moving to london: visas and Money

Days till move: 20

I still remember it like it was yesterday. I was just a child, maybe 8 or 9. I was seriously obsessed with Harry Potter, and I told my dad that I wanted to move to England. He informed me I couldn't, because both my parents were born in Canada; but he, however, could. My grandparents were both born in Wales so he was eligible for a UK passport. I however, was not. I remember my heart sinking, all my dreams shattered. 

You can imagine then, how thrilled I was to learn that, over a decade later, I actually could move to the UK. Not only that, but it was pretty easy for me to do so. I was 25 with two grandparents born in the UK. This made me eligible for two visas: The tier 5 Youth Mobility Visa, and the Ancestry Visa. Here are the requirements for both visas:

Youth Mobility: Two year visa. Must return to home country after two years.
- Be between the ages of 18-30.
- Have British nationality or be from certain commonwealth countries. 
- Prove you have enough funds in your bank account to support yourself. 
- Provide address of the place you will be staying in the UK.
- Pay visa fee and health surcharge. 
- Earliest you can apply is 6 months before arrival. 

Ancestry: Five year visa. Eligible for extension and to settle in the UK permanently.
- Be over the age of 17. 
- Prove ancestry by supplying documents such as grandparents' and parents' birth and marriage certificates, as well as your own birth certificate. 
- Prove intent to work.
- Prove you have enough funds in you bank account to support yourself. 
- Provide address of the place you will be staying in the UK.
- Pay visa fee and health surcharge. 
- Earliest you can apply is 3 months before arrival. 

(Click here for more information on UK visas:  www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration )

Initially, I was going to apply for the Ancestry Visa. I liked the option to stay in the UK if I wanted after the 5 year mark, especially if I got an acting job that would require me to stay longer. I started collecting documents which proved pretty easy considering both my grandparents are still living. What became stressful, however, was the price difference between the two visas. I was looking at a price difference of about $2000 required for my bank statement, the visa cost, and health surcharge. I was also doubting whether I really did want to stay in the UK for five years since I'm ultimately going in blind, not really knowing anyone or having a plan. I might get there and want to come back in six months. I would rather take that chance on a two year visa rather than a five. Ultimately, I applied for the Youth Mobility Visa with the knowledge that if I wanted to, I could always still apply for the Ancestry Visa later as that option will still be available to me. 

I wish I could tell my dad that I am moving to the UK after all. Sadly, he passed away three years ago, so I'll never have the opportunity. I'm sure he'd be very excited for me though, since he absolutely loved to travel and live life to the fullest. If you were wondering how I'm able to afford this new life direction, it is because of his inheritance. I firmly believe you should jump at any opportunity life gives you, and my dad did, too. 
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