Any updates from recent applicants?

There's no need to carry your passport with you anywhere as there is no requirement to keep your visa with you - I would keep your passport in a safe place at home.

If you want something you can use for ID when out and about then you can apply for a provisional driving licence, which you will need in order to pass the UK driving tests if you plan to drive in the UK for more than the first year.

I don't think you are supposed just get a BRP because you want one as your visa is a sticker in your passport, so you don't need a BRP card - I suppose you could apply for one but it's a bit unnecessary and will cost you about another £110 to apply for it (and you will need to send your passport away, which can take even longer to process than the spousal visa - anywhere from 1-4 months).

You will get a BRP card when you apply for FLR(M) in 2018.


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Just because things are doesn't mean its the way it needs to be, has to be or should be. It CAN be improved it can be better and more effectively communicated. There is no reason to keep things dysfunctional IF ONE person is confused. We should always be open to improvement and better serving and helping others.

To say america is just as bad isn't a soothing answer. It can be better and why not be the change.

Yes, it could be improved if the people in power wanted it to be improved. I hate to say it, but there are a lot of people who hold anti-immigration sentiments here in the UK. Not necessarily to the point of being UKIP supporters, but they don't like how many EEA citizens have been able to move here and start getting government assistance and the like. At least that's what 'people say.' Most don't have issue with us Americans or Canadians, or other native english speakers, but even my husband's extended family have UKIP leanings. 

Heeeeey Matilda76!

I got my visa today.  It did NOT have the BRP stuff, it was listed as entry from 9 July 2015 to 9 April 2018, which was the day that they processed my visa, NOT my estimated travel date of August 1st.

So, who knows what they will do for yours.

Hey silverbrooke! Just noticed we are in the same neck of the woods. I live in NoVa.

Now I am even more interested to see what they'll give me. I'm guessing UPS will deliver my papers tomorrow, but I have to wait until I'm home from work before I see what's on offer in my passport. I just hope I don't have to go and sign for the package. People here in my neighborhood are pretty good about not stealing packages.

I have student loans and car payments to make and this really was a curve ball that could have been avoided if it just simply and clearly communicated these things. If nothing else, I pray that my experience could help someone else from experiencing what I did. because it really is unnecessary and didn't add any value to my life.

Oh! As to your student loans. Have you called to see if your student loan provider will defer your payments while you are unemployed? I know my loan provider allowed me to defer my payments when I was laid off from work. All I had to tell them was I was looking.

Or you could look into Income Based Repayments if you have the right loan type. Since you are unemployed your payments should be rather low! Mine were $0 for a year since I was unemployed when I applied for that loan repayment type in January of 2014. I was just about to move to the UK when I applied.

Something to remember, it may take you awhile to get a job after you move over. A lot of British companies want to see British work experience on your CV. Which is annoying.

Matilda76 I had to have my housemate sign for it.  Luckily someone was home.  It was "on the truck for delivery" since 7:19 am, and didn't make it to my house until 4:55 pm.

Go figure.

AussieBlue  I am a Brit living in US with a permanent resident card and I'm moving back to UK with my US husband.  I had no problem but I'm not sure if thats quite the same as you.
But they only asked in the application if I was a citizen of any other countries.  They did not ask about residency.

Congrats to everyone who received their visa's today!!  fingers crossed for the others are on their way....

Heeeeey Matilda76!

I got my visa today.  It did NOT have the BRP stuff, it was listed as entry from 9 July 2015 to 9 April 2018, which was the day that they processed my visa, NOT my estimated travel date of August 1st.

So, who knows what they will do for yours.

Can I get one of those shiney BRP cards anyway once I'm over there?  Or do I need to lug that passport everywhere?  I'm not 100% sure on what I'll need to do, and don't trust them to give me correct advice at this point 

Congrats!

And I don't think you'd  want a BRP card anyway. You need to present it along with your passport  whenever  you enter the country, which is  just one more thing to keep track of. Now when we travel as a family we'll  have 5 passports and 3 cards to try  not to lose. Privileged  problems, but still.

I would definitely prefer the sticker to the BRP.  And it costs £260 to get one now!  They raised the price considerably in April.

I would definitely prefer the sticker to the BRP. 

Yeah, my advice would be to hold onto your passport sticker visa as long as you can and only get a BRP when you absolutely have to (i.e. when you apply for FLR(M) after 2.5 years).

It can be much easier having it in your passport - for one, it means only one document to carry with you when you travel. If you have a BRP and forget to bring it with your passport when you travel, you won't be able to get back in to the UK again!

And it costs £260 to get one now!  They raised the price considerably in April.

Ah, I didn't realise the prices had increased, though it looks like the £260 is only for a NTL (No Time Limit) BRP for people who have ILR. If you have a temporary visa, it's £183 for a TOC (Transfer of Conditions) BRP.

Ah, yes, my mistake.  Still £183 for a card that is difficult to replace is not too appealing!

Ugh, are you saying that if you get the 30-day sticker, you have to fork out another £183 for a BRP??


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Ugh, are you saying that if you get the 30-day sticker, you have to fork out another £183 for a BRP??


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No, the BRP will be included in the cost of the visa application, which you have already paid.

The £183 only has to be paid if you are transferring a full-length visa sticker to a new passport... for example, if your visa is issued as a 33-month sticker in your passport and then your passport expires and you want to transfer the visa to your new passport (which you don't even have to do if you don't want to, you just carry both passports when you travel) - you would have to pay £183 for a BRP, as they no longer issue replacement stickers in passports.

I have to carry my green card with my passport so I am very excited that the visa is stuck in the passport...less to think about.

Ah, thanks for the clarification, ksand24. I'm even more curious as to what I'll have in my passport (hopefully UPS will deliver today).


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Hey guys! My husband and I decided to upgrade to priority through vfs global. Before I do this can someone verify for me the email Address for the ukvi to inform of the payment? And what information needs to be provided in the email? Really appreciate your help trying going back on the chain but so much to review trying to make that payment later today. Thanks!!!


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