Visa costs became the main cause of my financial anxieties

Visa costs became the main cause of my financial anxieties

Dr Alex Fitzpatrick spoke to Tennille Hannah Rolingson about her own difficulties navigating the expensive, selective visa system. American by nationality, she moved to the UK to study in 2015 and stayed on to complete her PhD. 

What was your initial impression of the UK?

I loved it. Having just moved from Manhattan and the extremely high cost of living there, it was a relief to live somewhere with much lower renting costs. As someone who also had sporadic access to healthcare in the US, it was a relief to be able to access healthcare more regularly in the UK, where I was able to finally get certain diagnoses and medical treatment that was unaffordable back home. 

I’ll also admit to having a bit of a romanticised view of the UK in general - difficult to avoid as a young woman in her 20s who had spent her teenage years watching Doctor Who and other BBC shows that had finally made it across the pond!

Did you ever think about the costs of moving to the UK — specifically visa fees?

At first, it was really easy to ignore: as an international postgraduate student, I was able to take out federal student loans to pay for my studies (which have risen to about $250,000 in total). But after graduation, visa costs became the main cause of my financial anxieties: it felt imperative to constantly have a job, and I have since been saving about 50 per cent of my pay cheques towards saving up for future visa fees.

Has the rise in visa costs affected you financially?

I have been fortunate in that I have usually been able to apply for new visas before costs have risen, but the NHS Surcharge has definitely become a major cost factor, having more than doubled in price since I first moved to the UK. I now really struggle to maintain a healthy relationship with my finances and although I am most likely about to obtain ILR [leave to remain ] next year, I think it will take years for me to unlearn those financial anxieties.

What visa are you currently on?

I am currently on a FLM (R) Visa - Family, Non-Married Partner.

Do you plan to live in the UK permanently?

Yes - my career is very much rooted in this country at this point, and I now have close friends and family here. I’m definitely at the age where I just want to settle down, so I am looking to seek citizenship in the next few years.

Has the process affected your mental health?

It has greatly impacted my mental health. Knowing that I can be forced out of the country that has become my home, as well as forced apart from my loved ones, causes my so much anxiety and I have certainly felt suicidal at times, particularly as a precariously employed person. 

I have found myself up late at night, constantly reading and rereading Home Office policies, because I know that one small mistake can ruin my entire life. It is difficult to not feel fearful all the time because of the vindictive nature of the Home Office and the speed in which policies and laws can change. 

Do you think being a US citizen has put you at an advantage over other non-western migrants?

Absolutely. While we are still impacted as non-EU migrants, my US passport means that I am not subjected to the same scrutiny as my non-Western peers. For example, I do not need to undergo a police check like others, nor do I need to provide substantial proof of my ability to speak English. 

While I have struggled greatly, I also understand that I’m still very privileged and lucky in comparison to most others trapped in the hostile environment.

Photo credit: Migrant Voice