Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Finding an entrance
• Part 2 of 3: Before you go
• Part 3 of 3: After your arrival
• Tips
• Warnings

Maybe it has always been your dream in life, or you just recently discovered your love for this country. Either way, you want to move to England. Unless you are a resident of a European country, the requirements can be very strict. This article will walk you through the visa application process, house hunting and more.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Finding an entrance

1. Learn about visas. The UK government website has a simple online form that will tell you what type of visa you need. Look at it here. Most immigrants require some form of visa, which allows them to live and possibly work in the UK for a period of time. Once you know which type to apply for, get started at visa4uk.fco.gov.uk. Keep in mind that it takes a few months for your visa to be approved.
   • If you need more information, the rest of this chapter explains immigration and travel requirements in detail. If not, [#logistics | skip this] and go to the next section.
   • The United Kingdom is the state made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. You do not need a visa specifically for England.
2. Know the rights of residents of Europe. If you are a resident of a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) you have the right to live and reside in the United Kingdom. This includes all countries of the European Union, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Residents of Switzerland also have this right.
   • All you need is a passport to prove your citizenship. Although it is not required, you can also choose to request a registration certificate. This can help prove your rights to various benefits.
   • Family members of European residents who are not residents themselves are still required to apply for a visa. They can apply for permanent residency after the resident's family member has worked in the UK for five years.
3. Apply for UK jobs. Search monster.co.uk, fish4.co.uk, reed.co.uk, or indeed.co.uk. If a company from the UK wants to hire you, you can apply for a visa. How long this lets you stay depends on your job:
   • Tier 2 visas are available for in-demand fields of work, detailed here. You may also have a chance that you will be relocated within an international company, or that your employer can prove that your job cannot be filled by a local employee. This generally gives you a residence permit for three years, which can be extended to six.
   • Tier 5 visas are temporary work permits, lasting six months to two years. If you don't qualify for a Tier 2 job, seek employment in a charity or work as an athlete, entertainer, or religious force.
   • Tier 1 visas are only available to people who are starting a business, making a multi-million investment, or are recognized as leaders in their field. They are usually good for five years and can be extended to ten.
4. Register as a student at an institute in the UK. You must speak English and have enough money to support yourself. You can stay until you have completed the course, and a few extra months. You will only be allowed to work if the job is required for your education.
5. Register for other visas. There are a few other ways to enter the UK for more than a tourist visit. These require special circumstances, the following are the most common:
   • Family (variable height and employment status): Available if you are uniting with a spouse, fiancé, partner from 2+ years old or child. Also available if you need to be looked after by a family member in the UK.
   • UK descent visa (5 years, can work): Must be a Commonwealth resident with a grandparent born in the UK.
   • Tier 5 youth mobility (2 years, can work): resident of certain countries, between 18 and 30 years old.
   • Visitor visa (usually 6 months, cannot work): A supreme hope. If you have the money to support yourself while you wait, you can arrive on a visitor visa, then try to find a job and apply for a work permit. The odds are slim, but you'll have a vacation when it doesn't work.

Part 2 of 3: Before you go

1. Find a place to live. Find a guest house or hotel where you can stay temporarily when you arrive, and for potential housing options. You may have to wait until you arrive to sign a contract, but start looking for rental properties a few weeks in advance, or a few months if you want to buy. Try sites like Gumtree, RightMove, Zoopla, or RoomMatesUK. Make sure you know where the search for housing differs from your country:
   • Prices in London are very high, averaging £ 1,900 / month for a 2-bedroom flat (apartment). Consider other cities, or rural villages within an hour of a city.
   • Look carefully - the mentioned rental price can be per week or per month. Feel free to negotiate the price.
   • If you are planning to buy a house, first hire a real estate agent in the UK.
2. Look for housing-related costs. Before signing a rental contract, ask what additional costs you will pay. Costs vary widely depending on your region and building, but here are some estimates:
   • Utilities: Expect to pay around £ 120 a month for water and electricity, and £ 70 for heating. These are average costs over a year; heating costs are much higher in the winter and lower during the summer.
   • City Tax: At least £ 100 per month, but potentially much more.
   • Viewing license: To watch live BBC channels (even online) you have to pay £ 145.50 per year.
   • Television, cell phone and Internet schedules vary enormously. This is in addition to the viewing and listening fees.
3. Practice your English. If English is not your native language, start studying before you arrive. Life will be much easier if you can speak, read and write in English. It can also be a requirement for many jobs, or for applying for permanent residency.
4. Plan to move your pet. First look here to find out if your country is "listed" or "unlisted" and to see if there are any special requirements per country and species. For cats, dogs and ferrets coming from most areas you will need:
   • microchip
   • Rabies vaccination (21+ days in advance)
   • EU pet passport or veterinary certificate from a third country (a veterinarian can help with this)
   • For dogs only: tapeworm treatment
   • Only from unlisted countries: Blood test (3+ months before, 30 days + after rabies vaccination)
   • Approved itinerary and transport company, list them here. If you're traveling from a country with a hot climate, you may have to wait for cooler weather.
5. Calculate your expenses. Living expenses vary 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 have to pay taxes on your earnings.

Part 3 of 3: After your arrival

1. Find out travel methods. Public transport is reliable in London and most other major cities, while parking and petrol prices are challenging. If you decide to drive yourself, check here to find out if you can use your current driver's license.
   • Rail travel is common on longer journeys, with prices and speed varying from attractive to absurd depending on the route. If you plan to travel and are over 60 or under 25, buy a discount train ticket.
   • In London you can buy an Oyster Card at a tube station. These give discounted prices for metro, bus and city train tickets.
2. Open an English bank account. A bank account and associated payment / credit card are usually free. Some of the UK's largest banks are Lloyds, HSBC, Barclay's, and NatWest.
   • Ask your current bank if it has a "sister bank" program you can use while in the UK.
   • You can try to open a bank account from your home country, but you may need to provide an address in the UK.
3. Request documents. There are a number of useful documents that a visitor to the UK should have:
   • National Insurance Number. This is used for tax matters and is required for employment. Call the Jobcentre on 0345 600 0643 to request.
   • Passport photo (specified according to UK regulations). These are available in photo booths at supermarkets for £ 6 or less.
4. Learn about healthcare in the UK. Emergency medical assistance is free of charge for all visitors. Hospital admissions are free for most visitors, including anyone who has paid a one-time health care supplement upon request. For other medical care, it is up to the doctor whether or not he charges you. You can request prices from a number of doctors in your area before choosing one.
5. You will also want to learn about the differences between the English culture and the culture you come from so you don't get confused! While this may seem like something you can just get used to, it's good to learn the English version of some words, or you could use the wrong word and get into trouble! For example, in England "fanny" is much coarser than it is in America because it means something different.

Tips

• You may be working for a foreign (non UK) company while living in the UK. You will still need a work permit and pay UK taxes on your earnings.
• If you have lived in the UK for 5 years and speak English, Welsh or Scottish Gealic you can apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
• If your official documents are not written in English, have them translated by a certified translator. An English school diploma, ID card, driver's license, etc. for your visa application.
• If you want to work as a self-employed or freelancer, you will need a sponsored Tier 2 permit.
• English winters have about five hours of daylight if you're lucky. If you know you will miss the sun, find a room with a south-facing window.

Warnings

• Like all other people, the English can be offended by stereotypes, assumptions or even words and gestures that are harmless in your homeland. If you insult someone, apologize and explain that you are not familiar with English culture.
• Marrying a resident of Europe just for citizenship is illegal. The government can jail you or impose fines if they find evidence of a marriage of convenience.