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Visas for UK

Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2021 3:41pm
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Kelvin1960

Kelvin1960

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Joined: 5 Mar 2017

I have noticed some debate on the supposed disparity between the hoops that Brits must now jump through to get to Spain, and that required of Spaniards going the other way.

I went on the UK Gov website and pretended to be Spanish.

Visits for up to 6 months

Firstly .... a Spaniard can visit the UK for up to 6 months, but must be able to demonstrate that he/she is visiting for tourism, and is

      

  • able to support him/herself and dependants during the trip (or have funding from someone else)
  • arranged accommodation for the stay
  • able to pay for return or onward journey (or have funding from someone else)
  • will leave the UK at the end of your visit

https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/tourist-short-stay-visas



Settled Status (Residency)

Perhaps more interesting is the challenge of gaining "settled status" in the UK if you are retired or early retired (for all those Spaniards who want to retire to the British rain).

If you reach State Pension age

If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you can get settled status if you stopped working when you reached State Pension age and either:

  • you worked continuously or were self employed for 1 year beforehand and have lived continuously in the UK for 3 years
  • your spouse or civil partner is a British citizen
If you retire early

If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen you can get settled status if you retire early and either:

  • you worked continuously (for someone other than yourself) for 1 year beforehand and have lived continuously in the UK for 3 years
  • your spouse or civil partner is a British citizen
https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families/settled-status-less-than-5-years

Hmmm .... not easy methinks.



If you are Spanish and want to work in the UK ... compare the UK and Spanish requirements here.

https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas

http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/LONDRES/en/Consulado/Pages/Visas.aspx?fbclid=IwAR0xMqhqHmEKBIff9XqYT9E6SLp-1cfG5WQqDfxajoVj2zCNqoLX8WqmZt0


New Points-Based Immigration System
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/947984/Intro_guide_FINAL_WEB.pdf

Not seeing an option for a Spaniard to retire in the UK.
Kelvin1960

Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2021 9:59am

Kelvin1960

Original Poster

Super helpful member

Posts: 1488

1767 helpful points

Joined: 5 Mar 2017

Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2021 9:59am

This post that was quoted has been deleted.

I think the issue here is that (other than the 6 months visitor visa), a Spaniard has a harder time getting into the UK than the other way around. 

There are some options in the "Settled Status" route .... in which case the Spaniard has been in the UK for several years. This seems to be a bit like Brits who have been in Spain for years getting their paperwork ducks in a row (and who get healthcare at some point if they demonstrate that they were living in Spain by 31/12/20).

I'm not seeing any route for a Spaniard to retire to the UK under the points-based immigration system. 

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