
10 basics to know before migrating to the UK
Migrating to a new country for work can be an exciting but overwhelming experience. If you’re planning to move to the United Kingdom for employment, proper preparation is key to ensuring a smooth transition. This comprehensive checklist, tips  and useful links will help you navigate the essential tasks and considerations when migrating to the UK for work.
1.Visa and Immigration
You may need a visa to come to the UK to study, work, visit or join family. There are various types of visas, most people use the skilled worker visa, see the eligible occupations. To avoid scams, it’s safe to use the official UK government website for information on how to apply for a UK visa. You can also find reliable agents to process your applications but the UK government website has all the necessary information and guidance.
2.Air ticket & airport
It’s advisable to use the airport closest to your final destination. Minimize travelling long distances on your first day in the UK, it can be quite confusing. Many people pick the famous airports when booking flights but, did you know you could also use the smaller ones. It’s not all about for example Heathrow, Gatwick or Birmingham airport to mention but a few. There are over 40 airports around the UK, some of which top the list of the busiest airports in Europe. The list of all major UK domestic and international airports helps you to find more information about these major UK airports and the best ways to connect to and from them by train or coach.
3.Transport system
The UK transport system and network is very accessible through digital platforms. Google Maps can be handy when you want to navigate. Destinations and addresses have unique post codes which contains letters and numbers used for UK addressing and delivery system.  Many streets or locations have similar names even though they can be in different cities. It’s ideal to use a postcode to denote your destination on the maps apps for enhanced accuracy. The local modes of transport commonly used are trains and buses.
The national rail UK is the official website for railway lines, see this for more information. You can find different bus service providers information on the various local council websites. Some also use taxis which can be pricey. Payments are mostly by cards using tap and pay (contactless) but you can also pay cash in the taxi, bus or train.
London is a complex place with underground, overground trains and buses. You can use the Transport for London website for how to navigate around London.
Tip – if travelling with a baby you need to be aware of the car seat law.
4.Owning a car and driving
Purchasing a car needs a lot of care and diligence. Many people buy and sell cars online through different websites such as for example Car Gurus, Auto Trader, Cazoo to mention but a few and some other auction platforms. Familiarize yourself with the government guidance and regulations for all you need to do when you buy a vehicle. This includes registration, MOT, insurance and tax. If not sure how to get car insurance, you can compare deals on confused.com website.
You can drive in Great Britain on your full, valid driving licence for 12 months from when you became resident however you will need to exchange a foreign driving licence for a British licence. Use this tool to see if you can drive in Great Britain with your non-GB driving licence.
5. Accommodation
Some use airbnb for quick, short term accommodation solutions. For a longer term and cheaper option you may need to rent properties. The common websites to search for houses to rent / buy are for example rightmove , zoopla and on the market. Once you find a house that you like you can contact the agent to arrange viewing and the rest of paperwork. If happy with the property, most agents will charge you a holding fee which will ideally be part of your rent/ deposit when you then move in. Properties can be furnished or unfurnished, depending on your preference. Most houses will have a fridge, stove, washing machine and sometimes dishwasher as a standard.
Tenants are expected to pay for their energy bills (gas / electricity), council tax on top of their rentals through various suppliers. There is no single energy supplier for all but there are multiple suppliers to pick from. If not sure which energy provider to work with,you can compare deals on uswitch. You will also need to create a council tax account with your local council, same as water bills with your water supplier. The government website also provides useful information on housing local services in the UK.
6. Connectivity
Mobile phone connectivity has different options either pay as you go (prepaid) or post paid through (contract lines for a fixed term) direct debits or set payments. You can do sim only deals or a package including handsets/ devices. You can compare deals on uswitch to get an idea of which supplier to go for.
Home connectivity is mostly through wireless/ fibre, uswitch will help you compare the available deals. Your address determines the type of connectivity you can get i.e fibre /wifi etc. You can walk in to the different network providers’ shops to discuss deals for mobile phones, sim cards, wifi and or fibre.
A TV licence is a must have pass for access to live TV. Visit the official TV Licensing website for guidance and information.
7. Health – care
It’s recommended to register for a General Practitioner (GP) surgery as soon as you settle in the UK. You can register with a GP surgery to access National Health Services. It’s free to register. GP surgeries are usually the first contact if you have a health problem. They can treat many conditions and give health advice. They can also refer you to other NHS services. See NHS’ guidance on how to register with a gp surgery and choosing and registering with a gp
8. Childcare & Schools
Children under school going age can be taken to child minders/ nurseries for day care. Find a nusery school place using the government website. The government also supports with child care, you can find out how and read about the Universal credit and childcare for more information. See the school starting age guidance on school admissions. The national curriculum details school going children’s key stages by age.The government website provides guidance on sending a child to school, financial support, dealing with the school.
Find out about school term and holiday dates, notably the school academic year starts in September every year. Find and check the performance of schools and colleges in England to help choose the right schools for your children through the school performance tables.
9. Banking and Finance
Getting a bank account is crucial as most transactions are done online. You can open current accounts, savings accounts, basic bank accounts and joint accounts. Requirements vary by different banks. Some have many requirements whilst some have few requirements. If you need to quickly set up a bank account you can consider options like Monzo and Revolut , these are easy to set up and can be done online using your mobile phone and uploading your id documents. Some traditional banks can take time and however you can still proceed to apply for accounts even if you had already opened a quick Monzo or Revolut account.
Credit rating is an important concept to be aware of, this affects your financial life in the UK. When you apply for a loan or other type of credit, the credit provider will search your credit reference file to see how much of a risk it is to lend to you. The level of risk is known as your credit rating. It can be affected by your personal financial details including:
– how you’ve managed existing bank accounts and credit commitments
– whether you’ve ever had your home repossessed
– people you’re financially linked to.
Read more about credit scoring and avoid some common pitfalls.
10. Job search for partner/ dependent
Dependents are allowed to work while in the UK, without many restrictions on the type of work they can undertake. Do not get stuck not knowing how to explore careers in the UK.
Meaningful Careers offers free career advice on what career paths to explore.
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