My Marriage Visa - Success!

Well it is official after 2 separate visa applications, 8 months of time, a few thousand dollars in fees and one wedding my application for limited residency here in the UK has been approved and I have been issued a Biometric Residence Permit.

What that means is I am now allowed to stay, work, study and access certain public services and funds here in London. The permit looks like any average ID card, such as a driver’s license.  It has my picture with my name and some basic information about me and my permit. This limited permit lasts until October of 2015, that’s 2.5 years from now. If Priya and I stay in the UK for that entire time I would then have to reapply for another limited residence permit that would allow me to be here another 2.5 years. After that 5 year period I would then be able to apply for permanent residency.

Now I’m not sure we’ll ever get to that point because Priya and I are hoping to move out of London and the UK in the next year or two and if we do that I would not be eligible to apply for the second limited residency visa instead I would have to start all over and get the first limited residency visa like the one I just received. But really I’m not too worried about that because I don’t think I will ever need permanent residency here based on the ideas Priya and I have for our future. Obviously it would be nice to have it because it would make coming and going from the UK quite simple but still I don’t think it is something I need to get.

But wait there’s more. For those who thought I was completely done or those like myself who just hoped I was done and therefore ready to live and work in London that isn't true. I now have to apply for a National Insurance Number in order to be able to work and access public services. So I called those people and have set up an appointment. I have to go prove who I am and the validity of my request for a National Insurance Number in order to even be allowed to apply for the number. The appointment is May 8^th, a week from tomorrow. Fingers crossed that works out. Still I can’t complain too much because despite all the time and money we've invested everything is going as we planned/hoped and Priya and I’s relationship is now truly ‘Permitted’.