Hello Everyone for useful tips on visa application, living in the UK and other information visit part 1 of the thread

https://www.nairaland.com/4158866/living-uk-life-uk-immigrant#62102073

For questions on Studying in the UK, please refer to the UK student thread on the below link and try not to derail the thread with student enquiries


https://www.nairaland.com/6712649/uk-student-visa-tier-4#105017249.

Now let's go make some more memories 3years after the thread was created.

Modified

Added below link to provide a summary of common questions regarding student visa. Please read

https://www.nairaland.com/6719932/living-uk-life-immigrant-part-2#105186938

TheGuyFromHR:


In terms of earning power.
An LLM basically adds nothing much to one's earning power.
There are a few good specialisms in the legal field like tax law, governance and compliance, etc.
But investing in an LLM to get in doesn't usually pay off.

From little research I have done, I believe if its LLM/GDL that allows you to do the Solicitor training course and BPTC course isn't entirely useless, because it allows you to intern and practise here and eventually specialise in those areas.

Most schools don't offer the double edged LLM opportunity so best to choose schools that does.

Josh121:
Hello house, pls how much food stuffs should Be taken to the UK ooo we are family of 4 and we have enough baggage space ooo

No matter the bags of food stuffs, e go still finish. I advise just the basic dried fish, egusi, ogbono, crayfish, grounded pepper, and preferred raw swallow. any other thing may not be worth it unless getting it for free from naija. You can add golden Morn cereal and powdered milk if your kids like it

jtech17:
thanks so much...

but what if the company folds up and no longer in existence, but I worked there, how can that be verified

and

What if the company you worked for was not registered initially by CAC, like a one man business and you worked with the man for years, but just recently the company was incorporated... won't the date I started working contradict the date the company was incorporated...say I started work with the coy 2016 and the company was incorporated in 2020 ...
these are my situation

I worked in.these two places

Just explain to the employer your constraint with the company no longer in existence, some will take personal references from a Line Manager or supervisor that you reported to back then.

For your second question, references aren't usually that deep (except na CIA or government role), it's largely a documentation process for your file and also protects the employer about due diligence in the event that something happens during the course of your employment.

Just present what you have and you will be fine. Some employers will accept references from official email address while others Just fill and sign and others need a signed and stamped references on companies letterhead

Lexusgs430:




You don't think this would be deemed, pumping the account prior to application?......

OP should rather ensure both sponsoring bank accounts, are not in negative balance or spending OD recklessly............

Not necessarily, its basically building the account rather than showing an account thats not funded at all. In the past denial experience I had, UKVI stated that they would still like to know the applicant can fend for him or herself incase anything happens to the sponsor.

Hence why I always advise submitting the applicant bank details as well as the sponsors, like we know decision from UKVI is dependant on the individual case officer

@bronzedigger, like someone advised why not consider IT degrees such as data analysis, business analyst etc. You can get jobs in those as well. Gaining admission into Msc Nursing for someone without experience or background in health care is tough but not impossible. The schools offering admission into those courses are also limited so get ready for tough interview and some RPL assessment before getting admission.

Assuming you are going for data analysts for example, you can easily create your SOP and relate it to your experience in analysing data, developing CAD drawings, site works etc.

Meanwhile, as someone in construction, I would advise you to consider staying in the profession rather than jumping on the train of changing into nursing or any other career. I would advise you to consider Civil Engineering degrees as there are loads of jobs in the field for Project Engineers that can easily transition into Project Managers etc. Whilst that of mech engineers can be limited. Infact right now, if you have the knowledge of using Primavera software is an added advantage to work as Project Engineer/Planner and a lot of companies will rush to employ you.

All the best as you make your choice.

Lexusgs430:



MIL provides all she can......

I would say this visa application is 50/50....... Depends on how you tidy your end.......


You would still provide 100% of supporting documentations (bank statements + payslips + accommodation details (mortgage deed/rental agreement) + a precise letter of invitation, indicating you are sponsoring her trip and all expenses on you guys......

Both of you would have to provide supporting documents........

In addition to the above, you can use the next 6months to ensure regular income is going into her account and also print that to show she can support herself as well incase anything happens she won't be stranded in the UK.

Generally, older people's application gets approved easily. All the best

Lexusgs430:



MIL provides all she can......

I would say this visa application is 50/50....... Depends on how you tidy your end.......


You would still provide 100% of supporting documentations (bank statements + payslips + accommodation details (mortgage deed/rental agreement) + a precise letter of invitation, indicating you are sponsoring her trip and all expenses on you guys......

Both of you would have to provide supporting documents........

In addition to the above, you can use the next 6months to ensure regular income is going into her account and also print that to show she can support herself as well incase anything happens she won't be stranded in the UK.

Generally, older people's application gets approved easily. All the best

lightest:


Thank u, it's like u read my mind. I do care for now and I will start looking for sponsorship if ADR does not work out.

You can also start before the ADR, infact sponsors are a lot for such jobs and like someone advised, please make friends. It will help you greatly.

BTW I believe UKVI might even have issues with renewing the visa with one parent because of consent letter and custody issues. So if shits hit the fan, all of you may end back in naija if care is not taken as you also have equal power over the kids.

lightest:


I have being trying to engage her in talks, and I think most of her grievances have being the issues we have dealt with over and over in Nigeria.that I felt it has being erased in her mind was never erased. Not adultery issues o b4 bash me.

I believe communication gap has being created for a long time which I believe most part was my fault I wil say but nevertheless, there is no way u can read minds even when u tried to ask what is wrong all the times

She is a kind of woman that wil rather bottled up issues rather than say it out.

In what she has being saying so far, she said I should give her time to think.


Though I am proposing we walk more on our communication but she believes am doing that because of my visa.

I will soon conclude what to do if ADR does not work.

The worst that could happen is going back to Nigeria but the fate of our children is my fare right now.

Please note, she is a good woman that would rather bottled issue up than say it out untill it explodes

I believe a thread on living in marriage should be open so that we can all learn from the good, the bad and the ugly of marriage in UK.

What I have realised so far is that I still love my wife and my family as a whole.

Thanks to all advices

Awwww, sounds like you are making improvement. Why not suggest Therapy so you can both have a professional help you work out your issues. And if she still can't overcome it then by all means it's fine.

Meanwhile what kind of job do you do? If its healthcare related go check the sponsorship list and start actively searching for an opportunity to sponsor your Skilled work visa. That way you can still be in the country to see your kids.

Wishing you the best as you navigate this period

[quote author=justwise post=104772049]

You can see how some people are trying so so hard to come up with made-up excuses to justify why the wife kicked him out?

They say maybe....

He is overweight and not attractive to the wife again, he is not developing himself..

She worked sooooo hard to bring her husband here.

She is doing 12hrs shift and should not be expected to come home to cook for the husband and kids

He is financially irresponsible

One asked men to explain why a nice and loving woman will suddenly changed...

Remember they are all waiting to hear the wife's side of the story ? SMH [/quote]

Because most people like to hear stories and NL is our gateway to such ,

LagosismyHome:


I have a close friend here, married with a son... after about 7 years of marriage in naija they came to UK, within 2 years the woman turned into something else. Her sole purpose became to frustrate the man. I am friends to both and when we tried to settle them it was obvious that although individually the woman is a very nice woman but she had checked out mentally

She said those 7 years in naija , the guy oppressed her doing fine boy up and down and she mentally checked out without him knowing. I kept telling her calm down now. You once love this man. You have a child together but because she had checked out she couldn't just stand the sight of the guy. Something about the guy brought out a meanness that she typically isn't because she is a nice girl... I watched the guy try his best to correct whatever wrong he did in naija but it was just like pouring water into a basket. She just didn't send. Now both are happy co parenting. Not the best situation but it take the two to agree to make it work and she wanted her space

Once one mind is made up and mentally not in that marriage space any more there, there is really nothing that can be done.

Just wondering what will change someone with a nice personality in such a relationship to now being mean to someone she once loved?
Sometimes I feel if we treat our marriages like relationship with our friends it will be better off. People rarely keep scores in friendship or tit for tat etc but maybe na the oza room changes things sha.

Mamatukwas:


Op. I’ve read all your submissions and I really hope things get better for you and you can work things out with your wife. I believe you guys aren’t a hopeless case yet.

And just to add, maybe consider if external information might be making you biased. I don’t know your unique situation but some things you have mentioned should not be a problem where there is trust. I.e- I’m also a dependent. And I’m not on any bills except tenancy. I don’t care, I’m not worried and it doesn’t make me suspect my husband of enslavement. We have renewed visa many times. The UK gov doesn’t ask whose name is on the bills when it’s time to renew. I buy and do things for my kids sometimes without telling my husband, confess later and we both laugh. It’s not a big deal.

Not to disregard how you feel, but shut out the noise and really talk to your wife. Remember the woman you married and see honest conversation + more trust will help you both. Wish you the best.

Agreed with this, bills isn't a requirement for visa renewal but could be for custody fight and as long as paper trail exist from one account to the other, it should be fine.

This thing called marriage sha.

icon8:


Didn’t say he should go back. Of purse, there are other windows open to him. But going back is hardly a death sentence like some would make it seem, is it?

Absolutely, and one of those windows is saving his marriage, someone advised involving pastors or imam which isn't a bad idea.

Courts and Tribunal na the last stage of dispute resolution oo, first try Negotiation since e don happen, Mediation etc before we now end up for litigation or Tribunal.

Even if na naija dey wan divorce they will have to stay together for 2yrs before Courts can even make a decision. Believe there is a similar requirement in Canada as well

icon8:


‘Misunderstanding’ that has led to eviction from my home? That’s not a misunderstanding ma’am. Anyone that attempts to render me homeless and/or physically separate me from my children is an enemy, and will be so treated!

But in this case you don't know what led to eviction, and not to conclude doubt he was homeless as well. Leaving the house doesn't mean the end of a relationship. It could actually mean the beginning of saving a relationship. Moving to enemy mode swiftly with someone you share kids sha, someone you probably claimed to love tori torun.

icon8:


And you concluded that the husband was not the financial ‘sponsor’ from Nigeria? How did you know for certain that the man did not spend his life savings to ‘sponsor’ the wife here in the first place? Or did you assume he was the parasite that contributed nothing to the process? [b]I have a friend currently spending all his life savings and even aborrowing to finance the relocation of the wife and children here, hoping to join them sometime in the future. [/b]And I’m here thinking if that is actually a smart move. He’s selling everything he has as we speak, just to be able to provide a ‘better life’ for his family.

How certain are you the wife is not also contributing. Sometimes being an outsider doesn't mean you have the true picture of how their financial life works. A lot of women are contributing to relocating and it will seem na only the man.

At the end of the day it all depends on the strength of the union.

Tier4Dependant:
Now this is scary...... I need to shine my eye, no sleeping.

Relocating with my wife to the uk next month, we don buy our tickets already. Wifey is on student visa and I am her dependant.

Man’s status gas to be independent.

All this dependant status is not encouraging mehn.

Don't be scared, working together as a couple is ideal and forget the noise. There are loads of people doing okay regardless of visa status, financial positions etc.

icon8:


Lol what’s the worst that can happen? Go back to Nigeria? Is that a death sentence? Folks here acting like the poor man’s life depends on staying in the UK at all cost? If it’s no longer working and all effort proves futile, is going back home not an option? I’m sure he wasn’t a beggar back in Nigeria and will return a better prospect than the man who came here a year ago. But yeah, he should keep begging and subject himself to eternal slavery in a loveless marriage that has already ended, all in the name of visa sponsorship. Is the sponsor God? Fia!

Lol easy to say to go back to naija , when people are marrying for papers. Ish

icon8:


Double your hustle, bro. That is the poverty mentality in you speaking. If God blesses your hustle, taking a very good care of your 2 children won’t seem a DIE affair to you, with or without a wife. What does it cost to properly raise a child in the UK per annum? Is that worth sacrificing one’s life or peace of mind over?

Depends on the child you want to raise

A. Nursery alone for 1 child on the average is £10k per annum;
B. Child upkeep, dressing etc depends on if you want designer or asd
C. Extracurricular like football training, swimming, taekwando etc
D. If you want to save for private school another, thats another story.

Not supporting being in abusive, loveless marriage or anything and we don't know the extent of the issues here or who is at fault anyways, but in raising a family 2 100% present is good if that's possible.

justwise:


What an insult! A mature married man begging the wife to allow him into their home ? All because his visa is dependent on hers? Ridiculous! Will she try that in Nigeria?

What next ? Wipe her backside so as to stay in the UK? Nonsense!

Just curious if tables were turned would you want the woman to beg to keep her home or just move on. Unions with kids aren't so easy to just pack up laik that oo.

justwise:


What an insult! A mature married man begging the wife to allow him into their home ? All because his visa is dependent on hers? Ridiculous! Will she try that in Nigeria?

What next ? Wipe her backside so as to stay in the UK? Nonsense!

If a couple has a misunderstanding or issues in their union, do you believe in resolution at all or just give up?

Owlette:
No, I don’t.
I’m moving to Newcastle next week and I’m trying to sort out my accommodation.

It's possible to commute from Sunderland to Newcastle, and houses are relatively cheaper there

RalphJean:


If the wife were on NL reading this, I can assure you, she will just be shaking her head. She will be disappointed, not in her husband @Lightest, but will be disappointed at how some men have jumped into a matter that they know not the other side.

You are right but hopefully she is able to pick out the positives. Also could be an insight that he won't necessarily suffer visa wise if that was her punishment for a his shortcomings.

May we never find ourselves in this type of situation

RalphJean:



those kinds of men will prostrate to their wives in the middle of the night, to make the marriage work.
they will come to nairaland and and be telling other men to leave their house.all this while they have not even heard the other side of the story.
Swallow your Baale pride. Beg your wife, if you have to. Tell your mother (or her mother) to beg her too if necessary. Make your marriage work.... even if you manage to get your own visa independent of hers, you MUST contribute to the upkeep of those 2 children you have. And e no go be beans.

Imagine legal fees on top of child support cost on a £2,500 salary.

Lighter note, how do we make our spouse prostrate in the middle of the night oo

Mrtruetalk:
@lightest listen up if you have ears.

Most people typing up and down here know how they manage their homes, some men even know how they prostrate to their wives in the middle of the night when no one is there to make things work. So far there isn't any case of domestic violence here, you have to go back home and sort issues out with your wife for the sake of your kids. You are over 40 years old and i believe you should be wiser to know that you don't fully depend on the advise you seek from social media platforms. Refuse to be a victim of the system. You and your wife have come into a system and you need to be strong to pull through the system. Yourself and 3 members of your family must have sacrificed at least £10K to come on this Tier 2 with renewal fees coming up soon and i believe this should be your focus at the moment not you leaving home. The tier 2 system is not an easy one. You both literally work for the system for the said 5 years with huge financial sacrifice. Your MRS is probably tired from work as a nurse and needs your support but unfortunately maybe you are adding your drama as the Baale of Norwich as per your previous post. You probably are not looking to develop yourself either. Additionally, you might no longer appear attractive to your wife, you need to look to improve in all ways and set the example. Many things might be involved for her to lose interest in you. Talk things with her and you would find an answer. Legal fees don't come cheap. I would advise you don't even think of that route.

Uncle true talk seems you know them well oo, abeg help them settle it now and you maybe right as the wife stressing out with working with the NHS. Some hospitals ehn they are hell when it comes to their shift patterns.

This is why working together as a couple is essential if its too stressful, assist her with finding a new job and get out of the contract.

LagosismyHome:


Truly single parenthood is no joke in this country especially around childcare .... hopefully it all gets resolve. Each person making amends. Its always best when both parties work together in many areas

Exactly, those together are still struggling with childcare, bills and breaking even and even having building asset portfolio in a system that is designed for you to be reliant on them. Wish the wife was on NL reading all this sha

RalphJean:


This is what sound advice looks like.
Lightest, people like @Fatima04 are the people you should pay more attention, and listen to. This her advise is worth a million ££

Please how can I get this 1 million pound bayii . Single parenting and dissolved marriages isn't easy on anyone

@lightest so sorry you are going through this. Going through your previous posts shows the family just relocated in 2020 to join your wife here and sad to know within such a period things has disintegrated to that level.

One thing I would like to add is involving her family as well or someone she listens to to resolve the issues between you guys(caveat as long as its not DV), if she has a good relationship with your family, let them know as well.

Asides from the visa issues, please consider your 2 kids who will be affected in this situation. Remember they are in a new/strange land and now loosing their familiarity with their known household unit, and their mental health is also important.

Please set aside pride and try and resolve. If possible engage therapist as well to help sort out your issues for you to know what is truly wrong in your union.

All the best.

profemebee:
hi hi, please i still need answers to the provisional driving license question

You get your money back as long as you don't submit the form within the time frame (precovid). You can check if you can cancel as well. For the covid19 test, no idea could be a glitch in the system, if worried maybe change it to a closer location like ibadan or ogun state.

Lexusgs430:



Life insurance is a MUST ....... But you know our people always think, death is usually only for the next person..........

Death never gives warning and if it does, it's too late ..........

No one wan die but they wan go heaven ,. How do we know a good provider though if people don't make a claim during their lifetime

EngrSaks:
I will just use my guys cases to give the limitations of help to buy

As the amount of the house increased, the amount he owed also increased

After 5 years, your interest rate increases, it also increased with the increase in value

Hard to remortgage to get out money to reinvest in another property

In a traditional "old" house, you can add a new toilet, refurbish the bathroom or upgrade the kitchen or add a conservatory and get instant increase in property value

In a new built, to make amendment you need plenty talk to get approval for minor renovation


Now I'm looking at home ownership as a means of wealth generation...if you can be remortgaging and buying new property every 5-8 years then at retirement you should have at least four houses without too much stress


Plus, everyone should get life insurance themselves and their partners o...na life insurance oyibo take dey ensure say their house go remain for the family after them die...insurance will pay off any unpaid mortgage after death

I think the bolded is what we don't talk about enough. For those with families, please try and get a Life insurance.

dustydee:

No, in 2 years, I would have been paying rent while waiting to save up for my deposit. If I had the 25% deposit from the outset, why would I go for HTB except if I have other investments to put the money into?

Just to add, the HTB equity loan also enables a reduced mortgage cost because you have a higher deposit and better interest rate for a 75% LTV mortgage.

Essentially, it helps people get on the property ladder quickly and start building equity (know a lot of people buy houses within 2years of getting to the UK).

In all buying a house is a big financial decision, best thing is to map out a plan and check the feasibility and viability to ones situation..