Maybe you've dreamed about it your whole life, or you've just discovered the love of this country. Whatever the reason, you want to move to England. The moving requirements are quite strict, unless you are a European citizen. This article will help you through the visa process, finding a place to stay, and more.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Finding How To Enter
Step 1. Learn about visas
The government website of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (commonly known as the United Kingdom or UK) has an easy online form that will tell you what type of visa you need. Check here. Most immigrants need a certain type of visa, which allows them to stay and possibly work in the UK for a certain amount of time. Once you know what type of visa you want to apply for, start at visa4uk.fco.gov.uk. We recommend that you allow a few months for visa approval.
- If you need more information, the rest of this section describes the detailed requirements for immigration and travel. Otherwise, skip to the next section.
- The UK is a country consisting of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. You don't need a UK-specific visa.
Step 2. Know the rights of European countries
If you are a citizen of a country within the European Economic Area (EEA), you have the right to live and work in the UK. This includes all countries in the European Union, plus Iceland, Lichtenstein, and Norway. Swiss citizens also have this right.
- You only need a passport to prove citizenship. Although not required, you may also want to apply for a registration certificate. This can help prove your rights when applying for various benefits.
- Family members of European citizens who are not nationals must still apply for a visa. They can apply for permanent residency after a family member who is a citizen has worked in the UK for five years.
Step 3. Submit a UK job application
Look at monster.co.uk, fish4.co.uk, reed.co.uk, or indeed.co.uk. If a UK company wants to hire you, you can apply for a visa. How long you can stay depends on your job:
- Tier 2 visas are available for high demand fields, listed in detail here. You may also have an opportunity if you transfer within a multinational company, or if your employer can demonstrate that your job cannot be filled by local workers. This usually grants a three-year residence permit, extendable for up to six years
- A Tier 5 visa is a temporary work permit for 6 months to 2 years. If you don't qualify for a Tier 2 position, find work in a charitable organization, or work as an athlete, entertainment worker, or religious worker.
- Tier 1 visas are only available to people who set up a business, invest millions of pounds, or are recognized as leaders in their field. They are usually granted a five-year residence permit and can be extended for up to ten years.
Step 4. Register as a student at a UK institution
You must speak English and have enough money to support yourself. You can stay until you finish your education, plus a few months. You will only be able to work in the jobs required by your schoolwork.
Step 5. Apply for another visa
There are other ways to enter the UK for longer than a short tourist visit. This method requires special circumstances, generally as follows:
- Family (work status and length of stay varies): Available for people who want to join their husband/wife, fiancé, couple who have been in a relationship for 2 years or more, or children. Also available if you have to be cared for by a family member in the UK.
- UK ancestry visa (5 years old, able to work): Must be a citizen of the Commonwealth with grandparents born in the UK.
- Youth Mobility Tier 5 (2 years old, able to work): citizens of certain countries, ages between 18 and 30 years.
- Visitor visa (usually 6 months, unable to work): Last resort. If you have the money to cover your living expenses while you wait, you can come on a visitor visa, then try to get hired and apply for a work permit. The odds are slim, but you get a vacation if it doesn't work out.
Part 2 of 3: Before leaving
Step 1. Find a place to live
Look for hostels or hotels you can stay in temporarily when you arrive, and for possible places to stay. You may have to wait until you get there to sign the contract, but start looking weeks in advance to rent, or months in advance if buying. Try sites like Gumtree, RightMove, Zoopla, or RoomMatesUK. Make sure you know how property searches differ from those in your country:
- Prices in London are very high, averaging £1,900/month for a 2 bedroom flat (apartment). Consider other cities, or smaller towns within an hour of the big city.
- Look carefully - the rental rates listed can be weekly or monthly. You can negotiate the price.
- If you are planning to buy a home, hire a UK housing attorney first.
Step 2. Check housing-related costs
Before signing a rental contract, ask what additional fees you will pay. Costs vary widely depending on your area and property, but here are some estimates:
- Utilities: Be prepared to pay around £120 for water and electricity, plus £70 for heating. This is the average cost in a year; heating costs will be higher during winter, and lower during summer.
- Local taxes: at least £100 per month, but possibly higher.
- Television license: To watch BBC channels live (albeit online), you have to pay £145.50 annually.
- Television, cell phone, and internet subscriptions vary widely. This is beyond the license fee.
Step 3. Practice your English
If English is not your first language, start studying before you leave. Life would be much easier if you could speak, read and write in English. English is also a requirement for employment, or for applying for a permanent residence permit.
Step 4. Plan to bring your pet
First, check here to find out if your country is "listed" or "unlisted", and for specific requirements by country and species. For cats, dogs, and ferrets from most areas, you'll need the following:
- Microchip
- Rabies vaccination (21 days earlier or more)
- EU veterinary passport or third country veterinary certificate (veterinarians can help)
- Dog only: tapeworm treatment
- Non-registered countries only: Blood test (3 months before or more, 30 days or more after rabies vaccine)
- Approved itineraries and transport agencies, listed here. If you're coming from a hot climate, you may need to wait until the weather cools down.
Step 5. Budget your expenses
The cost of living varies depending on your location. Use expatistan.com to compare your current location with your new home.
If you stay in the UK for more than 183 days, you will owe taxes on your income
Part 3 of 3: After Arriving
Step 1. Find out about transportation
Public transport is reliable in London and many other major cities, while parking and fuel costs are more challenging. If you decide to drive a car, click here to see if you can use your current driving license.
- Traveling by train is common for longer distances, with prices and speeds ranging from comfortable to absurd depending on the route. If you plan to travel and are over 60 or under 25, buy a discount Railcard.
- In London, buy an Oyster Card from a tube station. This card provides discounted rates for tube, bus and train fares within the city.
Step 2. Get a UK bank account
The bank account and associated debit/credit card are usually free. Some of the biggest UK banks are Lloyds, HSBC, Barclays and NatWest.
- Check with your current bank if there is a "brother bank" program you can use while living in the UK.
- You can try opening a bank account from overseas, but you may need a UK address.
Step 3. Submit documents
There are some useful documents that visitors to the UK should have:
- National Insurance Number. It is required for taxes, and required for work. Call Jobcentre at 0345 600 0643 for submissions.
- Passport like passport (with UK specifications). These are available at convenience store photo booths for £6 or less.
Step 4. Learn about healthcare in the UK
Free emergency medical care for all visitors. Hospital visits are free for most visitors, including anyone who pays a one-time health care surcharge when applying. For treatment, whether charged or not depends on the doctor. You may need to check the rates of several doctors in your area before choosing one.
Step 5. You may also need to learn some of the differences between British culture and your home country's culture so you don't get confused
While it's likely you'll get used to it on your own, it's a good idea to find out the English versions of some words, or you risk pronouncing the wrong word and getting into trouble! For example, in England, fanny is much ruder than in America, because the meaning is different.
Tips
- Maybe you can work for a foreign (not UK) company while living in the UK. You will still need a work visa and must pay UK taxes on your income.
- If you have lived in the UK for 5 years, and can speak English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic, you can apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
- If your official document is not written in English, request that it be translated by a certified translation agency. Transcripts of grades, identity cards, driver's licenses, etc. in English for visa applications.
- If you want to work as an independent contractor or freelancer, you will need a sponsored Tier 2 Permit.
- British winter daylight lasts for five hours, if you're lucky. If you know you're going to miss the sun, look for a room with a south-facing window.
Warning
- Just like everyone everywhere, Britons can be offended by stereotypes, assumptions, or even harmless words and gestures in your home country. If you offended someone, apologize and explain that you are not familiar with British culture.
- It is illegal to marry a European citizen just to gain citizenship. The government can jail or fine you if evidence of a fake marriage is found.
