Hello all! It has been three weeks since I've arrived in the UK and happily settled. I want to share my NHS experience as it's been quite an odd one. My blood pressure has been higher than normal days before I left the Philippines and continued on for a week after I got here. We suspect it was just the weather change and stress as everything happened quite quickly after I've gotten my visa. So we researched online for nearby GPs who are still accepting patients. My fiance was the one who talked to the receptionist of the first clinic we went to. He told her I am on a fiance visa and our guess was that she's not too familiar with what the process is that's why she had to call her manager. Long story short - they said I can't register because of my visa type. So we instead ask them where we can do a walk in but they can't provide us with any concrete answers. We decided to go to a chemist to ask them. They did tell us that walk ins are done at a nearby hospital so we went there. When we got to the hospital, they said we need to go to the A&E. So off we went to the A&E and the nurse that we talked to was very accommodating and empathetic. She said if I wasn't feeling too well that she can book me in right then and there. So we opted for that just in the off chance that we get to talk to a doctor who may be able to provide us with answers on where we can do walk ins. Unfortunately, the doctor doesn't have any idea where walk ins are done. A friend of ours called her GP to ask what the process really is for registering. Her doctor said I should be able to register even on a fiance visa, I just won't be entitled to free hospitalization and treatment. So armed with this information, we tried our luck with another GP. When we went in, my fiance just said I need to be registered with a GP. The receptionist asked if my fiance is also registered there and where we live. She then handed us a form that I need to fill out, that we also submitted the same day. A couple of days after submitting the accomplished form, I called the clinic and they confirmed I have been registered. I will set up an appointment with them for this coming Saturday. Hopefully, everything goes well and I will be given a clean bill of health. On a completely unrelated note, I also got to open my personal bank account with Santander. I read stories about folks on a fiance visa not being allowed to open their own account so putting this here for future reference.
Thanks, Our experience was the opposite in that Corina and Krian were registered immediately by my GP - and she was even given a hospital appointment for which no charge was made (please note we have now paid the IHS) but my Bank (Barclays) would not consider giving her any sort of account without a BRP. A colleague at work also found Santander much the easiest to register with
my wife was declined by Nationwide building society as a new joint signatory on my current a/c--exactly as expected---but still--its another letter addressed to her at our address !
Yeah, although I only have the basic account which is fine really. I guess we need to build our credit score in order to get a current account.
Wonder why they would decline her when you're just adding her to your account. Btw, what letters are considered for the next visa application?
there is a list of which letters are suitable....in the FLR (m) application PDF. council tax...banks....NHS letters. anything official. its not easy getting 6 letters addressed to both of you jointly... but it does say must be from 3 different sources.
I suspect that ignorance of the immigration rules was the reason you had problems registering at the first surgery you went to, never mind alls well that ends well as they say
Letter and link from the Nationwide Hi Mr Townsend, Thank you for your reply. I tried calling you today but the number was engaged, so you may have a missed call from an 0800 number. If you do that was me. I've spoken to our Additions Team to find out why you were unable to add your wife to your FlexAccount. They have explained they currently don't have enough financial history for your wife to be added. I asked if there was an alternative option for you both and they have suggested a FlexBasic account. Whilst this is a basic current account it will give your wife a starting point to develop a credit history with us. I've attached a link to the FlexBasic which shows you the features and benefits of the account and how to apply. http://www.nationwide.co.uk/products/current-accounts/flexbasic/apply I hope this all makes sense. If there is anything else I can help you with Mr Townsend please reply to my message or call us on 0800 30 20 11, if abroad, please call us on +44 1793 656789
The letter you received is written and put together very badly, if I had received the same letter I would have suspected that it was a scam letter We had no problems at NatWest opening an account for the wife once she had the BRP and a couple of letters showing proof of address, different banks/building society's different rules. Good luck getting it sorted out John.
It was an e mail secure letter to my Nationwide account so was certain it was authentic logged in this a.m. account now live, however with the basic account you dont get a shoes and clothes blank cheque book or an overdraft facility hurrah
Quite unusual that you have to go through those process.In my case we just walked in to register and after a week I received a letter from the GP , offered me for some free tests even while I was yet on a fiance visa. But the bank yes they need the marriage certificate when you open a bank account or your name be added for joint account with your husband.I got my cashline card a week after from RBS with my married name on it.
GP visit went well. I like my GP and somewhat thankful that I was declined by the first one as I may not have gotten a good one. @Nickel - it was the opposite for me. Never had any issue opening a bank account whilst on fiance visa.
Good news that Things worked out good for you then.I was still on fiance visa when I opened bank account,but just after my wedding and showed bank my marriage certificate and that was then thst my name was added on my husband's bank records
Wow Congrats @firew0myn im still in phils. i am afraid to travel alone waiting my boyfriend to come here to travel together
I've had one of those 'basic' bank accounts for years. Last thing I need is an overdraft... and what's a cheque book ?
@firewomyn, the bank manager in Santander Pontefract just decline me for opening an account and said just wait till I get my spouse visa. We will try to go to other branch and see what they will say. Looks like it's not my lucky day today
Some banks will allow you to open an account before securing the FLR some wont @Methersgate knows a bank that likes to say "Yes" if I remember rightly, see what he says
If your wife doesn't have her passport (ie the Home Office still have it) yet has the RC, can a bank account be opened?
