Living and Working In The UK: What You Need To Know

The UK is a wonderful place to live and to work. It often tempts others to travel to and enjoy these benefits for themselves, and their families. However, before you set your sights on immigration to the UK there are a number of facts you need to learn and there are procedures that you will have to follow in order to make this possible. Here we will look at living and working in the UK and the details that you need to know.

With so much to consider it is possible that a number of factors may be overlooked. This guide is to help you have the best chance of achieving your desire to live and work in the UK.

UK Visas

The UK is currently a member of the European Union. But this is likely to change, without the certainty of yet knowing when this might be. In order to move to the UK, it is important that you consider the need for the correct UK Visa. Without a Visa, you will not be permitted to reside and you could even be removed. Of course being in the EU means that not everybody need apply for a Visa to visit or work in the UK, but it is better to check this fact before travelling rather than upon arrival.

There are so many Visas, from UK Skilled Migrant Visas, Study Visas, UK Visit Visas, UK Spouse Visas and even Entrepreneur Visas, even the list alone can be daunting. To find out which is appropriate for you, speak to a Visa specialist, who will be able to provide you with an assessment of what you need and the papers and processes required to get it.

Employment

The UK has a diverse employment sector, with various opportunities from manufacturing to the service sector and everything in-between. Part of your right to reside, however, will mean the ability to support yourself and your family. This is usually achieved through employment. To work, you may need a UK Work Visa, and therefore all of these factors are interlinked. A good place to search for work is https://www.gov.uk/jobsearch but in order for this to work best, you need to know where you’ll be living.

Money

You will, of course, be gaining money from any employment or you may be bringing money in the form of savings with you. If so, it is advisable to have a UK bank account, and with this also a National Insurance Number.

Accommodation

Deciding to come to the UK to live or work is one thing, but although the island may only seem small, it is a culturally diverse place. There are rural and urban areas, large towns and cities and small villages. Where you live may affect where you work or vice versa. Get to know the different areas as much as possible to ensure that you choose the right one.

Once you have a location, you must then decide on whether to buy a property in which to live or rent. There are pros and cons to both, such as the mobility of renting, but the lack of security etc. Knowing where you will put down your roots is essential.

To come to the UK is a big decision to make. However, with every decision, it must be right for you as well as right for others. There are rules regarding UK Visas and these have to be followed. After all, achieving any dream usually takes a little work.