www.iva.co.uk

Hi,

I am looking into an IVA as have large amounts of debt. My girlfriend is American living in America. In about a years time I am looking to move over there to marry and stay there long term. If I set up an IVA here, will this affect me getting a visa to America as I have been told they could reject me if they credit check me. What I want to do is have an account here with the money in to pay off over the 5 years and after it is finished close the account. But obviously America may not accept me if they see the debt. One company has told me this is fine to do this as I have to have a link back to the UK. But another site has told me this will affect my visa chances and you can''''t do this, as America will credit check you, see the debt and reject my visa propasal. Any ideas??

I am not aware that a credit check is done by the USA prior to getting a Visa. This is something that you could find out by searching on Google. You will be able to do an IVA and being in an IVA will not affect any Visa apllication as far as I am aware. Good luck.

An IVA will definately not affect your ability to apply for a UK visa, but bankruptcy might. I have a number of clients now working in the US under a full working visa, and they have not had to declare their IVAs - indeed the US authorities would not really understand what an IVA is!