Immigrating to the UK

[cguy]

There are Americans on YT who live in the UK and have gone through the effort of comparing and the prices in the US are crazy compared to the UK. And they weren't shopping at whole foods.

Yeah, but are they just comparing like-baskets or are they accounting for the bulk buying that is fairly typical in the US. It would be interesting to see a Costco US vs Costco UK vs Non-bulk UK comparison for example.

Also, as a side note, Americans earn a lot more on average, so the pain may not be nearly as much.

 

[Priapus]

From what I recall the 10 year one is the only one that is more cost effective than just getting the annual one.

Unless they reject it and you’re down 18k.
I wanted the 10yr one to save the paper work which is a PITA each time.

Oh well. Spousal visa will be applied for in march.

 

[bwana]

I wanted the 10yr one to save the paper work which is a PITA each time.

My wife, the only one of my immediate family who requires a visa, accompanies me every other year or so, so the 10 year visa really isn't with the additional cost especially when it rarely takes more than an hour in total to apply for a new one.

 

[Hatefulsandwich]

Looking for some advice regarding ancestry visa.

I was planning to apply for mine and go over next year in spring, but the latest announcements about visa and health surcharge increases have thrown a spanner in the works.

This is already going to be a difficult move for me to do as I will be doing it alone without much local support in the UK. I wanted to have a last summer and christmas with the family, especially considering my parents are elderly and have health problems. It may be the last time I get to see them. I don't think I'll be able to cope with a UK winter on top of the rest of the stresses. The Prime Minister is determined to get the increases passed in autumn so no two ways about it, I would land up there in winter.

I'm thinking of sorting things out and going for a short trip to finalise everything so I can return later. Does anyone know what I would need to get done for that? As far as I understand it is basically just collecting the Biometric Residence Permit.

And yes I get it sounds utterly insane to spend the money on flights and accommodation just to pick up a card, but it's still cheaper than it would be to pay a 66% increase on 5 years of health surcharge fees. I could spend a month or two at home with my folks to save up a bit more money as well (I was already planning on doing that because of the erosion of the Rand this year).

TL;DR: On an ancestry visa, is picking up the Bioemtric Residence Permit all I need to do to finalise everything so I can return in the future without any hassle? If not, what else do I need to get done?

 

[Sinbad]

Looking for some advice regarding ancestry visa.

I was planning to apply for mine and go over next year in spring, but the latest announcements about visa and health surcharge increases have thrown a spanner in the works.

This is already going to be a difficult move for me to do as I will be doing it alone without much local support in the UK. I wanted to have a last summer and christmas with the family, especially considering my parents are elderly and have health problems. It may be the last time I get to see them. I don't think I'll be able to cope with a UK winter on top of the rest of the stresses. The Prime Minister is determined to get the increases passed in autumn so no two ways about it, I would land up there in winter.

I'm thinking of sorting things out and going for a short trip to finalise everything so I can return later. Does anyone know what I would need to get done for that? As far as I understand it is basically just collecting the Biometric Residence Permit.

And yes I get it sounds utterly insane to spend the money on flights and accommodation just to pick up a card, but it's still cheaper than it would be to pay a 66% increase on 5 years of health surcharge fees. I could spend a month or two at home with my folks to save up a bit more money as well (I was already planning on doing that because of the erosion of the Rand this year).

TL;DR: On an ancestry visa, is picking up the Bioemtric Residence Permit all I need to do to finalise everything so I can return in the future without any hassle? If not, what else do I need to get done?

Disclaimer: I am not an immigration lawyer.

You need to beware of the following:
You cannot spend more than 180 days in a 12 month period outside the UK or else you will lose your right to ILR and you will need to complete a fresh 5 year qualifying stint - you'll need to extend your visa then for an additional 5 years with all the costs (IHS) that entails.

Once you have your BRP, you are UK resident (temporarily) so you can leave and return freely - bearing the above in mind.

 

[Priapus]

And yes I get it sounds utterly insane to spend the money on flights and accommodation just to pick up a card, but it's still cheaper than it would be to pay a 66% increase on 5 years of health surcharge fees. I could spend a month or two at home with my folks to save up a bit more money as well (I was already planning on doing that because of the erosion of the Rand this year).

I'm pretty much planning the same thing, next year. Will go there to collect the card and return to SA. But as @Sinbad mentions; you cannot spend more than 180 days outside of the UK during a 12 month period - so bare that in mind.

 

[The Voice]

Looking for some advice regarding ancestry visa.

I was planning to apply for mine and go over next year in spring, but the latest announcements about visa and health surcharge increases have thrown a spanner in the works.

This is already going to be a difficult move for me to do as I will be doing it alone without much local support in the UK. I wanted to have a last summer and christmas with the family, especially considering my parents are elderly and have health problems. It may be the last time I get to see them. I don't think I'll be able to cope with a UK winter on top of the rest of the stresses. The Prime Minister is determined to get the increases passed in autumn so no two ways about it, I would land up there in winter.

I'm thinking of sorting things out and going for a short trip to finalise everything so I can return later. Does anyone know what I would need to get done for that? As far as I understand it is basically just collecting the Biometric Residence Permit.

And yes I get it sounds utterly insane to spend the money on flights and accommodation just to pick up a card, but it's still cheaper than it would be to pay a 66% increase on 5 years of health surcharge fees. I could spend a month or two at home with my folks to save up a bit more money as well (I was already planning on doing that because of the erosion of the Rand this year).

TL;DR: On an ancestry visa, is picking up the Bioemtric Residence Permit all I need to do to finalise everything so I can return in the future without any hassle? If not, what else do I need to get done?

To answer the TL;DR: yes, once you’ve collected the BRP you can come and go as you please. Haven’t done the quick mafs but buying a return flight to collect it is possibly a lot cheaper than what the surcharge increase is going to be.

 

[Priapus]

To answer the TL;DR: yes, once you’ve collected the BRP you can come and go as you please. Haven’t done the quick mafs but buying a return flight to collect it is possibly a lot cheaper than what the surcharge increase is going to be.

In my case, it'll be 2500GBP more to get the visa after the increases take effect. A flight there to collect it and return, is cheaper.

 

[Sinbad]

In my case, it'll be 2500GBP more to get the visa after the increases take effect. A flight there to collect it and return, is cheaper.

and remember an ancestral you pay up front for 5 years. Probably similar amount for a single person as it is for your two, so definitely worth it.

 

[Hamish McPanji]

Brp you have to collect in person
Your entry vignette will be valid for something like 30 days from issue and you should pick up your brp within 10 days of arriving.


As for those increases... **** me, and **** the tories. Double taxation ftl. I hope its april, we renew in jan

@Sinbad , how does the health thing work? Does the BRP automatically allow you to book a doctor's appointment, or do you now have to register for the NHS as well?

 

[Sinbad]

@Sinbad , how does the health thing work? Does the BRP automatically allow you to book a doctor's appointment, or do you now have to register for the NHS as well?

You need to register with a gp surgery. You might need an NI number first - have you got that yet?

 

[Hamish McPanji]

You need to register with a gp surgery. You might need an NI number first - have you got that yet?

No. Does that come with the BRP?

 

[Priapus]

and remember an ancestral you pay up front for 5 years. Probably similar amount for a single person as it is for your two, so definitely worth it.

Oh, 5 years upfront? Ouch.

 

[Sinbad]

No. Does that come with the BRP?

No.

Apply for a National Insurance number

Apply for your first National Insurance number - you must have the right to live and work in the UK.

www.gov.uk

It's basically your tax reference number. You're gonna need it when you start working.
You can try the doctor registration without it though.

 

[Priapus]

Someone here recommended Sable International.

I contacted them last week a posed the same question(s) to them. They're of the understanding that once you have the Spouse visa - you have 90 days to enter the UK and collect the BRP.

They also charge 800 GBP to handle the application. I am wondering if it's worth just going through them to make sure all is good - R80k (before increases) is a lot of money to put up.

 

[Hamish McPanji]

No.

Apply for a National Insurance number

Apply for your first National Insurance number - you must have the right to live and work in the UK.

www.gov.uk

It's basically your tax reference number. You're gonna need it when you start working.
You can try the doctor registration without it though.

It says I need my BRP to apply for the NI number. Takes up to 4 weeks , wtf.

So will not be able to get my prescriptions sorted out for a couple of months.

 

[Priapus]

It says I need my BRP to apply for the NI number. Takes up to 4 weeks , wtf.

So will not be able to get my prescriptions sorted out for a couple of months.

Are you able to "stock up" before you leave and take a doctors letter and perception with you when you fly?

 

[prod]

No.

Apply for a National Insurance number

Apply for your first National Insurance number - you must have the right to live and work in the UK.

www.gov.uk

It's basically your tax reference number. You're gonna need it when you start working.
You can try the doctor registration without it though.

Just picked up my BRP and it already has an NI number on the back, but I'm on a SWV so I guess that's why.

 

[Priapus]

Just picked up my BRP and it already has an NI number on the back, but I'm on a SWV so I guess that's why.

Yes as they need that for tax purposes.

 

[Sinbad]

Someone here recommended Sable International.

I contacted them last week a posed the same question(s) to them. They're of the understanding that once you have the Spouse visa - you have 90 days to enter the UK and collect the BRP.

They also charge 800 GBP to handle the application. I am wondering if it's worth just going through them to make sure all is good - R80k (before increases) is a lot of money to put up.

I think they extended the 30 days to 90 with covid, I guess they haven't pulled that back yet.

800GBP is a shitload of money. I should think you can do the application yourself.