RELOCATING TO LONDON
Congratulations! You’re relocating to London. London is one of the most exciting and cultural cities in the world but before you can enjoy what we have to offer, you need to find a home and perhaps a school(s) and you’re not quite sure where to start.
Here’s our check-list for pre-departure:
· Visa and Immigration:
o Ensure you have the appropriate visa in place for you (and your family) in order to work or study and rent in the UK.
o Apply for your visa and have in-hand before arriving in the UK to search for a property. Ensure that your passport has at least 6 months left on its expiration date
o Gather your necessary documents, e.g. copies of your passport (including those of children), copies of your visa and/or BRP, a letter from your employer as proof of employment, the last 6 months’ of bank statements. A share code for your UK Right to Rent checks.
· Accommodation:
o Have you researched the different London neighbourhoods? What type of property do you want? Modern or traditional? How many bedrooms? Do you need a garden? Do you have a pet? What is your weekly or monthly budget?
o Have you arranged your temporary accommodation in London whilst you look for a home to rent?
· Employment and Finances:
o If possible, secure employment before you arrive. Your employer should sponsor your UK work visa.
o You can open a UK bank account once you arrive in the UK. It is most often done on-line. Once open, you can arrange to transfer funds to your UK bank account.
· Healthcare:
o In the UK, upon paying a healthcare surcharge upon entry to the UK, you can use the NHS at no additional cost. Most clients also have private health coverage too.
o Getting an NHS GP – who you can register with will depend on the post code of your home in the UK. Once registered with an NHS GP, each member of the family will be sent their unique NHS number. (NB: this is different to your National Insurance (NI) number)
o Dental – in the UK, we have both NHS and private dentists. Choosing an NHS dentist is not postcode dependent (unlike choosing an NHS GP)
· Transportation:
o Book flights: Arrange your flights well in advance, considering baggage allowances and travel times.
o Consider pet transportation: If you're bringing pets, research regulations and requirements for their transportation.
o Arrange transportation upon arrival: Plan for transportation from the airport to your accommodation.
· Shipping and Packing:
o If you’re shipping your goods to London, choose a moving company: Select a reputable international moving company. Remember that London properties are much smaller than those in most other countries so it may be wise to not ship really large pieces of furniture to London.
· Legal and Administrative Matters:
o Update passport and identification: Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay.
o If you’re working in the UK, ensure you have a National Insurance number. This is for tax purposes. NB: as above, the NI number is different to your NHS number.
o Research local laws and regulations: Familiarize yourself with UK laws and regulations related to residency, taxation, and driving.
· https://www.gov.uk/exchange-nongb-driving-licence
Do get in touch to discuss your move to London: selma@andersonassociates.london
Or, click here to book your Relocate to London Power Hour to discuss all your relocation needs.
a typical street in Chelsea, London, SW3