UK Checklist

We’ve put together a checklist of all the tasks you will need to consider and complete to help you better prepare for your relocation to the UK.
 
UK Visa Information
To work in the UK, a valid work visa must be obtained if you do not hold a UK or EU passport. Failure to do this will result in serious consequences and the highly likely outcome of deportation. You should obtain your work visa by contacting the British High Commissionat least 6 months before you leave New Zealand. They will supply you with the required information and forms to fill in. There are a number of different options:

Working Holiday Visa:
Available to Commonwealth citizens aged between 17-30 inclusive. Valid for two years however, the bearer of this visa can only work a maximum of 12 months over this period. There is no restriction on the type of employment you take as long as the employment is incidental to the holiday.

Right of Above:
Available if one of your parents was born in the UK. This means you are entirely free from UK immigration control and can live and work in the UK without restriction.

Ancestry Visa:
Available if any of your grandparents are/were British citizens. Entitles you to live and work for up to five years. This visa carries fewer restrictions than the Working Holiday Visa. You can also gain Ancestry Visa through adoptive parents and step parents (conditions apply).

Spousal Visa:
If you are married to a British person, you can apply for a one year visa after which you can apply to stay indefinitely.

Dependent Visa:
You are eligible if either your Mother or Father is a British passport holder.

Sponsorship Visa:
Employer sponsored visa. Only valid for employment by the company that sponsors you.

Highly Skilled Migrant Programme Visa:
For people who have certain skills or qualifications considered important to the UK. Applying for this visa is a fairly complex process that operates under a point scoring system. Points are scored in five main areas:
  1. Educational qualifications
  2. Work experience
  3. Past earnings
  4. Your achievement in your chosen field
  5. Your husband’s, wife’s or unmarried partner’s achievements. You need to score 65 points or more to qualify as a highly skilled migrant.
At first, you are given permission to stay in the UK for a year to seek work. After a year, you can apply to stay for longer but you must be economically active.
 
CV Guidance and Advice
Creating a positive impression to a potential employer begins with your CV. It is the foundation on which their perceptions will be based so it is important that you take time to ensure your CV makes the best impression. We have a strong understanding of the UK market and CV requirements, allowing OCG to format your CV to benefit you.
 
We will help you:
- Make sure all key details are included in your CV so no opportunity is missed because information is incomplete.
- Highlight your key transferable skills so that you will get the best position available.
- Emphasise your relevant work experience. Remember employers in the UK may not have heard of your Australian or New Zealand employer.
- Format your CV so that it is easy to read and presents all the key points at a glance.
 
Details not normally necessary in New Zealand but must be included in your UK CV include:
- Date of birth
- Visa type and status
- Arrival and Availability date
 
Banking
There are no New Zealand banks operating for public use in the UK so we strongly recommended you open a UK bank account from New Zealand before you arrive.  If you're close to a local branch of HSBC New Zealand you can walk in and enquire about opening a UK bank account.
 
You'll need:
- ID
- Proof of your current bank address
- Statements from your other bank and a minimum deposit amount
 
Consider opening a joint bank account if you are moving to the UK with your partner - it will cut down on paperwork and you'll share the minimum deposit amount.
 
Travelex is a foreign currency business that can help you open a UK bank account with HSBC.  You will need the same documents as if you walked into a branch (see above).
You can apply at Travelex New Zealand and then head to the Regent St branch of HSBC in London to collect your card and pin number.
 
Get together as much documentation as possible, including proof of ID (passport, driver's licence and/or birth certificate) and evidence of your UK address (a utility bill or lease with your name on it should be enough, but not always).  It's also worth bringing a letter from your bank at home as record of your credit history, and a letter from your agency or employer in the UK. The more documentation you have, the easier your application should be. 

Alternatively, a company who will assist you to open a UK bank account is 1st Contact who will help you get the show on the road for a small fee. This is a great way of doing it because they already have established ties with several major banks and can cut through all the rubbish.
 
The major UK banks are:
 
National Insurance
Everyone working in the UK pays National Insurance (NI) in addition to their normal taxes.  National Insurance pays for pensions and health services. Most employers require your National Insurance number before you start work and it's a good idea to get one as soon as possible as it makes it easier to access hospital services. Numbers are issued through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and getting one can be a hassle.
 
Once you arrive in the UK you can apply for your National Insurance number.  Phone 0044 (0) 845-6000 643 from 8am-6pm Monday-Friday to arrange an appointment.
 
Take your passport, a letter confirming you are employed or registered with an agency and two or three other pieces of ID. Within eight weeks you’ll get a number in the post.
 
Alternatively, if you’ve already started working, your employer may be able to apply for a National Insurance number on your behalf.
 
Healthcare
To find a doctor in the UK is not difficult, but there is certain procedures that you will need to adhere to:
  • Don't wait until you get sick to register with a doctor in the UK.
  • Private treatment tends to be exorbitant, so chances are you’ll be using the National Health Service (NHS).
  • You'll have to register with a doctor, before making an appointment.
Registering with a doctor:
  • Find a doctor in your local area then ring to see if they are accepting new patients.
  • Once you register you might be asked to come in for a free health check.
  • Doctors’ consultations are free in the UK - as is the contraception pill.
  • If you fall ill and you haven't registered with a doctor, you can use an NHS walk-in centre. Medicine needs to be paid for, but pregnancy tests, the contraceptive pill, condoms and other forms of contraception are free.
Dentists can also be NHS-registered, but you will need to pay for anything cosmetic as a private patient.
 
Accommodation
Finding accommodation when you first go to the UK can be a job in itself. It can also be expensive but this shouldn’t put you off as your earnings can match the cost of living. However, there are many options such as hostels and hotels that provide budget accommodation before you find longer-term accommodation.

Good sources of accommodation listings include:

TNT Online carries accommodation listings each week, and is widely available for free outside tube stations and locations such as New Zealand House.

The classified advertising newspaper Loot also carries extensive listings. Local and regional papers carry accommodation advertisements and listings for flatmates wanted and houses and flats to let.

One of the most popular forms of accommodation advertising in London is the Gumtree website. You can also post free advertisements seeking accommodation this site.
 
There is a huge variation in the cost of living across the UK. London being the most expensive location, you can expect to pay anything from £100 - £200 per person/per week for a bedroom/flat.

To save unnecessary stress and avoid any confusion later on, you may want to consider asking the following questions:
  • Is the property furnished or will you have to provide any or some of your own furniture?
  • What bills are included in the cost of the rent and what are counted as extra?
  • Exactly how much landlords are charging per month? (Some advertisements mislead you by giving a weekly rate)
Additional charges you need to be aware:
  • Most landlords require a months rent plus a deposit/bond which can be up to 6 weeks worth of rent
  • Council tax
  • Water/sewage rates
  • Gas
  • Electricity
  • Telephone connection fees (and maybe a bond against your phone bill)
  • TV license
Cost of Living
Britain is a relatively expensive place to live with London being one of the most expensive cities in Europe. Still, don’t be put off - as mentioned earlier, your earnings in London tend to be proportionately better than elsewhere.

The following figures, based on London prices, aim to provide a rough guide to the cost of eating/drinking out in the UK (all prices are approximate):

Food:

  • McDonald's meal: £3-£4
  • A week's groceries: £40
  • Pub lunch: £6-10
  • Restaurant meal: £20+
Alcohol:
  • Wine from the supermarket: £6
  • A six-pack of lager from an off-licence: £5-6
  • A pint at the pub: £3.20
Entertainment:
  • Gigs: £20-30
  • Movie tickets: £5-£15
Museums and art galleries:
  • Mostly free
Travel:
  • Single bus journey: £1 (on Oyster) or £2
  • Zone 1-2 day travelcard (peak): $7.20
  • Zone 1-2 travelcard weekly: $25.80
  • Zone 1-3 travelcard weekly: £30.20
A tip of about 10% is generally expected if you eat out at a restaurant, unless the service is unsatisfactory. Some restaurants include a service charge on the bill, in which case a tip is unnecessary.

Transport
Pick up a tube map and an Oyster Card as soon as you arrive and memorise the Transport for London web address - www.tfl.gov.uk - it's journey planner is extremely useful.
 
You should also buy a London A-Z street directory (available at all good newsagents) - every Londoners bible.
 
London Underground:
  • The London Underground, or 'the tube', has 275 stations and is the world's oldest subterranean transport system.
  • It runs from about 5.30am until just after midnight
  • The map of its network is made up of 12 colour-coded lines, including the DLR (Docklands Light Rail) in the east.
  • The tube can be crowded during rush hour and is prone to delays and breakdowns (refurbishment expected by 2020).
  • However, the tube is usually the quickest way to get from point A to B.
  • Avoid peak times and your journey should be smooth.
London buses:
  • The red bus network is cheaper, but often slower, than the tube or train. Routes reach every corner of the capital.
  • Night buses - with the letter 'N' before the route number - run all night.
  • Single tickets for the bus can only be used once per journey and can't be carried onto other buses.
  • If you want to make multiple journeys by bus it's best to use an Oyster card or Bus Pass/Travelcard.
National Rail:
  • Travelling to some parts of suburban London is best accomplished on mainline rail services.
  • Again, the network is complicated, but all the information you need will be on the Transport for London website.
Tickets and zones:
  • London's Underground and rail network is divided into six zones and the price of your ticket dependents on which zones your journey covers.
  • Zone 1 covers Central London, with Zones 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 spiralling in rings around it.
  • An Oyster card is the most convenient and cheapest way to travel.  It's an electronic smartcard-type ticket that will save you money.  It can can be used on the Underground, the bus network and some Overland services.  Can be bought from any station or ticket stop (there's a £3 refundable deposit). Make sure you register the card so that you can get the Oyster card replaced if it gets lost. In some instances, you may be able to get the money you had on the lost card transferred to the new one.
  • Pay As You Go - Once you have the Oyster card you add any amount of money on it and the fare is then docked from your Oyster card when you pass through the ticket barriers or board a bus. Unfortunately you cannot use Pay As You Go on mainline trains (but your Travelcards are valid).  When the money runs out, you simply add more to your card at one of the ticket machines in every station. You can also set up the Oyster so it automatically tops itself up from your bank account.  A Zone 1 tube journey costs £1.50 when paid with an Oyster card, but £4 if paid in cash. Your Oyster card is also capped at a daily amount. Similarly, a journey on any bus service costs 90p when paid by Oyster but £2 in cash (approximate prices).
Travelcards:
  • Season tickets, called Travelcards, are also available and allow the holder unlimited tube and train travel in the designated zones (and bus travel in all zones).
  • Travelcards covering Zones 1 and 2 cost £6.80 a day at peak times, £24.20 a week, £93 a month and a whopping £968 a year (approximate prices).
  • You can also get a Bus Pass for travel on buses only for £3.50 a day, £13 a week, £50 a month and £520 a year (approximate prices).
Other transport options:
  • Black cabs are as famous as London's red buses, and they don't only come in the black variety. You can hail them on the street - if the light is on, they're available. They're pricey, but can seat up to five people.
  • Minicabs are ordinary, unmetered cars which operate as taxis. Transport for London has numbers for licensed minicab firms. You can book by phone or in person from the company's offices, which are located all over the city.  It's illegal for minicab drivers to pick up passengers on the street. Fares should be agreed in advance and are usually cheaper than black cabs. There are many unlicensed and illegal taxis operating in London. Use them at your own risk! There is a high rate of women sexually assaulted by illegal minicab drivers, so it's best to be careful.
  • Cycling is the cheapest, easiest and, sometimes, quickest way to get around London. Log on to the London Cycling Campaign to find a bike shop in London (including second-hand bike shops). People who join London Cycling Campaign get up to 15% off bikes and accessories at the listed shops, which can save you a packet on your new wheels. Don't forget to invest in a decent lock!.
Driving in the UK:
  • Second-hand cars are relatively cheap in the UK. But before you start scouring the local classifieds, keep in mind that the additional costs can quickly add up: insurance, MOT, vehicle licence and parking expenses could have you broke before you even reach the petrol station. And then there’s the traffic to consider.
  • Getting a UK licence - New Zealand, Australian and South African licences are only valid in the UK for the first 12 months you’re a resident there. If you stay longer, your best bet is to exchange your foreign licence for a full British one.  To do this, you need to contract the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency. You will not get your foreign licence back as it will be returned to your home licensing authority. Upon returning home, you will be able to re-exchange your British licence.
  • International Driving Permits are not exchangeable.
  • Buying a used car - Check the car has a current vehicle licence or tax disc.  Check the vehicle has a current MOT certificate.  Have an independent inspection carried out by a mechanic. Organise compulsory insurance for the vehicle. With the seller, sign the joint declaration on the V5C form. Be sure to take the detachable slip.
Get Mobile
Having a mobile phone is a must in the UK, especially if you have just arrived and looking for a job. You need to be contactable 24-7 or be able to set off in a hurry when that temping shift comes up.  The mobile phone is of course also indispensable for keeping in touch with home. The UK has a competitive and cheap mobile market. Phone contract plans last 12-18 months and offer cheaper call charges. Getting a prepay SIM card deals is as easy as walking into a shop - if you already have a handset.  But shop around!
 
Contract:
  • You are billed for calls and monthly subscriptions, usually over a term of 12 months
  • There is a wider choice of handsets and services
  • Call charges are generally cheaper
  • You will usually get inclusive call minutes and text messages (for instance, 250 minutes to any network and 200 free texts a month)
  • There are usually fees if you want to exit early.
Pay-as-you-go:
  • You pay before making calls, topping up your account with vouchers or your credit/debit card
  • There are no credit checks before signing up or minimum contract period
  • Handset and service choices are limited
  • It is easy to control spending, but you will not get a bill and it may actually prove more expensive in the long-term.
Using your phone abroad:
  • You can get yourself a travel SIM - this will enable you to use your mobile handset to make and receive calls in many different countries without paying expensive roaming charges paid by the service providers of your host country.
  • If you pick your travel SIM carefully, you could save up to 90% of what it could have cost you because in most cases it is free to receive calls and you only pay for the calls you make or the text you send.
  • Make sure your phone is compatible with the frequency used in your chosen country and that it is unlocked for the use of SIM cards from other providers than the provider you purchased your phone from.

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