Returning to UK with Indonesian Wife

[Jim69]

So this is a kind of reverse request.

We want to go back to live in the UK for the foreseeable future. I have spent 9 years now in Indonesia.

Has anybody recently taken their Indonesian wife back to the UK to live?

The rules seem very unfair and complicated, so I was hoping someone had done this recently and could give some advice.

 

[gerrardtorres]

So this is a kind of reverse request.

We want to go back to live in the UK for the foreseeable future. I have spent 9 years now in Indonesia.

Has anybody recently taken their Indonesian wife back to the UK to live?

The rules seem very unfair and complicated, so I was hoping someone had done this recently and could give some advice.

I've looked into it but do not have the required funds for dependents. Stuck here for the time being....

 

[Jim69]

Its a pretty screwed up situation

 

[Vanhelsing]

I've looked into it but do not have the required funds for dependents.

Can I ask what is the minimum requirement?

 

[Jim69]

seems to keep changing.

What i have seen now is that you must have either £62,000 in savings in the UK for at least the last 6 months. Or you must have been employed in the UK for at least 6 months in a job with salary above £18,500pa, before your wife can apply for a spouse visa.

Then the cost of the visa is £1,200, plus health deposit of £600, plus they must pass an English language test another £150.

THen if all good can get a 2 1/2 year visa

 

[scouser59]

Its tough now in uk .

 

[Jim69]

Its tough now in uk .

Its more than tough, its criminal.

If you get in illegally then your ok, try to do it correctly you get screwed

 

[Anglian]

seems to keep changing.

What i have seen now is that you must have either £62,000 in savings in the UK for at least the last 6 months. Or you must have been employed in the UK for at least 6 months in a job with salary above £18,500pa, before your wife can apply for a spouse visa.

Then the cost of the visa is £1,200, plus health deposit of £600, plus they must pass an English language test another £150.

THen if all good can get a 2 1/2 year visa

Hence the reason we've never bothered to go back, I suppose if you wanted to pretend you are a Syrian refugee and sneak back on the back of a lorry, but I'm much happier here

 

[scouser59]

Its more than tough, its criminal.

If you get in illegally then your ok, try to do it correctly you get screwed

ya , I was reading the current requirement for income disbars more than 47% of the population from bringing back their foreign spouse , its against human rights .

 

[Anglian]

ya , I was reading the current requirement for income disbars more than 47% of the population from bringing back their foreign spouse , its against human rights .

Funny you should say that Scouse, some years ago a friend of mine in Dubai married a philipino, he applied for a visa to visit U.K., this was refused, so he found a human right lawyer, who wrote, a letter to the embassy, threatening he would take them to the European court, he got his visa.
You do have a point as it seems a positive move to bar anyone bringing a foreign wife to the U.K. If I married an Orang Utang I would have no problem taking it to the U.K. To me it is positive discrimination, we are big boys now and marry who ever we wish without a problem, we've all seen dreadful marriages in the U.K. Nobody stopped those

 

[scouser59]

Funny you should say that Scouse, some years ago a friend of mine in Dubai married a philipino, he applied for a visa to visit U.K., this was refused, so he found a human right lawyer, who wrote, a letter to the embassy, threatening he would take them to the European court, he got his visa.
You do have a point as it seems a positive move to bar anyone bringing a foreign wife to the U.K. If I married an Orang Utang I would have no problem taking it to the U.K. To me it is positive discrimination, we are big boys now and marry who ever we wish without a problem, we've all seen dreadful marriages in the U.K. Nobody stopped those

Indeed , its ironic , not that Im against real refugees , but I had met a few who had 2 names and passports , 1 in uk and 1 in Toronto ,receive social security in both places for their substantial families , they where of Somali origin . But uk citizens cant even bring their spouses unless they have quite substantial funding, Sad !

 

[Lantern]

How about trying another EU country such as Malta, for example and then hopping from there to the UK at a later date when Maltese paperwork is in order. They are English speaking and relatively easy to deal with. The Irish Republic might also be an option but, as with Malta, I don't know the finer details regarding entry requirements for a foreign spouse.

 

[Jim69]

Has anyone actually done it recently?

Such a messed up world.

If I could find another job here it would be great, but it is harder now than ever.

 

[gerrardtorres]

I have read that it is possible to go to EU, get a job for 6 months, then the entire family can waltz into the U.K.. Some type of loop-hole but doesn't make it much easier. We've been looking for a few years. Had a few interviews via Skype but I wouldn't hire somebody who was 6k miles away either.

The only solution I see, is for me to go back first, get a job earning the aforementioned minimum, maybe borrow some money for the rest, and then get the missus and kids over later. But, no guarantee of that either and a huge gamble to be honest.

 

[Jim69]

I have read that it is possible to go to EU, get a job for 6 months, then the entire family can waltz into the U.K.. Some type of loop-hole but doesn't make it much easier. We've been looking for a few years. Had a few interviews via Skype but I wouldn't hire somebody who was 6k miles away either.

The only solution I see, is for me to go back first, get a job earning the aforementioned minimum, maybe borrow some money for the rest, and then get the missus and kids over later. But, no guarantee of that either and a huge gamble to be honest.

Very similar situation. Right now I am ready to fly back for a serious interview. If I get a job the wife and kids will come 1 month later. Wife on 6 months visit visa. Then she will go back and apply for spouse visa.
Just hope it all works out.

 

[gerrardtorres]

Very similar situation. Right now I am ready to fly back for a serious interview. If I get a job the wife and kids will come 1 month later. Wife on 6 months visit visa. Then she will go back and apply for spouse visa.
Just hope it all works out.

Good luck!

 

[Anglian]

Very similar situation. Right now I am ready to fly back for a serious interview. If I get a job the wife and kids will come 1 month later. Wife on 6 months visit visa. Then she will go back and apply for spouse visa.
Just hope it all works out.

Yes good luck Jim, hope all works out for you

 

[Jim69]

Thanks guys

 

[Smallworld]

seems to keep changing.

What i have seen now is that you must have either £62,000 in savings in the UK for at least the last 6 months. Or you must have been employed in the UK for at least 6 months in a job with salary above £18,500pa, before your wife can apply for a spouse visa.

Then the cost of the visa is £1,200, plus health deposit of £600, plus they must pass an English language test another £150.

THen if all good can get a 2 1/2 year visa

UK Imigration is also accepting bank statements from Indonesian Banks. For those who struggle to show that they have met such requirement maybe a good solution would be to re-mortgage current house for 6 months, pay monthly instalments for 6 months, at the end of 6th month repay the whole mortgage, ask them for bank statement for the last 6 months. It is just an idea... From what I know once you got the 2.5 year visa you don't need to show that you met this financial requirement.

I think in your situation it would be more beneficial to go back to UK, get a job first, place to live (if you have none) then get your family there. That would made the whole changing country process more easier. This is what I have considered and done at the end of 2013. It makes your life more easier financially and less maybe stressful when your wife will join you later on.

Are the rules unfair.... yes (as an EEA/UK citizen). Are they complicated ... not really. There are plenty of examples with explanation for each rule/route you want to choose in the UK imigration apendix + there is also application forms.

 

[Jaime C]

It's not easy for a US citizen to bring their spouse back, either. It took me a couple of years, and mountains of paperwork and fees. No language requirement for residency, but still minimum income requirements, and lots of other fun stuff.

I wish you luck!