Immigrating to the UK

prod said:
Thanks - I just moved in a few weeks ago. Do I do that at the post office? Think I need to swap it for an international one right?
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Nope you swap it for a UK one.
Get the form at the post office, or you can ask the DVLA to send you a pack.
Then you get a postal order for the cost, and send it off together with your ID (yes this is ****ing nerve-wracking but it's your intro to a working postal system), wait 2-3 weeks et voila.
 
prod said:
Thanks - I just moved in a few weeks ago. Do I do that at the post office? Think I need to swap it for an international one right?
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Correct, fill out the form. Person at the Post office desk will help with the rest. Keep in mind you need to send your PR away with a return envelope(this is what the post office clerk helps with).
 
Mephisto_Helix said:
Pretty sunny day up here in Yorkshire, reckon it'll hold
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Weather was perfect on Friday night and while it’s a mission to get organised and out to an event on Friday night, it’s proved to be the best option for the past 2 years with rain the rest of the weekend.
IMG_8035.jpeg
 
Sinbad said:
Nope you swap it for a UK one.
Get the form at the post office, or you can ask the DVLA to send you a pack.
Then you get a postal order for the cost, and send it off together with your ID (yes this is ****ing nerve-wracking but it's your intro to a working postal system), wait 2-3 weeks et voila.
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Thanks - can I use the UK drivers license back in SA?
 
Anyone else keep to drop some UK finance top tips in this thread?

Im missing my Ebucks dearly and trying to make up for it by squeezing my budget and maximising savings.

Below some things I've used in the last year or so:

1. Cheapest prepaid sim with unlimited data & calls: SMARTY & ID - after a year you can sim swop to either network to retain the discounted rate (Smarty goes from £16pm to £20pm after 12 months)

2. Cheapest interwebs: use Uswitch, with sign on bonuses. NB: read the contract before signing. Some ISP's allow you to break the contract if they hike prices within the 1st year, then you can simply sign on a new deal and get another bonus (I've done this, moved from Virgin to BT and got a +-£100 voucher on each signup)

3. Household, Car & other insurance: Always check the difference beween paying monthly vs 12 months up front. Some insurance companies finance your premium if you choose to pay monthly, so its more expensive. Use https://www.moneysupermarket.com/ & https://www.comparethemarket.com/ to obtain quotes. Never accept a renewal "as is". Ive managed to drop my premiums via the online chat feature for both car & household. All you need to do is ask.

4. Coupons & discount vouchers: use Honey as a browser plugin to get discounts (works quite well). use https://www.idealo.co.uk/ to create price alerts of items when prices drop across the market. Check AVforums for discounted vouchers if you need to buy items from Curry's as an example. The going rate is normally face value less 15%. If you buying any type of appliance / TV it can translate to some good savings.
 
Tman* said:
Anyone else keep to drop some UK finance top tips in this thread?

Im missing my Ebucks dearly and trying to make up for it by squeezing my budget and maximising savings.

Below some things I've used in the last year or so:

1. Cheapest prepaid sim with unlimited data & calls: SMARTY & ID - after a year you can sim swop to either network to retain the discounted rate (Smarty goes from £16pm to £20pm after 12 months)

2. Cheapest interwebs: use Uswitch, with sign on bonuses. NB: read the contract before signing. Some ISP's allow you to break the contract if they hike prices within the 1st year, then you can simply sign on a new deal and get another bonus (I've done this, moved from Virgin to BT and got a +-£100 voucher on each signup)

3. Household, Car & other insurance: Always check the difference beween paying monthly vs 12 months up front. Some insurance companies finance your premium if you choose to pay monthly, so its more expensive. Use https://www.moneysupermarket.com/ & https://www.comparethemarket.com/ to obtain quotes. Never accept a renewal "as is". Ive managed to drop my premiums via the online chat feature for both car & household. All you need to do is ask.

4. Coupons & discount vouchers: use Honey as a browser plugin to get discounts (works quite well). use https://www.idealo.co.uk/ to create price alerts of items when prices drop across the market. Check AVforums for discounted vouchers if you need to buy items from Curry's as an example. The going rate is normally face value less 15%. If you buying any type of appliance / TV it can translate to some good savings.
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Banking rewards type stuff is pretty tough here. Nothing like eBucks.
If you don't mind the schlep, it's worth switching your current account regularly - a lot of the banks offer inducements to do this, couple hundred pounds here or there, it adds up. Subscribe to something like the MoneySavingExpert newsletter - they often give tips about special offers, switches etc.

I get loyalty points on my HSBC credit card (2 points per pound spent locally, 4 per pound in foreign currency). Redemption rate is pretty shitty though - 3000 points gets you a £10 shopping voucher).
 
1. I have 3 smarty plans that cost me £25.20 a month. Contracts help with credit but I just can’t bring myself to sign one.
2. Fibre, after our 12 month contract ended we can sign the same contract for £28 a month(down from £32 now on mtm) or upgrade to a gig for £42.
3. Insurance is down simply because we have driving history and local no claims. Will do proper shopping in year 3 but so far aviva have been great.

Club discount cards, sign up for any and all of them. From Tesco(fuel is useful here) to B&Q to Schuh. They all earn good points, except Shell, but it’s often the most convenient so I use them regularly.

Edit: Biggest saver for us is a low rent semi. It takes a little bit of compromise but nothing helps put more money into savings like low rent.
 
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Boiler packed up for the 3rd time, on a saturday.
I smell great but at least im not sweating
 
Sinbad said:
Then she's driving without a valid license. Beware the insurance claims....
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We've had a claim before - supplied her license. They didn't ask any other questions and just approved the claim. That was last year.
 
Sinbad said:
They'll probably charge you extra for doing it early. Pay with a smile mate
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Cost me R1200. Now to just visit a DHA branch to do finger prints and such - tried to use FNB bank - but it said no slots until the new year available.
 
Priapus said:
We've had a claim before - supplied her license. They didn't ask any other questions and just approved the claim. That was last year.
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You got lucky then. Also, they've changed the law apparently:

South Africa accepts foreign driving licences under the following circumstances as a driving licence (not a PRDP) – Section 23 and regulation 110 of the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 and its regulations provide for this:
The licence must still be valid in the country of issue
The holder’s photograph and signature must be on the licence or attached to it
The licence must be in an official language or a translation must be attached
An international driving permit serves as a translation and an interpretation of the licence (the original licence must accompany the International Driving Permit).
Persons entering this Country to take up permanent residence must exchange their foreign licence for an equivalent South African licence within Five years of taking residence, after which his foreign licence may not be used on the road anymore.

Although, I guess there's a loophole on the permanent residence thing. Does that mean "to live permanently" or to have immigration style permanent residence?
 
Sinbad said:
You got lucky then. Also, they've changed the law apparently:

South Africa accepts foreign driving licences under the following circumstances as a driving licence (not a PRDP) – Section 23 and regulation 110 of the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 and its regulations provide for this:
The licence must still be valid in the country of issue
The holder’s photograph and signature must be on the licence or attached to it
The licence must be in an official language or a translation must be attached
An international driving permit serves as a translation and an interpretation of the licence (the original licence must accompany the International Driving Permit).
Persons entering this Country to take up permanent residence must exchange their foreign licence for an equivalent South African licence within Five years of taking residence, after which his foreign licence may not be used on the road anymore.

Although, I guess there's a loophole on the permanent residence thing. Does that mean "to live permanently" or to have immigration style permanent residence?
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Interesting. So it’s 5 years now.

I guess one could argue permanent residency is when you have the correct paperwork to work and stay legally?
 
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