NewStats: 3,265,405 , 8,186,631 topics. Date: Saturday, 14 June 2025 at 07:27 PM 71w4q

[quote author=Cashmadam post=135681034][/quote]
Thanks ma'am

Dear all,


I'm trying to help my aunt prep for application, Your answers and any input will be really appreciated please.


My aunt works for our family business since 2022. Her salary is currently 320k per month . Now she wants to visit to the UK later in the year with some other family who have visas already. Her brothers are happy to pay her flight ticket, no issues there.
She is mid 40s, isn't married and has no child, so no real family ties.
She will stay in my house so I'm going to be taking care of accommodation and feeding.

She has been denied twice dec 2020 and Jan 2021 due to the fact she we said she was unemployed in the 1st app (family was sponsoring 100%), and we tried to change to self employed in the 2nd app. (she was in fact self employed informally, as in not cac ed and her income was irregular hence our reason)

I'm wondering what to advise on her application now, .... I'm thinking it may be better to have her sponsor herself or at least sponsor her flight at the minimum.
Obviously, as it's a family business, we can decide to increase her salary so that she can have a healthy balance for her application..

My questions are:

1. [s]For how long should her bank statement be[/s]? Edit I have seen that 2 to 3 months is fine
2. What should be a reasonable salary and bank balance for self sponsorship?
3. We want to put a 3wk visit, hope that is fine?
4. How much is OK to indicate she will spend on flight ticket? I don't think it should be too high compared to her salary but not so low that it will be impossible.
5. How early before her trip can she apply?
6. Her only strong tie so far is her job, any advice on how to make a strong case for return Nija for her?


Thanks for your input

giselle237:

It would be weird if you didn’t provide your documentation for his application and out of the blues, home office goes to your bank— you and him provided the information so they are checking what was provided to his application. Standard procedure.

Hi, I'm just reading through various bits of this thread to update my knowledge and be able to advise a relative.
I didn't know the Home Office s banks now...
Do they in all cases and do you know what details they ?
I'm guessung it will be best to not carry out any transactions that will significantly change the balance during the visa application period...

Goodenoch:


https://archive.is/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-02/uk-isn-t-ruling-out-making-immigration-restrictions-retroactive

Thank you!

Lexusgs430:
This here would be the game changer......

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-02/uk-isn-t-ruling-out-making-immigration-restrictions-retroactive

Hmm, there were allusions to this right from the start...
Can you screen grab pls? The story is behind a pay wall.

bamituni:
Thanks Akorkor and ogbenioptional

I was just curious as the only restrictions on the evisa is not being entitled to public funds.

It's just easier to work as a contractor for a physiotherapist-which is practically the same as being self employed. Nurses have it easier in this respect...loads of partime jobs.

I believe doctors are able to their own business under this visa, this is the main reason why I said earlier that I think the rule allows it. @jedisco may be able to help with more info.

I've taken a look at my own visa and I see nothing about running one's own business. So there is room for varied interpretation there.

Akorkor:


Your dependant can start the business but you are bound by the 20hrs limitation.

I thought the rules had changed?

Edit, you are right...

dentalux:


That is not the standard. They said the role met all requirements but not the labour market . The salary is well over the threshold and listed on that list. It is a role you have to get into with a qualification. So it is not one those generic roles. If it was dwp, the story will not be the same.

I see what you mean now.

People should still be trying professional jobs though. At interview the issue of COS should be addressed since it is key and not left for later. At least that way, one can make an informed decision.

dentalux:
Today, I just want to share with you what happens in the UK job market. People here should stop blaming people who decide to go for care visa without trying professional jobs.. The truth is the spirit of labour market test is still in place. My flatmate mate got a job within the civil service and resumed. When it came to the issue of sponsorship the Labour market test was applied on him. He was told he could not be sponsored and that the role is not a hard to fill role and could be sourced from the UK labour market. He showed me the letter which i read.. This is just to tell someone looking for sponsorship. Pray for direction what works for A may not work for B. even if the company has a license. .

Isn't this the standard? Not all roles can be sponsored.

dubaiprince:


Thanks Justwise. I already have a biometrics for renewal booked in London for April 26. The current port expires in June and my intended travel date to Naija and back is 9 - 26 May. I fear the current port will be invalidated after my renewal biometrics.

Maybe don't go for the renewal until you are back from your trip. You will be allowed still.

uzo2512:
Could someone please help with Clarification on expired port Submission and Return - The Nigeria High commission London

Could someone help me please confirm whether I need to submit my expired port and leave it with the High Commission until I receive my new port, or if it will be returned to me along with the ing documents?

I am asking because I have an emergency trip to Nigeria in about two weeks, and I understand that I may be able to travel with my expired port. I would like to know if the High Commission will return my old port after the biometric appointment, or if they will keep it. Since there is no guarantee that my new port will arrive before my travel date, I would like to ensure that I can still travel to Nigeria with the old port while waiting for the new one. Or do I have to cancel the appointment and rebook when I come back?

Thank you for your assistance.

I don't know the answer to your question but you can indeed travel with an expired port INTO Nigeria but must renew before leaving. Evidence of renewal should suffice too.

jedisco:


When searching I believe I came across a S&S LISA option from Moneybox only that you can't switch if you already have a cash ISA with them. I also did not think the options in their S&S LISA were quite robust as I wanted a global low cost fvnd. Their fees were relatively high too. Money-saving-expert has a page on LISAs

Another thing to note especially if you're saving more than 4k per year i.e above LISA treshold is that regular cash or S&S ISAs have flexible offerings meaning you can withdraw money and pay it back in same year without it affecting your allowance. Foe example, say you have 30k contributed across tax years in a Cash ISA, you can withdraw that money for a home purchase (or any reason), afterwards could still put back 30k in that same tax year (and retain its tax free status) if your provider is flexible. This is not possible with LISAs - you'd have to wait for the next tax year to start afresh

Ok. Thank you.

That must have been why I don't see the option. I know about the cash and S&S and using that asides my LISA as well.

jedisco:


Yes there are. Most go cash as they are unaware or feel the 25% rebate is all there is to LISAs

Wowza! I'm one of those "most". I've never seen any option for this in Moneybox.

jedisco:



I'd give an example (pictured)- after buying my place, I decided to continue investing in my LISA for retirement purposes. This time I went with S&S against cash. Its maxed out for the financial year and invested for under 8 months in the named fvnd. Returns so far (aside government rebate) is over 9%.

Are there options for choosing what your LISA is invested in? I thought it was just cash by default.

lovelysofa:
Hi Everyone.

Please can someone signpost me to a provider where I can get Prince 2 certification done (including the exams) at an affordable cost? Thanks

Knowledge Academy. Ignore the prices in their website, speak with them on the phone and negotiate up to 50% off. A colleague got tutor led online classes (foundation n practitioner) for about 800.

justwise:


..you see the prob?

No I don't. The request was inappropriate either way, more so if he knew.

TheRealestGuy:


Again, your ego is out of this world.

You certainly could have told the story without the junior thing. Peep how many times you mentioned junior in just one short story

Going by your logic, would it have been more acceptable if the incident happened with a "senior" colleague?

Some of us have a 6th sense and I can tell you categorically that you enjoy the power trip of seeing others as junior to you, suggesting that you're an authoritative, egotistic person who enjoys "putting your juniors in their place".

It's a sign of a weak, unsure individual. You still have a lot of growing to do mentally and emotionally.

I rest my case.

Lol! Wetin de worry you oga?! Not me certainly.

Did you even read Justwise' comment that I was responding to? He specifically mentioned the treatment from seniors to juniors and women to men.
Sorry o. No vex.

TheRealestGuy:


You missed the entire point o.

My reply had absolutely nothing to do with the Jollof rice request.

Read in-between the lines to understand, if you can.

I'm giving an of what happened to me, I will also give the context of the situation. Saying he was my Junior is just facts and relevant to the story because if I was his peer, it could be acceptable banter. I hope you understand now.

Starzo:

Did you give him the first time?


Well if na me, I don't see anything wrong with it.
If I was in your shoes I for jokingly yabb the guy ... i would have said something like ' so of all things to ask of, na food....e b like say hungry beat you from Nigeria....Dem use food do you?....we would have laughed over it. And if I have the means, I would provide it for as long as I could.

Maybe that food na wetin he really need at that time. It might even make him more productive.So you might actually have been helping him become more productive with that act alone.


It's part of ergonomics.

Lol! I didn't give him o. The next time I checked to see how he was getting on, he was now reminding me about his jollof😅.
I just saw him as someone that was neither self or situationally aware...so it made me wary around him cos he would probably cross boundaries without even knowing.

RealityKings1:


Atleast you see people are different and respond differently. Not everyone process communication wisely

Yes. For sure. I personally believe in giving everyone their own chance. I was just explaining to Just wise that people have experiences that make them behave how they do and make them appear unwelcoming to others.

TheRealestGuy:


The same classism disease

Your level and seniority is so precious to you init.

From just this post, your leadership skills are seriously questionable if you're talking about your colleagues outside the workplace from a senior/junior POV.

Your ego is off the charts and you need to reign it in because it will ruin you in the long run.

Cheers.

OK. You are in the same WhatsApp group obviously.

Where is the classism when I didn't have to speak to him in the first place?. Would he make the same "joke" with a man? Meanwhile, it wasn't even a joke cause he repeated it on another occasion trying to remind me about his jollof.
There are things you don't say to people in the work place that you are meeting for the first time in a professional capacity. If you don't know this already, I can't help you.
Try not to be defending nonsense.

Thankfully he was the only bad experience I've had and I've enjoyed cordial/professional relationship with others both male and female after him.

Starzo:


Person nor fit follow you play again?....he probably was just trying to make a joke but you turn am to something else

Na the pride wey we dey talk about be this

Well, I thought it was a joke until he asked me again for it. It wasn't a joke for real.

justwise:


Most, not all Nigerians, i have experienced both good and bad attributes, some Nigerians ladies especially are not friendly, they related to other nationalities than their Nigerian brothers.

A senior manager((A Nigerian lady) in a place i work turned her nose down on me, i mean i say hello with smile to her and she will keep a straight face, then i stopped greeting her completely till the day she left the company.

This is common among those chasing papers and freeloads , so if a brother can not offer any of that then you are not useful to them.

Hmm Justwise, I'm surprised you are saying this...ok let me give you my own story being a woman in senior management.
I was the only Nigerian in my team so when they employed another one, I reached out to welcome him and offer my for his settling in into the role. I told him to let me know if he needs help settling in and the silly boy told me to bring him some jollof rice! I was shocked and in my mind I was like "sebi na me find trouble come".
He probably didn't know my role/level. But even if I was his mate, should that be the response to a professional offer to help? A lot of our men still see women as kitchen occupiers and still speak in manners that are not acceptable here.
These bad encounters turn well meaning ppl off. If I wasn't who I am, that will be the last time I give a newbie a chance. People don't like to suffer fools twice.

Thankfully since then, I've had the pleasure of meeting other junior Nigerians who were sensible and didn't give me regrets.

SamReinvented:

Thank you! How long after the expiry of the 2 year one did you apply for 10 years? Also, did you provide any reasons for the longer term visa?

My mother’s 2022 visa was 6 months… and main reason she hasn’t visited again was the stress involved to travel to Lagos/Abuja to apply for the visa again. So hoping, she can do this once and forget about it for another 10 years.

Last I checked!/know, you need to first get a 2yr visa and then a 5yr one before you can get a 10year one. If you apply for the 10yr now, they will likely give a 2year duration.

brain54:
Just this today Sunday I ate cocoyam leaves...

And banku.

Now I have eaten this combination before.(cocoyam leaves and banku) I had my throat scratching me through out the day the first time.

The second time I saw it at a restaurant I ordered it... Because it looked enticing because they added Egusi. I had same effect or result- itchy throat.

Now back to today I was with this person. And she managed to convince me that cocoyam leaves don't cause scratching throat.... According to her maybe it wasn't prepared very well the first and second time I ate ... Hers was different and would not be same.

Ok... Let me try.

So she brings 2 wrapped bankus and... well, some cocoyam leaves mixed with Egusi. Looked really good. Most Ghanian dishes (my opinion) doesn't really look good. This one looks good to go. So I decide inside me... yeah, she is right. Here's is a different mix. Probably home made.

So I dip the banku in the soup and swallow, left for about 2 morsels of banku. But end up with a damn scratchy throat. She ends up consoling me and recommends I get some syrup, or sweet at a pharmacy which I forget the name now. (I didn't get, but OK now.)

Now to your picture... It's just ground pepper and onions in that mix. Maybe a bit of shitoh at the side I see.

I have eaten this mix before and I can tell you it's just bland old peppers. The only thing exciting here will be the fish. That's all.

I personally think Ghanaians just cook and eat just to survive. Not for any form of variety or to make eating interesting. I get bored just thinking of their meals and eating becomes a chore. That is me personally.

Looking at the picture I just think we fantasize about things we don't have or never tried before. That is why the grass is always greener on the other side.

I mean, who would think anyone would ever fantasize about eating peppers and fish? 🤷

Seems very basic!

Kontomire! I had a similar reaction!. I figured it was an allergic reaction to the coco yam leaf.

hyzich:


It’s better, however, there’s a take away here “never be too close or relax to share everything with colleagues “ the guy was snitch by a colleague he prolly see as a friend.

Abeg which role maybe I fit give referral because I have a friend looking for opportunity in IT

Actually the real lesson there is to always behave well, not back bite or use slurs at your place of work.

missjekyll:


He was republican.He was only 20 therefore he was 12 in 2016. All he has ever known is MAGA chaos.

Thoughts and prayers to Trump and his family. Will he be ing gun control henceforth?

Also why did he pop back to raise a fist? Presenting a lovely target for a headshot?who does that? Not very smart 😕 #baffling

Made me wonder too @popping back to raise his fist. Almost makes me think the whole thing was stage managed. A report by a witness said the shooter was spotted by himself and friends 50 feet away and they shouted this information to cops nearby who appeared confused for 2 to mins before shots were eventually fired.

TheCeasar:
make Una help me na

NIN is not an ID in that sense. It has no expiry.

Born2conquer:
I HOPE I WILL GET A RESPONSE.

Abeg, where I fit get Zobo leaves in the UK? I started working Night shifts in the UK and it has been very hard for me to sleep during the day.

I barely get 2hrs of sleep daily. I believe drinking Zobo will help

I don't have an answer for Zobo, but try taking camomile tea and get blackout blinds to keep the sun out.

idee91:
Greetings everyone,

What do you advise, I wanted to renew my rent contract, but Landlord is suggesting i don’t need to extend, as the contract automatically goes into a rolling contract after 12 months. Do you think I should insist on getting a new contract ?

I don't think there is any downside to a rolling contract, maybe notice period?

holyboss:
Hello everyone,

I am currently residing in the UK and find myself in a bit of a predicament. My port has recently expired and the earliest appointment I could secure for its renewal is scheduled after the expiration date of my current visa.

This situation has left me quite concerned and I am seeking advice on a specific matter: Is it possible to apply for a graduate visa in the UK with an expired port?

I am not exactly able to interpret the message on the page attached: I consider an expired port to be a means of identity still. It might just not be a tenable travel document at the port of entry.

Any guidance or experiences shared would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your time and assistance.

Hi.
Since you are in the UK, you can apply with an expired port. Just increase the validity year of your port. In additional docs, include a letter to explain what you have done. You may also include proof of application for renewal as a back up. I know ppl who have done this with no issues.

Solumtoya:


In addition to the numerous contributions, you can consider answering "no" to the sponsorship question and see if it helps you land a role. You can use the role to break into the UK market and move to another Company afterwards or even request for a sponsorship after 6 months of probing your worth. In the meantime, you stay on PSW Visa.

Poster this is what you should do. It is exactly what the PSW is for. Nothing gives you advantage like UK experience. Once you have 6 to 12 months experience, if you know your Onions, it becomes so much easier to get another job.