Immigrating to the UK

[The Voice]

Glad your wife finally made it over

Do you know more or less how they got her old NHS number. Do you know if they convert it to the new NHS number format. I have my old number, but supposedly they all changed during the 90s. I will have to probably also go to GP when I get there.

Which bank did she apply online to? Was it before or after she left SA?

Whats a NIN, is it like an SA ID?

It looks like I might be following in the same footsteps that your wife has. Go over alone, get a place to live, get a job and then wife and kid can come over later.

NIN = National Insurance Number.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Insurance_number?wprov=sfla1

 

[Dave]

Whats a NIN, is it like an SA ID?

National Insurance number, closest thing to an ID number in the UK. Though usually referred to as N.I. number rather than NIN.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Insurance_number

 

[Dave]

NIN = National Insurance Number.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Insurance_number?wprov=sfla1

Slow your fingers down!

 

[bwana]

I'm thinking now we should have a MyBB get together UK edition - preferably during June/July when I'm back.

 

[The Voice]

Slow your fingers down!

Hahaha! *thumbs - on my phone.

Side note: unlike an SA ID, it cannot be used for identification purposes (don't think it's even issued as a card anymore), isn't required to open a bank account, to vote, etc.

 

[Dave]

Hahaha! *thumbs - on my phone.

Side note: unlike an SA ID, it cannot be used for identification purposes (don't think it's even issued as a card anymore), isn't required to open a bank account, to vote, etc.

True, the card itself does has no importance but the NI number is used in a similar way to an ID number by government departments.

 

[cguy]

It's a lot smaller than our current 4 bed, 3 bathroom house in Somerset West but for a flat, it's bigger than what we were expecting. Where she's living now would be too small for our family when I join her with our 2 kids.

They will need to adjust to a smaller place but there are a lot of open public spaces.

This is what we will be leaving behind in Somerset West.

Decent sized lounge and kitchen you say. I am honestly dreading the space issue. I know its a problem in UK / Ireland etc. And that space, not meant as an attack in any way is honestly not decent sized in comparison to SA.

Perhaps if i look at the old days living in a simplex or duplex maybe. But definitely not a house. And i see this very concern on all accomodation we are looking at. Small places.

One of the things to also be aware of is that when one moves from a cheap city/country to an expensive one, you almost always take a temporary knock in standard of living, because by their standards, your previously upper class income and net-worth are now barely middle class. Over time it tends to normalize.

I know that most of you are well aware of this, but having experienced it myself, it’s hard to just accept that this is how it will be for a few years, when faced with the cheap looking apartment in the not-so-good part of the city and a bunch of tight budgets.

I’ve seen it work the other way around too. I know an American who moved to Cape Town some 20+ years ago. He was overwhelmed by how much he could get for his money (bought a house near the beach), but eventually had to downsize and now at nearly 60, he can hardly afford to visit his family in the US.

 

[AchmatK]

Glad your wife finally made it over

Do you know more or less how they got her old NHS number. Do you know if they convert it to the new NHS number format. I have my old number, but supposedly they all changed during the 90s. I will have to probably also go to GP when I get there.

Which bank did she apply online to? Was it before or after she left SA?

Whats a NIN, is it like an SA ID?

It looks like I might be following in the same footsteps that your wife has. Go over alone, get a place to live, get a job and then wife and kid can come over later.

No idea how they tracked her NHS number down. She went in to register at her local GP and received a call back the following day asking if she was from Sitting Borne (sp). They lived there at the time she was born and moved to SA when she was 4. The NHS number was registered to her name on her birth on the old format but was automatically changed when they moved over to the new numbering even though she was no longer in the UK. She confirmed and they gave her the NHS number over the phone. It was the new format NHS number. When you get to the GP they will be able to give the new number.

The bank account was with Monzo on their app available in the Google play store. We did it from SA before she even had a UK address but we needed a UK address and she gave an address of a family member. When she got there she requested a new card through their app and it was delivered in 2 days. The app will only activate when you activate the card.

As mentioned above, the National insurance number is issued to everyone and used by government departments, specifically the department of works and pensions. You have to call the job centre number to make an appointment to apply for the NINo. Her appointment if for 1 May.

Good luck on your move.

 

[AchmatK]

I'm thinking now we should have a MyBB get together UK edition - preferably during June/July when I'm back.

At the rate the immigration/emigration threads are popping up it might be doable.

Maybe we need a dedicated sub forum for immigration/emigration threads instead of it all in off topic.

 

[air]

My sister recently got her UK ancestry visa.

Thanks to her!, the hard yards have been done, will very much consider this option moving forward.

Not keen, but based on current trends, future not looking overly rosy.

 

[Vox Populi Vox Dei]

No idea how they tracked her NHS number down. She went in to register at her local GP and received a call back the following day asking if she was from Sitting Borne (sp). They lived there at the time she was born and moved to SA when she was 4. The NHS number was registered to her name on her birth on the old format but was automatically changed when they moved over to the new numbering even though she was no longer in the UK. She confirmed and they gave her the NHS number over the phone. It was the new format NHS number. When you get to the GP they will be able to give the new number.

The bank account was with Monzo on their app available in the Google play store. We did it from SA before she even had a UK address but we needed a UK address and she gave an address of a family member. When she got there she requested a new card through their app and it was delivered in 2 days. The app will only activate when you activate the card.

As mentioned above, the National insurance number is issued to everyone and used by government departments, specifically the department of works and pensions. You have to call the job centre number to make an appointment to apply for the NINo. Her appointment if for 1 May.

Good luck on your move.

So your wife will take about 3 weeks to get an NI number? Good to know, I will keep that in mind when I emigrate (I want to get the NI number before I sign on the dotted line for a job). I guess she is now paying higher tax now without the NI number, but it will be much of a muchness in the greater scheme of things.

 

[AchmatK]

So your wife will take about 3 weeks to get an NI number? Good to know, I will keep that in mind when I emigrate (I want to get the NI number before I sign on the dotted line for a job). I guess she is now paying higher tax now without the NI number, but it will be much of a muchness in the greater scheme of things.

She only starts work on 1 May and will be in a higher tax rate until her NI number comes through. Her HR informed her that it will be adjusted and backdated to when she started. It's also the start of the new tax year in the UK.

 

[AchmatK]

Please tell me she isn't going to/doesn't speak Essex

Don't think so. South African accent all the way and probably too old to change her accent now.

 

[The Voice]

She only starts work on 1 May and will be in a higher tax rate until her NI number comes through. Her HR informed her that it will be adjusted and backdated to when she started. It's also the start of the new tax year in the UK.

Yeah she can claim back all the emergency tax she'll be paying - a mini "bonus". Also, once her NI is sorted, she won't pay ANY tax until she's earned £12500.

 

[Vox Populi Vox Dei]

And what's the easiest way to transfer lots of money to the UK? I have a FNB account here, but will be opening an account at Barclays over there (my dad has an account there, just makes things easier for proof of residence). Would Transferwise be of use in this instance?

 

[AchmatK]

She bought the local newspaper and was surprised to see the court proceedings published including the names of the accused and where they live.

Looking through that list of traffic offences and value of fines I don't think we'll be getting a car there anytime soon. On top of the fine amount, you also have to pay a victim surcharge and court costs. Not sure if the screenshot is big enough.

 

[AchmatK]

And what's the easiest way to transfer lots of money to the UK? I have a FNB account here, but will be opening an account at Barclays over there (my dad has an account there, just makes things easier for proof of residence). Would Transferwise be of use in this instance?

I opened an FNB GBP Global account here and she has a UK monzo bank account.

Transfer ZAR to GBP Global account and then make a payment from the global account to her uk account. If done during working hours the funds are in her monzo account within an hour.

 

[mertin_zn]

Hi there , I am also looking to leave SA. I have a good offer from a company in the UK and I am considering accepting the same. I was hoping get advise about the new tax law that is coming into play March of next year - apparently 45% of amounts over 1mil in earnings. My intention is to relocate with my wife and kid ( whole family) , including selling my home and closing down any debt prior to leaving. Is there anyway I could get around that tax? Is applying for Financial Emigration the only option? It would be a long term sponsor by this company in which case I will work towards full immigration. I dont intend visiting or coming back. Any advise or options on this tax?

 

[Vox Populi Vox Dei]

I opened an FNB GBP Global account here and she has a UK monzo bank account.

Transfer ZAR to GBP Global account and then make a payment from the global account to her uk account. If done during working hours the funds are in her monzo account within an hour.

Cool going to apply to open a Global Account now on the FNB app. Yeah I've heard of Monzo and I'd open with them as well but just be careful, they do lack some features you'd probably expect from a traditional bank. Hell, I think they only recently (as in a few months ago) allowed salaries to be paid into an account, but digital only banks are definitely the future. I adore the concept!

 

[AchmatK]

Hi there , I am also looking to leave SA. I have a good offer from a company in the UK and I am considering accepting the same. I was hoping get advise about the new tax law that is coming into play March of next year - apparently 45% of amounts over 1mil in earnings. My intention is to relocate with my wife and kid ( whole family) , including selling my home and closing down any debt prior to leaving. Is there anyway I could get around that tax? Is applying for Financial Emigration the only option? It would be a long term sponsor by this company in which case I will work towards full immigration. I dont intend visiting or coming back. Any advise or options on this tax?

From my understanding as a tax practitioner myself is that the south African tax system is residency based so if you fulfil the residency requirements and not in the country for a specified time then you pay no tax in South Africa. You will however still need to submit income tax returns every year. The new legislation will not affect people who are no longer resident in South Africa.

When you do financial immigration you do not need to submit tax returns as your tax number will no longer be valid.