Moving to the UK: the practical guide
Visas, National Insurance numbers, NHS registration, renting and banking. The full sequence from visa grant to settled in.
The UK front-loads its migration admin: visa, healthcare surcharge and biometrics all happen before you fly. Once you land, the priorities flip to a National Insurance number, a bank account and a rental market that moves fast in the major cities.
This is general information, not migration advice. Visa requirements and eligibility depend on your individual circumstances, and rules change. For advice specific to your situation, speak with an OISC-regulated adviser or immigration solicitor.
Pick your starting country below for the visa pathways and costs that apply to you.
Want the whole move mapped out for you, not just this piece of it? The Ultimate Relocation Guide is a paid, step-by-step guide (from AUD $59) covering visas, money, housing and your first 90 days for your exact move.
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Latest guides for United Kingdom
7 September 2026
Bringing Your Parents to the UK: What Canadians Need to Know
The UK has no general parent visa. Here's the honest truth about the Adult Dependent Relative route for Canadians: what the care test really requires, what it costs, and why most applications fail.
7 September 2026
Bringing Your Parents to the UK: What New Zealanders Need to Know
The UK has no general parent visa. Here's the honest truth about the Adult Dependent Relative route for New Zealanders: what the care test really requires, what it costs, and why most applications fail.
7 September 2026
Bringing Your Parents to the UK: What Australians Need to Know
The UK has no general parent visa. Here's the honest truth about the Adult Dependent Relative route for Australians: what the care test really requires, what it costs, and why most applications fail.
7 September 2026
Partner Visa to the UK: What Australians Need to Know
A practical guide to bringing a partner to the UK from Australia: eligibility, real costs, processing time and what to plan for.
7 September 2026
Partner Visa to the UK: What Canadians Need to Know
A practical guide to bringing a partner to the UK from Canada: eligibility, real costs, processing time and what to plan for.
7 September 2026
Partner Visa to the UK: What New Zealanders Need to Know
A practical guide to bringing a partner to the UK from New Zealand: eligibility, real costs, processing time and what to plan for.
26 August 2026
Getting a SIM Card and Mobile Plan in the UK: A Guide for Australians
Which SIM-only plans work best for new arrivals from Australia, including no-credit-check options, verified as at 26 Aug 2026.
26 August 2026
Bringing Your Pet from Australia to the UK: Rules and Timeline
Australia is a 'listed' country under the UK's pet travel rules, meaning no rabies blood test, plus one Australia-specific step for cats. Verified against gov.uk today.
26 August 2026
Getting Your UK National Insurance Number: A Guide for Australians
Your National Insurance number is the UK's equivalent of an Australian Tax File Number. Here's how Australians apply, what's needed, and how long it takes, verified as at 26 Aug 2026.
26 August 2026
Australian Super and Your UK Pension: What Happens When You Move
How Australian superannuation and a UK pension interact when you relocate, what stays locked until preservation age, and why there's no direct transfer scheme in this direction. Verified as at 26 Aug 2026.
26 August 2026
Culture Shock: What Australians Don't Expect About Life in the UK
Shared language and decades of backpacker history make the UK look like an easy move from Australia. Here's what actually catches Australians off guard once they're living there.
26 August 2026
London vs Manchester vs Edinburgh: Where Should Australians Live?
Comparing London, Manchester and Edinburgh for Australians on job markets, cost, climate and how easy each is to settle into as a newcomer.
26 August 2026
Tax in the UK: What Australians Need to Know in Their First Year
The UK tax year, current income tax bands, UK tax residency rules and what happens to a HECS-HELP debt overseas, for Australians newly arrived in the UK. Verified as at 26 Aug 2026.
26 August 2026
Moving Money from Canada to the UK: The Cheapest and Fastest Ways
Bank transfers between Canada and the UK are slow and expensive. Here's how to move large sums and day-to-day money cheaply, safely, and without losing money to poor exchange rates.
26 August 2026
Culture Shock: What Kiwis Don't Expect About Life in the UK
The genuine culture shocks New Zealanders report after moving to the UK, from housing and pace of life to the emotional side of settling in.
26 August 2026
Getting a SIM Card and Mobile Plan in the UK: A Guide for Canadians
Setting up your phone in the UK? Here's which SIM-only plans work best for new arrivals from Canada, including no-credit-check options, verified as at 26 Aug 2026.
26 August 2026
Getting Your UK National Insurance Number: A Guide for Canadians
Your National Insurance number is the UK's equivalent of a Social Insurance Number. Here's how Canadians apply, what's needed, and how long it takes, verified as at 26 Aug 2026.
26 August 2026
Getting a SIM Card and Mobile Plan in the UK: A Guide for New Zealanders
Setting up your phone in the UK? Here's which SIM-only plans work best for new arrivals from New Zealand, including no-credit-check options, verified as at 26 Aug 2026.
26 August 2026
Culture Shock: What Canadians Don't Expect About Life in the UK
The genuine culture shocks Canadians report after moving to the UK, from tipping and healthcare to housing and the emotional side of settling in.
26 August 2026
Tax in the UK: What New Zealanders Need to Know in Their First Year
The UK tax year, current income tax bands, and how residency actually gets decided for a newly arrived New Zealander, verified against gov.uk as at 26 Aug 2026.
26 August 2026
KiwiSaver and Your UK Pension: What Happens When You Move
What happens to your KiwiSaver when you move to the UK permanently, and how UK workplace pension auto-enrolment works for a newcomer. Not financial advice, verified as at 26 Aug 2026.
26 August 2026
Tax in the UK: What Canadians Need to Know in Their First Year
The UK tax year, current income tax bands, and how residency actually gets decided for a newly arrived Canadian, verified against gov.uk as at 26 Aug 2026.
26 August 2026
Bringing Your Pet from New Zealand to the UK: Rules and Timeline
New Zealand is a 'listed' country under the UK's pet travel rules, which means a simpler process than many other countries. Here's the realistic timeline and steps, verified as at 26 Aug 2026.
26 August 2026
London vs Manchester vs Edinburgh: Where Should Kiwis Live?
Comparing London, Manchester and Edinburgh for New Zealanders on job markets, cost, climate and how easy each city is to settle into as a newcomer.
26 August 2026
Bringing Your Pet from Canada to the UK: Rules and Timeline
Canada is a 'listed' country under the UK's pet travel rules, which means a simpler process than many other countries. Here's the realistic timeline and steps, verified as at 26 Aug 2026.
26 August 2026
Getting Your UK National Insurance Number: A Guide for New Zealanders
Your National Insurance number is the UK's equivalent of an IRD number. Here's how New Zealanders apply, what's needed, and how long it takes, verified as at 26 Aug 2026.
26 August 2026
London vs Manchester vs Edinburgh: Where Should Canadians Live?
Comparing London, Manchester and Edinburgh for Canadians on job markets, cost, climate and how easy each city is to settle into as a newcomer.
26 August 2026
RRSPs and TFSAs When You Move to the UK
What happens to your RRSP and TFSA once you become a UK tax resident, and how UK workplace pension auto-enrolment works for a newcomer. Not financial advice, verified as at 26 Aug 2026.
26 August 2026
Moving Money from New Zealand to the UK: The Cheapest and Fastest Ways
Bank transfers between New Zealand and the UK are slow and expensive. Here's how to move large sums and day-to-day money cheaply, safely, and without losing money to poor exchange rates.
26 August 2026
Moving Money from Australia to the UK: The Cheapest and Fastest Ways
Bank transfers between Australia and the UK are slow and expensive. Here's how to move large sums and day-to-day money cheaply, safely, and without losing money to poor exchange rates.
12 August 2026
Cost of Living in the UK vs New Zealand: What Kiwis Actually Pay After Moving
A real comparison of living costs between the UK and New Zealand. Rent, groceries, transport, utilities, salaries, and where your money goes further.
12 August 2026
Shipping Your Life from New Zealand to the UK: Costs, Customs, and What to Know
How to ship your belongings from New Zealand to the UK. Container options, costs, customs and duty rules, what to leave behind, and tips for a smooth move.
12 August 2026
Renting in the UK as a Kiwi: Finding a Place, Costs, and Tenant Rights
How to find a rental in the UK as a New Zealander. Where to search, what rent costs by city, how tenancy agreements work, and what rights you have as a tenant.
12 August 2026
Working in the UK as a Kiwi: Jobs, Salaries, and What to Expect
How to find work in the UK as a New Zealander. Visa options including the Youth Mobility Scheme, in-demand jobs, salary expectations, and workplace culture.
12 August 2026
Healthcare in the UK for New Zealanders: The NHS, GPs, and What You Need to Know
How the NHS works for Kiwis moving to the UK. GP registration, the Immigration Health Surcharge, prescriptions, dental, and how it compares to NZ's system.
12 August 2026
Banking in the UK for New Zealanders: Accounts, Transfers, and Getting Set Up
How to set up banking in the UK as a Kiwi. Which banks to choose, how to transfer money from NZ, building UK credit, and managing your KiwiSaver from abroad.
12 August 2026
Cost of Living in the UK vs Canada: What Canadians Actually Pay After Moving
A real comparison of living costs between the UK and Canada. Rent, groceries, transport, utilities, salaries, and where your money goes further.
12 August 2026
Shipping Your Life from Canada to the UK: Costs, Customs, and What to Know
How to ship your belongings from Canada to the UK. Container options, costs, customs and duty rules, what to leave behind, and tips for a smooth move.
12 August 2026
Renting in the UK as a Canadian: Finding a Place, Costs, and Tenant Rights
How to find a rental in the UK as a Canadian. Where to search, what rent costs by city, how tenancy agreements work, and what rights you have as a tenant.
12 August 2026
Working in the UK as a Canadian: Jobs, Salaries, and What to Expect
How to find work in the UK as a Canadian. Visa options including the Youth Mobility Scheme, in-demand jobs, salary expectations, and workplace culture differences.
12 August 2026
Healthcare in the UK for Canadians: The NHS, GPs, and What You Need to Know
How the NHS works for Canadians moving to the UK. Registering with a GP, what's free, prescriptions, dental, the Immigration Health Surcharge, and what to sort before you leave Canada.
12 August 2026
Banking in the UK for Canadians: Accounts, Credit, and Getting Your Money Across
How to set up a UK bank account from Canada, transfer your money, build a UK credit history, and handle the everyday banking differences you'll notice after moving.
12 August 2026
Cost of Living: Australia vs UK - What You'll Actually Pay
A real-numbers breakdown of what life costs in the UK compared to Australia, from rent and groceries to council tax and childcare. No fluff, just the facts you need before you move.
12 August 2026
Shipping Your Life from Australia to the UK: The Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about shipping personal effects from Australia to the UK, from sea freight costs and customs rules to getting a UK SIM card and converting your driving licence.
12 August 2026
Renting in the UK as an Australian: The Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about finding, securing, and paying for a rental in the UK. From deposit protection schemes to Council Tax, here's what's different and how to get sorted fast.
12 August 2026
Working in the UK as an Australian: Jobs, Salaries and What to Expect
Everything Australians need to know about finding work in the UK. Job hunting platforms, CV formatting, salary expectations, National Insurance numbers, workplace culture differences and industries where Aussies are in demand.
12 August 2026
NHS Healthcare in the UK: A Complete Guide for Australians
Everything you need to know about the NHS as an Australian moving to the UK, from the Immigration Health Surcharge and GP registration to prescriptions, dental, optical and mental health services.
12 August 2026
Banking in the UK for Australians: Accounts, Taxes and Money Transfers
A practical guide to opening UK bank accounts, transferring money from Australia, understanding PAYE tax, pensions and what happens to your super when you move to the UK.
12 August 2026
UK Visa Options for Australians: YMS, Ancestry and Skilled Worker Compared
Comparing the three main UK visa routes for Australians: Youth Mobility Scheme, Ancestry visa and Skilled Worker visa. Costs, eligibility, settlement paths and which one suits your situation.
12 August 2026
Moving from Canada to the UK: The Complete 2026 Guide
Everything Canadian expats need to know about moving to the UK in 2026. Visa options, NHS healthcare, cost of living, housing, and the culture shocks nobody warns you about.
12 August 2026
Moving from New Zealand to the UK: The Complete 2026 Guide
Everything New Zealanders need to know before moving to the UK. Youth Mobility Scheme, Ancestry visa, NHS access, cost of living and what life in Britain is really like for Kiwis.
12 August 2026
Moving from Australia to the UK: The Complete 2026 Guide
Everything Australians need to know before moving to the UK. Visa options including the Youth Mobility Scheme and Ancestry visa, cost of living, NHS healthcare, housing and what life in Britain is really like.