Ticha:


It's not just trades though. There are apprenticeship routes to many professions. I know that Network Rail for example will take 17/18 year olds for an Engineering apprenticeship. They qualify 3/ 4 years later with a qualification, good wages (above 24k) and 3/4 years experience. Of course there is a ceiling to promotions and growth but those engineers can then head off to university for a conversion degree most times sponsored by their workplaces which then takes them past that ceiling. I have 2 friends that their sons went this route and by age 26/27 were earning well, had almost 10 years experience under their belt with a degree to boot.

for me.

You write very well. All your write ups are interesting to read.

veleta:
I have interacted with some of these trades people and I realised that occupational risk that comes with these their jobs are very high. Imagine being a painter/interior decorator you will be inhaling paint virtually everyday, imagine the damage it does to your lungs, or is it tilers? The tiler that did our kitchen splashback had one of his eardrums damaged due to constant using of machine cutting the tiles. Groundsmen, same thing. Before they clock 50,arthritis hits u.The money might be there but it takes a huge toll on one's health. If its your thing, you can go into it but don't just go because of the money.

Also, blacks rarely thrive in such businesses because of bad perception. Nothing beats sound education and it's our duty as parents to guide our kids to study courses that are always in demand especially IT, healthcare and other transferable skills so that even if UK doesn't favour you one can easily migrate to another country.

You are missing the entire point of my post. It was to advise people that there are other alternative routes to achieving success in UK, if a child is not doing well academically, don’t stress it as the child can still have a successful career through the apprenticeship route be it in industry or in trades.

Every profession has occupational hazards! During Covid we saw how doctors and nurses put their lives at risk to help people and some of them even died from Covid infections due to lack of PPE. Will it stop you from encouraging your children to go into the medical profession?

This is typical pushy mom/dad’s mentality that has put us in the situation we are in Nigeria. If the child has no interest in any of these courses that you have listed or even refuses to go to Uni, what are you going to do about it? Disown them? May God help us all.

Thanks alot, I really appreciate. I'll look through all options.

Ticha:


Glad to be of help. Childcare is a back and bank breaker in the UK!

Unfortunately a nanny is the singular most expensive form of childcare. Unless you have 3 or more children, it works out eye wateringly expensive. A way to make it cheaper is to have a live in nanny which means you can discount accommodation and meals off their wages. They often usually charge more per hour but you also have to cover mileage, sick leave, annual leave, taxes, maternity pay if and when they're entitled to it. It also means you have to register with HMRC as an employer or use an umbrella company who would then charge you to do all these things.

Of course you can find a cash in hand nanny etc but that exposes you to their whims and caprices as well. It might be worth asking around parenting groups, your local neighbourhood groups etc for recommendations on child minders. A good one is actually worth her weight in gold especially if your work has flexibility of hours.
There is a FB group called Au pairs and Nannies UK and you might be able to find one there. I used au pairs once I had 3 children.

Before the UK shot themselves in the foot by leaving the EU, it was reasonably easy to get an au pair who would live in, work for accommodation, food and pocket money.

veleta:
I have interacted with some of these trades people and I realised that occupational risk that comes with these their jobs are very high. Imagine being a painter/interior decorator you will be inhaling paint virtually everyday, imagine the damage it does to your lungs, or is it tilers? The tiler that did our kitchen splashback had one of his eardrums damaged due to constant using of machine cutting the tiles. Groundsmen, same thing. Before they clock 50,arthritis hits u.The money might be there but it takes a huge toll on one's health. If its your thing, you can go into it but don't just go because of the money.

Also, blacks rarely thrive in such businesses because of bad perception. Nothing beats sound education and it's our duty as parents to guide our kids to study courses that are always in demand especially IT, healthcare and other transferable skills so that even if UK doesn't favour you one can easily migrate to another country.

Don't you think this is why African countries are underdeveloped? We place so much emphasis on western education without valuing the importance of trade/blue collar professions.

For example, if everyone goes into IT, who builds the infrastructure we live in; roads, schools, hospitals, offices etc..? If we all study medicine, who tills the ground and produces the food we eat?

We should embrace the diversity of skills and trade and infact encourage these amongst our little ones.. with how underdeveloped our country is, we need more carpenters, more builders, more farmers, more plumbers etc..

Ticha:


Ah boarding in 9ja ke? No my sis. It'll be better to spend all summer holidays back home. It might feel like just 6 weeks but it is a good length of time. Especially if you have close family members you can send them to.

Gaskiya we no plenty abroad at all. I know 2 in the UK both from Niger State. Something funny happened to me a few months after we came to New Zealand. The driving here is bonkers. A 9ja level bonkers. People drive like serious agberos. One afternoon, I was heading out and someone drove very dangerously (by my standards of course ) almost crashing into me. I swerved, shouted ubanka and did waka at him. Na so, the guy swerved and started tail gating me. In my head, I said, 'I don buy market o. Person go beat me today!'

I found parking, got my phone out and had 11 open ready to dial. The guy parked behind me and this black guy jumped out, left his door open and shouted, 'Yarwa!' He gave me the biggest hug. Na so we blow Hausa for ages! He's from Kano and said he'd not met another Northerner since being in NZ. He's been here 17 years now! Married to a Kiwi woman with 5 children and we've become quite close.

I have seriously being reconsidering the boarding school anyways.


What a way to meet someone .

@Ticha, can one apply to come to the UK with a Nanny as a post graduate student.

veleta:
@Gloriouscrown,sure you can. I will advise visit the school, ask around especially parents at the end of school time for their opinion before you make a choice. And don't forget to pray for Holy Spirit to guide you.

Thanks for this very helpful response. The Holy Spirit is the very Key we need.
God bless you in Jesus name Amen

Hi all- I'm on Tier 2 visa, we just had our baby recently and we have been getting conflicting information regarding adding the baby as our dependant and getting a Nigerian passport.
Aside from not paying IHS, are there any benefit of not adding the baby as a dependant? Will it influence ILR or citizenship later down the line? I read the baby won't be able to access secondary care after 3 months, if we don't get her BRP. Just wanted to know if there are any benefits of not getting a naija passport or BRP for the baby. Thank you.

@Ticha,thanks for the insight. I appreciate.

Stevepop:
Hi all- I'm on Tier 2 visa, we just had our baby recently and we have been getting conflicting information regarding adding the baby as our dependant and getting a Nigerian passport.
Aside from not paying IHS, are there any benefit of not adding the baby as a dependant? Will it influence ILR or citizenship later down the line? I read the baby won't be able to access secondary care after 3 months, if we don't get her BRP. Just wanted to know if there are any benefits of not getting a naija passport or BRP for the baby. Thank you.

It doesn't influence ILR ir citizenship especially for Tier 2 visa holders
. The major advantage to not adding her to your visa is saving Tier 2 visa fees, biometric fees, ILR and reduced citizenship cost. Adding this up for the child could be almost £4000 or more depending on how long you have got before you are due for ILR.

If you don't intend travelling out of the UK with her anytime soon. You can chill and if you see a need then simply apply.

The baby would not be denied care or schooling for any reason as she was born here.

The best @Ticha

[quote author



My dear, did you not see where I wrote that, if its your thing then go for it but don't go necessarily because of money.

fatima04:


It doesn't influence ILR ir citizenship especially for Tier 2 visa holders
. [b]The major advantage to not adding her to your visa [/b]is saving Tier 2 visa fees, biometric fees, ILR and reduced citizenship cost. Adding this up for the child could be almost £4000 or more depending on how long you have got before you are due for ILR.

If you don't intend travelling out of the UK with her anytime soon. You can chill and if you see a need then simply apply.

The baby would not be denied care or schooling for any reason as she was born here.

I didn’t even know it was possible to birth a child and not list them as your dependent. What then is the basis of their legal stay in the Uk? What visa will they be on?

You are required to pay for IHS for UK born after 3 months as they are not covered after 3 months. I am however not sure if it will be enforced. I will advise to apply rather than break the rule.

Also adding the child to your visa would only mean skilled worker dependant application and IHS fees. Children born in the UK don't require ILR. They can be registered as British citizens once one of the parents get ILR. Being on dependant visa does not change this aspect.

fatima04:


It doesn't influence ILR ir citizenship especially for Tier 2 visa holders
. The major advantage to not adding her to your visa is saving Tier 2 visa fees, biometric fees, ILR and reduced citizenship cost. Adding this up for the child could be almost £4000 or more depending on how long you have got before you are due for ILR.

If you don't intend travelling out of the UK with her anytime soon. You can chill and if you see a need then simply apply.

The baby would not be denied care or schooling for any reason as she was born here.

People used to do it if they don't plan to take the child outside the UK. A child that has never left UK is not here illegally. Only people that entered the UK can be here illegally.

Mamatukwas:


I didn’t even know it was possible to birth a child and not list them as your dependent. What then is the basis of their legal stay in the Uk? What visa will they be on?

Mamatukwas:


I didn’t even know it was possible to birth a child and not list them as your dependent. What then is the basis of their legal stay in the Uk? What visa will they be on?

I have some friends who did this. One was even on 10 years path , and they didn't do at all for their 3 kids..... can you blame them . The home office fee is too much and when they got to ILR , it was absolutely fine to get the children citizenship... as long as the child is born in the UK

Any child born in the UK potentially have legal status worse case when the child is 7yrs for ilr or 10yrs for citizenship so on that basis home office is fine with it.. They might not have an official visa per say but they are allowed legally .... It just that if there a wedding in naija or a holiday trip. You can't take them out of the country ...

ameryzzy:
@Ticha, can one apply to come to the UK with a Nanny as a post graduate student.

I'm not sure actually. There is a visa category for nannies but the expectation is that they'll be paid proper market rates which is certainly not cheap.
I know a lot of Nigerians that would rotate 2 or 3 family members to come for 6 months at a time on visit visas.

Ticha:


I'm not sure actually. There is a visa category for nannies but the expectation is that they'll be paid proper market rates which is certainly not cheap.
I know a lot of Nigerians that would rotate 2 or 3 family members to come for 6 months at a time on visit visas.

Okay.... so can I apply for visit visa for my sister while applying for my student visa?

dupyshoo:
People used to do it if they don't plan to take the child outside the UK. A child that has never left UK is not here illegally. Only people that entered the UK can be here illegally.

I see….

LagosismyHome:


I have some friends who did this. One was even on 10 years path , and they didn't do at all for their 3 kids..... can you blame them . The home office fee is too much and when they got to ILR , it was absolutely fine to get the children citizenship... as long as the child is born in the UK

Any child born in the UK potentially have legal status worse case when the child is 7yrs for ilr or 10yrs for citizenship so on that basis home office is fine with it.. They might not have an official visa per say but they are allowed legally .... It just that if there a wedding in naija or a holiday trip. You can't take them out of the country ...

Wawu. I never knew this. You learn everyday.

ameryzzy:


Okay.... so can I apply for visit visa for my sister while applying for my student visa?

You can but it might be better to get yours first then apply for her especially if you’re the one sponsoring. If she can apply on her own for a visiting visa then both applications can go on simultaneously.

Mamatukwas:


You can but it might be better to get yours first then apply for her especially if you’re the one sponsoring. If she can apply on her own for a visiting visa then both applications can go on simultaneously.

Thanks ma

dupyshoo:
You are required to pay for IHS for UK born after 3 months as they are not covered after 3 months. I am however not sure if it will be enforced. I will advise to apply rather than break the rule.

Also adding the child to your visa would only mean skilled worker dependant application and IHS fees. Children born in the UK don't require ILR. They can be registered as British citizens once one of the parents get ILR. Being on dependant visa does not change this aspect.

Surprised at the bolded for UK born kids cos I know quite some people who have done that and got ILR. Will have to research more not to break rules and enter one chance I actually thought once a kid is on a visa they will need ILR, £2389 no be small money oo. UKVI and money.

LagosismyHome:


I have some friends who did this. One was even on 10 years path , and they didn't do at all for their 3 kids..... can you blame them . The home office fee is too much and when they got to ILR , it was absolutely fine to get the children citizenship... as long as the child is born in the UK

Any child born in the UK potentially have legal status worse case when the child is 7yrs for ilr or 10yrs for citizenship so on that basis home office is fine with it.. They might not have an official visa per say but they are allowed legally .... It just that if there a wedding in naija or a holiday trip. You can't take them out of the country ...

Exactly the fees are too much especially for kids born in and out of the UK. The amount we have paid on my 5yr old son to date ehn and another potential £4k loading for ILR and citizenship.

Meanwhile heard with good immigration lawyers people use the 7yr old route to switch from unsettled status as well

Mamatukwas:


Wawu. I never knew this. You learn everyday.

A cousin did walk in for their visa renewal (tier 2) for only the parent in home office Croydon office , and went with their baby. There was no where to keep the baby and the visa officer looked at the application and said why is the child not added

The parents said no money ooo. The visa officer responded , well if its a British born then no problem, you can wait till ILR and they did just that . This story about 5 years ago

fatima04:


Exactly the fees are too much especially for kids born in and out of the UK. The amount we have paid on my 5yr old son to date ehn and another potential £4k loading for ILR and citizenship.

Meanwhile heard with good immigration lawyers people use the 7yr old route to switch from unsettled status as well

You don't even need immigration lawyer self... that route is now an allowed route since 2012. . The lawyer isn't doing anything magical..... if you know you know

Check the last subheading https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/visiting-or-moving-to-england/moving-to-england-from-outside-the-european-economic-area-eea/

I did dependant visa for my UK born kid because I had to take him out of UK. I did not have to do ILR for him. I just registered him as British immediately after I got ILR.

fatima04:


Surprised at the bolded for UK born kids cos I know quite some people who have done that and got ILR. Will have to research more not to break rules and enter one chance I actually thought once a kid is on a visa they will need ILR, £2389 no be small money oo. UKVI and money.

ameryzzy:


Okay.... so can I apply for visit visa for my sister while applying for my student visa?

No. not at the same time. It's best to get yours first, come, rent a place and settle then show you can sponsor your sister.

Ticha:


No. not at the same time. It's best to get yours first, come, rent a place and settle then show you can sponsor your sister.

Okay thanks alot. Lastly please, I saw a post where someone said you must apply for visa with your spouse to the UK when coming with your child, for my case Oga isn't joining us immediately, maybe after 6 months. What do I do pls?

ameryzzy:


Okay thanks alot. Lastly please, I saw a post where someone said you must apply for visa with your spouse to the UK when coming with your child, for my case Oga isn't joining us immediately, maybe after 6 months. What do I do pls?

I have no idea. Hope someone else comes along with more info. Ask on the student visa thread though

Ticha:


I have no idea. Hope someone else comes along with more info. Ask on the student visa thread though

Thank you

ameryzzy:


Okay thanks alot. Lastly please, I saw a post where someone said you must apply for visa with your spouse to the UK when coming with your child, for my case Oga isn't joining us immediately, maybe after 6 months. What do I do pls?

Both parents needs to apply together when coming with a minor and sign the consent letter. Your oga can come afterwards.

Only caveat to the above is widowed, divorced or single parent and you need to demonstrate sole responsibility for the child with court orders etc