₦airaland Forum

HustlaOfLagos:
In recent times, I doubt they have released stuff like this that they did not go ahead to implement in full

DO you have an idea when everything will be finalized? I think it could be before Jan so as to prevent 2021 folks from getting ILR

April 2026. https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2025-11-20/debates/E3CE324D-7597-40C5-8697-DB48AA843CFC/MigrationSettlementPathway#contribution-44475956-0A57-466A-A4EA-7A7FD64AAD83

WanderingChild:
On the comical side (no harm intended), the birthing in the US thread on Nairaland literally died when trump with one stroke of the pen ended birth tourism for non-US citizens and PRs. It seems we may see the same for the thread on UK property. If people now have no assurance on their future status, it makes investing in property, pension, SIPP almost toxic for immigrants. Will you be paying pension for a future you may not be entitled to? Imagine people who have paid pension for 5 years and now have to emigrate elsewhere? What happens to the money sunk into the UK pension system? Imagine those who have bought property thinking they were on a path to settlement and now have to emigrate elsewhere. What happens to their property (someone says sell it)? Immigrants MUST be mindful of not allowing themselves become tools to enrich the Prince’s Trust and UK PLC. Deploy that resource in securing alternative options for yourself. Until you have that settlement, be very careful in making certain kinds of investments.

1. What alternative options?

2. Don't mislead people. Your SIPP and your entitlement to stay in the UK are two separate things. You can draw from your SIPP when you reach the appropriate age even if you leave the UK either directly or by transferring it into a foreign scheme,depending on the country.

I am very particular about this pension matter because Ive seen many people stop contributions because of misleading half-baked information they've got from social media. There are very few investments people can make that will be as beneficial as paying into their pensions,especially if they're higher rate payers. Feel free to tell us what you recommend if you disagree.

Also, property - why would people not buy property because they have a longer route to settlement? If they don't buy they continue paying rent but if they buy and then leave the country it's as simple as selling it and taking the cash wherever they're going. Except for edge cases the vast majority of people would make a profit doing that.

Viruses:
When they say the immigrants must not be in debt to qualify, hope they are only referring to mortgage and car loan debt, not credit card or business debt.

The debt is specifically 'no current litigation, NHS, tax or other government debt.'

Cyberknight:
Apparently I might be wrong. The threshold appears to be referring to taxable income (i.e. less personal allowance and any salary sacrifice amounts, such as pension deductions), not gross income, which would actually mean its approx. 65k.

No it's gross salary.

Elsewhere in the statement they say the intent is to match it to what people earn to be in the higher and additional rate tax thresholds.

Zahra29:
Indeed.

I know it might be a strange concept to you, but there are a great number of people, myself included, for whom interest in British politics does not revolve around Kemi.

You don't say.

Zahra29:
I wasn't in fact attempting to draw any parallel with her

Lol. If you say so.

Zahra29:
Shabana Mahmood is very impressive.

Not very well known before today, but easy to see why she is being touted as one of Starmer's possible replacements.

She's also being praised for her very radical asylum policies and going further in 6 weeks than her predecessor went in 18 months.

Child of Pakistani immigrants....meanwhile Pakistanis are the largest group of asylum seekers....I bet they're loving her right now lol

In comparison with Badenoch (because it's obvious that's the parallel you're trying to draw) yes, she is being very decisive and her policies are very firm and some might say harsh, but you haven't seen her say anything derogatory about immigrants in general or Pakistanis in particular right? Her comments have been, as far as I've seen, decisive but dignified, unlike Badenoch's constant rants.

None of the referring to people on skilled worker visas as being in the country to wash bums, that she doesn't identify as bring of Pakistani heritage; that she doesn't want to be identified with certain Pakistani ethnic groups because they are her "historical enemies"; that maternity pay is excessive; that autism confers several advantages; lying outright that her children can't get Pakistani citizenship because she's a woman etc etc.

So while I can't speak for the Pakistani immigrant community Im reasonably sure most fully understand she is a British minister and her priority is to the country, and so won't begrudge her in any way. But they definitely would if she begins launching random attacks on them every Eke market day. THAT is primarily why people despise Badenough, not because of any policy actions she has taken or supported.

P.S. If anyone has a minute, try searching 'shabbana Mahmood Pakistan' and 'kemi badenoch Nigeria' and see how the results differ. It's actually quite interesting.

Ohraykon:
thank you sir

I'm not a 'Sir' yet, boss.

Still working to get that knighthood.

Hope the interview went well.

jedisco:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W89rWOKzOCo

Thinking abour real estate in 9ja always wondered why the risk/reward sometimes didn't add up.

This was a good watch. Where do folks think there's value to be had in 9ja?

This has made me laugh so much this morning.

That first 1 billion monstrosity of a house in Pinnock has to be the most absurd thing I've seen in a long time.

I do think there's still value to be had, and we have purchased some large tracts (several acres each) in places in the outskirts of the city we went to Uni in and believe based on our knowledge of the place will be in demand decades from now. The idea is that we'll use them for mini estates or similar in 20, 30 years' time years or just sell them, but it's not a core part of our investing thesis. Mostly a fire and forget thing with non-essential funds (and honestly there's probably a big sentimental aspect as well). I think the same thing will apply to many University cities/towns.

I don't think anyone seeking medium-term returns should be investing in real estate in Nigeria from the UK. There are a plethora of ways to invest your money in the UK with much lower risk (although with the currency stablizing that factor seems to be going away so the risk profile might change significantly).

The only exception I previously looked into was short lets in Lagos/Abuka but I concluded they aren't particularly viable given the kinds of prices covered in this video.

Ohraykon:
Hello good people, my student visa interview at the UK embassy is tomorrow, I don't know what to expect but i have some documents of past interviews questions. Please can you guys help me with guidelines because i am really scared! thanks

No personal experience but these seem helpful:

https://www.reddit.com/r/ukvisa/comments/1e704n5/just_had_my_study_visa_interview_today/

https://www.reddit.com/r/ukvisa/comments/1f5tg33/15hour_ukvi_interviewdid_i_mess_up_seeking_advice/

Best of luck!

Everybody knows that in the speeches by Farage, Badenough and their ilk attacking migrants and gradually turning 'Boriswave' into an epithet, the references to benefits are always said in the context of being on the dole - not contributing and only taking from the government. It's never about the other 'benefits' that are still available to working and reasonably earning families (which SW holders are, by default).


But hey, let the Ostriches keep their heads in the sand.

HustlaOfLagos:
They also get other benefits which can take it up to £2,000.

Housing too - speaking for those with mental health conditions though

It comes with restrictions like not being able to travel for long periods, going to the job centre to "check in" etc. In all, its not worth it and I honestly don't expect someone from Nigeria who has a functioning brain and isnt disabled to go anywhere near it

I doubt the bolded, unless it's for much larger families than a single person or a couple like we have been saying. I just checked, and even the housing gets netted against the full UC money, based on my (admittedly very brief) checks just now. ETA: There's a benefit cap as well; far less than that - https://www.swindon.gov.uk/info/20013/benefits_and_swindon_money_matters/681/benefit_cap

But yes the summary is as you've said in the last paragraph. I have never seen anyone who came in as a student or SW who's even remotely thinking about benefits as a goal post ILR.

Me wey I dey hustle so me and my madam can retire at 55 na him I go dey aim for UC? Abeg.

bigtt76:
Really beats me when they keep talking about benefits after I left my high paying job for Naija, spent high to gain specialised knowledge, worked in my chosen career for 5 years on COS then after getting ILR I go no resign begin de claim £300 per week benefit? They must be out of their mind that I will chose to leave on the table millions to be made owning own business with peace of mind ILR brings with it.

💯

Just to say it's not 300 per week ó it's 300 PER MONTH.

If you’re single and under 25 £316.98
If you’re single and 25 or over £400.14
If you live with your partner and you’re both under 25 £497.55 (for you both)
If you live with your partner and either of you are 25 or over £628.10 (for you both)

Yes it surprised me too when I found out.

So Joe Public thinks I'm planning that the very day after ILR I'll tell my wife "Honey we have arrived, it's time to stop working and start living off the British state by sharing our free largesse of 600 pounds every month" 🤣

bigtt76:
And when the French authorities took it literally by slashing the boats before they left for the waters, the same bits were complaining about human rights, makes you wonder what they want. They prefer legal migration to be cut... people that work and pay tax o, do they think people would leave high paying jobs to be claiming benefits. How dem wan take survive? Now their school fees are going to be raised again due to low international students enrolment 🫣

The bolded is the bit that gets me every time. You think I paid 20k plus upfront for my one year masters (apart from application fee, IHS etc) as part of some grand strategy to sit down waiting for 300 ish pounds per month?

As how nau. What will I do with that?

Of course there are other benefits that people are entitled to but the fundamental point is why on earth would someone who paid such substantial sums be thought to be planning to become reliant on benefits?

Anyone else get the feeling that Meghan and Harry have been treated far harsher than Andrew, both by the royal family and the general British populace?

Every other day there’s a hit piece in rags like the Mirror, Telegraph etc about Meghan and there’s even a thriving cesspool of a subreddit dedicated solely to attacking Meghan.

I wonder why. Lol just kidding - actually, I don’t.

HustlaOfLagos:
Out of curiosity, these tests can get you into schools like Eton? I'd appreciate your response even though I never born

ukay2 - replies appreciated too

Thanks in advance

Lol no. Eton is by money and connections.

Not the one you asked, but they are tests for grammar schools. They’re academically selective so the perception is that they provide higher quality education compared to state schools without needing to pay private school fees.

Found this hilarious. You will, too: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMa-AbsOPqg

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DObsRoMjzGZ/?igsh=MTc1NnZ6ZmZ5azM3dA==

https://archive.is/W9ahu

Violent, lawless, broken Britain? The facts tell a different story

“The populist narrative of a migrant-driven crimewave is catnip on social media and oil to the wheels of Reform. But it is so far from the truth that we’re in danger of losing sight of the country we live in.”

HustlaOfLagos:
Hmm, I thought one could claim back the IHS fees even if not in HC as you are switching from one visa to the other? It says here -

https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/refunds

"You’ll get a full immigration health surcharge (IHS) refund if: you’re applying to extend or switch your visa in the UK and have paid the IHS twice for the same period"

I am not in HC at all

maybe marry someone in healthcare?
Just kidding o

Yes, that's the general one:

This is what I'm referring to: https://www.gov.uk/apply-immigration-health-surcharge-refund/tier-2-visa-medical-professional

HustlaOfLagos:
..And here I am, feeling guilty as I am trying to test the market and see what's good after 1 year LOL

Did you have to pay sponsorship costs each time? That is the only reason I considered staying till after 2 years but with the way the UK is, best to enjoy yourself and at least earn well before they change rules again

Yes, had to pay application fees plus IHS each time. Been a chunk each time. Good thing is - if you or your spouse are in health and care (the industry, not the visa), you will be able to claim back the IHS fee installmentally.

I only felt guilt in the first place because it was a fairly small (by employee numbers) outfit but next couple of places have been massive organisations so much less personal.

HustlaOfLagos:
I do have the feeling that you will not be tied to an employer after the initial 5 years if that is implemented. This allows you some freedom and job switching without getting an ILR since the goal is to prevent access to benefits.

I mean, that is the sensible way to go about if but then, UK politicians may have other ideas

Honestly if they do this I would have zero problems with it. I genuinely understand the concerns about benefits - it’s not only immigrants they’re trying to cut benefits for after all, also citizens and even old people. The whole benefits system is broken. And also, logically, if you’re a skilled worker you shouldn’t be in need of benefits as such, except if a mishap of some kind occurs.

BUT, being tied to sponsorship for 10 years? That, I cannot bear.

I’m on my third sponsorship now in less than 3 years and while I’ve made substantial jumps in earnings each time and am in a single digit percentile of earners at <30 so have lots to be thankful for, but I know it’s still less than I would be earning without the hindrance of sponsorship, and that gap will only continue to widen.

Jamesclooney:
What are the actual alternatives bro? Not some vague aspire to perspire speech. Should I go to Canada? On what visa? USA…again on what visa? Etc. I’m actually being open to hearing other ideas. I know a lot of people are in my boat, so doesn’t have to be specific to me.

USA on EB2 or EB1.

EB1 might be preferable if you're more advanced in your career but for most people already doing well in their careers EB2 is attainable with a few months of work to prep, and it's even better for a family because the lag time between submission > approval > priority date becoming current gives enough breathing space to put affairs in order before leaving the UK.

The USA jobs market is much stronger and you'll get paid a lot more if you have a solid profile, ceteris paribus.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ez1cn8d28_8

Niko Omilana at the ‘Unite the Right’ rally.

NosyNursy:
It’s the full story. That is the tax, pension and NI deduction from my payslip.

No. That cannot be the full story.

Paying that much in PAYE means you’ve been earning substantially more elsewhere since this tax year began (I suspect this is additional bank work you’re doing in addition to your main job because this is certainly not anyone’s full time earnings per month).

Alternatively, something major is wrong somewhere.

Again, if your tax code is the 1257l you would pay 0 tax on this income. That’s not my opinion - it is the law.

Show the full thing let’s see your tax code and the deductions.

NosyNursy:
Taxes.
PAYE & Pension

Pension is not a tax though, is it?

You can choose to cancel your contribution at any time (although of course that would be a massively foolish thing for anyone to do).

Anyway, this is definitely not the full story because you would pay 0 PAYE if that was truly your full earnings per month. NI contributions would also be negligible.

Overall, I’m a staunch believer that the UK is not overtaxed. Everything we benefit from (even though we cannot access benefits lol) needs to be paid for - infrastructure, security etc - and it’s very middle of the table compared with many other countries with similar systems: https://taxpolicy.org.uk/2025/06/27/uk-workers-tax-wedge-infographics/

The ironic thing about this Kemi episode is that in the coming years she’ll be a (maybe “THE”) textbook example of a Glass Cliff scenario, despite all her protestations about her identity and its role or lack thereof in her career.

In fact, I’m going to periodically check this Wiki page about the Glass Cliff to see when she gets added to the examples: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass_cliff

elengine:
Normally I should not engage in this kind of conversation but I can't just help.

Please don’t, bros. You, and this space, are better than this.

AlphaUno:
Hello house,

Property type New build (semi detached)
Property value £293,995
Deposit 10%
Term 24 years
Rate 5%
Work visa Less than 5 years more
Length of stay : Close to 4 years.
Lender : Principality

Back story : MA with RSC said we got refused by Barclays - they want 15% deposit - and one other lender.
- Something tells me MA doesn't have my interest @ heart ,as they were introduced by developer.
- I researched and found lender has a 4.98% rate with £1,350 product fee and 5 years fixed but MA chose 5% rate with 2 years fixed for us.
- Got us a £269/m full coverage Insurance
- with BOE's base rate @ 4%, I know 5% is high but my credit score / report is reading fair on Experian.

Questions
Anyone has any review on RSC ?

Can I get a better deal in mortgage rate (4.5% preferably) and lower insurance premium?

Any recommendations as per MA ?

Firstly and most crucially, that rate is higher than what you can get elsewhere eg Barclays.

Secondly, £269 is absurdly high for insurances (I'm assuming this includes life and income protection and critical illness - all reduing cover?). Analyse which one you'll really need e.g. you may not need income protection depending on what the sickness absence policy is where you work. You may also not need life insurance. Even if you do, you wil ALWAYS get a better deal by yourself. Start from the comparison websites.

Also, how come your MA chose a term for you? That's odd. Normally they would discuss with you and let you decide.

Given your profile, I'm not sure why Barclays would refuse you. I've just looked at their criteria and there's no restriction on people on visas in terms of new build or not as far as I can see (I'm not a expert so I may well be missing something).

In any case, what you should do is get another MA. This is too big a decision for you to stay with an advisor whom you're not sure is working in your best interests, out of politeness or whatever. The first mistake was in engaging the MA recommended by your seller but you can still remedy that by getting another advisor to doube-check whether you can get from a Barclays or somewhere else with a lower rate.

gabiomoesu:
Amazing stuff. Haha

Don’t you think this conversation you’re having is better suited for DMs?

Ogonsbaba:
Please, i got an interest rate of 4.46 from Barclays bank. Is it advisable to go for 3 or 5 years fixed??

The conventional wisdom for an ‘immigrant’ is typically to go for 5 as that gives some stability and also because the fees you’ll pay for the initial deal and for remortgages often cancel out the reduced interest rates of shorter terms.

I’d caveat with my own experience though, because we would have gone for 2 years if we had figured this : we recently put a chunk of funds into a conversion/renovation, and the value of the house has increased substantially as a result (confirmed by a surveyor) but our fix was for five years and while we could break the mortgage, it’d cost quite a bit in early repayment fees.

In short, if you’re going to be doing work to increase the value of the house, consider going for two years so you can benefit from the increased value sooner.