If you’ve always dreamt of moving to the United Kingdom, there’s no better time than now. The UK has plenty to offer and it’s a popular destination for people all over the world.
You can enjoy free access to top-quality healthcare, a thriving job market, and lots of great housing options. It’s the perfect place to study, bring up a family, or retire. No matter where you are in your life, you can experience the wonders of the United Kingdom.
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Moving Abroad
Moving to another country is never simple but it doesn’t need to be difficult or anxiety-provoking. As long as you do your research and make sure you get all of the right documentation, you shouldn’t run into too much trouble.
There are lots of legal aspects to moving countries. When you move to the UK, you will need to fill in a number of legal forms and applications.
Then, of course, there is also the physical side of moving countries. You need to pack up your belongings and get them shipped internationally. You’ll also need to consider what you’re going to do with your existing home, and learn to speak English at a basic level.
Although there’s a lot to think about, don’t worry! We’ve put together a list of important things that you need to know if you plan on moving to the UK.
What You Need to Know if You’re Moving to the UK
Whatever the reason for your relocation to the UK, make sure you take a read of the important things that we have listed below. This will ensure that you don’t miss any essential things for your move.
Healthcare
Although there is a free healthcare system in the UK, you will need health insurance, at least for a few months. The UK government advises that every visitor has health insurance in case they fall ill or get injured and need treatment.
To access NHS facilities, you need to be an ‘ordinarily resident’, which means you need to be a legal resident of the UK. When you visit an NHS hospital or healthcare center, you may be asked to provide evidence of your residency.
If you can’t provide evidence or you’re not yet an ordinarily resident, you might be charged for your healthcare. In this case, having health insurance will significantly reduce your costs if you need to use any healthcare services.
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You will also need health insurance in the UK if you plan on accessing private healthcare facilities. Otherwise, your medical bills might be extensive.
By having health insurance, you can relax a little knowing that some of the costs of your treatment will be covered by your provider if you need to access the healthcare services.
Be aware that some forms of treatment may not be available via the NHS to those who are not UK citizens. Make sure to apply for citizenship as soon as possible so that you can gain access to a wider variety of treatments.
Citizenship
There are a few different ways to apply for British citizenship when you move to the UK. For those of you who have a British parent, you can apply for British citizenship as soon as you move to the UK.
If you are married to a British citizen or you are in a civil partnership with one, you can apply to become a British citizen yourself, as long as you have lived in the UK for at least three years. You will also need to have either indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or a settled status under something known as the EU Settlement Scheme.
The second option is to apply for the indefinite leave to remain and you could apply for this once you have lived in the UK for five years.
The application process to become a British citizen can take several months to complete. Make sure to create your application as soon as possible to get the ball rolling. The government will get in touch with you when they have reviewed your application to inform you of the outcome.
Bank Accounts
To purchase food, clothing, and any other item in the UK, you will need a UK bank account. Open up an account as soon as you move so that you have can organize your finances immediately.
It’s worth keeping your bank account open in your home country as well in case you want to revisit it in the future. Some countries require their ex-pats to continue paying taxes to retain citizenship.
For example, if you’re moving from the United States, you will need to keep your US bank account open to continue paying your state taxes but you will also need to open up a UK bank account to make purchases when you have moved.