Moving abroad to the UK can be an exciting adventure, affording you access to excellent job opportunities and rich cultural immersion. Today, we’ll provide a complete guide to the UK immigration process, from selecting the right visa to building a great life abroad.
UK Government Immigration Pathways
When moving to the UK, you must determine what visa category best suits your needs depending on your goals. Each one has different eligibility criteria, such as being related to someone with UK citizenship or investing a certain amount of money into a British business.
Exploring Different Visa Options
The British government has developed a broad range of visas to appeal to different immigrants. You can choose between the following visas.
- Work Visas: The Skilled Worker Visa is the most common type of work visa and requires a job offer from a UK employer willing to offer you employment for a set period. If you are a leader in the arts or sciences, you may select the Global Talent Visa, but this is much harder to apply for.
- Business Visa: The Investor Visa is for those who want to invest in a British company, while an Innovator Visa allows you to open your own business. This is a good option for a self-employed person seeking to broaden their reach.
- Student Visa: The UK is a very popular destination for studying abroad. You can secure a short-term study visa if you don’t intend to do your entire course in the UK, or you may choose a longer-term visa that lets you stay for four years or more.
- Family Visa: This is a visa type for those who intend to join family members who already have British citizenship or permanent residency. The UK Ancestry Visa are family visas for those with at least one grandparent born in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Northern Ireland.
Once you have your immigration status, you can apply for indefinite leave to remain after a set period of time, usually more than one year.
Assessing Your Eligibility
Which visa you apply for depends on your specific profile. You should consider the following factors:
- How long do you intend to stay
- Whether you hold a skilled job in high-demand
- If you have any relatives who are a British citizen
- If you can find employment while abroad
Additionally, those who have permanent residence from the US or European countries may find certain visas easier to apply for, including skilled worker visas.
UK Visa Application Process
Most of the process can be completed online through an application form, but the whole process takes a few weeks as you wait for confirmation. You should apply for your visa at least three months before you plan to arrive in the UK to ensure that you have no issues.
Gathering Required Documentation
There is a large range of required documents, which include:
- Valid Passport: Your current passport should be valid for at least three months after you intend to leave the country.
- Proof of English language proficiency: A US citizen does not require this. However, EU citizens and those from other countries outside of the Caribbean or Europe generally do.
- Financial Documents: You must prove you have a multi-currency account that has enough funds to sustain you during your stay.
- Health Certificate: This is to prove that you don’t have any infectious diseases and are in reasonably good health.
- Sponsor Details: If you are being sponsored in your immigration matter by a family member, school, or employer, you need proof of this.
Depending on your visa type, you may need additional information, such as proof of funds or evidence that your sponsor is a British citizen.
Completing the Application Accurately
It’s important that you be honest on your application, as you will be denied if there is any evidence of fraud. Take your time and double-check the details. Don’t provide anything that isn’t requested, as this just makes unnecessary paperwork.
Leave plenty of time to receive your decision, and don’t wait. Expert immigration lawyers can also help ease the process for you by lending their expertise.
Submitting the Application and Awaiting a Decision
Once you submit your application and pay your fee, you’ll make a biometric appointment at a local application center and undergo an interview. Your appointment confirmation letter will be included in the final visa application.
Receiving your visa usually takes three weeks, and you can track your application process online through the application portal.
Preparing for Your Move to the UK
Moving to a new country can be challenging, but careful research and preparation can make it much easier to settle in.
Financial Planning and Budgeting
Individuals immigrating alone should expect to make at least USD $38,800 to live comfortably. Develop a reasonable budget for your area by looking at typical cost of living expenses; major UK cities like London are going to be more expensive than rural regions. Don’t forget about things like visa fees, airfare, and shipping your belongings.
Finding Accommodation in the UK
Renting or sharing a flat are the most common housing options in the UK, but purchasing is also an option. Proximity to public transportation is a must, as the UK has a great bus and train system. To find options within your budget, search the popular rental sites like Rightmove, Zoopla, and OpenRent.
Healthcare and National Insurance
One of the most well-known public services in the UK is free healthcare through the National Health Service (NHS). You must register with a general practitioner (GP), which will provide you with an account number.
Everyone must pay national insurance, which is part of their income tax, to access pensions or maternity leave. You can also buy health insurance for private healthcare.
Shipping Belongings or Starting Fresh
Moving to the UK from the US is expensive even withou,t shipping a lot of your belongings, so you must decide how much money you’re willing to pay in order to have your more familiar belongings with you. Consider bringing only the most sentimental things with you to save on shipping.
Settling into Life in the UK
Once you have arrived, it’s time to prepare for your new life in the UK with these tips.
Job Hunting and Career Opportunities
Expatica Jobs and EURES are two great resources for job hunters, but you also must ensure that you tailor your CV and cover letter to UK standards. Each of these should be only one A4 page, single-sided.
Networking is a great way to find new opportunities, especially with expats who can advise you on the best job options for your particular skills.
Opening a Bank Account and Managing Finances
When choosing a bank, consider whether it has the features you need, such as ATMs, online banking, and physical locations. To open an account, you’ll need proof of address like a util,ity bill and proof of identity like a biometric residence permit or passport.
Unlike in the US, most people do Pay As You Earn (PAYE) and do not need to submit a tax return. You may need to do a tax return if you work for yourself.
The UK has three different credit reporting bureaus that all use different scales, including 0-710, 0-999, and 0-1,000. Different activities can affect your score, such as having a court summons for debt collection or updating your electoral registration.
Embracing British Culture and Lifestyle
The UK is known for being polite but slightly distant; you’re unlikely to be invited over to someone’s home unless you know them very well. Giving gifts to hosts, as well as saying “please” and “thank you,” are incredibly important to the British. Respect for rules and punctuality are crucial to social success.
Afternoon tea, whether it’s just a small cup of black tea or an elaborate spread, is a common way to unwind, and pub culture is vibrant here. The popular sports include football, rugby, and cricket.
Education and Schooling Options
The UK schooling system has four levels: primary, secondary, further, and higher education. Primary is from ages 5-11 and secondary is from 11-16. At age 16, children take the GCSEs, which determines whether they can go onto further education, a final step before college and university.
Further education offers teens the ability to explore vocational options. They can then enroll in a four-year university and go onto graduate school if they would like.
There are both public and private options. Children start school around age 4, and you can begin applying in January of that year. You will apply for your local council and put down at least three options in three of the areas that you would like to apply to, and then we will receive word on where your child was accepted.
Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Opportunities
Those moving to the UK from the US or European Union may believe that they won’t have any major problems because the UK seems so familiar. However, minor differences in culture and climate can make you homesick.
Dealing with Homesickness and Culture Shock
Being familiar with how long culture shock lasts, as well as reading up on strategies to avoid it, can make for a more stress-free immigration experience. Acknowledging that your feelings are real but temporary can help you push through those feelings of disorientation and frustration.
It’s also helpful to have reminders of your home country available to you, such as favorite foods and family photos.
Building a Social Network and Community
While keeping in contact with a family member back home can help you feel rooted, but it’s important to make friends in your new home. Relying on expat communities can be a great way to gain vital advice on how to survive in the UK, especially as they will understand the challenges you face.
Pubs are the social centers of the UK and can be excellent place to make friends outside of school or work. Additionally, there are many social clubs for hobbies, including walking groups, a popular outdoor activity across the country.
Exploring the UK’s Rich History and Diverse Attractions
The UK has a beautiful and rich history, with wonderful cultural attractions and breathtaking landscapes. Beyond the well-known London, there are many exciting places to visit throughout the United Kingdom, including the Isle of Man, Wales, and the Scottish Highlands.
Bus tours are a fun way to get a better understanding of the history of the country and to see the diverse countryside; they also provide a wealth of information that you can use to pinpoint areas you’d like to visit later. The country’s well-developed train system also makes it convenient to go between major cities; plus, the trains are comfortable, affordable, and have regular stops.