It’s Over

 You read that right. 

Visa seasons are over. I got my Indefinite Leave to Remain today. I was drawing, then I casually decided to check my email. That’s when I found an email from Home Office saying that the visa was granted. 

And that’s where my visa journey comes to an end. I’m over the moon right now. But I’m also exhausted because my husband and I drank ourselves silly in celebration. 

I will still keep this blog up and running though! I will want to document my process of becoming a British citizen!

ILR Time...

 I know I never updated about the Life in the UK test, so I'll just go ahead and state right now that I passed.

But that's the least of my concerns right now. On November 19, 2021, I submitted my application for Indefinite Leave to Remain. We'd been checking it for a while to see if we could obtain Super Priority, only to realise we are just short of affording it. So, we went for standard. It's been submitted and paid for. The biometrics appointment is on the 25th of November.

Issue is, we also got paid on November 19th. That makes things a little bit more complicated, because we don't have updated bank statements showing this. We had to scramble to get statements printed out today. I'm stressing out right now because Home Office isn't really a fan of documents dated after the application date. 

I'm so stressed I can hardly focus, eat, or sleep. We both meet the minimum income threshold just fine. But what if we get a strict officer looking at our evidence? I personally think it'd be silly to turn us away for that, but refusals have happened in the past to people who have submitted past this date.

It's safe to assume I have a big fear of uncertainty. Hence why I had an issue with health anxiety this time last year. Maybe I should just prepare for the worst...

I feel really sick.

I'm not religious, but I'll hope and pray to every god in existence if I have to. God, Jesus, Allah, Mohammed, Buddha, Zeus, whatever. Please...let my ILR be accepted. Seriously, this is THE LAST STEP!! 

For reference sake, application was £2408 and biometric appointment was £125.

Here I Go Again ... (Not on My Own, Though; thankfully)

 ALRIGHT!!

It's November. Do you know what that means?

Yes, it means Bonfire Night.

Yes, it means Thanksgiving for my Americans.

Yes, it means my (??? 26th, I think?) birthday on the 11th.

Yes, it means Remembrance Day with poppies and the Cenotaph (haha see what I did there? You'll see in a moment)

Yes, it means Christmas stuff starts going up for some unknown reason.

Yes, it means you need to start putting your heating on more frequently.

But do you know what else it means? For me, anyway?

VISA SEASON!!

That's right, boyo. It's that time of the year again. Getting deja vu? I know I am. Ohh jolly jilly boyo!!!

I arrived in the UK on November 22, 2016. This is my literal anniversary date. It's stamped in my passport if you don't believe me (I'm typing this just in case there's any discrepancy with Home Office and this blog entry may or may not need to be shown as evidence?? Haha, sorry. I'm trying to cope with my current nerves by being cheeky).

I can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain between then and my BRP expiry (which is March 7, 2022 - in which case, why would you apply on the expiry date when the application can take 6 months? You'll be sitting on Section 3C of the Immigration Act for SIX months. That sounds like limbo hell).

Ah, Indefinite Leave to Remain. You are the true final boss in a video game.

Yes, your attacks are cool looking and have nice particle effects (aka no NHS Surcharge)

As is your overall character design (aka guaranteed settlement)

But why must you have that instakill attack (aka £18,600 income threshold still applies and if you can't meet it, you're SOL boyo)

And why must you inflict so much HP damage (as in wallet HP damage: £50 Life in the UK Test, £??? BRP costs, and £2,389 application fee)

But like a final boss, killing you (aka getting the acceptance letter) will be SOOOOOO relieving. The game will be over. 

Citizenship is an optional £1,330 DLC

I NEVER THOUGHT I'D BE COMPARING THE VISA PROCESS TO VIDEO GAMES BUT THIS IS WHERE I AM AT IN MY LIFE!! NERVES DO WEIRD THINGS TO ME, OKAY!??!

I'm feeling this mixture of euphoria (as in THIS IS FINAL FIGHT...WE ARE NEARING THE END) as well as anxiety (OH MY GOD IT IS A VISA AND IF I DO ONE THING OUT OF LINE I MIGHT GET REJECTED AND HAVE TO GO BACK TO AMERICA AND START THE WHOLE THING OVER AGAIN OH GOD OH GOD OH GODOHGODEJAGLKVEJALVKJE).

ANYWAY!!

*takes deep breath*

The main reason why I'm writing this blog is that I've finally booked the Life in the UK test. Remember my Cenotaph nod in the beginning? Yeah, that bit's in the test. Do you know who succeeded Henry VIII? No, it was not Elizabeth I. He was succeeded by his son Edward VI. Do you know the name of all of Henry VIII's wives? There are six of them. I know there are two Annes, three Catherines, and a Jane Seymour. Anne Boleyn was second. One of the Catherines was accused of adultery (checks notes) Ah, it was Catherine Howard, his fifth wife. Cue this song that got played to me in high school.

The test is on the 10th, much sooner than I anticipated. Time to amp up on the studying. The questions about famous athletes are definitely one of my weaknesses, as I don't like sports. At all. But I DO remember that Scotland invented golf (Thanks, Jeremy Clarkson/Grand Tour!)

To make you even more nervous, you can get turned away from the test centre without a refund if you put down the slightest wrong detail. God forbid a human applicant makes a mistake, right??

Either way, history was never my forte. Back in high school, I took a world history class. I learned about everything from the Industrial Age (1800s) to the current age (which went up to the 1990s in that book). That class was boring. And the teacher was...well, she wasn't terrible. But you know the stereotypical formal, uptight, strict female teacher? Wears glasses and might say "hmph!" every once in a while? I got that vibe from her. Despite that, I'm really thankful from what little I remembered from that class. It helped me through a lot of the bits in 1800-1990. Especially since it wasn't that much different in America and the UK. There was still a Great Depression in 1929. The World Wars were still a thing in both countries. Although some UK-exclusive battles need to be studied further. For some VERY ODD reason, I remembered accurately that Hitler invaded Poland. I don't know how I remembered it...maybe I'd read it somewhere recently? I don't know. Either way, that's there.

There are some silly common sense questions in there, too. This isn't a word-for-word example, but it is something along the lines of this:

As you get settled in the UK, what are your responsibilities?

A: Steal from a Tesco

B: Be disrespectful to the people around you

C: Blow up the Parliament, Guy Fawkes-style

D: Look after yourself and others and just be a decent human being over all

I laugh at these types of questions. Here's a direct example from the book I'm studying out of:

Which TWO of the following are freedoms citizens and permanent residents of the UK should respect?

A: Freedom of speech

B: Half-day off work on Friday

C: Freedom from unfair discrimination

D: Free heating during the winter

Anybody know the answers?? Cos I sure don't.

There's also the case of remembering that Great Britain = England, Scotland, and Wales but NOT Norther Ireland. Poor Northern Ireland. However, the term "UK" encompasses Northern Ireland.

Also it's pretty heavy-handed that Charles I was a cheeky and stubborn bugger. He defied Parliament and tried to make it all about his own rules, and the Scots did NOT like that. In the end, he got executed for his defiance.

Also Charles II hiding in an oak tree was a thing, too.

So, there were some funny bits about British history. At least I can have a laugh about the Charles line of monarchs.

I think the most annoying thing about this test is that I've got ALL of that history to cover, but not all of it is going to be on the test. The test itself is only going to have 24 questions. Yet, it covers a history going all the way back to the Stone Age, and also throws in stuff about sports, art, music, novels, theatre, movies, police, national landmarks, and the justice system (which is thankfully somewhat similar to the US in that there is a judge, a randomly selected jury, a sheriff, and what-have-you). Like, for example, there could be 23 questions asking about movies, sports, TV, inventions, and poets...and one single question about Charles I. They're randomly generated in that way, so it wouldn't shock me if that's a possibility. 

I mean, let's say you have a weakness in history (as I kind of do, but it's not as bad as my weakness in maths), and you spend hours upon hours pouring over the entirety of British history, expecting all of it to be on the test. You don't pay much attention to the media stuff because you don't think there would be many questions about it, as it's less relevant than history. Then you get to the test and you get tons of questions asking about which athlete did what, and what they were famous for. You get a ton of questions asking about the Parliament and how MPs are elected. There might be a question or two about haggis or an Ulster fry-up thrown in there. Maybe a question about the Queen's roles. You get to the end, only to find one single historical question regarding the Middle Ages.

...What? You assumed history would be the major factor of this 24-question test, yet...there was only one question about it??

Yeah, I'm not a fan of that. So, I need to study E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G. Regardless of whether or not it ends up on the test. Do you know Sir Roger Bannister? Something something famous sprinter and four miles. Or was it five? *checks notes* "He was the first man in the world to run a mile in under four minutes." Okay, I was right about the four bit. God, I hate sports. This'll be tough. And all for a non-refundable £50 too! WOOHOO!!

I've said quite a bit about a test I've never even taken yet. For all I know, it could be easy. I might get just one sports-related question, or maybe even none at all. Despite how this may look, I'm not hating this at all. I'd much rather be learning about Charles II and oak trees than redoing the same safety-related training module for work for the umpteenth time. I'd much rather learn about how the NHS came to be instead of having to solve for x in an equation. This isn't leisure, but it's not terrible. Of course, I'd RATHER be drawing. But needs must!

And anyway, it'll all be worth it once visa season is over. Part of me wants to hope we'll have enough left over for £800 priority...but I doubt it. So...a five to six month wait WOOHOO. 

I'm with my husband, that's all that matters. If I have to get a degree in astrophysics in order to stay with him, I'd do it. If I have to figure out the true meaning of life, I would. If I had to build a time machine from scratch to stay with him, I would work nonstop until I have that Miramobile.

...So, yeah. When I put it like that, a history test and some wallet-damaging fees are nothing, and are MORE than worth it. 💜

Did 2021 Even Happen?

 Hey, it's been a hot minute, hasn't it? I haven't written on this blog in almost a year. I'll outline the reasons why below:

Part 1: Nothing Happened
Part 2: Same Stuff, Different Year
Part 3: Is There Anybody There?

PART 1: NOTHING HAPPENED
We're in September now, so I think it's about appropriate to ask: What the hell was 2021? We were in lockdown a little bit at first, but that was about it. Apart from going up to Scotland for a fortnight last month, this year was...forgettable. I legit still can't wrap my head around the fact that 2021 only has three months left in it. Right off the bat, I can give you more than one memorable aspect about the past several years:

2020: Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition came out. We went to London to see a NieR concert. COVID hit.

2019: I got my FLR(m) visa. My husband also got compensation after he was attacked. PC issues plagued us.

2018: We moved into our current house. Xenoblade 2: Torna, the Golden Country came out. Super Smash Bros Ultimate came out. I got my current job.

2017: Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Xenoblade Chronicles 2 came out. My husband was mugged. 

2016: I got married. I got my spouse visa. I moved to the UK.

2015: I was in college. I visited the UK for the second time. 

I could go on and on. But what was 2021? It only had the Scotland trip to back it up. Even 2020 had things going for it. But game wise, what came out in 2021? Let me check. Persona 5 Strikers and NieR: Replicant came out this year. But those games weren't groundbreaking to me, really. I could tell Covid really hit the game industry, because there didn't seem to be very much hype for anything. Among Us was a big thing this year, wasn't it? Or was that last year? Genshin Impact was also a big thing. But apart from that, there wasn't much going around. Apart from my Scotland holiday, 2021 was just plain forgettable. 

PART 2: SAME STUFF, DIFFERENT YEAR

This blog is all about things regarding a UK settlement visa. Honestly, what else COULD I write about it? ILR is the final stage of the visa, and it...is pretty much a rehash of the FLR(m), apart from the fact that I need to take a Life in the UK test, and also I don't need to pay an IHS Surcharge. So, there's...not much else I can write about it. And I'm sure it gets tiresome to read "I am so stressed! I am so stressed! I am so stressed!" during every visa season. So, after this post, you'll probably see a "We're in Visa Season Now!" post and a "I Got the Visa!" post. 

PART 3: IS THERE ANYBODY THERE?

It's blatantly honest from my analytics that nobody reads or visits this blog. So, I don't see much of a point logging in everything to nobody. I'm just making these posts to hopefully help those who want to apply for a visa like me. After the visas are all done, though, I don't know what I'll do about this blog. Post updates on anything that happens? Again, I don't see much of a point when nobody reads these things. I mean...I guess they're good for me when it comes to logging in memories. But I don't think dementia-ridden, 90-year-old me will want to log onto the internet and read these things. Who knows, this website won't even exist then. 

So, yeah. All-in-all, there was just nothing to write about regarding 2021. And when it comes to visa posts, they're the same song and dance, so...there's not much to say about them. I mean, I guess I can say one thing, and that's the fact that we recently looked at our P60s for last year. And, to our relief, the both of us earned about £21,000. And this is WITH the 20% income reduction from COVID. Essentially, even at our worst of financial times (COVID), we STILL earn over the £18,600 threshold. So, it's relieving to see. And even then, there is a COVID leeway with the visas, anyway. 

I really need to start studying for that Life in the UK test, though. Oh boyo.

Time to Stress Again...

Amidst all the worries about my health regarding back pain, I have other things creeping in: next year is visa season. And I know what you’re thinking - “Alice, you’ve been worried and stressed the past two visas, but they were granted. Why are you worried again?” The answer is simple: we don’t have the cushion of the Carer’s Allowance anymore. We are going to have to prove we both earn more than £18600. On the surface, that’s easy. In the normal world, just take on some extra hours here and there and you’re gold. Right? Especially since my hubby has a management position and works more than minimum wage. 

The only issue is — this isn’t the normal world anymore. COVID has significantly impacted our earnings. Don’t worry, the government has recognised this. They’ve given leeway if you’re on furlough. But this only applies to this year. We’ve gone into lockdown again and it’s hard to say how long it’ll last. I hope they extend their leeway; otherwise things may be difficult. 

My hubby and I both have to earn over £1553 a month, but that may be hard due to COVID right now. Annoyingly, the immigration officers don’t look at the final tally of earnings and call it a day. No, they take the lowest amount of earnings out of a 6 or 12 month period, average it out, and if it’s short of £18600 you’re screwed 😠 Even if it shows you earned over £18600 on your P60. If you earned less than £1553 one month you are done for! So god forbid if you have a slow month or the world enters a pandemic. And they’re not lenient on that income rate. The guidance even says so. You either be there or you be square. 

So yeah. I can’t relax. I’m going to start being more obsessed with the maths and earnings. What’s worse is that this is the last stage. After that, my stay will be indefinite. The visas will be over. If I fail this last stage and have to go back, I’m going to break down... 😔 fun times. Fun fun times. Guess I gotta hope for the best but prepare for the worst. For me it’s always the sodding latter 🤪. 

I wish I could stop dreaming about me having to go back home. I wish I could stop stressing out about this 😞. I don’t know what to do, and that’s even more stressful. The uncertainty of the world...and its effect on our work, and as a result, our hours...that’s what’ll make or break me. My livelihood is at risk again. AUGH!!! 😫 Thanks Theresa May for the minimum income rate issues. And good old Boris is too busy dealing with COVID and the aftermath of Brexit to even think about immigration right now. And even then, I don’t think he’ll bat an eye to the MIR. 

Great times. 😔

EDIT: 

After more research I just found out that taking the lowest wage and averaging it out only applies to SALARIED workers. Since we both work hourly, they will just take the total gross income, divide by 6 and multiply by 12 which is weird...but okay. 

Would add a photo to explain but I can’t seem to do that on mobile.  

Either way, it puts my mind at ease a little bit. Let’s just hope that 6 months prior to our application date the world isn’t still in A STATE...

Idle Thoughts

This lockdown stuff is really crazy, isn't it? I've been out of work for a month now, and it feels so surreal. But I'm so glad I'm here with my husband. Because the alternative would've been me still in America, away from him. And by this point, he probably would've had a flight booked, or was planning to get a flight booked. Imagine how disappointed I would've been had his flight been cancelled due to all that has gone on?

I'm sorry I haven't been updating this very much, I've been busy with other things. I've been writing, drawing, video editing, streaming, and making let's plays. I have to keep myself busy during these times! I only really think about this blog when I think about the visa...which is right now. I'm trying to write, but I'm listening to old songs I had before. They're love songs my husband and I listened to to stay sane while we were apart. While listening to them, I started thinking about the next (and final) visa. It's probably about two years away at this rate, but I'm already starting to worry lol. Mainly because my husband had no choice but to cancel his Carer's Allowance, so we're having to make sure our combined income will be enough. Income naturally goes up every year, and I'll be earning Living Wage after I turn 25 in November. Not to mention my husband has sort of gotten promoted, so I don't know how much he makes every month right now; it's been up in the air since this outbreak, not to mention the fact that there was management dysfunction at work prior to all of this.

I'm relieved that I don't have to pay NHS for the next visa, because I read that it's going up again (or has gone up again). It's like £1600 now or something stupid like that. But I do have to worry about the Life in the UK test next...so I'll have to think about getting into studying that at some point. I know I still have a lot of time before I have to worry about it, but...here I am. Worrying about it already. When I have only had my current visa for like seven months. I just can't shake this internal fear that the visa will be refused, and I'll have to go back there...my already fragile mental health will take a massive toll if that happens. I honestly couldn't handle it. I've grown so close and attached to my husband as is.

Since it's the final visa, it should have an even higher acceptance rate. BUT ONCE AGAIN, MY ANXIETY PREVENTS ME FROM THINKING POSITIVE! Augh!! I shouldn't be stressing during lockdown time. I'm not working, I'm not dealing with people, I have no deadlines, I'm still getting paid. I just...I hope this next visa goes by smooth sailing. After that, I'm D-O-N-E. NO MORE VISAS. I could apply for citizenship if I wanted to, it's like £2300-some-odd. It's completely voluntary. But it would eliminate the need to apply for a new BRP every ten years. And it'd give me a British passport + eligibility to vote.

I still have awhile to think about this stuff. Right now, I need to try and get my mind off of it so that I can write.

In the meantime, let me just plug in my art. Just a little over a month away, and Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition will be out!!

Another New Year in the UK

I know it's been awhile since I've posted, but nothing has gone on. I relished in the receipt of my Further Leave to Remain, and life continues on. Apart from discovering that even over here, I still have to pay US income tax...but...to be honest, it's too much of a hassle to bother with. I'm in a complex situation where I'd have to get an advisor, and doing that isn't worth the £500 some odd just to file a $0 tax return.

On brighter notes, though, tomorrow I'm going to London for the first time. I'm going to an orchestral concert for NieR: Automata. I CAN'T WAIT!!

Although I have to keep mentally reminding myself that with this upcoming visa, I need to find a Life in the UK test and start studying for it. Thing is, I'm not entirely sure when I should start doing that. Maybe about six months before I start applying for the next visa.

That being said, with the silly income tax thing...it's made me prefer the UK over the US even more. I feel like I was destined to have been born here. I definitely prefer some of the economical things though (NHS and mandated holiday leave). But ON the subject of the economy...Brexit finally happened. I'm not going one way or the other, because I don't know much about it. I'm only just concerned that this will screw me over or make things harder for me in regards to the visa.

I really hope not...please let that not be the case. After all, IT'S MY SODDING LAST STAGE BEFORE I CAN STAY HERE!!

Received My Further Leave to Remain!

Yeah, as the title says, I got my visa! Well...I got it two days ago on August 10th. I've been busy celebrating. When I saw that I got it, I felt so incredibly happy. I felt the happiest I'd felt...well, since I got the last visa and came here! I almost wish I could replay that day, because of how good and cathartic it felt to open that letter and be relieved of the stressful limbo that I was in. My biometric residence permit arrived in the mail just this morning, and it's good until March 2022. It feels soooooooo good!!! I get to stay here for another 30 months, and when that is over, I can apply for indefinite leave to remain; that means I will be permanently here. No more visas. Citizenship is optional, but it is something we might be going for. Indefinite leave looks pretty pricey, though; over £3000 if you want to do priority, which we are probably going to do since I've heard that standard could take up to 6 months! I could hardly handle 8 weeks of a stressful limbo, so when it gets to that final stage I would want to get it done and over with!! It feels so great to be at home stretch now. It just feels sooooo good. I'm still feeling the bliss even now; in fact, it was refreshed when I got the BRP. Such a massive weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I...know that deep down, even with all of my doubts, I was certain that I would get this. But this summer had been so stressful. I lost some sleep. My husband and I fought a couple of times. There was just a lot of restlessness and anxiety over all. But now, it's been washed away like sand by the ocean.

Looks like I need to start studying for the Life in the UK test now, as I need to have that done by the time I submit the next visa. But I just got done getting this one, I am going to need some time to recover! Hopefully these damn dark circles under my eyes will go away, and hopefully I'll stop breaking out like I'm sixteen years old again.

It just feels so great!!

Just a bunch of Xenoblade pics because why not? I feel too happy to care.

The Dread is Back...

We are back at this stage of uncertainty again. Only this time I feel like it’s worse, despite having my husband here. When I was waiting for spouse visa, I at least had a place to fall back on if it got refused. Now, I risk losing my home and my job, ON TOP of being forcibly separated from my husband. My BRP expires two weeks from today; my work’s head office is eager to remind me via emails. And the thing is, I have no way of proving that I’ll get a grace period. I can’t use Section 3C of The Immigration Act, because that doesn’t explicitly say anything about work.  I don’t have any way in which I can prove to them that I’m okay to keep working. But even if I did, what if the application is refused? My work will get in a lot of trouble. I’m wondering if quitting for the time being will be safer. But I don’t know if I can afford that...

On top of this, I got a call about a month or two ago from my letting agency about my immigration status as well. So, my living situation might become compromised as well. As a result of that, my husband may be forced to move out too. 

So, let’s put this scenario here: in two weeks time, I’ll have lost my job and my house. Not too long after that, I’ll get a letter saying my visa was refused. I’ll be forced to go back to America. 

I feel like my life is on the verge of collapse as a result of this. I don’t know what to do. I’m scared of making long term plans for anything, in the event that I get deported. I’ll have to go back to America and I will have lost everything. My home, my job, my husband. I’ll be back to square one. I just...I don’t know what to do. This uncertainty, this dread, this possibility...it really hurts. 

My husband is a lot more positive about this. But I worry that if I give an inch of confidence or optimism, I’ll become complacent. I can’t afford to NOT be on my guard. 

I just don’t know what to do. 😖I feel like this is all a bad omen. Should I just get the suitcase out and start packing for home? 😢

The Waiting Game Begins

The biometric appointment was quick and painless, thanks to the fact that I was able to upload them beforehand. The only complaints about that day were that I didn't know where it was and I ended up misdirecting my husband and I. I ended up walking 7.5 miles and getting sunburnt. I got heat exhausted and sunburnt. My appointment was at the Sopra Steria building near Birmingham International. It's been almost a week since that appointment now, and the only thing I need to do is wait for a response. Naturally, I'm dreading the possibility of it getting refused. I'm scared to make long term plans and bookings for the future, in case it does get refused. At the same time, though, I can't help but also feel confident that it will be accepted. I'm at the same half-and-half limbo that I was in last time. It isn't fun. My adrenaline oftentimes kick in randomly whenever I think about it; if I accidentally wake up at 7am and this happens, I struggle going back to sleep. My husband's incredibly confident it'll be accepted. I just wish I had that kind of positivity.

I may just finish the entry here because thinking about it makes me anxious and restless. It's oftentimes a struggle to relax, because my wandering mind will start thinking about it. I need to keep my mind constantly engaged in other things.


Also Happy Independence Day to my American readers!

Visa Season Begins

So, a couple of days ago, we submitted and paid for our application. We've booked our biometrics appointment for the 28th of this month, and it'll be in Birmingham. We have until that time to upload all of our documents. So, for this visa, we'd spent £2,187 for our visa this time around.

• £1,052 for the application + biometrics
• £1,000 for the IHS surcharge
• £100 for an appointment. (the soonest free one was too close to expiry for comfort)
• £35 for the document checker. (This allows us to upload our documents from home)

So, yeah. Bye-bye, money. We're going to try and submit the documents this weekend. But now that we've put our name out there regarding this, I now feel this unwavering sense of uncertainty and anxiety. It's hard for me to relax now, and I catch myself with a rapid heart rate at times. Once again, just like last time, I can't help but think pessimistically. Even though the odds are higher this time around, I still can't help but worry I'll be sent back to the US. I'm living in this fear, and it's so much pressure. And as I post my worries to other platforms online, my situation is getting politicised by others - which is NOT what I need during this time. I think the immigration system here is a bit too strict; it could at least do with a removal, or at least a decrease, in the minimum income requirement. 

During this period of anxiety and uncertainty, I just want support. I don't want to hear about the politics regarding this. I don't want to hear about the US southern border immigration or Brexit. I'm already stressed enough as it is.

Or all of the above.

Please, wish me luck.

One More Month

We're going to be applying for FLR(m) next month. Each day that passes gets a little bit more stressful. It doesn't feel quite as bad as the initial visa, and I DO feel a bit more confident about this one. But that doesn't stop the niggling worries. We've been gathering more documents, mainly from work and our landlords. I'll keep things posted here as more progress is made. I am glad I don't feel as frantic as the first time around. Still, that doesn't mean it's not stressful. I've been breaking out regularly since the year began. Hopefully, this visa goes by smoothly. If it does, the rest of the year will be an absolute breeze.

2019, the Year of the Visa

It's February, now. This means that in the next four to five months, I'll be submitting an application to extend my current visa, known as FLR(m). I'm fairly certain this has a better success rate, but I still can't help but worry about refusal, and then getting deported back to America. I've gone through a lot to get here, and I don't want it getting thrown away. That's why we've been gathering things up a few months earlier. At least this time around, I'll have my husband around as moral support while we're doing all of this. Because this is definitely going to be a stressful first half of the year.

On that note, our counterpart couple LoveMyBrit recently received their FLR(m). So, that keeps me positive. They will undoubtedly 100% not see this, but I would still like to congratulate them for getting the visa. I'm so jealous, yet so happy for them!

I'm not necessarily worried about the documentation we've got. I'm more or less worried we'll get a grumpy immigration officer looking at our documents. I'm worried that this new Sopra Steria system or whatever it is will mess us about. I'm honestly not entirely sure how we'll go about this, to be honest. With the fact that the IHS surcharge has doubled, I'm wondering if it'll be better to just opt out of priority. At the same time, though, priority will give us a decision within the next day. But considering the appointments, I won't know what fees to expect. Their website doesn't explain things very well (not a big surprise - the gov.uk website is like trying to read many legal documents meshed up into one). FLR standard processing times is supposedly only 8 weeks, which isn't bad. Still, I am not sure if I would be able to handle an 8 week wait. We DO have enough for the application itself...we're just saving up for IHS now. At least, for now. The application fees will go up in April. By how much, I don't know yet. So, by the time I'll apply, I'll have to deal with two price increases. Yay. Although as painful as it is, I sort of support the IHS surcharge increase. The NHS is underfunded, I feel. They could use that extra money. Besides, at my current job, I'm not getting income taxed. So, it's only fair for me.

I'm more positive about this visa, especially since refusals are hard to see. I was especially comforted by a comment I saw on an immigration forum. To summarise it, the person basically said that the hardest part (entry clearance) was over. So, by that logic, entry clearance visas are harder to obtain (although that's obvious). Still, I just HAVE to be pessimistic. UGH.


I'm still pretty nervous about it. And stressed. Breaking out ALREADY. It's mainly the system, the finances, and the decision maker that I'm worried about. Well, I suppose I found a bit more comfort when I did some digging the other day. It was sort of like immigration officer guide notes. There was a section of it that mentioned flexibility. Like if for instance, the applicant sends a document in the wrong format, it doesn't automatically equal a refusal. That was a bit reassuring to me. Because since the immigration officers work under a government regime, I assumed their guidelines were to dot all i's and cross all t's. No flexibility or leeway whatsoever. It's nice to know that they will overlook some minor flaws in the application process.


Despite knowing all of this, and despite getting comfort from my husband, I'm still worried! Augh! I long for the day in which this visa stuff is over with. After that, the two of us can finally travel and go on our sodding honeymoon. Several years later, but hey.


In other news, we are trying to get some compensation after the mugging that my husband endured in 2017. Just the fact that he lost a tooth might be able to get us £1,000. But we'll have to see. No matter what the case, I can tell that the first half of this year will be rather financially draining.


Yay.

2 Year Anniversary

So, as the title says, I've been in the UK for 2 years now! This means that next spring, I will have to do the next state of the visa. This means saving up and giving up my vices! As unfortunate as that is, it's to an important cause. Yeah, I've been here for 2 years and still don't have any regrets. I can't help but feel that had I not spent the past 2 years HERE, I wouldn't be in the position I'm at. What with living on my own and whatnot. I'd still be stuck in a limbo. Despite everything, though, I can't help but feel that these past two months have been a bit rough. I've been more cynical and pessimistic about things. Really, the only one that keeps me sane is my husband. I probably wouldn't be here writing this if it weren't for him. I've been abandoned by so many people that I've become doubtful of the merit of others. But that's all sombre stuff, and I don't want to dampen the mood with that. Hopefully, if this visa goes through okay, things may start to pick up a bit. But I can assume that the months building up to it may be stressful and difficult. I'll be worried about the visa itself, as well as my husband, because I dread that he will push himself to death from overworking. I know he's putting all of his effort into earning money, but I still don't want to lose him to it. He's really the only rock I have in this selfish world. And it's going to be stressful to not be able to wind down with my usual vices, either. Again, I know it's going for an important cause. But that doesn't mean it'll be easy. But, like with the last visa, I can't help but worry about the outcome. Even though FLR(m) has a higher success rate, there's still that one-off chance. I'm not entirely sure what happens if it's refused. I've read that you can just apply for it again, without being deported. But still, after hearing the horror stories about people being deported despite being in the UK for 15+ years, I still can't help but worry.

It's difficult, but at least the hardship is worth it this time. My other pieces of cynicism spurs from dwelling over the past, so that can't be helped. I guess. I don't know. I'll see you in the next blog post I suppose. Hopefully, my mindset will be a little bit better. Hopefully.

FINALLY GOT A BANK ACCOUNT!!

So awhile back, I received a water bill in the mail. This was great, as the electric bill isn't in my name and the Council Tax bill had the wrong postcode. And for some reason, the council stopped sending me bills, so all I could use to open up a bank account was a water bill. I've had enough of the pisstake that Lloyd's had given me. So along with the recommendation from two others, I went to Barclays.


...and holy crap, it went as smooth as silk.


Seriously. I filled out a bank account application online for Barclays, then went in for an appointment. It was literally click, click, signature, done. No additional questions. No awkward silences. As of typing this, I have an official account with my latest income payment in it, along with a fully functional contactless debit card.

To make things short and concise, I would like to list off the *pardon my French* bullshit I had to go through regarding Lloyd's. I will also provide a Barclays list in comparison.

Lloyd's Bank:

• Went there five times to try to open an account
• Since we'd gone there so many times, we were paired with the same lady a lot. She (understandably) became somewhat fed up and condescending after awhile. I remember one comment in particular from her. I was trying to put the documents into my handbag and she said, "You need a bigger bag!" and I thought: Really? I was able to fit the documents in there before, and I am quite satisfied with my current handbag, thanks! This was after she sent us off for having the wrong documents, so it was kind of a patronising comment to send us off on. Nothing like: "I am really sorry about this!" or anything like that. The last comment I got from her during one of our appointments was that my handbag was too small. 
• Tried many documents but they just said no (to be fair, Barclays had the same policies...but it was still a waste of time and money, and an overall pisstake)
• During one the attempts I brought a Council Tax bill. I was about 95% close to getting an account, but then I realised the post code was wrong and it was completely cancelled.
• As I was very close to getting an account, I was told I would have a basic account. No overdraft. No contactless card. No suitable functions. Just a debit card with no benefits whatsoever.
• This is minor, but worth noting. To log onto my husband's bank account, I have to take an extra step to sign in. I know it's a security measure, but it's still somewhat of a hassle and discourages me from checking the account online.

Barclays Bank:

• Filled in an application online. Went in there one time. Click, click, signature, account opened.
• We were paired with a lady who was very friendly and understanding. She also agreed that the Lloyd's situation was BS. She was more informal than the Lloyd's lady. She even commented on how beautiful the US passports are.
• While Barclays wouldn't accept private tenancy agreements either, and has possibly the same address-proving policies as Lloyd's, I kind of feel like they would have been slightly more lenient than Lloyd's. I can remember in one of my times with Lloyd's, they didn't like my passport. They wanted my BRP. But Barclays readily accepted my passport - they liked it, even.
• I was given a normal account with an overdraft capability and a contactless card. Granted, I couldn't immediately sign up for an overdraft because I have no credit or financial security to fall back on. But I should be able to get an overdraft after a few months. At Lloyd's, I wouldn't be given a contactless card. Contactless cards are a minor thing, I am not bothered either way. I am just simply pointing out that I would possibly feel inferior with a Lloyd's Basic Account. But at Barclays, I got a normal account. Nothing substandard. Everything is there. So I don't feel inferior.
• Logging onto my Barclays app is literally one and done. I type in a passcode, and I am in. It will even allow Touch ID. And I can even customise my debit card if I wanted to.

I know in some of these points, I might seem a bit petty. But after the BS I went through regarding Lloyd's, these petty things are contradicted by Barclays. My view on Lloyd's has been tarnished after this ridiculous experience. If you are an expat in the UK, don't try opening an account with Lloyd's. They may be good for British people, but not expats. Barclays felt friendlier and simpler. They may not be top tier, but they are most certainly more expat-friendly. If I had to summarise them both in a few words:

Lloyd's: Posh. Patronising. Strict.

Barclays: Warm. Friendly. Sympathetic.

So, yeah. I do not recommend Lloyd's. At all. My husband is actually thinking of switching over from Lloyd's to Barclays, because he isn't pleased with their treatment of me. 

So I will proudly flash my Barclays card in the direction of a Lloyd's bank, and say: "At least birds can fly. Eagles are majestic and owls are wise. But what do your stupid horses have?"

Haha...it's funny because it's a logo joke.

I'm signing out now...

SOMEONE DO A RAINDANCE FOR THE UK!!

At least two weeks straight of sunshine and 25-29 degree centigrade weather. The grass is hay now. The UK is not built for heatwaves, so most houses are ultra-insulated and without air con. I went through a midge cloud a week or two ago, so itchiness galore. It wouldn't be so bad if the houses were better built for this. There's no air con at work, either. So it gets over 30 centigrade in the kitchen. Yay. Fun times. The heat would be okay if I had time off to go to the beach or something. But nope. I am not a fan of summer...I only like it because it allows me to go swimming. Which even then, because since once again the UK's not built for heat, there's very limited options regarding that.

For the sake of the British grass and my nastily sweating body, I BEG the readers of this (if there are any) to do a raindance for all of Britain.

I want to end on a sarcastic/snarky note because I'm in that sort of mood right now.




God Save the Overheated Queen?

Sigh.

I normally don’t post rants here because I don’t want to seem petty. But I NEED to say something about this.
I love how I sent some relatively informal documents to Home Office, and they readily accepted my UK visa application.
But a few relatively informal documents to try to open a bank account? NO! HERESY! Let me preface this: Home Office, who are responsible on whether or not one can come to the UK, can accept Specsavers bills as proof of address. They can accept Tenancy Agreements as proof of address. But banks can NOT. Banks, which are much lower scaled than Home Office.

We tried hassling the council for the fact that they sent a bill with the wrong postcode (even though it’s correct online) yet they still have the audacity to send ANOTHER bill with the still-incorrect postcode. So we can’t use a Council Tax bill to open up a bank account for me.

We haven’t received a water bill statement yet, and at this rate, it’s our only chance for me to open an account because a TENANCY AGREEMENT doesn’t work. A tenancy agreement. An actual statement of address...and it doesn’t work. We are still in a Catch 22 with all this. And we’ve tried four times now, and hassled a lot of people. But we’ve still gotten nowhere. It’s a WASTE OF OUR TIME to spend £10 for a bus fare to the town centre, just to have the bank say “sorry we can’t accept this tenancy agreement even though your address is in big bold letters” what a load of... 🤬

Remember when all you needed was a passport to open a bank account? I remember that.

Bloody ridiculous.

Yeah. That rant was posted on my Facebook today. So...a tenancy agreement will not work, either. Or at least a private one, which is what we're under. I've been trying all of this with Lloyds, and I want to say right now...SCREW THEM! I am going to try Barclays next. But I'm going to have to hassle the council some more, because they won't accept private tenancy agreements either.


This is so discouraging.

Bank Account Delays

Even still today, despite having a place of our own and earning bills of our own, a bank account continues to elude me. All for one simple reason: the Council Tax bills we're using as proof of address have sent two bill statements now with the wrong postcode. And I can't use it as proof of address if it has the wrong postcode. It will also be invalid as evidence for the visa if the postcode is wrong. We've tried contacting the council once already about this issue, but since then, we've received a second bill with the same, still wrong, postcode on it. I got about this close: - to opening a bank account. But I couldn't because of the wrong postcode. Seriously. Our other bills are either not in my name, or paperless only. And we're doing all of this just to open up a LIMITED bank account for me. It's not a normal standard one, it's a simplified one with limitations. Ugh, it's REALLY annoying and a waste of my time.

At least I'm still getting paid at all, I guess I can't complain about that. It's just not going into my own account. 

The British Workplace

Ten weeks ago today, I started my first shift in a new country. I can't believe how much time has passed since then! So I thought I'd give my thoughts and feelings on what it is like working here.


Before I started work, I was afraid. I was afraid that I would be negatively viewed because of where I came from. I worried that people would tell me to go back to America, because they would automatically assume I was an illegal. I thought maybe the people would apply American stereotypes to me, and say I don't belong here. Chalk this up to me hearing horror stories from people in a similar situation.

But upon starting work, I wasn't negatively received. Quite the opposite, in fact! At work, people ask me a lot about how I am doing, and which state I am from. There is even one girl that talks to me a lot because she loves my American accent. In fact, she isn't the only one. I've been praised by quite a few people on my accent during my stay here. It's quite flattering, because I never saw the American accent as anything special. But that is coming from someone who grew up there. I myself have always loved the accents here in the UK. Any accent you name, I love the sound of it: Scottish, Irish, Cockney, Welsh, Scouse, Yorkshire, country...I love hearing all of them. I will admit, some definitely sound more refined than others, but they are still interesting to hear regardless.

I thought this too and I'm not even from Yorkshire. I've been around Brits too much to read it as such.

Anyway, pretty much all of my work colleagues take a great interest in me. I'm well received here, and I hate that I thought otherwise. I even love seeing the shock on people's faces when we describe the visa process and its bank breaking fees.

It took me awhile to get used to everything, and hence for me to feel like I fit in. But now I feel right at home here. And I most definitely feel like I am welcomed. I was like an orphaned puppy trying to feed off a mother cat. I wasn't a kitten, so I didn't think I belonged. I thought the mother cat would reject me. But lo and behold, she shows her maternal instincts and allows me to nurse.

So yeah, working here has been pleasant. It can be stressful at times, because it is a pub restaurant, after all. But it is great to be welcomed by all of my colleagues.

I had been so pessimistic on both the outcome of the spouse visa, and now this. I might need to work on that. However, with pessimism, you are either not disappointed or pleasantly surprised. And I can say for a fact I was pleasantly surprised! 

Loving this Freedom

So it's been a week since I've moved into our new house. I have to say I am LOVING it. No in-laws or parents to tell us what to do and when to do it. I'm 22, and now finally getting my first taste of living on my own. It is pretty incredible. We get to decide what goes where, get to shower late at night, and not have to worry about waking up to anyone or waking anyone up. The thing is, though, we haven't encountered our first bills or rent payment yet, so I am kind of worried about that. We've got a great amount of money saved up, but I still can't help but worry. To be honest, though, the amount of money we spend to live on our own is worth it. I've been wanting this since I turned 18, and now I've got it. We're setting up the house slowly but surely, and it's working great.

And speaking of working, we're doing a hell of a lot of that. I'm currently enjoying a four day weekend off, though, which is nice. And my second paycheck was double that of my first, so I am definitely NOT complaining. I'm also definitely looking forward to opening my own bank account. Even though I'm getting paid, it's going to my husband's bank account so it doesn't feel like the money is TOTALLY mine. I can't wait to get an account and card with my name on it. So if I ever want to pop up to Tesco on my day off and get milk, I can use MY card.

So apart from the slight financial worries, I am loving this. The house is great, as well. The oven's a little confusing, but I think I have an idea on how it works. Oh yeah, and the bottom floor smoke detector works. When I cooked the first night, I think the mere steam from the boiling water set it off. That or the oil I was heating up, I don't know. My only major gripe is that when you're barefoot, the tile floor feels like you're walking on ice. There's a rug in there to help, though.

The house is pretty tiny, but I still love it. It seems pretty low maintenance as well...at least for now. But now that we're here, we can provide evidence for both the bank AND the visa renewal.

Oh god, the visa renewal...


About seventeen months from now...





...Gulp.