Got a Travel Buddy That Wants To Move to the UK? Here’s What They Need To Know

*This is a collaborative post on things to know before a move to the UK

For many people, life in the UK can seem like a very tranquil and ethereal way of life. Granted, thoughts of chippy dinners and walks on Hampstead Heath do portray a somewhat serene part of British life that may not be everywhere anymore, however, you can certainly find them if you look. If you have been traveling around the world, and you realise there is no place like home, no doubt you have found people that have caught on to this way of life as well. If you have friends that want to come and live in the UK, what can you do to help your travelling buddies out? 

Understanding the Legal Requirements on a Move to the UK

No matter where they’re from, they will need a valid passport, but the legal requirements depend on their nationality and background. If the individual is a student, they can apply for short-term study visas. But if they want to make the move permanently, they may have to apply for “leave to remain” status, and many people recommend these immigration lawyers for extra support. The rules can change, and of course right now, the travel bans throw up a lot of questions. It’s so important to understand the ins and outs of the process based on where that person is from. 

Understanding the Cost of Living in the UK

This is something that can be a big shock to the system, especially after the pandemic and Brexit, but when people are moving from one country to Britain, they may wonder if their finances can stretch in the British climate. The best thing to do is to understand what average items cost so they can use it as a reference to where they live. For example, a meal from McDonald’s costs, on average, £6, and the average cost of a bedroom city apartment is around £750 per month. Certainly, the expenditure can be a lot for people who move from more modest countries. 

Finding the Right Way to Make a Living

Depending on the immigration rules, and where you’re coming from, they may need to prove their abilities and that they are more qualified than British citizens. When it comes to working in the UK, a lot of people go where the work is, but there is a wide variety of options. 

Ensuring Their Health Care Is Covered when you move to the UK

This is one of the greatest things about Britain. The NHS means that we can see a doctor at little to no cost and are not required to have insurance. There are simple ways to find a doctor, such as the NHS Choices website, and it’s certainly one of the greatest things about living in the UK, especially when we realise that so many other countries charge so much for relatively little healthcare. 

Helping Them to Feel at Home

One of the best ways to do this is to put them in contact with other ex-pats. There are hundreds of groups on social media that can help them make friends. And when it comes to life in the UK, it can seem like there are a lot of hoops to jump through, but when it comes to travelling buddies that are looking to move to the UK, it’s so important that they feel it in their heart.