Get your money sorted
Make sure your money is where you’ll need to use it. It’s no good having your savings tied up in a bank account at home and having to pay huge fees every time you make a withdrawal.You’re going to have to open a UK bank account, and while this can be tricky it is far from impossible. If you plan on working in the UK, you’ll need a UK bank account to receive your hard-earned Pounds.For holiday makers, we recommend using either your internationally-enabled Visa or Mastercard debit card, or your credit card for all your purchases while abroad.
Get your accommodation sorted
Whether it’s a backpackers for the first few nights or a friend or family member’s place for a few weeks (or months!) you’ll need to have a home base. If you’re going on your own, it’s not a bad idea to find cheap accommodation, like a backpackers, for the first week or two so you can look for more permanent digs when you arrive in the UK.It’s tough to find apartments to live in from another continent and it’s much easier to get the perfect deal if you’re looking at a place in person.
Get your visa and BRP card sorted
This may sound strange, but: Make sure you’re on the right visa. If you’re travelling from Australia you don’t need a visa to enter the UK, but, if you want to work there, you will need to apply for the appropriate working visa before you arrive (Tier 2 and Tier 5 visas are the most popular for workers). If you’re on the wrong visa, you could end up getting deported and barred from visiting the UK for a period of time.If you intend on staying in the UK for longer than six months, you’ll need to apply for a biometric residence permit (BRP). You can often apply for BRP from your home country, but it’s best to check the specific requirements for your passport and visa type. This can get quite complex so it’s best to chat to a UK visas expert about this to make sure you’re covered.It’s also worth creating electronic copies of your visa and other important documents, so that if you lose the hard copies you’re not in a complete pickle.
Find a job
For those travellers who are making their stay a little more permanent (provided you have the right visa), you’re going to need to find a way to pay those pesky bills. Whether it is waitering, interning or working in a highly skilled role, it’s a good idea to put together a list of jobs you’d be willing to do.To increase your chances of going on a successful job hunt, you’ll need a properly formatted CV. The UK has quite specific standards when it comes to resumes, so be sure to check out a guide before you draft yours.
Find a pub
Remember, moving to the UK is not just about travel documents and opening bank accounts. Don’t forget that you’re about to embark on an adventure and you should approach it as such. Find out what there is to do in your new home and set aside time when you first arrive to soak up the sights and sounds.Explore your surroundings when you arrive, make new friends at the local pub, join an outdoors club or a society; just get out there and see what the UK has to offer.
Get someone else to do the heavy lifting
Our Kickstart packages help you get your life started in the UK. As a Kickstart client, we can sort you out with your own UK bank account, SIM card and National Insurance number. You’ll also get a free forex transfer, accommodation suggestions, career advice and loads of other goodies that’ll help you get your life in the UK off to a flyer.Let us take care of the admin while you get on with enjoying and living your new life.
Send an email to our Kickstart team and they’ll help you pick the right package for you. Head to our website if you’d like to browse all our package options.
