How to Prepare for Your Move to the UK

The United Kingdom is one of the most desirable countries for immigration. According to the ranking of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the United Kingdom is the 7th most attractive country for highly skilled migrants (professionals, prospective students and start-up founders).

This guide will help you find out how to become a resident of the UK, what difficulties will be waiting for you with a move to this country and how you can prepare for them in advance.

What visa do you need to immigrate to the UK

First thing first, to move to the UK you will need a long-term visa. Unlike a tourist visa, which is valid for a maximum of 6 months and does not allow you to work or study in the country, a long-term visa allows you to stay for several years. This visa can be extended without leaving the UK and in most cases leads to permanent residency and citizenship.

How to move to the UK to study

If you’re planning to come to the UK for long-term study in the hope of staying afterwards, the first step: you need to get a Student Visa.

A British student visa is usually granted for the duration of your studies. The visa will be valid for between 2 and 5 years, depending on the programme you enrol on.

International students in the UK can work. However, your work must not interfere with your studies. The number of hours per week you are allowed to work depends on the number of hours you need to successfully complete your programme.

This immigration category does not lead to permanent residency or UK citizenship. However, years of study can be counted as part of the minimum period of residence required for permanent residence. If you wish to stay, you will need to apply for a Graduate Trainee or Skilled Worker visa after you have completed your studies.

Can I go to a British college or university straight after school?

Yes, it is possible. But you will first need to prove that you have the right level of education to be a British school graduate by passing exams and demonstrating sufficient English language skills.

If you do not fulfil these requirements, you will have to make up the difference. There is an International Foundation programme that prepares students from other countries for British universities. Or you can take an A-Level programme, which is the equivalent of the last two years of a British school.

Some institutions are willing to accept foreign students who have successfully completed their first year of university in their home country.

How to choose a university?

We recommend that you pay attention to the following aspects:

• If a university can admit international students. Your British university must have a sponsor licence – permission from the immigration authorities to admit applicants from abroad to its first year of study;
• Tuition Costs;
• If a university has preliminary courses that can help you get admitted into the right department;
• Benefits and incentive programmes for students. First of all, these are scholarships for studies from various non-governmental foundations. Some educational institutions also offer favourable admission conditions for citizens of former British colonies.

How do I apply for admission to a UK university?

Most higher education institutions use a centralised online application service, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). The exception is the oldest British universities, which have their own admission procedures for international students.

How to move to the UK for work

If you want to come to work in the UK, you will need a Skilled Worker Visa.

The period of stay on a Skilled Worker visa usually corresponds to the duration of your employment contract, but cannot exceed 5 years. The visa can be extended if necessary. And after 5 years of residence in the UK you can apply for ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain).

To qualify for this visa category, you must:

• obtain a work invitation or sign a long-term employment contract with a UK company holding a sponsorship licence;
• to work in one of the professions from the Shortage Occupation List;
• to receive wages not lower than the limits set by the government;
• have sufficient experience and knowledge, as well as English proficiency;
• have enough personal funds to cover the cost of medical care for the entire period of stay in the country and to support yourself and your family for the first few months.

How do I know if my profession is in demand in the UK?

Having an occupation from the Shortage List is one of the main conditions for obtaining a Skilled Worker visa. We recommend checking the list on the official British government website gov.uk or you can contact Imperial & Legal for advice.

Why is an English employer called a sponsor?

The UK immigration authorities regulate the employment of foreigners through a system of sponsorship licences. A sponsorship licence gives an organisation the right to employ foreigners on a permanent basis.

Sponsor status means that a company can:

• Create the necessary working conditions for the foreign employee, including wages not lower than the limits set by the authorities for his/her profession;
• Manage the sponsorship licence effectively. This includes notifying the UK immigration authorities in time about any changes relating to visiting employees.

By providing a certificate of sponsorship, the UK employer is informing the Home Office that they are indeed employing you and are committed to paying you a suitable salary. Furthermore, if the visiting professional does not have sufficient personal savings to move to England, the inviting party becomes a sponsor literally taking care of all the essential expenses of the foreign worker.

What should I do if I change my employer in the UK?

If you change your employer, you need to obtain a new sponsorship certificate and apply for a new visa. The UK authorities give foreign specialists 3 months to complete this task.

How to move to the UK if you are a talented professional

The UK authorities are keen to attract the best professionals to their country in the following areas:

• academic science and scientific research;
• digital technologies;
• art and culture.

If you are a gifted engineer, a sought-after musician, a research scientist with a high citation index in the scientific press or, for example, a cutting-edge medical researcher, a Global Talent visa – a special immigration category for talented professionals to move to England – might suit you.

Both established professionals with extensive experience and international recognition in their field, as well as promising young specialists can be eligible for the Global Talent visa.

The Global Talent visa is issued for a period of 3 to 5 years. After that, the visa can be extended or, if you meet the requirements, you can apply for permanent resident status (ILR).

The Global Talent visa allows you to work as an employee or run a business. You do not have to inform the Home Office if you change jobs. However, if you plan to stay in the UK after your visa expires, you should work in the field you have applied for.

How do I get a Global Talent visa?

The Global Talent visa process can be divided into 3 steps:

1. Prove that you are in fact a gifted professional. To do this, you will need to write a detailed CV, list your most significant achievements, and obtain letters of recommendation from respected people in your field.
2. Get an approval from a professional organisation authorised by the UK authorities.
3. Submit your visa application and documents.

Can I get a Global Talent visa without the approval of an authorised organisation?

You won’t need a letter of approval, if you are a winner of a prestigious international award or competition. In this case, your prize is already sufficient grounds for the UK immigration authorities to grant a Global Talent visa. A list of awards recognised by the UK authorities can be found on the official government portal.

Also, approval will not be required if:

1. You have been awarded a personalised research fellowship to work in England.
2. You have been awarded a research grant that has the approval of the UK Research and Innovation public organisation.

How to move to the UK to do business

For foreign entrepreneurs planning to move to the UK there is an Innovator Founder visa.

This type of business visa replaces the other two categories, the Founder visa and the Investor visa. The new visa has a number of advantages over its predecessors, as the Innovator Founder:

• no longer have to invest heavily in their business;
• after 3 years can extend their status without switching to another type of visa;
• allowed to work for another employer, which is especially important for aspiring foreign entrepreneurs.

What requirements must a future Innovator Founder meet?

Most importantly, your business idea must be approved by one of the UK government authorised organisations.

You will also need to prove that you have at least B2 English proficiency. You can take one of the recognised tests. Or if you received your education in English at a recognised university, to show your diploma will be enough.

What criteria are used to evaluate a Innovator Founder’s business idea?

There are 4 parameters against which your future business will be assessed by an authorised organisation and the UK immigration authorities:

1. Novelty. An Innovator Founder cannot simply join a business project that already exists in the country;
2. Innovation. Your product must be different from existing offerings in the UK market;
3. Viability. Your business must have the potential to grow. In other words, you must have the experience and/or the right professional qualifications, as well as the resources to successfully implement your business idea;
4. Scalability. Your business plan should be designed to create new jobs in the UK, successed on the local market and, in the future, expand internationally.

How long can I stay in the UK on an Innovator Founder visa?

The entrepreneur visa is issued for 3 years. Every 12 months you must meet with representatives of the authorised organisation to show how your company is developing.

The authority that approved your idea reserves the right to reconsider its decision if your business does not perform well. On the other hand, if you invest time and effort in developing your business, you may be able to extend your immigration status after 3 years.

If your company is successful, you can apply for permanent residency already after 3 years of living in the UK.

How to move to the UK on a spouse visa

Spouse visa is the most common type of family visa. This category is suitable if you are a spouse or civil partner of:

• a citizen of Great Britain or Ireland;
• a permanent resident of the UK;
• a citizen of an EU country, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland or Liechtenstein, who has resided in the country before 1 January 2021 and who has a pre-approval for a UK residence permit;
• a person who has permission to stay in England as a stateless person;
• refugee – a person under the protection of the British state.

The visa is granted for 30 months if you switch to this category while in the UK and 33 months if you apply from abroad. After this period the visa can be extended for a further 30 months.

A 5 year stay in the country under this category entitles you to apply for permanent residency, after which you can apply for British citizenship immediately.

What are the requirements for a Spouse visa applicant?

Firstly, you will need to prove the authenticity of the relationship with your partner.

• If it is an officially registered marriage or partnership, the relevant documents must be prepared.
• If you did not have a wedding, you need to prove that you lived together with your partner for at least last 2 years.
• To confirm that your relationship is real, you can also include photos, tickets from joint trips, copies of correspondence or shared bank statements.

You also need to prove that the partner is financially capable of supporting you. To do this you need to demonstrate an income of at least £29,000 per annum. This income can come from wages, pensions, business income, dividends etc. You can also rely on savings. Your income can only be taken into account if you already live in the UK.

In addition, you should have at least A1 English proficiency. To prove your language level, you will need to take a test or provide evidence that you received your education in English at an institution in the United Kingdom or other English-speaking countries.

What should you do if you are only planning to get married?

If you are engaged to an English partner, your immigration route will be slightly different:

1. First you will need to apply for a Fiancé/Fiancé visa. This visa is valid for 6 months and allows you to enter the country to get married.
2. Once you come to the UK, you need to get married and formalise a spousal relationship with your partner.
3. Apply for a Spouse Visa.

How to move to the UK with your family

Most long-term visas allow the applicant to bring with them to the UK their immediate family members – husband or wife and minor children. However, you must prove that you are able to financially support all members of the family.

In the case of a student visa, only those who have come to study on a PhD programme can bring family members. Bachelor’s and Master’s students cannot bring relatives.

How much is the application fee for a long-term visa?

The fee you must pay applying for a visa can vary significantly depending on the category you choose. You can see the registration fees for the most popular types of UK visas in the table below:

For each relative moving with you you will have to pay exactly the same amount as for the main applicant, regardless of the age of the dependent. Moreover, in the case of spouses and children of Global Talent visa applicants, the fee will be £716, not £192. The registration fee is non-refundable.

Please note that in addition to the application fee, every applicant for a long-term UK visa must pay the IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge) – a fee for the right to use the British medical system. The IHS will have to be paid in full, for the entire duration of the visa, at the time of application.

In 2024 the cost of the IHS is £1035 per year for adults and £776 per year for children and students. Unlike the visa fee, which is non-refundable, the IHS can be refunded in the event of a visa refusal.

How do I apply for permanent residence and UK citizenship?

In order to qualify for permanent residence status you must first live in the UK for a long period of time. This period is between 3 and 5 years and varies for different visa categories. You must not leave the country for more than 180 days in any 12 months of your stay. Certain categories (such as student visas) do not allow you to apply for a residence permit at all.

In addition, in most cases, to obtain ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain), in other words permanent resident status, you will have to prove a higher level of English than was required when you applied for the original visa. You will also have to pass a test on British history and daily life.

In order to obtain British citizenship, you need to live in the UK for another year as a permanent resident. The exception here is the partners of British citizens, who can apply for citizenship immediately after receiving ILR.

How do I prepare my personal finances for a move to England?

Tax resident

Moving to the UK does not automatically make you a tax resident. This status requires a long period of residence and strong connections. To determine your tax status, take our tax residency test.

Regardless of whether you are tax resident in the UK, you will be liable to pay tax on all income earned in the UK.

What is net equity

Under UK law, money earned before you became an English tax resident is considered net capital and is not taxed. Only money in a bank account is classed as net capital.

On this basis, we recommend:

• Firstly, before you are recognised as a UK tax resident, convert all your tangible assets outside the country into cash. Simply put, sell them, otherwise you will have to pay capital gains taxes later;
• Secondly, set up separate bank accounts for new income and never allow net worth to be commingled with other funds.

All of this will need to be done in advance, preferably before the move.

UK tax residents are required to declare all their income and pay tax on every penny they receive. A tax adviser from a trusted company will be a good help in dealing with such matters.

Where will I and my family live in the UK?

Depending on your income and personal preferences, you can buy a house or flat or rent a place to live.

Property in the United Kingdom is not cheap, but this does not mean that only the richest immigrants buy it. The country has extremely low bank interest rates on mortgages, allowing even people with average incomes to buy a home on credit.

Taxes and charges when buying a home in England

The British have no tax on possession, but you will pay stamp duty, valuer’s fees and solicitor’s fees when you buy. There are tax deductions available by law to save on stamp duty if the value of your property is below a certain amount.

In addition, any residential property has a cost of ownership, which includes an annual council tax in addition to utilities, and a fee to the landowner (if you have bought a non-freehold property).

Renting accommodation in England

To rent a home, you will first need to prove your ability to pay. You will need to show the landlord your employment contract, bank statement and other assets. A tenancy agreement in the UK is usually for a minimum of one year and often requires payment in advance.

In order to draw up a competent rental offer and clarify the details of the contract, you need the help of qualified lawyers. Their involvement will protect you from unnecessary problems in the future.

The Imperial & Legal team will also be happy to help find homes for rent or sale. Thanks to our close co-operation with estate agents, we have access to accommodation even before it is advertised for sale or rent.

Where should I send my children to study?

According to the World Population Review Education Rankings, the UK education system is ranked second in the world. British universities are regularly ranked among the top 10 best universities in the world.

There are many both public and public schools in the country. However, the level of education can vary greatly from one school to another. Therefore, many people prefer to send their children to more expensive public schools, hoping to guarantee a brilliant future for them. However, it should be realised that even a student who is admitted on a commercial basis will have to study hard, otherwise he or she will simply be expelled.

How do you bring your pets in?

To bring your pets to the UK, you should take care of their documents and vaccinations at least six months before you move to the UK. The fact is that for a long time the British Isles had a strict quarantine and did not allow the importation of dogs and cats from the continent. Since then, the rules have relaxed considerably, but even now, to bring your dog, you need to:

1. Make sure that your dog is not a breed prohibited in the Kingdom.
2. Make a European veterinary passport for the pet.
3. Implant a microchip with an identification number.
4. Have a rabies vaccination at least three weeks before departure. In addition, a blood test for rabies antibodies is performed three months prior to entry.
5. Carry out parasite treatment.
6. Obtain a veterinary certificate about your pet’s health condition shortly before departure.

In the case of a cat, there will be a little less paperwork. If you are bringing a parrot, you will have to vaccinate it against bird flu. Failure to comply with import regulations will result in your pet being quarantined for 4 months or put to sleep.

How do you adapt faster in a new place?

Those who have long since moved to the United Kingdom advise new immigrants:

• Try to find out more about the UK before you leave. It may be worth visiting your chosen city on a tourist visa first. However, in this case, try to avoid the traditional tourist routes. Pay more attention to everyday life in the UK;
• Don’t confine yourself to immigrants from your own country. Look for new comrades among the natives;
• Actively learn English, even if you are not required to do so;
• Do not abandon your old habits, rituals and family traditions in the new place. Perhaps your favourite things from home, the transport of which can be organised in advance, will give you the necessary mental comfort.

Imperial & Legal’s qualified specialists are ready to take on the organisation of your move to the UK – from developing a tailor-made solution to obtaining the necessary visa, to finding property and educational institutions for your children, to starting a business and optimising your taxes.