Immigrating to the UK

[syntax]

hoping someone has done this before and can advise
My partner is coming through to UK with her kid permanently in a few months. The father and her were never married.

I have some conflicting documentation and lawyers are all over the place.
Do I need a specific court order or can I get away with UBC and PCA with passports and VISAs?

 

[Priapus]

Using something like Shyft is cheaper and pretty straightforward. That's how I transferred my money to the EU. Investec (and the rest I guess) were just too expensive.

Shyft global money app

Forex, investments, travel solutions and international payments

getshyft.co.za

Okay, so tried Shyft this morning. Seems pretty straight forward and definitely cheaper - however after adding to my GBP wallet; it says payments are only permitted after 7h55m ? - Not in a rush to send it right now - but why the delay?

Are there any fees when using a Virtual card on Shyft; internationally? For our July trip to the UK, trying to decide if I should open a UK bank account with Investec and use that. Or create a virtual card on Shyft.

UK account on Investec is a monthly cost - which is what puts me off.

 

[Tman*]

Okay, so tried Shyft this morning. Seems pretty straight forward and definitely cheaper - however after adding to my GBP wallet; it says payments are only permitted after 7h55m ? - Not in a rush to send it right now - but why the delay?

Are there any fees when using a Virtual card on Shyft; internationally? For our July trip to the UK, trying to decide if I should open a UK bank account with Investec and use that. Or create a virtual card on Shyft.

UK account on Investec is a monthly cost - which is what puts me off.

The 7h55m delay is only for the 1st transaction and is probably a safety feature.

 

[Priapus]

The 7h55m delay is only for the 1st transaction and is probably a safety feature.

Ah figured as much So future transactions won't have that delay?

 

[Hamster]

Okay, so tried Shyft this morning. Seems pretty straight forward and definitely cheaper - however after adding to my GBP wallet; it says payments are only permitted after 7h55m ? - Not in a rush to send it right now - but why the delay?

Are there any fees when using a Virtual card on Shyft; internationally? For our July trip to the UK, trying to decide if I should open a UK bank account with Investec and use that. Or create a virtual card on Shyft.

UK account on Investec is a monthly cost - which is what puts me off.

I never got to use the card. I had it but I paid using my Investec card and had a bank card here a couple of days after landing.

To do that with Investec btw is to tell your guy you want it enabled for this country for this number of days. No need for a UK account but you'll rack up conversion fees.

But I imagine the Shyft card will be cheaper.

 

[Priapus]

I never got to use the card. I had it but I paid using my Investec card and had a bank card here a couple of days after landing.

To do that with Investec btw is to tell your guy you want it enabled for this country for this number of days. No need for a UK account but you'll rack up conversion fees.

But I imagine the Shyft card will be cheaper.

That's what I want to avoid. Opening a UK account with them, means I can buy GBP - put it in the UK account and use the UK card in the UK, with zero transactional fees.

However, I then need to pay something like R200 a month to keep the UK account open. That's the bit I am not too keen on.

I think if I put GBP in my UK wallet on Shyft, and then use the Virtual card linked to that wallet (Not sure if that's a thing) - there should be no transactional fees....

I'll dig a bit and try find out.

 

[Hamster]

I think if I put GBP in my UK wallet on Shyft, and then use the Virtual card linked to that wallet (Not sure if that's a thing)

IIRC it will pick money from the relevant currency account first and then fall over to another account, but memory of it is vague.

 

[syntax]

View attachment 1462569

Just came through

Did you just change the information on the RAV01 form?

 

[Sinbad]

Did you just change the information on the RAV01 form?

First I checked the "became non resident" on my it12 when I filed it in 2021 tax season. Nothing happened though. I had already changed the RAV01 before that, when I moved, with UK address details
I looked at the RAV01 again a couple of weeks ago and noted it said non-resident. I updated a phone number on it, and that then seems to have triggered the efiling request for info justifying my request to be non resident. I sent the docs they asked for, and a week or two later that notification come through.

 

[2026]

That's what I want to avoid. Opening a UK account with them, means I can buy GBP - put it in the UK account and use the UK card in the UK, with zero transactional fees.

However, I then need to pay something like R200 a month to keep the UK account open. That's the bit I am not too keen on.

I think if I put GBP in my UK wallet on Shyft, and then use the Virtual card linked to that wallet (Not sure if that's a thing) - there should be no transactional fees....

I'll dig a bit and try find out.

You can find the pricing here:

Help

Help page for the Shyft App. Find out how we can help with the Shyft App below.

getshyft.co.za

 

[JayM]

First I checked the "became non resident" on my it12 when I filed it in 2021 tax season. Nothing happened though. I had already changed the RAV01 before that, when I moved, with UK address details
I looked at the RAV01 again a couple of weeks ago and noted it said non-resident. I updated a phone number on it, and that then seems to have triggered the efiling request for info justifying my request to be non resident. I sent the docs they asked for, and a week or two later that notification come through.

I have to go through with this - what docs do they ask for?

 

[Sinbad]

I have to go through with this - what docs do they ask for?

Dear Taxpayer,
REQUEST FOR RELEVANT SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
This letter is to confirm that we received your request to update your tax residency status to non-resident. In order for SARS to verify your
change in status, please submit the following relevant supporting documents:
- The signed declaration indicating the basis on which you qualify (you can download the form from the SARS website, www.sars.gov.za).
- A letter of motivation setting out the facts and circumstances in detail to support the disclosure that you have ceased to be a tax
resident.
- A copy of your passport and travel diary.
In addition to the information listed above, as applicable, include the following:
- The type of visa on which you have gone to the foreign country.
- Where you have already taken up permanent residence in the foreign country, submit proof thereof.
- A certificate of tax residence from the foreign revenue authority or a letter from the authority that indicates that you are regarded as a tax
resident in that country (If available).
- Details of any property that you may still have available in South Africa (Indicate the purpose for which such property is being used).
- Details of any business interest (e.g. investment and employment) that you may still have in South Africa.
- Details of your family. Indicate whether any family members are in South Africa and the reason therefor.
- Details of your social interests (e.g. gym contract, recreational clubs and societies) and location of your personal belongings.
- Details of any return visits to South Africa, their frequency and the reason for undertaking such visits.
- Only the standard requirements must be supplied.
- A certificate of tax residence from the foreign revenue authority or a letter from the authority that indicates your status as a tax resident
in that country.
Please submit the relevant supporting documents via eFiling or the SARS website, using the Online Query System (www.sars.gov.za,
click Contact us, Submit supporting documents) by no later than 2023/02/06. Should you not adhere to this, your request will be rejected
and you will be required to submit a new request to SARS.
Sincerely
ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE COMMISSIONER OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN REVENUE SERVICE

I sent my UK passport, my SA passport, the letter from my solicitors confirming completion of my property purchase here, and a letter of motivation telling when I left, how I haven't been back, don't have any property or business left in SA apart from a small retirement annuity, my wife is with me and we consider ourselves to be permanently settled here with no intention to return other than for occasional family visits. I also mentioned I have no memberships in SA and detailed my gym and sailing club memberships here.

 

[The Voice]

I sent my UK passport, my SA passport, the letter from my solicitors confirming completion of my property purchase here, and a letter of motivation telling when I left, how I haven't been back, don't have any property or business left in SA apart from a small retirement annuity, my wife is with me and we consider ourselves to be permanently settled here with no intention to return other than for occasional family visits. I also mentioned I have no memberships in SA and detailed my gym and sailing club memberships here.

Glad I moved here before I had to bother with all that.

 

[Sinbad]

Glad I moved here before I had to bother with all that.

To be frank, the total time expenditure on my part was 30 minutes or less...

 

[killerbyte]

I have money ready and waiting in my Shyft account for tomorrow. Once interest rate hike is announced the Rand should strengthen and then I can hopefully buy a few thousand pounds at R20 per GBP.
I got Shyft to send me a physical card, and I have created a UK virtual card.
I need to buy things in the UK the day I land (spending about 1K) so I want to not convert on the day, but rather get the best bang for buck before I even leave.

 

[2026]

I have money ready and waiting in my Shyft account for tomorrow. Once interest rate hike is announced the Rand should strengthen and then I can hopefully buy a few thousand pounds at R20 per GBP.
I got Shyft to send me a physical card, and I have created a UK virtual card.
I need to buy things in the UK the day I land (spending about 1K) so I want to not convert on the day, but rather get the best bang for buck before I even leave.

Check that your physical card is activated before you go, apparently you might need to activate it after you recieve it.

 

[killerbyte]

Check that your physical card is activated before you go, apparently you might need to activate it after you recieve it.

You have to link it to your account when you get it, which I did.

 

[Tman*]

Okay, so tried Shyft this morning. Seems pretty straight forward and definitely cheaper - however after adding to my GBP wallet; it says payments are only permitted after 7h55m ? - Not in a rush to send it right now - but why the delay?

The 7h55m delay is only for the 1st transaction and is probably a safety feature.

@killerbyte - just make certain you are not caught off guard with this for tomorrow...

 

[Priapus]

@killerbyte - just make certain you are not caught off guard with this for tomorrow...

Can confirm that after that period, I was able to make the payment. It showed up in the UK bank within an hour, that’s pretty impressive. Normally takes like 2 days with forex from the banks.

 

[killerbyte]

@killerbyte - just make certain you are not caught off guard with this for tomorrow...

I am not needing to do any payments today, just need to buy Pounds.
Or am I misunderstanding?
And is it 7h55m, or 07:55?