I was part timing in some Chinese supermarket. NI is easy to apply for.

Giffgaff SIM cards can be activated anywhere and are the same. You just need to put a small amount of money in it and choose a plan that fits your purpose best. For me, I always go for their £10 goodybag with unlimited calls and text to other giffgaff subscribers and a 3GB monthly data plan. A full list of their plans can be found here.
https://www.giffgaff.com/sim-only-plans

There are many other service providers in the UK as well. Last I heard, Three was offering a similar £10 package but with 4GB of data instead of 3GB. Do hunt around for better rates if you do find them.

I never really worked in the UK mainly because I was more involved in voluntary student organisations. But it is a good source of money, the min wage for 18-20 y/o in the UK is around £5 - 6 per hour, but employers usually pay a lot more than this. A friend of mine was able to get paid up to £1000 while working almost full time in a restaurant in London.

I've never gotten a NIN, primarily because its only needed if you engage in part-time or full-time employment. So, I'm not too sure how to apply, but this link may help https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number

Later by email

My son received a sms that they have received my son processed visa ……...does it mean that it is ready for collection ?

Yes sir, it's ready for collection.

Thanks

Roughly when did you son apply and did he apply for priority visa? Just curious as I haven't received an email or notification and starting to get worried

Applied on the 20/8 and was even asked for additional documentations .

I see thank you! Did you apply for the priority visa or the standard postal visa?

Just standard

I submitted mine on the 10th, received the email yesterday night, collected today.

Got asked for additional documents as well. Just relax and wait (I can only say this after collecting my passport, I was anxious during the waiting period as well)

This post has been edited by ch3eseburger: Aug 28 2018, 10:09 PM

Were you priority or standard? Thanks!

Standard.

Edit: Just noticed i got my dates wrong, I submitted on the 10th.

This post has been edited by ch3eseburger: Aug 28 2018, 10:08 PM

I applied on 10 aug until now no email. My friends all gotten already smh

Were you priority or standard? Assuming your friends were priority? I haven't received an email either haha

I think they sent out email pretty late .

I received my email late too. The email only came in on the night of 27th, informing me that my passport has been received on the 24th.

Either way, nothing much you can do but wait. VFS is just an agent, they can't update you the status as they have no visibility as well.

If you don't subscribe to SMS, then I believe either you wait for the email or try your best going to the VFS and check there. Previously, the email came pretty on time, right after the SMS.

This post has been edited by wiraone: Aug 29 2018, 11:24 AM

When you submitted on the 10th- was that the biometrics or the application itself? I thought it was 15 working days from submission of biometrics?

Both were done on that day. Submission followed by biometrics. Was it different from you?

I was informed that it will be 15-17 working days starting on Monday (the next working day after my appointment). My understanding is that they send our applications to be processed in Manila.