Immigrating to the UK

Nice one, how long have you been here? Someone told me they might require a bigger deposit for people on visas but not sure if that's true or just sort of linked to your credit history. Really aiming to also buy in 2 years or so...rent is fkn killing my soul

Lloyds said to me that if you do not have indefinitely leave to remain you need 25% deposit. If you earn more than 100K you don't need 25%

I can't speak for all the mortgages, but that's my first hand experience (I was scouting out what to expect form mortgages)

This was like 2 months back
 
When I came over I was on a spousal visa. We bought a house about 8 years ago and just when we were about to sign with Santander they said oh I see you are on a visa....we can't offer you a mortgage!

We eventually got one through NatWest with a 10% deposit. It was a long time ago but they are still funny with people on visas.
 
Lloyds said to me that if you do not have indefinitely leave to remain you need 25% deposit. If you earn more than 100K you don't need 25%

I can't speak for all the mortgages, but that's my first hand experience (I was scouting out what to expect form mortgages)

This was like 2 months back

Good grief @Messugga must earn a fortune :eek:
 
Your wife has a right to live in the UK with adopted kids. You on the other hand has a problem. The UK has the most strict immigration laws in the world and especially so when a citizen tries to "import" a third country spouse.
By third country I mean a non EU member.
My cousin (in his 40's), who is SA born, emigrated 2 years ago to join his wife (also just turned 41), born in SA from British mother & SA father, and their son (now 19).

His wife worked for a local bank, and went on leave to visit relatives in the UK (on her British passport). Heard that a company was looking for someone with her skills and went for an interview.

Phoned her manager and resigned straight thereafter, without ever returning to SA. That was 4.5 years ago!

My cousin spent the time apart gathering all the necessary documentation and disposing of all their large assets before leaving. He landed a job soon after his arrival, working for the NHS.

They are extremely happy and their son has completed his schooling there and is now studying and working part-time.
 
How do you send pounds to rands? I may need to make some payments off my South African bank accounts but they are effectively empty.
 
How do you send pounds to rands? I may need to make some payments off my South African bank accounts but they are effectively empty.
Just do a bank transfer from your non-SA banking app. You'll need the SA account number and SWIFT code. You don't need IBAN to transfer money to SA bank account.
 
How do you send pounds to rands? I may need to make some payments off my South African bank accounts but they are effectively empty.
I do this every month.
Starling used to be my go-to bank, but then after a year they started giving me issues (in Jan they asked for information regarding the transactions - which I supplied, then in Feb they wanted even more). I tried Remitily, but I found their exchange rate wasn't favourable. I am now using Revolut to send money back to SA every month. I send back about R15,000 so the exchange rate can help me keep a few bob in the UK.
 
How do you send pounds to rands? I may need to make some payments off my South African bank accounts but they are effectively empty.
Wise. Much better rate than what Barclays offers me.
 
You coming over or what?
lol, I would like to (visit) but I can only do 1 trip. US & Canada or the UK.

Sorting out final stages for US & Canada trip.

I do have a good buddy that moved over to Wells in Feb, he is enjoying it there but just today was mentioning in our group chat about missing the sun.

Apparently it’s been cold & raining almost every day since he arrived two months ago.
 
lol, I would like to (visit) but I can only do 1 trip. US & Canada or the UK.

Sorting out final stages for US & Canada trip.

I do have a good buddy that moved over to Wells in Feb, he is enjoying it there but just today was mentioning in our group chat about missing the sun.

Apparently it’s been cold & raining almost every day since he arrived two months ago.

Well yeah, bound to happen if you arrive at the end of winter/start of spring in most European countries.
 
How's the job market for older people, like 40-50yrs with kids in school? In IT/Telecomms, but not coding or computer science.
 
How's the job market for older people, like 40-50yrs with kids in school? In IT/Telecomms, but not coding or computer science.

Which part of IT/Telecomms?
There are loads of jobs here, but loads of applications as well and what I think is tougher competition.

I climbed the ladder in SA mainly through grinding and standard certifications as well as industry word of mouth, I've been let down by my lack of decent post grad qualifications, which I am rectifying now. Would still say there is more opportunity here though in general
 
Which part of IT/Telecomms?
There are loads of jobs here, but loads of applications as well and what I think is tougher competition.

I climbed the ladder in SA mainly through grinding and standard certifications as well as industry word of mouth, I've been let down by my lack of decent post grad qualifications, which I am rectifying now. Would still say there is more opportunity here though in general
ie: Product development, networks.

I've recently seen many tiktoks of younger South Africans and Australians really struggling to find work. But a) they are young with little/no experience b) they are on young people visas c) they are in London.

I'm a british citizen, so I hope that would count in my favour.
 
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