Citizen returning to UK after 20 years

[jangochi]

Hi,

I would like some valuable inputs on obtaining address proof for a friend of mine who is perhaps in a unique situation - returning to settle back in UK after living outside of EU for over 20 years!

She does possess the British passport and it is due to expire in about 2 months.

1) I envisage that she won't have any problems at the port of entry in UK even though the passport will expire soon?

2) Wondering if something like an exit visa will be required from India where she has been living? (She has all the paper work which made her eligible to live there even though she is a foreign citizen. Her family(including kids) is in India and all of them hold non-UK citizenship)

3) If she gets through the immigration formalities okay, how about obtaining an address proof in UK? She currently has no credit history or address proof in UK. I could see this causing problems even to rent a property or to start a bank account.

4) Is there a UK government agency that could assist returning citizens like this?

Do you know anyone who may have come through a similar situation? Any pointers will be much appreciated.

[Petaltop]

1) I envisage that she won't have any problems at the port of entry in UK even though the passport will expire soon?

No problem, as long as she has a "British Citizen" passport and not one of the other 5 British passports that does not allow the holder to live in the UK or EU.

3) If she gets through the immigration formalities okay, how about obtaining an address proof in UK? She currently has no credit history or address proof in UK. I could see this causing problems even to rent a property or to start a bank account.

Very difficult, she may have to pay 6 months rent up front and a large deposit and show proof of how she will pay the rent after that 6 months.

4) Is there a UK government agency that could assist returning citizens like this?

None. Normally British citizens return home and live with family or friends until they can find a placet to rent, or they arrange a rental before they return, or they already own a property in the UK and move back to that.

Do you know anyone who may have come through a similar situation? Any pointers will be much appreciated.

Lots, but as said, they return home and live with family or friends until they can find a placet to rent, or they arrange a rental before they return, or they already own a property in the UK and move back to that.

[jangochi]

Cheers mate. Let's see how it pans out! I suppose CAB could offer some assistance, exploring that route too.

[CR001]

Bear in mind that she also won't be entitled to any benefits (housing, JSA, etc) for the first 3 months after arrival.

[noajthan]

Hi,

I would like some valuable inputs on obtaining address proof for a friend of mine who is perhaps in a unique situation - returning to settle back in UK after living outside of EU for over 20 years!

...

Do you know anyone who may have come through a similar situation? Any pointers will be much appreciated.

Beware of potential lack of access to NHS hospital healthcare for first 6 months after returning:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/nhs/115 ... lines.html

Only those who have been living in the UK for at least six months are eligible for hospital treatment on the NHS

My wife was able to get a Halifax basic bank account quite easily:
http://www.halifax.co.uk/bankaccounts/c ... nk-account
- disclosure: we bank there (that's all); there are other banks that offer similar easier-to-setup accounts

Coming back is going to be a culture shock ...

we're not in Kansas anymore

Suggest reaching out to WI or religious groups (or similar) to help build up new social & support network in the early days of re-integration & acclimatisation.

There's good advice here too:
http://www.mind-yourself.co.uk/newtolondon