Will My Bad Debt in the UK Block My Spouse Visa Application?

Question:

Dear Jon,

I had lived in the UK for about 5 years and was applying to switch to a student visa as my visa was about to expire but due to my personal circumstances, I had to leave everything and return to my country. I had an overdraft and outstanding payments on my two credit cards that I would have settled had I been there but was not able to, now I am married to a British citizen and I fear that this might affect my spouse visa application but I do want to settle my debts on return. Will this affect my spouse visa? I am not sure if I have a CCJ but if I do will that affect my spouse visa?

Suppose I have a CCJ will this affect my spouse visa application?

Sara

Answer:

Sara,

I understand your concerns, and to my knowledge leaving debt in the UK, and even having a CCJ, is not something that is addressed in a UK spouse Visa. At least it wasn’t a few years ago when I last inquired.

I would suggest you query this with who is helping you and your spouse obtain the Visa. If you are doing this yourself, again, to my knowledge and when I last viewed the forms for a UK spouse Visa, there were no questions related to debt or unpaid accounts, or credit checks.

Immigration is more concerned about how you will support yourself, or how your spouse will support you.

I do have a few questions.

How much in total do you owe?

When was your last contact with those you owe?

Will you have the means and be able to settle the accounts when you return to the UK?

Let me know, and also again, query this with who may be aiding you with the Visa.

I wish you the best here in the UK.

Regards,

Jon