RetireJapan

I got an email notification that my new passport has been printed and sent by courier. Very quick turnaround - especially considering the Easter holiday. Being able to track the delivery of my old passport and the progress of the application was reassuring: 23/MAR (Sat): Submitted application online...

Deep Blue wrote: ↑Sun Sep 24, 2023 11:47 am we don't use mangles to wash our clothes any more

I remember my fascination with the neighbours' mangle when I was a young 'un. Somehow I still have all of my fingers.

I don't have anyone that I could ask to serve as a proxy, so I just post my vote and cross my fingers. It's not something that I worry about too much as my vote will make no difference to the outcome in a safe seat. I wish I'd moved to a marginal constituency before emigrating.

Thanks. I'll wait until after my trip to renew the passport.
Hopefully I won't have to travel in April or May ... I'd better plan on staying local for Golden Week.

My UK passport is valid until September 2024. I was planning to renew it around now. (I got a passport photo with a code when I was in the UK a couple of weeks ago). It turns out, however, that I will need to make an overseas business trip in mid-March, so I am trying to decide if I should wait unti...

Where were you and what was your employment status during 2006-08? If employed abroad they may not accept that you were employed in the UK immediately prior to moving overseas? I was living in Japan at that time. (Actually living in Japan from 2001-2009 - but I guess that 2001-2005 are too far back...

It's hard to put a monetary value on having nice neighbours. Selling investments to buy a place which you will use to host occasional guests seems extravagant. Have you considered buying it and renting it out - Tenants rights are robust, so you're not "in control" to the extent that you wo...

Thanks to all of you who commented so far. Here's an update on my situation - I appreciate any advice that you may have: I received a letter about the voluntary NICs from HMRC, several months sooner than expected. It says that I can make the following voluntary NICs: 2006 to 2007 52 weeks @ £15.85/w...

Good luck! Watch them like a hawk. I'd advise to keep records of any correspondence, including phone (take the name and job title of anyone you speak with and write down any key points from conversations). I tried calling earlier this month and was repeatedly cut off after waiting on hold for 30 mi...

Another strategy would be to immediately send in a fresh application for Class 2 with a covering letter explaining that you wish to cancel your previous application for Class 3 and proceed with this application for Class 2. Those 3 historic years would each cost £163.80 at Class 2 or £824.20 at Cla...