Immigrating to the UK

Roger Banana said:
Thanks! We will be in London for 12 nights, and looking to do almost everything in that time - it's why Kings Cross appeals, as you say, since you can basically go anywhere from there. I don't think we would plan on doing anything in Kings Cross except grab a dinner here or there, it's mainly because the hotel looks pretty decent and it's a central hub. My only concern is walking to/around the hotel at night, Although this may just be my South African paranoia!
Click to expand...
You’ll be fine. It’s full of tourists who are less observant than the average South African that are easier targets. :) I joke, have never even spotted any trouble in the area, just the off crazy person. And the South African street preachers.
 
Roger Banana said:
Thanks! We will be in London for 12 nights, and looking to do almost everything in that time - it's why Kings Cross appeals, as you say, since you can basically go anywhere from there. I don't think we would plan on doing anything in Kings Cross except grab a dinner here or there, it's mainly because the hotel looks pretty decent and it's a central hub. My only concern is walking to/around the hotel at night, Although this may just be my South African paranoia!
Click to expand...

12 nights?

That's a lot of time to spend in London - enjoy!
 
The Voice said:
That feeling when you’ve just dropped £3k on citizenship…

giphy.gif
Click to expand...

Congrats!
 
Priapus said:
12 nights?

That's a lot of time to spend in London - enjoy!
Click to expand...
Yeah, we considering moving there so want to get a feel of the city. And usually in these big cities, the first few days are magic, but a week down the line the fatigue/normal life can set in so it will be good to see.
 
Speaking of indefinite leave to remain. I was reading about applying for it and it says you can only apply exactly 5 years of living in UK.

But my visa expires after 5 years.

How does that work? It suggests that I'd have to renew my VISA before applying for indefinite leave to remain so that I can keep my right to rent and work here while I wait?
 
2023 said:
Speaking of indefinite leave to remain. I was reading about applying for it and it says you can only apply exactly 5 years of living in UK.

But my visa expires after 5 years.

How does that work? It suggests that I'd have to renew my VISA before applying for indefinite leave to remain so that I can keep my right to rent and work here while I wait?
Click to expand...
No, you apply for the ILR 28 days before your 5 year visa expires.
You're then subject to some rule, I can't remember the name, where your existing visa is automatically extended until the decision on ILR is reached.

From gov.uk:

When to apply​

The earliest you can apply is 28 days before you’ve been in the UK for 5 years on your Ancestry visa. Your application may be refused if you apply earlier.

Do not wait until your current visa expires. If your visa expires before you can apply for indefinite leave to remain, you’ll need to renew it first.

Fees and how long it takes​

It costs £2,404 for each person applying. You’ll each need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken - there’s no fee for this.

You’ll usually get a decision within 6 months if you apply using the standard service.

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

Get a faster decision on your application​

You can pay to use the super priority service to get a faster decision.

It costs an extra £800 to get a decision:

  • by the end of the next working day after providing your fingerprints and photo (known as ‘biometric information’) if your appointment is on a weekday
  • 2 working days after providing your biometric information if your appointment is at the weekend
Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays.
 
@Sinbad is correct. You apply 28 days before your visa expires. They are very strict here - not 29 days, 28. Make sure you also apply before your visa expires otherwise you will be in a world of pain.

Once applied and you get the notification that it's received you are fine until they reach a decision even if your visa expires before the decision.
 
gregmcc said:
@Sinbad is correct. You apply 28 days before your visa expires. They are very strict here - not 29 days, 28. Make sure you also apply before your visa expires otherwise you will be in a world of pain.

Once applied and you get the notification that it's received you are fine until they reach a decision even if your visa expires before the decision.
Click to expand...

What happens if you let your visa expire - or - apply when you're less than 28 days from expiry ?

Start the whole process over again?
 
Roger Banana said:
Yeah, we considering moving there so want to get a feel of the city. And usually in these big cities, the first few days are magic, but a week down the line the fatigue/normal life can set in so it will be good to see.
Click to expand...


Great plan, but why London? Are you going to explore the rest of the country a bit?

Not many people would choose to live there.
 
Priapus said:
What happens if you let your visa expire - or - apply when you're less than 28 days from expiry ?

Start the whole process over again?
Click to expand...
less than 28 is fine.
Visa expires, you have to renew it, then you can apply for ILR.
 
chopsky said:
Richmond is a really beautiful area, and I'd love to live there. But if it were my first time visiting London, I wouldn't recommend staying there. Too far out. And the District line can be crap - always delays.
Click to expand...

My first month I stayed in Richmond, it is beautiful. I saw my first tesla there, was all excited, my friend said give it 5 minutes....and then I realised, teslas are like corollas here.
Some beautiful walking areas, but agree, district line is not ideal
 
Roger Banana said:
Yeah, we considering moving there so want to get a feel of the city. And usually in these big cities, the first few days are magic, but a week down the line the fatigue/normal life can set in so it will be good to see.
Click to expand...

As others have said, London is not for everyone. My cousin lives near Clapham and has loads of money and loves London, but I avoid going there at any and all costs. Maybe if you are younger it could be quite fun, but you can get quite a nice place further out, more value for money, quieter, less crowded, less abrasive people
 
Priapus said:
Great plan, but why London? Are you going to explore the rest of the country a bit?

Not many people would choose to live there.
Click to expand...
Work wise we would both be based in London, so while we could live a little out, we are restricted to a certain extent.
 
Roger Banana said:
Work wise we would both be based in London, so while we could live a little out, we are restricted to a certain extent.
Click to expand...

Plenty of people work in London and don't stay there. A lot stay near the mainline into London. London is expensive to live. You get more bang for your buck if you live outside and travel to London by train.
 
Priapus said:
Plenty of people work in London and don't stay there. A lot stay near the mainline into London. London is expensive to live. You get more bang for your buck if you live outside and travel to London by train.
Click to expand...

This, a lot this. I'd say if going for 12 days, spend half or a third of the time staying and gettng a feel for the outside areas most London workers stay. In London itself is HECTIC living.
 
When I got here I was in the city centre (not London mind you, but a 'top 10 by population' one) for about 2 weeks and couldn't take it anymore lol. Can't imagine what it's like living in London
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X