Moving to...

UNITED

KINGDOM

What can we help you with?

Visa
Banking & Taxes
Housing & Renting
Healthcare
Transportation & Driving

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VISA & Immigration

A visa is an official document that allows a foreigner to enter, stay, or work in the United Kingdom, this includes the countries England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for a specific period and purpose.

What VISA do I need to move to the United Kingdom?

When you are a foreigner wanting to move to the UK with no family connections, you will need the right visa based on your reason for moving, work, study or investment.

So here is a every visa that the UK offers for someone wanting to move to their country:

Work Visas

This is for Skilled Workers and Professionals looking to move to the UK for a job. In that case you will need a work visa.

Here is a quick breakdown of what the visas are and what the different work visas you can apply for:

    • This is for people with a job offer from a UK employer who is a licensed sponsor.

    • Must meet salary and skill requirements

    • Valid for around 5 years (renewable)

    • Leads to Permanent Residency (Indefinite to remain, ILR)

    • This is for highly skilled professionals in science, engineering, tech and arts

    • No job offer required if endorsed by a UK organization

    • Leads to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

    • This is for doctors, nursed and care workers with job offers from the NHS or UK care providers

    • Lower visa fees and faster processing

    • Leads to Indefinite Leave to Remain after 3-5 years

    • This is for graduates from top global universities

    • No job offer required

    • Not renewable, but can switch to another visa

    • This is for those starting a business in the UK

    • Must show a viable and scalable business plan

How to Apply for a Work Visa?

If you do not know which visa you need from the information provided above, please visit the official UK gov.uk website to see which visa you qualify for.

But if you do know, here is what you need and how to apply:

What you need to apply for a visa:

  • Valid passport

  • Proof of funds

  • English language test (IELTS or equivalent)

  • Medical exam (TB test, if applicable)

How to apply for a visa:

  • Get a certificate of Sponsorship (if needed)

  • Apply online, pay visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

  • Attend a Biometric Appointment (giving fingerprints and photo at a Visa Application Centre)

  • Wait for approval (processing times vary, from 3 weeks up to 3 months)

What are IELTS, IHS, TB and ILR?

    • This is an English language test required to apply for UK visas, work, or study if you are from a country where the native language is not English

    • It tests, Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking

    • This is a mandatory health fee that allows foreigners to use the UK’s National Health Service (NHS)

    • You pay for this when applying for a visa

    • This is a medical test for visa applications coming from countries where Tuberculosis is common

    • It checks whether you have active Tuberculosis (a lung disease)

    • ILR is a permanent residency in the UK

    • It allows foreigners to live and work in the UK without any time restrictions

    • After holding ILR for 12 months, you can apply for British Citizenship

Banking & Taxes

When moving to the United Kingdom, having a UK bank account is essential for getting paid, paying bills and managing expenses. So here is all the information you need about everything you need to open a bank account and also information about how the tax system works.

What do I need to Open a Bank Account in the UK?

Here is a quick breakdown of what you need to open a bank account:

  • Passport / Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)

  • UK Address Proof (utility bill, tenancy agreement or employer letter)

  • Visa / Residence Permit

What is a BRP and how to apply for one?

A Biometric Residency Permit is an official identity document card for foreigners in the UK who are staying in the country longer than 6 months. It proves your visa status, right to work and length of stay.

The BRP contains your photo, fingerprints, visa details and conditions. You will have to collect a BRP within 10 days of arrival and carry it to use it for residency, renting, banking and travel.

How to apply for a BRP:

  1. Apply for a UK visa

  2. If you are approved you will get a visa vignette sticker in your passport, which is valid for 90 days

  3. After arriving in the UK, pick up your BRP within 10 days at a Post Office or your employer

IF YOU DO NOT COLLECT IT, YOU MIGHT BE FINED OR HAVE TROUBLE PROVING YOUR LEGAL STATUS!

Taxes in the United Kingdom

If you are in the UK for more than 183 days per year, you are considered a UK Tax Resident and must pay taxes on worldwide income.

Here is information on how the tax system works:

  • Taxes are managed and controlled by the HMRC (His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs)

  • Most employees do not need to file a tax return, the employer handles it

  • While working in the UK, you will be deducted 9% and 12% (depending on salary) to the National Insurance, which funds the NHS and state pension

Important Tax forms to know in the UK:

    • Given by your employer when you leave a job

    • Shows how much tax you have paid so your next employer deducts the correct amount

    • If you do not have a P45, you might pay the wrong tax

    • Given to employees every April (tax year runs from April 6th to April 5th)

    • Summarizes your total earnings and tax paid in the tax year

    • Used for mortgages, loans, tax refunds or benefits applications

    • This is used if you are self-employed, a landlord or earn over £100,000 a year

    • Declares income, expenses and tax owed

    • Must be filed online by 31st of January each year

    • This is a document from HRMC (His Majesty’s Revenues and Customs) that shows your earnings and tax paid

    • Used for mortgages and loans if you do not have a pay slip

    • This is if you overpaid tax. You file this form to request a refund

    • Common for people working short-term jobs

    • If you have lived abroad but rent out a UK property, you need to register for tax with this form

    • If you own a UK business, you need to file this form for Corporation Tax

What and how to build a Credit Score?

A credit score is a number that represents how trustworthy you are with borrowing money and paying bills. Lenders (banks, landlords and phone companies) check this score before applying your applications for loans, credit cards and/or contracts.

How to build a Credit Score?

  • Get on the UK Electoral Register (registering with the government improves your credit score)

  • Open a bank account (some banks offer “credit builder” accounts for new customers)

  • Get a UK Credit Card (like a credit builder card can help build your credit score)

  • Pay Bills and Rent on time

  • Get a Mobile Phone Contract

  • Avoid multiple credit applications

  • Use a “Credit Builder Loan” (some banks and companies offer small loans to help people build credit)

How long does it take to build Credit?

It will take you around 3-6 months of responsible financial activity to start seeing a score, 12+ months to build a good credit score

Healthcare

The UK has a Universal Healthcare System called the National Health Service (NHS), this provides free or low cost medical care to residents.

However, access depends on what type of visa you have, how long you are staying and your nationality.

Types of Health Insurance in the UK

    • Public healthcare is mostly free at the point of use, funded by the UK taxes

    • Foreigners need to pay an Immigration Health Surcharge

    • Shorter wait times

    • Access to specialist doctors and hospitals

    • More choice in treatments

Who has Access to the NHS?

  • UK Citizens and Permanent Residents

  • Foreigners on a visa (6+ months and must pay Health Surcharge (IHS)

  • EU Citizens (GHIC/EHIC Card)

How to Access Healthcare in the UK?

Here is a quick guide how to access healthcare in the UK:

  • Find a local NHS GP Practice and register for free (your GP is your first point of contact for non-emergency health issues)

  • To register, you will need proof of address and visa status

Renting & Housing

As you are planning to move to the UK, finding a place to rent or buy can be a big and confusing step. The UK has a very competitive housing market, especially in cities like London. Here is what you need to know as a foreigner moving to the UK about renting, as well as buying property.

What do you need to rent in the UK?

As a foreigner, landlords may ask for more rent, as you might not have a UK Guarantor sorted out yet.

Here is everything you need:

  • Proof of ID (passport or visa)

  • Proof of income or job contract (Pay slips or UK Bank Account)

  • UK Guarantor (someone in the UK who agrees to pay rent if you do not)

  • Deposit

  • Credit check (only required for long-term rentals, if you do not have a UK Credit History, you may need to pay 6 months of rent upfront)

NEVER RENT WITHOUT A CONTRACT, ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOU GET A WRITTEN LEASE YOU AND THE LANDLORD SIGN!

Can I buy a home in the UK?

Yes of course! Foreigners can buy housing and property in the UK without a visa, but getting a mortgage is a lot harder.

Can you get a mortgage without a UK Credit History?

Yes, but you must put down a larger deposit, around 20-40% and show proof of income. Building a credit score makes it a lot easier to qualify for a mortgage and not having such a large down payment.

Driving & Transportation

As you are moving to the UK, you may need to drive or use the public transportation. This section will explain everything from getting a drivers license, renting a car and what type of public transportation is available in the UK

How to get a drivers license in the UK?

Before you try to get a drivers license in the UK, if you have a EU/EEA License you are able to drive in the UK indefinitely. And when it expires you are able to exchange it for a UK License.

If you are a holder of a Non-EU license, you are able to drive for 12 months after arrival, then you HAVE to apply for a UK License.

What you need to apply for a Drivers License:

  • Proof of identity (Valid passport or Biometric Residence Permit/Card)

  • Proof of Address

  • National Insurance Number (If you have one)

What you need to Exchange a Foreign Drivers License for a UK Drivers License:

  • Original Foreign Driving License

  • UK Address Proof

  • D1 Application Form

  • Pay a small fee

How to Apply for a Drivers License?

If you are from a country such as the US, China or India, you can drive on your current driving license for 12 months, after the 12 months you have to take the full driving course to apply for a UK Driving License.

Here is a quick step-by-step on how to do so:

  1. Apply for a Provisional License

  2. Pass the Theory Test

  3. Take Driving Lessons

  4. Pass the Practical Driving Test

  5. Get your full Driving License!

Public Transportation in the UK

The UK has an incredibly well connected transport system, including buses, trains, trams and the London Underground (Tube)

    • London (The tube) is the most used transport system in the UK

    • You can use contactless card or an Oyster Card

    • Local Buses operate in every city and town

    • Payment methods are contactless cards or travel card

    • Coaches (long distance buses) are cheaper than trains for intercity travel

    • Black Cabs (expensive but licensed)

    • Uber, Bolt, FreeNow (Cheaper alternatives to taxis)

    • Minicabs (pre-booked private taxis)