Szilvia GombolaTips for Moving to the UK
March 16th 2008 06:02
Thousands Australians and New Zealanders go to the UK every year for their big OE. I went in 1998 with the intention of working and living in London for a year or two then coming back to settle down. I loved London and put off my homecoming for a few years I finally dragged myself away in 2006.
The first six months can be hard going, so here are some tips to make life a bit easier for you.
1. Visas – There are several different types of visa for which you can apply. Check with the British Consulate for more details:
a. Working holiday visa – This is the most common visa, which almost anyone under the age of 28 years can apply for.
b. Ancestry Visa – This is what I had. For this visa, you need to have a grandparent born there prior to 1922 or something. You get four years after which you can apply for permanent residency.
c. Working Visa – This is for five years and relies on you finding an employer to sponsor you.
d. Other Visas – There are others for example if you are in a high demand profession such as teaching. Alternatively, if you have a parent born there you may even be able to get a passport.
Make sure you check out all the visa requirements with the consulate before going to the UK. Don’t go to one of those visa specialists thinking you are more likely to get a visa that way. You won’t it’s a waste of money and London exchange rates mean everything is expensive until you start earning pounds. Save all the money, you can.
2. Bank Accounts – It can be hard work opening a bank account once you get to the UK. Banks often won’t open an account for you unless you have a job. A few places won’t give you a job unless you have a bank account. It is easier to open one before you leave, most of the Australian/New Zealand banks have a relationship with a bank in the UK. Another possibility is HSBC, even though they are not big players here they are huge over there, not only that they are one of the best in my opinion.
3. Accommodation – It is easy if you know someone that lives there and you can crash on their floor until you find a job and somewhere more permanent. If not then hostels are the cheapest option they can be unpleasant though. Until you get a job, it will be difficult to get a flat in your own name so you will need to go into a share situation. If you want to stick with antipodeans the check out the www.thegumtree.com . There is also a paper called Loot, which has loads of house shares in it.
4. Finding a job – There are many recruiters looking for Australians to do anything from finance, to bar work. Pick up a copy of TNT, which is available at a number of tube stations in London. Also, seek.co.uk has many jobs as well.
5. Heathrow Injection – This a condition in which Aussies and Kiwis pack on the pounds soon after touchdown. The reasons for this are usually as follows, there are not as many healthy options for takeaway food as we have (although it’s starting to get a bit better), the weather is crap so people tend to stay in more or go to the pub, and in general people tend to drink more. Also in some cases well certainly for me, you can feel quite home sick in the first six months so there is a bit of comfort eating going on as well. I have seen the slimmest, buffest people suffer this weight gain – my advice, just go with it don’t fight it you will lose most of it as you get into a routine.
6. Homesickness – The first six months is the worst but you get over it and used to not having your family on your doorstep. After awhile you might find you prefer it that way!
7. Finally – An A-Z is the best investment you will make.
The first six months can be hard going, so here are some tips to make life a bit easier for you.
1. Visas – There are several different types of visa for which you can apply. Check with the British Consulate for more details:
a. Working holiday visa – This is the most common visa, which almost anyone under the age of 28 years can apply for.
c. Working Visa – This is for five years and relies on you finding an employer to sponsor you.
d. Other Visas – There are others for example if you are in a high demand profession such as teaching. Alternatively, if you have a parent born there you may even be able to get a passport.
Make sure you check out all the visa requirements with the consulate before going to the UK. Don’t go to one of those visa specialists thinking you are more likely to get a visa that way. You won’t it’s a waste of money and London exchange rates mean everything is expensive until you start earning pounds. Save all the money, you can.
2. Bank Accounts – It can be hard work opening a bank account once you get to the UK. Banks often won’t open an account for you unless you have a job. A few places won’t give you a job unless you have a bank account. It is easier to open one before you leave, most of the Australian/New Zealand banks have a relationship with a bank in the UK. Another possibility is HSBC, even though they are not big players here they are huge over there, not only that they are one of the best in my opinion.
4. Finding a job – There are many recruiters looking for Australians to do anything from finance, to bar work. Pick up a copy of TNT, which is available at a number of tube stations in London. Also, seek.co.uk has many jobs as well.
5. Heathrow Injection – This a condition in which Aussies and Kiwis pack on the pounds soon after touchdown. The reasons for this are usually as follows, there are not as many healthy options for takeaway food as we have (although it’s starting to get a bit better), the weather is crap so people tend to stay in more or go to the pub, and in general people tend to drink more. Also in some cases well certainly for me, you can feel quite home sick in the first six months so there is a bit of comfort eating going on as well. I have seen the slimmest, buffest people suffer this weight gain – my advice, just go with it don’t fight it you will lose most of it as you get into a routine.
6. Homesickness – The first six months is the worst but you get over it and used to not having your family on your doorstep. After awhile you might find you prefer it that way!
7. Finally – An A-Z is the best investment you will make.
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Comment by AmyHuang
Project Job Search
Travel Debate
Travel String
Love Adventures
Thankfully I'll be able to apply for a spouse visa
Comment by Sara Dobson
My Turn
You'll love it, let me know if you need any more info.
Comment by Brenton
Dr Spin
Tales From The Other Side
Blip Blog
Gadget Museum
Comment by Mountain Fog
Nice post, and very sane and informative. Next, post on what not to do, or where not to go etc, like the infamous Earls Court?
cheers
fog
Comment by Sara Dobson
My Turn
What do you suggest should be on the where not to go list? The Walkabout? or perhaps The Church?
Comment by Mountain Fog
hehe...anything remotely Aussie!
I can appreciate the feeling of home sickness, and the banding together syndrome, as some English can be very snooty with Aussies, however, I would want to immerse myself in their culture...otherwise..come back home!
Anyhoo..you're the expert, so let us know what's what and hot and what's not!!
cheers
fog