Moving to the U.K.

The Rules for Settling In

Article & Photos by Jo-Anne Woodward

A typical residential streetscape in Kensington.

There are many things about the U.K. to fall in love with, but one that probably won’t charm you is the British penchant for regulations. Whether you’re opening a bank account or applying for a driver’s license, there’s always a plethora of rules to be followed. Here’s a distilled guide to what you need to know to make the U.K. home.

Obtaining a Visa

This is your first hurdle and, unless you’re from Switzerland or a county in the European Economic Area and can therefore work in the U.K. without permission, it must be overcome before arrival. While some people enter the U.K. on a holiday visa and then look for work, this is risky. Suspected job seekers without a valid visa are regularly turned back at the airport.

A variety of visas allow you to work in the U.K. The Work Permit requires sponsorship by an employer. That means lining up work before you arrive. The Highly Skilled Migrant Program Visa works on a points system, scoring applicants on factors such as education, current salary, and work experience. To see if you qualify, check out www.skillclear.co.uk/hsmp-highly-skilled-migrant-programme.asp.

The Ancestry Visa is available to Commonwealth citizens with a grandparent born in the U.K. But if you’re hoping to get one, move quickly. The British Home Office signaled last November that this visa may be abolished in the future.

For more information on visas see www.workingintheuk.gov.uk or Thei Zervaki’s article, “Working in England,” in the Transitions Abroad archives.

Opening a Bank Account

Foreigners often report difficulties in setting up U.K. bank accounts. The main problem is providing sufficient documentation. Most banks ask for your passport, a letter from your employer, and proof of your residential address. The last two can be difficult if you don’t yet have a job or you’re flat-sharing and your name isn’t on the bills or lease. If possible, open an account before leaving home through a bank with U.K. branches.

A second challenge is getting credit cards or overdrafts. Foreigners new to the U.K. are deemed to have no credit rating, no matter how good their rating at home. Some expats overcome this by providing letters of introduction or account statements from their banks back home. As a safeguard, maintain at least one credit card from your home country.

Accessing Health Care

The National Health Service (NHS) provides free hospital care and medical consultations to most residents, including holders of U.K. Work Permits and their dependants. To find other visa groups that are covered, visit www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/International/OverseasVisitors, clicking on “Overseas Visitors” and “Are you visiting the United Kingdom?”

Anyone visiting the Accident and Emergency section of an NHS hospital receives free medical treatment, regardless of visa status. Even so, it’s advisable to have private health insurance. Waiting times for non-urgent hospital treatment are much shorter in private (user-pays) hospitals.

Under the British system, patients initially see a general practitioner (GP) for all ailments. The GP then refers on to specialists as necessary. Once you find accommodation, you need to register with a GP, taking a bill or lease as proof of residence. Visit www.nhs.uk/England to find a GP in your area.

Renting a Home

Be warned, renting in the U.K. is expensive. To find out just how expensive, see www.findaproperty.com for average rents in different areas. The good news is that many rental properties are furnished, so you can save on shipping or buying furniture.

Most properties are rented through real estate agents. For agents in your area, see www.arla.co.uk. If you’re looking for a high-end property, a relocation consultant (www.relocationagents.com) can show you homes listed by a range of agents and help negotiate a rental contract. Students and twentysomethings on working holidays often rent rooms in shared properties. Try LOOT (www.loot.com) or TNT magazine (www.tntmagazine.com) for listings.

Obtaining a Driver’s License

Consider whether you really need to drive, particularly if you live in London, where roads are congested, parking is scarce, and public transport is usually efficient. If you do decide to drive, here’s the lowdown on getting a license.

If your license was issued in another EEA country, you can drive on it for three years after entering the U.K. Those with non-EEA licenses can drive for 12 months but must then apply for a provisional G.B. license and sit a written and practical driving test.

Licenses issued in some countries can be exchanged for G.B. licenses without sitting a test. These include Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and South Africa. For a full list, see www.dvla.gov.uk/media/pdf/consultations/ria_281105.pdf. More information on licenses can be found at www.dvla.gov.uk.

Finding a Job

Lining up work before you arrive can be difficult, particularly if you need an employer to sponsor your visa. Sponsorship is expensive and an administrative hassle, so you’ll have more luck if your skills are in short supply in the U.K. For a list of occupations with skill shortages, see www.skillclear.co.uk/skilllist.asp.

Some recruitment agents can arrange jobs for you while you’re still at home, but most prefer to deal with you in the U.K. See www.workgateways.com/agencies.php for a list of recruiters.

You may have more success with Internet job sites and online newspapers such as The Guardian (jobs.guardian.co.uk) and The Times (www.timesonline.co.uk).

Once you’re in the U.K., professional associations (see www.expatriateliving.com/html/social_clubs.asp) can provide networking and training opportunities. You can also learn more about U.K.-style job-seeking. Focus Information Services (www.focus-info.org) runs workshops on the rules and idiosyncrasies of British CVs, interviews, and work practices. And when you’re in a new country learning the rules can make all the difference.

Jo-Anne Woodward is an Australian who lived in London from 1998 to 2000. She is former Assistant Editor for FOCUS Information Services (www.focus-info.org). FOCUS assists expats on all areas covered in this article through its workshops, library, helpline, and publications.