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 apply for the LTR in 2008. I had to buy the book and then pay for the life in the UK test...approx £100, then apply and pay the £1000.

I now have renewed my passport and to get the LTR sticker placed into my new passport, I need to pay another sum (which Ive forgotten).

All this for something which will be null and void if I return home for more than 2 years. I would have to start from scratch again.

[TheMonster]

The cost of moving country is surely huge.

[DoMeDon]

True that a lot of people don't realise the cost but it is of little interest to them. people have opnions on all sorts of things and they are usually a bit muddled and lacking all the facts. I am daughter of an immigrant and work directly with immigrants. There are pros and cons to everything and 'joe public' has no requirement to have all the facts. They comment, I smile and wave.

[karmakameleon]

'joe public' has no requirement to have all the facts

[giveitago]

Well at the same time I'm applying (as a UK citizen) for PIO - nightmare but I'll do it. I'm not wanting to live in India (at the mo) but just want some recognition in a country of my origin (and for the potential benefit for my ds).

My choice and whatever hassle and expense it costs me then it just costs me.

[firstforthought]

whiteglovetest - seems you missed previous posts. It is NOT necessay to pay the tranfer fees to have visas placed into new passport - just keep old passport with you!

[CurlyBoy]

Karmakameleon - I DID find that out and didn't bother to get it stamped. It was a bit of a pain carrying two passports, but not too much. It's much easier now though as a UK citizen!

BodyOfEeyore - It cost me about $3000 to ship 100 cubic feet of stuff from the US to the UK and $2000 to insure it in 2002. Fortunately my wife had a house full of stuff and I was only bringing my personal effects. There was the plane ticket too so add $600 to that. Not too bad really!

[expatinscotland]

It's far cheaper and easier over the long-term to naturalise when you're eligible.