Dawn, it?s not correct that all potential employers demand that you have a WP before they?ll offer you a job. True you must have one to start work, but it?s not a legal requirement that you have one just to apply for jobs, although some awkward s.o.b.s could ask for one. It?s quite possible for you to apply for and be offered a job, then hop off to get your WP, which can, in many cases, only take a few days to come through.

If the kids start school whilst you?re on a VV, you?ll have to pay international fees, but when you?re on a WP or you have PR you only pay domestic rates (it's not completely free). Don?t know if you?ve looked back over this or not.