Studying in the UK/Dual Citizen
Apr 8th 2017, 9:33 pm
#1
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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 51
Studying in the UK/Dual Citizen
My daughter has been accepted to a degree program in the UK. I am hoping someone who has sent their child to the UK for education might have some insights, especially in the case of a dual citizen (UK/US).
She is being treated as an international student as she has lived abroad most of her life, which I understand. But while it seems like many kids travel to the UK to study we keep running into entry barriers so to speak.
Because she is a UK citizen, she doesn't need and probably doesn't qualify for a study visa. So she is entering on her UK passport.
She is getting a letter from the university that will allow her to open a bank account however we are banging our heads against the wall over housing. The university outsources student housing and the company that manages this wants a UK based guarantor before they will let her reserve a room even though we will be paying the fees up front. It makes no sense. International students are an important income stream for this university and I should think for the student housing peeps as well. So this is one issue and I am hoping someone has some insights.
My next question is electronics and personal effects. She insists she wants to take her folding bicycle so we are thinking to bring this as excess luggage when next we fly. But she also wants to take a highly specialized computer tower that handles huge graphic files. I need to make sure it has a dual voltage power supply but beyond that I am really hesitant to send a $2,000 piece of equipment, not including monitor or anything, thru the mail. I had thought to carry it on the aircraft, but my husband thinks that it won't be allowed since, without a monitor, you can't prove it is just a PC (although it has a glass panel that allows you to see the inner workings of the tower). The uni has plenty of equipment but access is the issue.
Are there any thresholds for personal effects going into the UK for a student to be aware of--i.e. can we ship personal items there without paying duty?
If there are student forums or other social media for international students studying in the UK I can't find them. If anyone is aware of one would appreciate knowing that as well.
She is being treated as an international student as she has lived abroad most of her life, which I understand. But while it seems like many kids travel to the UK to study we keep running into entry barriers so to speak.
Because she is a UK citizen, she doesn't need and probably doesn't qualify for a study visa. So she is entering on her UK passport.
She is getting a letter from the university that will allow her to open a bank account however we are banging our heads against the wall over housing. The university outsources student housing and the company that manages this wants a UK based guarantor before they will let her reserve a room even though we will be paying the fees up front. It makes no sense. International students are an important income stream for this university and I should think for the student housing peeps as well. So this is one issue and I am hoping someone has some insights.
My next question is electronics and personal effects. She insists she wants to take her folding bicycle so we are thinking to bring this as excess luggage when next we fly. But she also wants to take a highly specialized computer tower that handles huge graphic files. I need to make sure it has a dual voltage power supply but beyond that I am really hesitant to send a $2,000 piece of equipment, not including monitor or anything, thru the mail. I had thought to carry it on the aircraft, but my husband thinks that it won't be allowed since, without a monitor, you can't prove it is just a PC (although it has a glass panel that allows you to see the inner workings of the tower). The uni has plenty of equipment but access is the issue.
Are there any thresholds for personal effects going into the UK for a student to be aware of--i.e. can we ship personal items there without paying duty?
If there are student forums or other social media for international students studying in the UK I can't find them. If anyone is aware of one would appreciate knowing that as well.
Apr 9th 2017, 5:48 pm
#2
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,114
Re: Studying in the UK/Dual Citizen
My daughter has been accepted to a degree program in the UK. I am hoping someone who has sent their child to the UK for education might have some insights, especially in the case of a dual citizen (UK/US).
She is being treated as an international student as she has lived abroad most of her life, which I understand. But while it seems like many kids travel to the UK to study we keep running into entry barriers so to speak.
Because she is a UK citizen, she doesn't need and probably doesn't qualify for a study visa. So she is entering on her UK passport.
She is getting a letter from the university that will allow her to open a bank account however we are banging our heads against the wall over housing. The university outsources student housing and the company that manages this wants a UK based guarantor before they will let her reserve a room even though we will be paying the fees up front. It makes no sense. International students are an important income stream for this university and I should think for the student housing peeps as well. So this is one issue and I am hoping someone has some insights.
My next question is electronics and personal effects. She insists she wants to take her folding bicycle so we are thinking to bring this as excess luggage when next we fly. But she also wants to take a highly specialized computer tower that handles huge graphic files. I need to make sure it has a dual voltage power supply but beyond that I am really hesitant to send a $2,000 piece of equipment, not including monitor or anything, thru the mail. I had thought to carry it on the aircraft, but my husband thinks that it won't be allowed since, without a monitor, you can't prove it is just a PC (although it has a glass panel that allows you to see the inner workings of the tower). The uni has plenty of equipment but access is the issue.
Are there any thresholds for personal effects going into the UK for a student to be aware of--i.e. can we ship personal items there without paying duty?
If there are student forums or other social media for international students studying in the UK I can't find them. If anyone is aware of one would appreciate knowing that as well.
She is being treated as an international student as she has lived abroad most of her life, which I understand. But while it seems like many kids travel to the UK to study we keep running into entry barriers so to speak.
Because she is a UK citizen, she doesn't need and probably doesn't qualify for a study visa. So she is entering on her UK passport.
She is getting a letter from the university that will allow her to open a bank account however we are banging our heads against the wall over housing. The university outsources student housing and the company that manages this wants a UK based guarantor before they will let her reserve a room even though we will be paying the fees up front. It makes no sense. International students are an important income stream for this university and I should think for the student housing peeps as well. So this is one issue and I am hoping someone has some insights.
My next question is electronics and personal effects. She insists she wants to take her folding bicycle so we are thinking to bring this as excess luggage when next we fly. But she also wants to take a highly specialized computer tower that handles huge graphic files. I need to make sure it has a dual voltage power supply but beyond that I am really hesitant to send a $2,000 piece of equipment, not including monitor or anything, thru the mail. I had thought to carry it on the aircraft, but my husband thinks that it won't be allowed since, without a monitor, you can't prove it is just a PC (although it has a glass panel that allows you to see the inner workings of the tower). The uni has plenty of equipment but access is the issue.
Are there any thresholds for personal effects going into the UK for a student to be aware of--i.e. can we ship personal items there without paying duty?
If there are student forums or other social media for international students studying in the UK I can't find them. If anyone is aware of one would appreciate knowing that as well.
https://www.us.hsbc.com/1/2/home/per...banking-center
With regards to customs duties - your daughter can enter the UK with goods worth up to £390 before customs duty will be charge. Another issue will be VAT. Can she purchased the same equipment in the UK?
https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/a...outside-the-eu
As your daughter is a British Citizen, she should apply for a National Insurance (NI) Number while she is in the UK. Most employers in the UK asked for your NI number while you apply for a job.
https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number
She will also be entitle to use the National Health Service in the UK, she will need to register with a doctor in the UK. Seeing a doctor is free, but in England, she will need to pay a prescription charge of £8.60 per item.
Help with prescription costs - Health costs - NHS Choices
It appears that your daughter is a British Citizen by descent (i.e. a British Citizen who was born overseas and received his/her British Citizenship via a British Citizen parent), this means that she will not be able to automatically pass down her British Citizenship to her children (the OP's grandchildren) born outside of the UK. In order for her children to become British Citizen, she will either needs to give birth in the UK or stayed in the UK for a continuous period of three years before the birth of the child overseas.
Apr 9th 2017, 6:28 pm
#3
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,448
Re: Studying in the UK/Dual Citizen
Your daughter can open an UK bank account in the US. HSBC offers this service, please see link below -
https://www.us.hsbc.com/1/2/home/per...banking-center
With regards to customs duties - your daughter can enter the UK with goods worth up to £390 before customs duty will be charge. Another issue will be VAT. ......
https://www.us.hsbc.com/1/2/home/per...banking-center
With regards to customs duties - your daughter can enter the UK with goods worth up to £390 before customs duty will be charge. Another issue will be VAT. ......
I would send via FedEx or UPS so long as (i) the contents are not subject to duty or VAT, and (ii) your daughter has the original packing to properly protect the computer in transit, or equivalent packaging with lots of peanuts, bubble wrap or airbags.
.... or stayed in the UK for a continuous period of three years before the birth of the child overseas.
Last edited by Pulaski; Apr 9th 2017 at 6:46 pm.
Apr 9th 2017, 9:07 pm
#4
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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 51
Re: Studying in the UK/Dual Citizen
Thank you both--excellent advice and have saved me many hours of fruitless endeavor.
Given the import duty issues much less the transport, have decided to buy a piece of refurbished equipment and swap her hard drive into it to avoid the headaches of installing all the software and transferring files. There is a UK company that sells refurbished equipment for major brands at an excellent savings inclusive of VAT with 2 year warranty, a new hard drive, replacement guarantee etc. If she stays on to work after uni we will ship the rest of her personal belongings.
Glad you mentioned the issue of grandkids' nationality--don't want her going through what some on the forum have experienced with splintered families. We will definitely ensure that if that day ever arrives she knows her options.
Given the import duty issues much less the transport, have decided to buy a piece of refurbished equipment and swap her hard drive into it to avoid the headaches of installing all the software and transferring files. There is a UK company that sells refurbished equipment for major brands at an excellent savings inclusive of VAT with 2 year warranty, a new hard drive, replacement guarantee etc. If she stays on to work after uni we will ship the rest of her personal belongings.
Glad you mentioned the issue of grandkids' nationality--don't want her going through what some on the forum have experienced with splintered families. We will definitely ensure that if that day ever arrives she knows her options.
Apr 9th 2017, 11:52 pm
#5
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Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 51
Re: Studying in the UK/Dual Citizen
Ha. I have been told it is not possible to swap hard drives. So transfer it is. But for us looks like this is the best option short term.
Apr 10th 2017, 4:31 pm
#6
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,114
Re: Studying in the UK/Dual Citizen
The OP's daughter should retain evidence of her stay in the UK just in case she goes for the registration route later for her overseas born children.
Apr 10th 2017, 5:01 pm
#7
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: East Seaxe
Posts: 72,592
Re: Studying in the UK/Dual Citizen
My daughter has been accepted to a degree program in the UK. I am hoping someone who has sent their child to the UK for education might have some insights, especially in the case of a dual citizen (UK/US).
She is being treated as an international student as she has lived abroad most of her life, which I understand. But while it seems like many kids travel to the UK to study we keep running into entry barriers so to speak.
Because she is a UK citizen, she doesn't need and probably doesn't qualify for a study visa. So she is entering on her UK passport.
She is getting a letter from the university that will allow her to open a bank account however we are banging our heads against the wall over housing. The university outsources student housing and the company that manages this wants a UK based guarantor before they will let her reserve a room even though we will be paying the fees up front. It makes no sense. International students are an important income stream for this university and I should think for the student housing peeps as well. So this is one issue and I am hoping someone has some insights.
My next question is electronics and personal effects. She insists she wants to take her folding bicycle so we are thinking to bring this as excess luggage when next we fly. But she also wants to take a highly specialized computer tower that handles huge graphic files. I need to make sure it has a dual voltage power supply but beyond that I am really hesitant to send a $2,000 piece of equipment, not including monitor or anything, thru the mail. I had thought to carry it on the aircraft, but my husband thinks that it won't be allowed since, without a monitor, you can't prove it is just a PC (although it has a glass panel that allows you to see the inner workings of the tower). The uni has plenty of equipment but access is the issue.
Are there any thresholds for personal effects going into the UK for a student to be aware of--i.e. can we ship personal items there without paying duty?
If there are student forums or other social media for international students studying in the UK I can't find them. If anyone is aware of one would appreciate knowing that as well.
She is being treated as an international student as she has lived abroad most of her life, which I understand. But while it seems like many kids travel to the UK to study we keep running into entry barriers so to speak.
Because she is a UK citizen, she doesn't need and probably doesn't qualify for a study visa. So she is entering on her UK passport.
She is getting a letter from the university that will allow her to open a bank account however we are banging our heads against the wall over housing. The university outsources student housing and the company that manages this wants a UK based guarantor before they will let her reserve a room even though we will be paying the fees up front. It makes no sense. International students are an important income stream for this university and I should think for the student housing peeps as well. So this is one issue and I am hoping someone has some insights.
My next question is electronics and personal effects. She insists she wants to take her folding bicycle so we are thinking to bring this as excess luggage when next we fly. But she also wants to take a highly specialized computer tower that handles huge graphic files. I need to make sure it has a dual voltage power supply but beyond that I am really hesitant to send a $2,000 piece of equipment, not including monitor or anything, thru the mail. I had thought to carry it on the aircraft, but my husband thinks that it won't be allowed since, without a monitor, you can't prove it is just a PC (although it has a glass panel that allows you to see the inner workings of the tower). The uni has plenty of equipment but access is the issue.
Are there any thresholds for personal effects going into the UK for a student to be aware of--i.e. can we ship personal items there without paying duty?
If there are student forums or other social media for international students studying in the UK I can't find them. If anyone is aware of one would appreciate knowing that as well.
This forum isn't just for international students, but there are international students on there. Also, having access to British students is good because they know things we don't but need to.
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/
What is yours looking to study, and where, if you don't mind sharing? Mine wants to do some sort of engineering, probably civil with a coastal specialism, but not sure yet.
Apr 10th 2017, 5:34 pm
#8
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Re: Studying in the UK/Dual Citizen
PM me and I will be happy to discuss.
