.

[Feef]

Another point of the £18,600 requirement is that you have to demonstrate that you have been earning that within the UK for at least 6 months prior to applying, which in my case will mean a period away from my wife while I try to sort out work back in the UK.

Last time she entered on a visitor visa, she showed bank statements to show she had around £4k available, along with a letter of invitation from me to stay with my family who would provide accommodation and meals.

 

[Tosno]

The rest of the EU can seemingly bring their non-EU partners in not the rest of the world, and that isn't something we can easily change.

The point is any nationality from any country in the world can come that wants being an EU spouse, and they are doing it, the only limit is the number of crooks to do it with. Only British husbands and wives have sponsor rules, even if they own their home and have a good unoffical income or a mix of both, they will be refused. There are other issues, only British spouses must pass an English test (more likely they will know English if genuine) whereas EU citizen spouses or even both can not speak one word of English. 300,000 (offically) come from the EU last year (most from the poor parts) and can bring who they like as their spouse.

 

[dowie]

you're talking about EU citizens and there isn't much we can do there

likewise you can go live in another EU country and bring your wife along... and you won't need to pass a German, French etc.. test

 

[dowie]

in fact you could go work in France for more than three months, bring your non EU wife along and then decide to go back to the UK without having the income/language issue

 

[[TW]Fox]

What's it like the other way round? Are you freely able to live in her country?

 

[Tosno]

What's it like the other way round? Are you freely able to live in her country?

In Russia they offer an expedited path to naturalisation for spouses of their citizens. Upon marriage you are eligible for a residence permit regardless of whether Russia's quota on foreign residents has already been filled that year. Amazingly, you can start the process by simply walking into the local Federal Migration Service office. No appointment needed, no nonsense. After 3 years of marriage and tax residency in Russia, you are eligible to apply for naturalisation.

Once everything is sorted out here, I will be moving to Russia, weighing up the pros and cons Russia wins. Flat prices start from £10,000 in an average area, you can buy your own block for the cost of a small house here. Private hospitals are cheap. (Even public ones GPs visit you at home) and the biggest selling point is all that nature. Our dream is to have 2 flats near Pavlovsk park (the biggest in Europe) and a datcha in the countryside.

 

[Zethor]

In Russia they offer an expedited path to naturalisation for spouses of their citizens. Upon marriage you are eligible for a residence permit regardless of whether Russia's quota on foreign residents has already been filled that year. Amazingly, you can start the process by simply walking into the local Federal Migration Service office. No appointment needed, no nonsense. After 3 years of marriage and tax residency in Russia, you are eligible to apply for naturalisation.

Once everything is sorted out here, I will be moving to Russia, weighing up the pros and cons Russia wins. Flat prices start from £10,000 in an average area, you can buy your own block for the cost of a small house here. Private hospitals are cheap. (Even public ones GPs visit you at home) and the biggest selling point is all that nature. Our dream is to have 2 flats near Pavlovsk park (the biggest in Europe) and a datcha in the countryside.

Regarding EU citizens' spouses, they have to go through certain steps in the EU citizens' home countries which are often not too different than those that are mandatory for Britons. It wouldn't make sense to put them through a similar process a second time nor is it in accordance with EU regulations.

As for Russia, you should consider before moving there that the country can't be held together by chasing homosexuals, invading neighbours and selling oil/gas indefinitely. Sooner or later, Russia will be forced to face its real problems and when that happens I wouldn't want to be anywhere near it.

 

[Feef]

What's it like the other way round? Are you freely able to live in her country?

In my particular situation, we turn up at the local household registration office, present our marriage certificate, and I get a residence card with open work rights. 1 year the first time, now renewed for 3 years, next time I can renew for 5 years and get permanent residency. Tryin to do it the other way around for her in the UK will be a nightmare.

 

[muon]

What's it like the other way round? Are you freely able to live in her country?

I'd hazard a guess that this "loophole" is actually do with the less strict rules some other EU countries have. Then freedom of movement kicks in.

I wouldn't really call this a loophole.

 

[GAC]

just hope they actually relook at this whole mess and rather than just stating you need to earn XX amount they actually ask you to prove you can support someone. also its nice to think that the current view is your spouse moves here and they will not find work or dont want to work hence you need to support them for life rather than a 6 month period or some such.