₦airaland Forum

LagosismyHome:
Wow ...what a terrible landlord. So the landlord could not provide white goods for rental. Na wah

Never heard a tenant providing fridge, washing machine... I get unfurnished but unfurnished should come with white goods .

Some of them are like that. Though mine had white goods, it was after I moved in the landlord was telling me if anything happens, I would bear the cost of repairs that the fridge and washing machine were left by a former tenant and not his business. I just told him point blank that it won't happen and that he will bear it. You can't advertise a house with white goods, demand a rent based on that and tell me nonsense. Some landlords don't mind letting you a chicken house as long as their rent is coming in.

Lexusgs430:
Best bet to start working out and instalment payment plan ............


Her original plan was to come to the UK, work and payback........

That plan don hit working ceiling fan ........

I will be shocked if the lender gets £100 out of that money back. The best advice to give the lender is to learn from the experience. There are equally trustworthy people that you lend money for POF and they return it as agreed. Na make God just dey help person.

nairalandolodo3:
Hello kindly enunciate on this part. She was applying for UK jobs from Nigeria? Or Nigerian jobs in Nigeria?

Nigerian Jobs in Nigeria

Chreze:
Hi bro (judging by prince in your name)

I like you managed the situation. Are you interested in being the next prime minister of the UK. If you are then, let me know and we will arrange it.

The prime minister’s seat will be vacant next month. We can get you there. Don’t worry about campaign money, we go collect small from Tinubu bullion van.

Haha... House go roast me o cos everyday na owambe for No. 10

Na joke oo

justwise:
Bingo!! Here we go, this is what happens when you cheat yourself thinking that you are smart by using untouchable loan to get a visa

I will keep saying it and i couldn't give a rat backside what some of you think about me.

Don't come to the UK if you are not financially prepared, at least for the first 3months, by then you are familiar with few things and get a job to survive.

Ask those encouraging you to go ahead with this perilous journey to accommodation for one night, just a night.

You are not wrong with this. However, what Nigeria has turned to in the last 2 to 3 years is best left unsaid. Only those of us that came into the UK in last 1 or 2 years can relate. It is now at a point where you said N5k or N10k gift to someone for and you are told to your face you have no shame (na before dem go talk am for your back. Lol). So everyone is just looking for a way out as long as they get something doing and making a meaning out of their lives. You can't blame them. I won't support getting it legally tho (whether using a blocked loan amount to apply for visa is legal or not is another topic) My wife was without job for 3 years in Naija after countless applications and she joined me as a dependant and got 2 during her 14 day quarantine. So the advice of people getting money for 3 months to settle in May not go down well with some people have trying so hard to get tuition and paying visa fees despite the challenges.

I just like that you have called out the fact that people need finances to settle in for the first few months especially in cases where they don't have people here to support them. So you have done your bit.

This is a forum, once a person seeks other people's opinion about something, he should not be biased in the way he takes peoples responses. It is usually good to have a balanced view. In the end, taking the decision lies with him. Attacking a particular person makes it look like you have put someone in mind waiting to explode.

IcecoldDon:
Thanks Bro. I have seen here something concerning the energy rating as A to D was considered good, so that was what I was a bit vague about. Also the 2 older kids will be 3 and 6 by April, will they both have to wait till September to get into school or is there any kind of unofficial school program for such kids that just came into the country. I have heard a lot of good things about catholic schools as well and will check them out based on your recommendations.

EPC rating is a review of a property's energy efficiency that gives you an idea of how much energy you are likely to use based on the structural build of the property. The higher the better (A being the best). Any rating between A and D would be ideal but mind you electricity cost is based on usage no matter the rating. Your would be 6 year old is of school age (Yr 1). Once you get your accomodation and they arrive just visit your council website and full an one-year application (you should have the opportunity to state about 6 preferred schools) he/she would then be offered a space where available. For the would be 3 yr old, he or she would be school age next year but won't start till September 2023. He/she can start nursery and would be entitled to 15 hours weekly free childcare (you will need to apply for it)

IcecoldDon:
@ TheGuyFromHR @Chreze @OSCARTM @dubaiprince

Please just reposting this here more responses to help me take a decision please.

Hi guys, Happy New Year to you all. My spouse and 3 kids are coming to join me in a couple of months and I would deeply appreciate recommendations for decent and affordable areas to get accommodation in Birmingham. Someone told me of King standing and advised that I should go for areas like that as my budget is around £600-£650 for a 2 bedroom. Also really good Christian based primary schools will be a great attraction for me, I get that most of the schools are great and so I am just asking for personal reviews or recommendations based on individual experiences for what I should look out for when narrowing down my choices both for the accommodation and the school.

Happy New Year. If you are expecting them in a couple of months, now is the good time to start searching actively by calling agents. Depending on your kids ages, it may be tough getting a 2 bed with 3 kids (talking from experience with London agents and landlords) and this is because it is competitive. Where you have multiple viewings, Landlords are more inclined to give their houses to the application with lesser number of occupants because of faster wear and tear due to kids. I had to settle for 3 bed and that was after I had to agree to a slightly increased rent from what was advertised as I was running out of time.

I dont know how it is in Birmingham tho but you can go with your chase for a 2 bed. Then if you see it is not working out and you are getting pressed for time, you can consider a 3 bed.

Some of the factors you can consider for choosing good accomodation are;
The condition of the apartment, proximity to schools, bus stops, pharmacy, surgery, shops, parks and other amenities. I for one don't like noise so any apartment by the road where public buses pass or on a high street was a no for me. You can research about crime rates in the area as well.

For the school bit, I have heard a lot of people talk about how Catholic schools are but can't say much about it because my children attend a small school owned by a church and they are loving it. The OFSTED rating and reviews about the school will come handy here.

In all, it shows you already know what you want so go for it and if it needs you slightly adjusting your budget, I can tell you for free that it would be worth it.

Ladyzain:
Hello house please I need your advice. I have children 8&10 and another 3 years old .
I got an NHS job planning to apply for Visa.
Am concerned, will this children be granted Visa as I intend applying with them while the father apply at a later date due to work here in Nigeria.

They should be granted visa as long as there is a letter jointly signed by both parents agreeing to the kids travelling with their mother. The signed letter would be submitted as part of the visa application.

IcecoldDon:
Right. Mine is Tier 4 though i.e Student Visa. Maybe that is the reason why the set rates are £470 for everyone and while there was no visible option for discount. Even for PoF it is shown as £680 for 9 months for each person still not stating any discrepancy between adult or infant. What is the safest conversion rates to use for these official payments as i am very sure it cant be black market rate of £1/N750 right?

Oh I see. Thought you meant Tier 2. Don't know much about Tier 4. The system bills you in USD. It is up to you on the payment method you decide to use. I am not sure there is any cost effective method now since paying through paga (where you get debited in Naira at CBN rate) have been suspended.

IcecoldDon:
Oh really. That's really good to know. On the official website, it wasnt clear at all because it just stated £470 as the blanket rate for the Health surcharge per person. Was that the same amount that was discounted for you at 25%?

For tier 2 (not health and care worker visa) the advertised rates are £624 per year for adult and £470 per year for children. In reality, when paying, people pay slightly higher than that due to conversion or how the system is set because the bill is denominated in USD. In my kids case, I paid £1,221 for 2.5 years for each child and £1,621 for 2.5 years for my wife.

IcecoldDon:
@justwise @TheGuyFromHR @fatima04 Please I posted this earlier

Hello Guys, this is my first post on this thread even though i have been following for some weeks now and I have to say it has been very wonderful seeing all the invaluable contributions made here for our benefit. Kudos to you all. I am currently doing my Msc in Construction Project and Cost Management in Coventry University and I got here in October. I am hoping to bring my wife and 3 kids over latest by April hopefully, so I was hoping for responses from the house on the following;
1. Is it true that it is not permitted to get a 2 bedroom if you have 3 kids?
2. Are Visa and Health surcharge same for kids under 5 years old, the last will be one next year May
3. I have around 8 years construction and project management background as I have been based in Abuja, what are the chances of getting a sponsored construction job here before my student visa is up as against the post study visa which i have already calculated as over 9000 pounds for me and my family.
Thank you so much for your anticipated responses. I have a lot more questions but this will suffice for now. Happy holidays everyone!!!

I am on a tier 2 visa. I applied for UK dependent visa for my wife and 3 kids (6,4 and 2) around May this year. Health surcharge for the children was discounted at 25%. The visa fees were the same.

5gee:
Abeg use my own o.

https://referral.lemonade.finance/invite/rNUJ
Thank you

Used. Thanks

canadaishome:
Thank you O.... I... and A.... A.... For using my lemonade referral link. I'm sure you got your £20 Cashback
Came at the right time cos I had a naira emergency for a family member in Nigeria.

God bless

Please can you share your referral link again?

jimmyolasun:
If Uber driver talk him own story too now, naa another thing him go claim... Make we just sit here dey observe as e dey go...

One cannot judge based on one person's account. You said app charged driver low and then said the rider wanted to cancel. My understanding is that the bill comes up after a trip must have been ended. So the case of cancellation by rider should not even arise

CSTRR:
It also shows the poor foresight of Nigerians in the UK.

British politicians of Nigerian origin are not pulling their weight compared to the Asians.

I kind of agree. This is however another topic entirely.

To me, this is a welcome development. I am a Nigerian based in the UK. COVID is a global issue. How many years will it take all these people to realise this? During the delta variant, the UK had to apply sense because they can't mess with the Indians. E reach Africa turn, you dey ban anyhow. People that are allowed to enter have to do covid test 24hrs before flights after which you quarantine them in a hotel with rubbish food for 10 nights out of which the person must have had another covid test in day 2 (all these for about N1.5m without cost of ticket). Is that not corporate kidnapping? No be juju be that? Why no let vaccinated people quarantine at home and for those not vaccinated, release them after day 2 if tested negative then reduce the money. By the time BA and virgin Atlantic hear am for their revenue, they will speak sense to them. Nigerians in the UK can't be stranded going by this. Qatar, Egypt air, air maroc dey there and they are way even cheaper than BA and virgin Atlantic.

realvip:
Especially for roundabout. Google map told me 25 minutes to my destination, after walking round for about 2hrs few days ago, na ask I ask people take reach where I dey go. Not that the map is wrong, na to follow am hard especially for trekking.

If in London, use citymapper

LagosismyHome:
A friend and her son were relocating from naija , her plan was to stay with her brother only for him to say he relocating to USA. She came and found her own accommodation

It then turns out the brother was never relocating anywhere and just lied....but then do you blame him

When I asked what was her plan, she had planned for her and her son to live with her brother for one year, but he lives in a one bed and has lived alone for yearssss. He didn't have the courage to say no so he lived, but can't blame him. One year plan in his one bed, that isn't fair to him too but most times people think only of themselves. What they can save not how inconvenient it is to the host

What is right is right and what is wrong is wrong. We should not stress it. The brother should have just explained his situation. He would have done the right thing by telling the truth and clear his conscience. Leave the other person to think whatever she thinks.

ocpaschal:
wow, but why does it take up to 20 days for them to respond? they are terrible... It is even a challenge to get a job in UK without BRP. My brother went for a job interview today, and after showing his other documents and going through the interview process, he was told that he needs to present his share code (which can only be obtained by inputting your BRP number on the gov site) in order for d employer to check your eligibility to work for 20hrs as a foreign student and also confirm from UKVI too.. So this BRP delay is frustrating, and he's one step away from getting the healthcare job, but the employer said he would have to bring his BRP when it's ready...

Since covid, a lot if things have been in a mess I must tell you (BRP, NI, Drivers licence etc). BRP makes your life easier isn't it? though employers, landlords and government agencies have links they can use to verify right to live and work with the Home office if you are experiencing delays but most are either ignorant or simply don't want to go through that route when there are other straight forward applications. Just chill for the 20days after which you should call them and send emails to the home office complaints email address. They will look into your case.

ocpaschal:
hmm, although I have only reported once at their gov.uk website, but someone earlier advised that I can send another report again on the UKVI gov website concerning BRP to ensure that they get my attention quickly.. Which one pesin go do

I had the same issue last year when I got into the UK. Infact I got my BRP after 3 months of arrival. I kept reporting online using the brp link doing it like 5 times daily and got no response. I then called UKVI (BRP unit) and was informed to report using the link just once and wait for 20days. I was told multiple reporting would amount to wiping out your previous report. Just report once and be patient. another thing you can do is to involve your MP to chase the Home Office

ocpaschal:
exactly, the UKVI did not email him too. My bro always went to post office weekly, and still nothing. He will go to post office tomorrow. Too bad int'l students could face an avoidable challenge due to lack of info. He also filled in his details on this link last week but no response since last Monday (a week ago). Is it advisable for him to be requesting for answers on the BRP delay from UKVI repeatedly to see if they can reply soonest?

He should just report on the ukvi website and keep checking the post office. Also give them 20 days to respond after reporting online before you call UKVI and don't report online repeatedly as your previous report gets wiped out and the 20 days starts counting all over.

A whole ministry incurs publicity costs to show that a whole minister launches a shitty portal. A portal with no information whatsoever. Them swear for this country? People supporting this Government and thinking Nigerians don't deserve better have a special place in hell because you are the main problem.

I feel it is just bad belle to say professionals should not leave when they have the opportunity to. If you say Education in Nigeria is near free by comparing fees abroad, then you have not considered some things. Do we spend pounds or USD in Nigeria for fees? with a minimum wage of 18k and most of the citizen living below poverty line, How many can afford sending their Kids to university where most even sweat to get money for JAMB form.

Someone will now graduate and get peanut as salary. Salary not enough for upkeep talkless taking care of the parents to recoup the fruit of their labour. For the few fortunate ones that get good jobs, they are treated like slaves even in their own so called fatherland. Everything is just a mess.

my5andtom2:
If you have a virgin passport just hold like 15k or 20k in naira for settlement or else they will delay you and you might miss your flight without any form of compensation. Prevention is better than cure. My 2 cent

For how long will they delay me? last year was my first time travelling out of Naija. I had all my documents available and my uncle in the UK said since it was my first time, I should not carry any food stuff. I got to the airport 4pm for an 11pm flight. British airways opened their counter around 5pm and from the gate, I just told those quarantine guys to leave me alone cos I don't have any foodstuff, they just let me be. So how immigration will delay me for 4hours is what I was waiting for. Na them go tire. I have noticed that they will ask, if you have give, if you don't just tell them you don't have, what are you going to use Naira for where you are travelling to in the first place and your foreign currency is on card.

solalal36:
I got this response from them

That's the standard response people get. It takes them more than five days to respond. Give them about 20 working days to respond. Please DONT be tempted to use the reporting tool so the 20 days counts won't start afresh.

Googledrive12:
I have checked and got conflicting info, that's why I ran to a platform like this where someone can aid with first hand information.

The travel advisory on gov.uk is what BA will follow. Don't get yourself confused. Just follow the information on gov.uk to the letter and you will be fine.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19

solalal36:
Hello, please I need urgent advice.
I went to the post office to collect my BRP and I was told they haven't received it. The thing is I want to apply for NI number but there is no available alternative for me.

NB: There seems to be a delay in the production of BRP

I know the home office at times experience delays in BRP production but if you have been to the post office and it was not there, report it via https://www.biometric-residence-permit.service.gov.uk/collection/where then give them about 14 to 20 working days to respond (please report on the link ONCE as your initial reporting gets wiped off and a fresh 20days starts counting if you report again). If you don't get any response after then, please call them. Keep checking the post office as well during this period.

TheGuyFromHR:
If you come at it from that angle, can you really say that everyone has equal opportunities in Nigeria?
We know that's not true, without needing to go into details.

Secondly, when I referred to a feeling of being at home, I was referring to the fact that I feel just as comfortable taking an early morning walk in my area as I did on the streets of my estate back in Lagos. I am of course well aware that some of the people out walking their dogs who nod or smile to you when you meet may have other things in mind when they see a tall, slightly overweight black man walking towards them at a brisk pace, and I am well aware that jogging/brisk walking while black is not a recommended activity in some parts of the world, but I feel comfortable in my environment. Back in Lagos, there are also several things I could not do, places to which I could not go or hours at which I could not be out and about.

Nigeria is the place where I grew up, spent my formative years and so forth, and that counts for something in terms of shaping one's experiences (even though I've long since jettisoned the greater part of the Nigerian groupthink, most of which isn't in any way useful), but were I to return there in 20 years' time, it would initially feel more alien than the UK is now because it is no longer my home.

We have different opinions on where we see as home and I respect that. We have our lives differently planned and trust in those plans. so whichever route we take, we are all not wrong.

descarado:
You will only feel like a stranger if you had cut off friends and families because you are abroad.
Else, it's life as usual.
Or you have been travelling but kept an aloof image that those at home are beneath you.
Your kids if you have any are probably abroad and doing well.
In my place, na you go tire. Activities every week. From burial to church, naming ceremony, marriage, house warming not forgetting village meeting and so many.How will you ever be alone. That's the best way to retire please.
Nothing like having people around you in old age. Not this thing I see here.

You captured it well. Don't shred all your relationships. You enter UK, small time you change number, start to block people up and down (even those that don't disturb you). I don't have is I don't have. If you don't let them know what you are facing, how will they know?
Of course when you go back, there will be nobody to approach.

TheGuyFromHR:
Racial discrimination will always be there.
But that apart, while inserting oneself into any society comes with various degrees of challenges (it is obviously easier the younger one is, and depending on the stage of life (easier to make friends while in university as opposed to at a workplace, for instance)), re-inserting oneself into a society is also not easy.

After spending a few years in a developed country, the transition to Nigeria will be as difficult as some are finding the transition to the UK to be. No matter how you've maintained relationships, many will have moved on, others will become transactional, and so forth. My belief is that wherever you are is home.

Your opinion that wherever you are is home is respected. My opinion is that wherever you are and not treated as equals is not home. You can't collect immigration health surcharge and tax me equally as a citizen then when it comes to benefits, you give me limited options under the guise of NRPFs. Don't let me even go to what happens in the workplace. Even with British passport, I can't call it home. Even well known blacks like Rashford, Saka, Ian Wright, Alex Scott etc have their stories on what they had to fight growing up and they are still fighting it. We all know we are not welcome (let's not hide it) but unfortunately, their economy can't work without migrants. My opinion.

amanze54:
Honestly feel that guy "Uzor' might be some how right, I look around here and I see the strange eyes the whites look at the blacks, an economic migrantt, infact I was looking at one elderly black man in the bus, he looks so defeated and out of place, it is very clear at old age, the reality start downing on you that you don't belong here, the expression of the people around will display it. It will be clear the segregation, but at this age u can summont it, but when u get old, it becomes a strange feeling, cos you appear in the mist of white. at different bus station, the black kids move only with the black. You will eventually feel odd at old age. Now while here, I realized why older Nigerian will prefer to return home. It is even evident in some care home I have been, I hardly see any black old man, I keep wondering where they keep them

Infact both parties are somehow right. Our reasons for coming to the UK are different. Some are here planning never to return to Nigeria while some have plans to return. So buying or building a house in Nigeria is not out of place for someone planning to return. You have easier access to good healthcare, education for kids, saner environment here obviously but discrimination based on race is something I feel will take centuries to go away.

DrKhalifa276:
Hello, good morning

Please can anyone help, is there a provision to change the UK address on the TB Test certificate. A wrong address was filled and it was printed on the certificate?

Please help!
Thank you

You should be able to change address details. You will be charged 8k or so I think. Call IOM for more details