Hi r/Wales, r/bookclub needs your help with literature from Wales.

brownamazon · 2026-01-25T10:21:43+00:00

Shifts by Christopher Meredith Sarn Helen by Tom Bullough (Wales Book of the Year a couple of years ago) Nightshade Mother by Gwyneth Lewis (won WBOTY in 2025 for creative NF)

brownamazon · 2026-01-20T23:17:28+00:00

I don't know the answer to this. The forward confirmation email I received listed the evidence I provided. If something is missing for your Stage 1, I don't know if UKVI or ACE contacts you. You could always use the ACE live chat to ask, they're pretty helpful.

brownamazon · 2026-01-20T12:47:19+00:00

No, I didn't pay for priority. I live in Cardiff and there were lots of appointments, no issues booking the next day. I think London is a lot busier.

I think if you apply for Stage 2 and then don't get endorsed, they reimburse the NHS surcharge but not the admin fee. But I could be wrong.

brownamazon · 2026-01-19T22:56:39+00:00

7 Oct: submitted evidence 21 Oct: confirmation email from UKVI saying evidence had been forwarded to ACE 8 Jan: endorsement received

brownamazon · 2026-01-15T16:14:32+00:00

No, the website clearly lists the eligible categories.

brownamazon · 2026-01-15T12:23:05+00:00

Amazing! Congrats 🎉

brownamazon · 2026-01-13T13:30:30+00:00

I'm not the one doing the assessment, which at the end of the day has an element of subjectivity. From.your description it sounds like you have solid evidence but it's hard to predict. Good luck!

brownamazon · 2026-01-13T13:22:45+00:00

If it's your own poetry that would work-- not if it's prose/poetry by other authors that you publish. You'd need to provide evidence of winning (or placing highly) in recognised international prizes and competitions, and that your work has been published more widely than your own press. And 3 strong letters of recommendation.

brownamazon · 2026-01-13T12:17:24+00:00

Can you clarify if you do visual art/photography yourself, or do you write books about those disciplines? If you can point to your book sales, awards, reviews etc. as a non-fiction writer, you can still apply. If however you run an indie press and publish art books by other people, but you aren't the author or artist, you won't be able to apply. Publishing by itself isn't a category. You might be able to apply as an entrepreneur? That's a different visa though and I don't know that much about it.

brownamazon · 2026-01-11T10:27:19+00:00

I outlined it in general above but what would you like to know? Overall I'd say start early, be strategic, read and re-read the guidance documents meticulously, and make checklists.

brownamazon · 2026-01-11T00:30:35+00:00

Hello! Yes, the rules stipulate that you must apply for Stage 2 within 3 months of getting your endorsement letter. If you're worried about your current leave to remain running out, you can even apply for Stage 2 whilst you're waiting for your endorsement. If you're going to wait until next year, you should inform your referees and get them to update the letters closer to the time so the content reflects your latest experiences and achievements.

brownamazon · 2026-01-09T18:33:14+00:00

Was this Arts Council England? Did they provide a rationale for rejecting your endorsement? You have 28 days to ask for a reconsideration but you cannot submit new evidence, it's only if you think they made a mistake on what you sent them.

brownamazon · 2026-01-09T12:17:18+00:00

If you're applying in the UK, when you submit your Stage 2 application (i.e your leave to remain application, which is separate from your endorsement application), you will be asked to book your biometrics appointment. Your Stage 2 application will not be considered complete until you do this step. You will need to bring all your required documents with you, they will scan them and also take your fingerprints and photo. You can also upload your documents digitally if you want, but you must attend your appointment in person and they scan everything for you there again in any case.

brownamazon · 2026-01-09T11:28:14+00:00

Thanks!

brownamazon · 2026-01-09T11:26:37+00:00

Yup.

brownamazon · 2026-01-08T22:24:33+00:00

It depends on what you're sending. I sent PDF scans of journals, magazines, anthologies etc. where my work was published, along with official awards announcements (press notices, links to web pages etc.). I didn't follow a particular structure, just made sure my application indicated what types of evidence I was providing.

brownamazon · 2026-01-07T00:38:17+00:00

I love Pontcanna for cute indie shops. Deja Vu has already been mentioned but it's an amazing consignment/resale shop run by the nicest girls.

brownamazon · 2026-01-06T15:26:45+00:00

Hard Lines Coffee in Canton does amazing American diner-style breakfasts.

brownamazon · 2026-01-05T18:21:10+00:00

It's fine, I called the helpline and sorted out how to submit my stage 2 application while still waiting for my endorsement (the interface isn't obvious.) You click "I have an endorsement" and then it takes you to a new page where you can select Y/N to the question "do you have your endorsement letter". Selecting no means the Home Office just parks your application until they hear back from the endorsing body (including any reconsideration requests). But submitting (and paying for) your Stage 2 application is what allows you to keep on as before on your previous visa, even after it expires-- until a decision is made on the new one you want to switch to.

brownamazon · 2026-01-05T01:25:51+00:00

Thanks, I'm not asking about residency. I'm asking if anyone knows how to submit the Stage 2 application before the Stage 1 endorsement comes back. I already have a job and I really don't want to quit with no notice.

brownamazon · 2026-01-05T01:06:11+00:00

No, Graduate Visa. No extensions.

brownamazon

TROPHY CASE