When leaving the country you have grown up and developed a life in, moving to a new country can be a very unnerving task. If you’re moving to the uk you probably know it isn’t the biggest country in the world in terms of land space, but it is still one of the most desirable places to live in because of the infrastructure and general lifestyle available in the country. There can be a number of reasons why you want to make the move in to the UK, you may be coming to study, have a new job or you could just be ready for a fresh start? Whatever your reason, here is some guidance that may be helpful when moving to the UK.
Getting your Visa
The first thing you should be aware of is that if you’re moving to the UK you should be prepared to fill in a lot of paperwork. Until Brexit comes in to force, if you are from outside the EU and wanting to live in the country you will need to get a visa. Once Brexit has been fully implemented, if you’re from an EU country you will also need to apply for a visa. The visa you get will be one that it is relevant to your reason for moving e.g. a student visa or a work visa. These should be fairly straightforward to complete, but if there are any issues or problems, it’s advised that applicants consider contacting immigration lawyers, like JMR Solicitors. They can help people to correctly apply for visas.
Along with this, if English isn’t your first language you will be required to undergo a test known as the IELTS (International English language Testing System), which purpose is to show your employers or education providers that you can read and write in English to the required standard. There are also a number of official follow up procedures after you have moved to the UK. The most common one is where you may have to apply for an indefinite leave to remain as a way to confirm your immigration status once you have been in the country for 5 years. The reason this is done is to make sure you are still in the UK for the reason you stated when you first moved over. The UK definitely like to make sure you are kept on your toes!
Finding Accommodation
When moving to the UK, another big thing will be to sort out a place to live. When you initially come to the country, the government can help you get on your feet by providing you a temporary place to live until you can get somewhere permanent. When coming here to study your university will have student hall accommodation that you can stay in, these are a great option because they give you the opportunity to meet literally hundreds of people and is a great way to integrate yourself with local people as well as other international students.
When it comes to the stage of getting your own house to live in it is important to be wary of landlords in the UK, as sometimes if they know you are arriving from a foreign country they look to take advantage by either charging too much or putting clauses in the contract that can allow them to raise the price or even evict without notice. This sadly is a pertinent issue with landlords in the UK and as a way to avoid it you may want to look at some conveyancing solicitors that can study your contract and ensure you don’t face any of these problems.
The People
People in the UK are generally a very friendly bunch of people and this the case if you are enjoying a few drinks, having a day out shopping or going to a sports match. This is because the people there will probably have common interests with you and they will love talking about them. There is also the humorous politeness of the majority of people in the UK. A great example of this you will often find a person in the high-street saying sorry even if you were the person who bumped in to them!
The NHS
The NHS (National Health Service) is arguably one of the best things that come with living in the UK. The reason for this is because everyone is permitted to free healthcare. To get make sure you get this it is all you need to do is register with a GP and you will receive the right to travel vaccinations, free injury treatment, contraception and so on.
Places to See
There are also some wonderful places to see in the UK. These can all cater for whatever type of lifestyle you prefer. If you love the music scene, the UK has a huge number of festivals that take place every year, including the world famous Glastonbury. If you love seeing green scenery and enjoy the views, there is no better place than the Yorkshire Dales. Of course there are also the famous landmarks in London: Buckingham Palace, The Big Ben, The London Eye and Madame Tussauds. The UK also offers a number beaches where you can visit, including Scarborough where you can try their famous Fish & Chips!
To Sum Up
To conclude, the UK is without a doubt one of the best countries to live in. This is demonstrated through the wealth and infrastructure that has been put in place in the country, as well as the (generally) nice people who live there. You want to make sure that you have fully researched all the legal aspects of moving to the country beforehand to prevent any issues arising. But rest assured, the UK is a wonderful place to live.