Question about UK Ancestry VISA - money

Hi!

I've been browsing this forum for a while and thought it would be a good place to ask my question. Last year, while working in Walt Disney World, I met my boyfriend, who is Welsh. I'm planning on moving to the UK (England, to be exact) to live with him for the next 2 years, and work. My Grandmother was Scottish, and was born in Galashiels, so I'm applying beneath the UK Ancestry VISA.

I applied tonight, in the aim of leaving July 20th or thereabouts. My biometric scan is scheduled for next week. The problem is: I don't really have any money at the moment. I'm employed full time as a manager, but all my money is going to my distance education, and now $500 of it just went to this VISA. I will have roughly $600 in my account during the appointment.

I will probably have about $2000-$3000 before I leave, through savings. Not to mention we will be living with his parents and supported by them for the first three months I'm there, while I find a job and we look for flats. I plan to write the letter stating that I will be looking for employment. I also have an e-mail from a recruitment company who said they would have no trouble finding me a job.

Will they take this into account? Or is money just too important in the process? Is there anything I can do to make sure this doesn't mess up my application?

As long as you can show to them you have "ample" funds to look after yourself, you'll be fine. They don't actually state any amount, however I would say you need to show more than $600. I'm certainly no expert in this, but my wife and I want to do the same thing later this year so we've been doing the same type of research. I would even get a letter from your family in the UK stating that they can put you up and help with looking for work etc. Basically as long as you can show you can support yourself and won't be a burden on the UK.

I see you mentioned you just completed your application and are going for the biometrics- does it take long to complete the application? Also, please let me know for how long they they grant your visa for- as in the entry period. Some people say that you have to use it within two weeks of being issued, some say 90 days.

Thanks for your help.

I'd agree with cordobaman - you need to show that you will be able to support yourself. There is no magic number as it depends on your situation. If you don't have a lot of money in your account, things that would probably help would be the letter showing you have a place to stay, rent free (as cordobaman says), if you are able to secure a job or show some sort of income that will be guaranteed, that will help, even showing that you are very employable helps. If possible, try to see if your partner will sponsor you - this means that he will agree to support you for a certain amount of time, thus lifting any pressure of you needing to rely on funding from the govt.

Cordobaman - to answer your question, as I initially filled out the Ancestry Visa before applying to Right of abode, it took me about a hour to complete - quite extensive. Some of the questions I was not prepared for: Knowing my monthly living costs (it wasn't entirely clear as to what this includes - the dictionary mentioned rental/mortgage type costs, but not sure if they want regular costs as well). Also knowing my monthly income after taxes, and listing my travel history outside of Canada for the last 10 years.

My understanding is the visa is granted for 5 years, unless your passport expires before then, you can run into some complications there. As for needing to travel once issued, can't help out there, other than what I've seen on this site from previous posts.

Hope that helps!

My Dad, boyfriend and his Dad have all written me letters, stating that they will look after me financially should I run into problems. I'm also attaching my CV, a letter from a recruitment company who have offered to find me employment once I move, and a letter of intent to work once I arrive. Plus, I will be printing out my bank statements, and highlighting that I do get paid every 2 weeks, and have been employed for the past eleven years of my life.

Cordobaman - the application took me about an hour to fill out, it wasn't difficult, but it was little time-intensive. I had to do other things, such as get a chest X-ray to show that I don't have TB, and also I have to do the biometrics next Tuesday. It seems that the VISA lasts for 5 years, and I was asked when I wanted to enter the UK, so I assume they date it for that.

Thanks for everyone's help.

I'm a bit off on the medical questions- what are they looking for? The reason I ask if there's things or tests on there that must be done beforehand and can affect our visa applications.

Thanks for the part on the visa being good for 5 years too. I was aware of that part, it's just the part from when they issue it. As we have a house to sell etc, I'd like to know I have the visa in, say, August (effective August 1st we'll say), but don't want to travel until late September so I can take care of what needs to be done here (and our dog can't travel until after 9/26 anyways). Do they mind if you don't leave immediately (like within two weeks from when you're approved, for example).

Thanks again for everyone's help- we're getting pretty excited.