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Planning
Moving to the UK: your to-do list

Moving to the UK: your to-do list

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A checklist of financial tasks to consider when you move to the UK

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Step number	Step title	Step full description

1	Complete a visa application if required	You can apply for a visa at a British Overseas Mission in your own country. The application can be made within three months of your intended visit – but make sure you allow enough time for the application to be processed. If your application is approved, the visa will be put in your passport. Having a visa doesn't always mean you can work in the UK: if the visa says 'prohibited' on it, you'll need a work permit to work in the UK. You can't apply for a permit yourself – your employer in the UK has to do it for you. For more information, click to read our article on Things to consider before you arrive in the UK or visit HM Revenue & Customs website. Show more

2	Make sure you have the documents you need to rent a property	Letting agents will normally require you to fill out an application and provide some rent in advance. It is likely that they will need to see photo ID such as a passport or driving licence. Many will also ask for evidence that you can afford to pay the rent, such as payslips, an employment contract, a reference from your employer, a reference from your current landlord, or bank statements. Private landlords may be less demanding but will generally ask for ID and a deposit. If you don't have all of this information, click to read our article on Things to consider before you arrive in the UK for possible solutions. Show more

3	Put utility bills and council tax in your name	Show more

4	Apply for a National Insurance (NI) number	Show more

5	Update your CV ready to apply for jobs	Some UK employers may require you to complete an application form when you apply for a job. But many will expect a letter from you stating briefly why you are interested in the position, and accompanied by a curriculum vitae, or CV, outlining your qualification, skills and career history. If you need to find work swiftly, it's a good idea to invest some time in updating your CV before you arrive in the UK. That way you can begin applying for jobs immediately. Show more

6	Get a European Health Insurance Card	Show more

7	Register as an NHS patient	Show more

8	Take out insurance	Show more

9	Sort out school places	Most schools in the UK are run by the state and are free to attend. They will, however, have different admissions criteria, for example how close to the school you live. For a list of state schools with places available, contact the education department of your local authority. They will advise you on how to apply for a place for your child. The state is obliged by law to find a school place for all UK residents, but it may not be the one nearest to your home. Show more

10	Open a bank account	If you're an existing HSBC customer, you can use our International Banking Centre in your home country to open a UK bank account before you move. However, if you prefer to wait until you're in the UK, most banks will ask for proof of your permanent UK address. This can be a problem for new arrivals, so the solution is the HSBC Passport Bank Account, for which you'll only need a valid passport or ID card, plus proof of your non-UK address. Find out more about our current accounts or read our How banking works in the UK article. Show more

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Everyone's circumstances are different and what applies to one person may not be right for someone else. The suggestions above are based on a general assumption of each planning event and they are not intended to provide advice or recommendation on your individual financial needs.

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Planning

Moving to the UK: your to-do list

Complete a visa application if required

Make sure you have the documents you need to rent a property

Put utility bills and council tax in your name

Apply for a National Insurance (NI) number

Update your CV ready to apply for jobs

Get a European Health Insurance Card

Register as an NHS patient

Take out insurance

Sort out school places

Open a bank account

You may also be interested in...

HSBC Expat Explorer

Things to consider before you arrive in the UK

How banking works in the UK

Meet the International Banking Centre team

Need financial advice?

Need to talk to us?

Start a live web chat

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