to think that alot of people don't realise...

[firstforthought]

that a non-British spouse/ partner has to pay for the privalige of being here?
This topic stems from my Mother telling me that she nearly had an arguement with someone who would not accept that my husband first had to pay 500 for a 2 YR spouse visa and secondly, when that expires, has to pay nearly 1000 for indefinite leave to remain.
As a side topic- if we didn't raise the 1000, will dh/ daddy/ employee/ valuable member of society be kicked of the UK no questions asked??

[whiteglovetest]

I had to pay £1000 just for my leave to remain visa plus various costs for life in the Uk test etc so I am well aware.

[AuntiePickleBottom]

i never realised that, but then again don't have issues with people from other countries living here.

[WriterofDreams]

That should be a spouse or partner from an non-EU country. I'm Irish and I didn't have to pay anything to be here. I did know that the visa process costs a lot of money. From my experience someone who can't raise that money quickly is generally given a lot of leeway especially if they have a family and a job.

[expatinscotland]

Someone who can't afford it needs to apply for an extension.

[tyler80]

Not sure whether it applies to the Commonwealth either.

I'm not sure why most people should realise it costs (a lot) of money, it's just of no concern to them. To argue that it doesn't when you know nothing about it is just silly.

My OH is from elsewhere in the EU so doesn't have to pay to stay but will have to pay for citizenship if he ever wants the right to vote at a national level again.

[whiteglovetest]

Yes it does apply to the commonwealth. Its all non eu

[expatinscotland]

Depends on which visa the Commonwealth national is using.

[shirleyshortcut]

if they didnt raise it and had kids here, surely they could claim it was against their "Human Right" to a family life

like the bandwagon the convicted criminals are jumping on just lately

[WriterofDreams]

Really tyler? I'm allowed to vote in elections.

[tyler80]

You can't vote in national elections as an EU national. Commonwealth and Ireland can I think if they are resident.

[whiteglovetest]

Im not

[WriterofDreams]

Ah that makes sense, as I'm Irish. Was worried that I might be voting illegally

[whiteglovetest]

At least in dont think i am

[OiYouThere]

It does apply to commonwealth countries. And yes, you get deported as soon as they realise your visa has expired, just like any other visa. Apply for an extension as soon as the 24 months expire.
Technically you get 27 months on a spouse visa, but you can only apply after 24 months. The visa status stays the same once you have put your application in. So you can submit the application and then your visa expires, but you are still ok until you have your answer. The statistics are that 90% get an answer within 6 months via postal application and 95% get an answer straight away with an application in person. (although applying in person is a premium service and costs more!!)

As an aside, the other thing that annoys me is that we are often told that we are here for the benefits, stealing jobs and such like, but under the terms of the visa, we are allowed 'no recourse to public funds' and if we do get them, it invalidates our visa and we can get deported. It is the EU nationals that come over that can get the benefits, not just ALL immigrants. Yet every one not born here is lumped together. (we are allowed to work, though! And do!!)

[tulpe]

YANBU

It also galls me that the government are happy to take tax from non-British DH but not give him the right to vote on how it may be spent and by which party in a general election.

[firstforthought]

sorry, should have said non EU.

[OiYouThere]

Tyler - you are right about the voting.

[OiYouThere]

tuple - I agree!

[firstforthought]

OYT, That is my point. Many people lump together all the people who were not born here.

[expatinscotland]

'It also galls me that the government are happy to take tax from non-British DH but not give him the right to vote on how it may be spent and by which party in a general election.'

That's because within a certain time period he can go back to his native country and legally claim all that tax back (and pay it to his own government instead).

And it's not deportation it's removal.

[ragged]

Foreigners are always tapped for money, OP, is that a surprise?
Speaking as a migrant to the UK myself.
15 year ago you didn't have to pay for most of that, btw, Britain was relatively generous about it up until early '00s.

[magicmummy1]

It's correct that residents fr

[MumblingRagDoll]

My DH had to pay. He's AUssie. There's a LOT of ignorance about these things...his bloody nighbour in Oz told him that if he got British Citezenship he would have to legally give up his Aussie nationality and the right to live there ever again. Idiot. That was true in the 50s I think...but not now.

[OiYouThere]

Semantics Expat! Removal is a synonym of deportation!

[tyler80]

Writerofdreams no, you're not voting illegally, previous conversations around this subject on mumsnet revealed a fair few EU nationals who voted in the general election last year though!