here - but honestly it’s so worth it imho.

 

[Priapus]

We went this route. Point I failed to make is that the checks are in place to weed out sketchy “borrowing”. But it still happens.

I could share an anecdotal evidence of a commonly used sketchy practice but it would infuriate @AstroTurf
“The boats” are just part of the problem with our brethren from the continent.

I know of a family who moved over in March of last year. Family gave them the money needed for savings route - then took it back as soon as they got the visa.

 

[Sinbad]

I know of a family who moved over in March of last year. Family gave them the money needed for savings route - then took it back as soon as they got the visa.

That's all well and good but honestly if they can't meet the minimum income requirements how are they actually going to survive and thrive here?

 

[Priapus]

That's all well and good but honestly if they can't meet the minimum income requirements how are they actually going to survive and thrive here?

With great difficulty. Then again that whole family is toxic.

 

[cguy]

Strictly speaking, it should be your money. You need to be in control of the funds for 9 month* and provide proof of the source of the funds. Profits from a house sale can make up part of the funds but is exempt from the 9 month* period.

As I understand it, they scrutinise the proof of savings because people exploit the process by “borrowing” from a family member then once the visa is issued send the money back to the next family member.

*I forget what the exact period is.

Yeah, it would have to be an informal agreement to repay, with a letter that gives them the freedom to keep it without consequence if they so choose. I never asked for any of it back, but did ask them to give a small amount of it to a mutual family member who was in need (years later).

 

[cguy]

That's all well and good but honestly if they can't meet the minimum income requirements how are they actually going to survive and thrive here?

It’s only the income of the UK spouse they they take into account, right?

 

[Sinbad]

It’s only the income of the UK spouse they they take into account, right?

Yes

But in all honesty, if the UK spouse is earning less than 18k, the immigrant spouse would probably need a 60-70k+ job to provide a decent lifestyle. Especially coming from SA where in essence you'll probably have to start again with no real savings or net assets to speak of. So that house deposit is a massive stretch, for example.

 

[cguy]

Yes

But in all honesty, if the UK spouse is earning less than 18k, the immigrant spouse would probably need a 60-70k+ job to provide a decent lifestyle. Especially coming from SA where in essence you'll probably have to start again with no real savings or net assets to speak of. So that house deposit is a massive stretch, for example.

In my family members case, she makes a fair amount more, but still only around 30k. They live up in Manchester though, and even bought (an ungodly cheap) house.

 

[Priapus]

In my family members case, she makes a fair amount more, but still only around 30k. They live up in Manchester though, and even bought (an ungodly cheap) house.

Yeah property gets cheaper the more north you go. For reasons.

 

[AstroTurf]

It’s a chicken and egg situation. The applicant’s income cannot be counted, because they cannot get a job without a visa.

What I do disagree with, is the relevance of the sponsor’s current income - what difference does it make if they were earning R0 or R60k a month?

As long as they have a job that meeting the MIR, starting writhing 3 months of getting to the UK, that’s all that matters. How is previous income abroad relevant?

What I am saying is that it would be quite simple for them to take my current SA income into account, or my employment history, or even just my last years worth of bank statements to show that I am willing and able to work when I arrive. Then they could used my income as a part of the MIR.

Thats rough; stay strong though - April is close now!

Where about in the UK are you moving to?



The fees are unlikely to increase; if they do it will only be July or August I suspect.

As my wife went through several career changes to get to the point of earning the MIR. She has only been doing her current "self employed" job for around 5 months. She has not yet earned the full MIR as is needed for Self employed people.

Employed people can prove they earn the MIR by showing 6 months worth of payslips. Self Employed people need to have earned the full 29k in the last financial year (UK financial year runs from 6 to 5 April).

So April, 2026 and only after my wife has had her accounts audited.

To be fair, you can drop £2500 from those costs. No need for a solicitor and I get priority is wanted in your case - but it isn’t s must for people.

Yea, Will see closer to the time and have other, cheaper possibilities for the solicitor.

No visa allows access to public funds. I think the point of the MIR is that people can at least support themselves and their family in someway.

If you were in the UK and your wife passed away; you’d be able to apply for a parent visa (As your child is British).

I do not want nor need access to public funds. I want to just be with my family without feeling as though we have to pay a ransom for the privilege.
If my wife passes away, gets sick, has an accident and sits in the hospital etc while I am still in South Africa?
There are nightmare stories (I am obviously in several closed groups with other families in the same situation, imagine being threatened with deportation or being deported because your life partner just died and your kids are old enough to look after themselves), even if I am in the UK and something happens to her it will be insanely difficult and expensive for us to stay there. Parental Visas are also not cheap.

Sorry to hear you’re going through all this and I know it’s tough. It will still be tough once you’re here - but honestly it’s so worth it imho.

Yea, I am doing this for my wife and kids, My children need a future and my wife needs security.
Doubt I need to go into detail but the perpetual anxiety of crime should be enough of an explanation.

 

[Priapus]

So April, 2026 and only after my wife has had her accounts audited.

Wait. Can you only apply next year?

 

[AstroTurf]

Wait. Can you only apply next year?

Yes

Full, best case scenario timeline for me with the current visa system:

April 2024: Wife left for UK.
April 2025: Kids leave for UK.
April/May 2026: I can apply for a visa and get there by Jun/September.
2028/2029: Visa Renewal.
2030/2032: ILR.
2031/2033: Citizenship.

 

[Sinbad]

Yes

Full, best case scenario timeline for me with the current visa system:

April 2024: Wife left for UK.
April 2025: Kids leave for UK.
April/May 2026: I can apply for a visa and get there by Jun/September.
2028/2029: Visa Renewal.
2030/2032: ILR.
2031/2033: Citizenship.

Does your wife meet the MIR?
ie, £29k?


Also, the MIR is _combined_ income as far as I know, so you should be able to add your SA income as well, as evidenced by payslips?

I know I used my SA income to show meeting MIRs for our first visa application.


/edit
actually I may be wrong.
I hate legalese
Where the applicant has to meet the minimum income requirement, the financial requirement can generally be met in the following 5 ways: • income from salaried or non-salaried employment of the partner (and/or the applicant if they are in the UK with permission to work) - this is referred to as Category A or Category B, depending on the employment history

Once your wife has been in a job with the same employer meeting MIR for 6 months, the historic requirement goes away so they become a category A, not category B application.

/editagain - ah I see self employed. Bugger.

 

[AstroTurf]

Does your wife meet the MIR?
ie, £29k?


Also, the MIR is _combined_ income as far as I know, so you should be able to add your SA income as well, as evidenced by payslips?

I know I used my SA income to show meeting MIRs for our first visa application.


/edit
actually I may be wrong.
I hate legalese
Where the applicant has to meet the minimum income requirement, the financial requirement can generally be met in the following 5 ways: • income from salaried or non-salaried employment of the partner (and/or the applicant if they are in the UK with permission to work) - this is referred to as Category A or Category B, depending on the employment history

My wife has to earn the full £29k in a UK financial year less expenses (excluding tax) for the initial visa.

The MIR is only combined for the subsequent renewals and applications.

1'st visa is all on the spouses income, subsequent renewals, spouse and partner.

 

[Paul Kemp]

Yes

Full, best case scenario timeline for me with the current visa system:

April 2024: Wife left for UK.
April 2025: Kids leave for UK.
April/May 2026: I can apply for a visa and get there by Jun/September.
2028/2029: Visa Renewal.
2030/2032: ILR.
2031/2033: Citizenship.

On the bright side your kids and wife will be together. That’s got to be hell on a mother. Fathers, we suck it up and deal.

 

[Priapus]

Does your wife meet the MIR?
ie, £29k?


Also, the MIR is _combined_ income as far as I know, so you should be able to add your SA income as well, as evidenced by payslips?

I know I used my SA income to show meeting MIRs for our first visa application.


/edit
actually I may be wrong.
I hate legalese
Where the applicant has to meet the minimum income requirement, the financial requirement can generally be met in the following 5 ways: • income from salaried or non-salaried employment of the partner (and/or the applicant if they are in the UK with permission to work) - this is referred to as Category A or Category B, depending on the employment history

Once your wife has been in a job with the same employer meeting MIR for 6 months, the historic requirement goes away so they become a category A, not category B application.

/editagain - ah I see self employed. Bugger.

Nope. Applicants income earned abroad does not count, unfortunately.

 

[Priapus]

Yes

Full, best case scenario timeline for me with the current visa system:

April 2024: Wife left for UK.
April 2025: Kids leave for UK.
April/May 2026: I can apply for a visa and get there by Jun/September.
2028/2029: Visa Renewal.
2030/2032: ILR.
2031/2033: Citizenship.

Are you or have you considered applying for a visitor visa at least so you can visit in the mean time?

 

[Mephisto_Helix]

Astro, is there no mate or family you can move in with when your liteys go over to mom to help you cut down on running 2 households? Apologies if you've mentioned this before.