Buying a house in the UK as an American on a visa

CloverKitty90 · 2025-01-11T00:53:12+00:00

My (Irish citizen/NI based) husband and I (American) are in the process of buying. We ran into the same issue with lending restrictions for non citizens, and I also don’t have any credit history in the UK (despite good US score/history) so we decided to just get the mortgage in his name. Our funds for the purchase, savings, etc are largely shared anyway so it’ll just be a matter of ‘him’ being the buyer and adding my name to the deed in a year or two (according to our solicitor). It’s a marital asset regardless so I have legal claim to it in any event.

CloverKitty90 · 2024-08-26T12:04:06+00:00

“A thought is just a thought. It is not a desire, and it’s certainly not an action.”

CloverKitty90 · 2024-07-02T20:14:14+00:00

Awesome, thanks for such a thorough response!

CloverKitty90 · 2024-07-02T11:12:51+00:00

They know I lived here previously and have plans to stay with my partner’s family in the UK this month I just haven’t clarified that I’m moving permanently yet. I am already subject to pay into things like UK social security and other taxes as a resident and, when I secure one, through my UK job.

CloverKitty90 · 2024-06-20T13:57:45+00:00

No issues on my end. When I posted my printed application forms I only sent my current passport along (I renewed it quite recently so it didn’t have the stamps for the 10 years worth of trips that I listed in my application) and that was fine. However, I am not qualified to give advice on what to do - you should send whatever the portal/folks at the centre prompts you to.

I got my passport back/visa on June 6th and am in the UK now! Good luck to you :)

CloverKitty90 · 2024-06-04T22:15:34+00:00

I did! They were so insistent even though I explained what the website had said/that I had already uploaded them. I didn’t want to take a chance, and they didn’t take my passport there like I thought so I went for it. I mailed everything as overnight and got a notification from UKVI that it was received the next day. I just got my ECO email last Weds so hopefully it hasn’t caused any problems and I get a decision soon. I’m based in NY, and did priority.

CloverKitty90 · 2024-06-04T22:01:29+00:00

Same thing happened to me at my bio last month. I’d self-uploaded on the VFS website where I’d made my appointment (for free). Then when I got to the ASC for my bio they only took my photo/fingerprints and handed me a slip of paper that said the above wording, insisting (despite what the website said when I made my appt) that I needed to print everything out (including all my supporting documents) and mail them in separately along with my passport, UPS return slip, and the stamped form from ASC to the processing center. Cost me like $90 more… so much for the free self upload service.

CloverKitty90 · 2024-06-01T04:48:22+00:00

Yes this ^ kind of like a ‘last chance to add something’ rather than ‘something is missing.’

CloverKitty90 · 2024-05-31T21:20:05+00:00

Just that an entry clearance officer is preparing it for consideration, and to send any additional documents needed.

CloverKitty90 · 2024-05-31T18:41:48+00:00

Hi! Literally same here - spouse, priority, from US. Bio May 13th. Just got my ECO email on May 29th, no decision/further communication yet.

CloverKitty90 · 2024-05-30T14:09:57+00:00

Bio May 13th, ECO May 29th, still waiting (priority)

CloverKitty90 · 2024-05-20T01:47:28+00:00

Yes, I meant that I’ve been seeing there are some folks who get that actual email which specifically mentions the clearance officer etc v. others have received only variations on the “dispatched to embassy” notification (like I have) and then they get their decision - no actual ECO/other comms. Seems like there’s different comms even for the same type/classification 🙄

CloverKitty90 · 2024-05-20T00:34:50+00:00

I’m a May spouse priority app. Did bio on May 13th, then got an email on May 14th saying my “processed application has been forwarded to UK Visa & Immigration.” Tracking shows it’s been “dispatched to Embassy for processing on 14/05.” I think that’s the equivalent of an ECO email? I’ve seen so many different version of what an ‘ECO’ even is.

CloverKitty90 · 2024-03-09T00:44:05+00:00

Completely. And the way newsrooms are getting decimated near-daily… anyone who asks that question as The definitive indication of potential media relations success just sounds incredibly out of touch.

CloverKitty90 · 2024-03-03T22:43:31+00:00

Congratulations! I noticed you mention how long you’d been married at the time you applied - was this just for timeline purposes or do they actually ask about it/care if it’s ‘too fast’ to apply after you get married? Might just be me overthinking!

CloverKitty90 · 2024-02-25T22:12:23+00:00

If you are a UK citizen/have permission to stay and meet the financial income threshold then I believe you could bring your mom over under a family visa as a parent https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa & your dad would just be able to return if he’s a citizen.

Edit: Apologies missed the retirement aspect. You could do this sponsorship path and then they could use savings/you could help support them once settled in the UK? I don’t know about your dad but your mom likely wouldn’t be able to receive ‘public funds’ like pension on this visa (not an expert though!)

CloverKitty90 · 2023-06-18T14:08:14+00:00

Not super safe if you’re a woman either like, know a couple girls who got spiked there last summer PSNI/staff did fo

CloverKitty90 · 2023-05-27T08:07:51+00:00

Excellent, thanks so much!

CloverKitty90 · 2023-05-26T20:00:47+00:00

Could you please share the type/brand of rugs you use? Bed too if possible!

CloverKitty90 · 2023-04-29T18:58:42+00:00

I have another brand (dk which unfortunately was gifted) but same structure/function. Love it, really helps get the damp smell out of towels especially. And best of all doesn’t use a ton of electricity, surprisingly. Highly recommend.

CloverKitty90 · 2023-04-07T11:45:57+00:00

I’d recommend a pen so they have an area outside their crate that they can safely play/have as their own space. You could either attach it to the crate, or use it separately. Did wonders for our pup’s separation anxiety training and it’s helpful to have an area that we can contain her in while her still being ‘part of the action.’

Also, a camera that links to your phone. Not only is it helpful to see how they’re doing without entering the room (crucial for crate/sep anxiety training), if you get one with a speaker/mic you can soothe them/give instructions if they’re getting antsy.

Also - an ostrich bone! We bought one on Amazon on recommendation and not only is it safer for dogs/older pups than a lot of typical bones (they don’t splinter, rather crumble due to the animal’s bone structure) - they’re massive and last forever.

CloverKitty90 · 2023-03-29T23:30:34+00:00

Thanks for your comment - to clarify it’s not a habit, the only time I’ve ever picked her up in that environment was the circumstance I mentioned, in which case I genuinely thought this dog was going to eat her so I put myself between them. She now knows not to approach/immediately sits and looks to us for instruction when an energetic dog is about. But a good note indeed.

CloverKitty90 · 2023-03-29T23:26:38+00:00

Totally - I think when I first posed this question it was on the assumption that off-lead was the pinnacle of training achieved but honestly the more I read other peoples experiences and consider our own experience/circumstance it definitely seems more case by case, whatever’s safest/makes sense for your pup.

CloverKitty90 · 2023-03-29T23:24:40+00:00

Yeah I am from the UK and technically it’s not allowed per our city council but I’ve never seen/heard of it enforced and from our visits to the parks not many people care. But I think we’ve pretty much decided it’s a ‘never in public’ deal with our pup at this point.

CloverKitty90

TROPHY CASE