Everything you need to know about moving to the UK

What are the requirements to move to the UK?

First things first, you’ll need a valid passport. If your move is short-term or has a definitive end date, your passport will need to be valid for the entirety of your stay.

Then you’ll need to apply for a UK visa. What type will depend on a variety of factors including where you’re coming from, reasons for moving, and how long you plan to stay. You can find out more about UK visas on the UK government website.

For residents of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, the UK now operates on a points-based immigration system which “prioritises skills and talent over where a person comes from”.

The main types of visa are those for tourism, studying, working, or joining family already living in the UK. If you’re moving to the UK to study, you can apply for a standard visitor visa, which allows you to stay for under six months or a Student Visa. For the latter, you must already have a valid offer for study and be able to read, write, and understand English. Depending on the length of your course and whether it’s degree level or below, you can stay in the UK for up to 5 years.

If you’re moving to the UK to work, on either a short or long-term basis, there are several types of work visa you can apply for. The types of work visa you will need will depend on your skills and qualifications, if you already have a job or sponsorship, if you want to bring family with you, or what kind of work you’ll be doing. You can read more about work visas here.

You could be eligible for a family visa if you intend to live with a:

• spouse or partner

• child

• parent

• relative who’ll provide long-term care for you

How has Brexit affected moving to the UK?

The UK officially left the European Union on 31st January 2020. While still part of the EU, other EU citizens were allowed free movement to the UK but this policy has now changed. As of 1st January 2021, EU citizens must apply for visas just like everyone else using the points-based system mentioned above.

EU citizens can still visit for up to six months, but for longer visits you’ll need to apply for a work, study, or family visa. If you’re from the EU, before you apply for a regular visa, check if you qualify for the EU settlement scheme - this is most relevant if you have family who are based in the UK.

Where should I live in the UK?

For such a small island nation compared to other popular migrant countries like the US or Australia, the UK can actually be quite large. It has 69 cities to choose from (and even more towns and villages), which can make the decision overwhelming. It’s also key to remember that the UK consists of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

To help you out, we’ve put together a short list of the larger and most popular cities to consider when thinking about moving to the UK.

London

Topping the list is the capital city of England and the largest city in the UK. In 2021, its population was 7,556,900 making it the most populous city followed by Birmingham in second place at 984,333 - quite a big difference!

London is brimming with culture, which makes it a notable city not just within the UK but the entire world. It’s also in the top ten richest cities in the world by GDP. Whether you choose to move to London for work, study, or simply to experience the culture, it has almost everything you could want in a new home city: multiple universities, plentiful job opportunities, and beautiful scenery.

It’s connected to much of the rest of the UK by an extensive rail network which means you can visit almost anywhere easily.

London also has the largest number of migrants among all regions of the UK at 3,317,000 – or 35% of the UK’s total foreign-born population. As such it’s the best city in the UK for job opportunities and salaries, but living costs are far higher than any other city; we’ll explore this more later.

Birmingham

Despite being the second largest city in the UK, Birmingham is not often considered in the conversation of best cities to move to in the UK - but it should be! Its rich industrial history has shaped the architecture and layout of the city but this often gets overlooked. And it’s also home to world famous chocolate brand, Cadbury.

Birmingham has 35 miles of canals - which is 9 more than Venice, a city famed and lauded for its canals. As well as being a popular landscape to cycle or jog along, they’re also a great way to get around and see more of the city.

One of the most multicultural cities in the UK, Birmingham is incredibly diverse and full of culture. According to 2017 figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), every 1 in 3.1 people in Birmingham was either Black, Asian, or from another ethnic minority. Across the wider UK, the figure was 1 in 6.6 people.

Due to its size, there are lots of unique neighbourhoods in Birmingham, and all have something different and exciting to offer for those moving to the UK. Birmingham is also proving to be a growing hub for business opportunities, with many finance companies in particular opening offices in “The City of a Thousand Trades”.

Liverpool

Conde Nast Traveller lists Liverpool as the third best city in the UK, and it’s also the third largest. It has an incredibly strong history of multiculturalism; both home to Europe’s longest established Chinese community and the oldest Black community in the UK. Liverpool is so culturally diverse that in 2016 it was reported that more than half of the people in the city spoke a language other than English at home.

Liverpool is famous for its culture, and was named the European Capital of Culture in 2008. In fact, it’s famous for a lot of things, two of the most notable being football and music.

Between them, Liverpool FC and Everton FC have won 55 major trophies, making Liverpool the most successful footballing city in England. It’s also recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s ‘capital city of pop’ - no doubt thanks to producing one of the most famous pop bands in the world, The Beatles. Perhaps you’ve heard of them?

Cardiff

For our next recommendation, we’re moving westward to Wales and its capital city, Cardiff. If the quieter life appeals to you more, then Cardiff can provide you with a perfect blend of city buzz and small town friendliness. Cardiff is widely regarded as being the city with the most castles in the world.

In the 2000s, it was also a long-running filming location for one of the longest running sci-fi TV shows - Dr Who. Due to its bustling city centre and proximity to the picturesque countryside of south Wales, it remains a popular destination for filming and is home to the Welsh headquarters of the BBC (BBC Cymru).

The city centre boasts lots of spaces for retail and leisure, and is also a prime location for education with many schools and five universities. Due to its smaller size (Cardiff is one of the smallest capitals in Europe), residents have one of the shortest commute times on average in the UK, amounting to just 26 minutes!

Glasgow

Though it’s the biggest city in Scotland, Glasgow isn’t the capital. Listed by Conde Nast Traveller as the fourth best UK city, it can offer so much in terms of food, art, entertainment, and sports.

With a population of over 500,000 people (in 2021), there’s no denying that Glasgow is a cultural hub with a rich tapestry of daytime entertainment and vibrant nightlife. And of course, it’s famed for being one of the friendliest cities in the world.

Glasgow is a great choice for anyone interested in music to move to, as it has been a UNESCO City of Music since 2008. Popular bands hailing from this city include Belle & Sebastian and Franz Ferdinand.

Edinburgh

Not as large in population as its neighbour Glasgow, Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland and is home to 465,000 people (in 2021).

Rated highly by Conde Nast Traveller as the 2nd best UK city, Edinburgh is very famous nationwide for its arts, culture, and history. For three weeks in August every year, the city hosts the world-famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival, a celebration of comedy, art, and anything creative.

For foodies, there are some of the best wining-and-dining options in the whole of the UK. There are four Michelin starred restaurants in Edinburgh, so you’ve got plenty of choice.

For those who favour the outdoors, you’ll be well-placed in Edinburgh to visit much of Scotland’s famous countryside, from lochs and national parks to castles and hiking trails.

Belfast

Across the Irish sea from mainland Great Britain, we come to Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland. If you choose this city as your moving destination, you’ll also be able to visit the neighbouring Republic of Ireland.

The 15th largest city in the UK, Belfast’s city population is 295,000. The population of the larger Belfast Metropolitan Area is 585,000 people. Thanks to the expansion of the EU, Belfast has received many immigrants from all over Europe in recent years, mostly from Eastern Europe. Other immigrant populations in Belfast include Irish Travellers and Chinese. Over 2% of Belfast’s population belong to an ethnic minority, which might come as no surprise considering that minority communities in Belfast have been developing and growing in the last 80 years.

As you might expect, Belfast is close to a lot of natural beauty outside the city limits, but what you may not know is that it has 3,000 acres of lush greenery in the city. Go for a stroll in the Botanic Gardens or visit Belvoir Park Forest for a woodland walk.

As well as being the birthplace of the world’s most famous ship, the HMS Titanic, Belfast is rich with history. It is home to one of the best award-winning markets in the UK and Ireland, St. George’s Market, which was built between 1890 and 1896, making it one of Belfast’s oldest attractions.

Manchester

Our last city on the list is back across in England. Manchester is a city in the north-west of England and is becoming an increasingly popular place to live. Since the development of MediaCityUK in Manchester in 2007, which is now home to headquarters for many media and creative businesses such as the BBC and ITV, job opportunities in this northern city have increased. MediaCityUK is also a popular destination for entertainment, dining, and shopping.

A thriving city, Manchester has the bustle and infrastructure of a large city like London, but enjoys a much closer community feel like that of a small city or town. It also ranks among the world's best international student cities. There are many opportunities for study in various disciplines at any of the city’s five universities.

For a taste of South Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine, look no further than the famous ‘Curry Mile’ in Rusholme, just outside the city centre. This aptly named stretch of road boasts a plethora of restaurants to suit almost every taste. Manchester is a very diverse and multicultural city which regularly hosts and celebrates festivals from all around the world. Nearly 200 languages are spoken in Manchester!

Fans of music will be just as at home here as they might be in Liverpool, as Manchester has a legendary music scene. Pioneering indie bands of the 90s and 00s like Oasis call Manchester home, as do some of the most popular bands from the 70s and 80s like Joy Division.

And, just like Liverpool, Manchester is home to two successful football teams; Manchester United and Manchester City. Be sure not to mix them up, as each team’s supporters are very proud!

What's the cost of living like in the UK?

If the history and culture of some of those cities hasn’t yet helped you make the decision of where in the UK to move to, let’s look at some cold hard facts. How much will it cost you?

Like most things, the answer to this question depends on which city you’ve got your eye on. In data gathered by Numbeo, the UK’s cost of living is lower than that of the US by approximately 0.68%. Not a huge difference, but the rent costs in the UK are significantly lower than the US by 24.33%.

Compared to the US, salaries in the UK are also slightly lower by 23%.

A single person’s estimated monthly costs are GBP£687.58 (approx USD$938.12), not including rent. A one bedroom apartment costs, on average, around GBP£807.98 per month.

To put some more figures into context, here’s a breakdown of average cost in GBP by city:

How to find a job in the UK

In May 2020, the UK’s unemployment rate was at the lowest it has been for 40 years at 3.9%, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). While a great figure, it may be slightly conflated due to the rise of zero-hour contracts and the following global pandemic.

However, in the wake of the pandemic and Brexit, many industries are experiencing staff shortages which means more job opportunities. The following fields are currently experiencing shortages:

• Science

• Engineering

• IT

• Medicine

• Education

• Graphic design

• Culinary arts

Typically speaking, London and the south east of England are the strongest economic areas of the UK - unemployment is higher in the north of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The London job market is booming with 10 times more jobs on offer than any other area - but this can mean higher competition in some areas.

According to the 2019 ONS Business Register and Employment Survey, the biggest sectors in the UK in terms of number of employees are:

• Retail

• Healthcare and social work

• Administration

• Education

• Scientific and technical

• Manufacturing

• Hospitality

Our top tips for finding a job in the UK are probably similar to tips for finding a job anywhere - the internet is your friend! You can set up alerts for specific roles on job sites like Monster, Indeed, and Reed. Or you can browse LinkedIn and look on the UK government website.

Ensure you have updated your CV/resumé and checked it for typos or mistakes. If you need to write one from scratch, there are many templates or examples available online.

How to open a bank account in the UK

A UK bank account is essential to living in the UK, and opening a bank account as a foreigner is fairly easy once you’ve decided which bank to use.

Do this by researching banks and building societies and the options they offer. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to finding a place to secure your finances, so make sure you choose the option that suits you best.

Once you’ve made your decision, you will have to apply using a form - this can usually be done online, but double check whether you need to visit a branch. Either way, you will need two main types of document: something to prove your identity, and something to prove your address.

To prove your identity, you will need one of the following:

• Passport

• Driving licence

• National identity card

For proof of address, you can use the following:

• Tenancy agreement

• Mortgage statement

• Council tax bill

• Other household bill

If you want to open a UK bank account before you move, this is sometimes possible. Your current home bank may be able to help you set up a UK account, so it’s worth checking with them first.

Alternatively, there are some UK banks which offer international accounts designed for non-UK residents. You can apply online for these types of accounts with Barclays, HSBC, and NatWest.

Other financial services like Monzo bank allow you to open an account with far fewer hoops to jump through than traditional banks. You’ll need to provide an address for them to send the card to, but otherwise the only documentation you need to give is proof of ID.

The healthcare system in the UK

The UK has one of the most famous healthcare systems in the world. The National Health Service, or NHS, was the first of its kind when it was founded in 1948, being completely free of charge and made available on the basis of citizenship instead of payment or insurance.

Today, it still operates in much the same way, providing free healthcare to an average of 1 million people every 36 hours - this makes it one of the largest public health systems in the world.

Any legal resident of the UK can receive treatment on the NHS - you don’t have to be a British citizen or even be in employment to be covered.

If you prefer it, private healthcare is also available throughout the UK from a variety of providers. Approximately 12% of UK residents have private cover and enjoy the benefits of reduced waiting times and private facilities.

The education system in the UK

If you’re moving to the UK to study, or want to study abroad and haven’t yet decided where, let’s break down why the UK is an excellent choice.

It has one of the best education systems in the world and is the third most popular country for international students, topped only by Australia and the US. Some figures vary on which institution’s research you go by, but the UK is very nearly always in the top spot, regularly competing with the US. Leverage Education puts the UK at number one, followed by the US, then Australia.

Education in the UK is compulsory for all children between the ages of 5 and 16 (age 4 in Northern Ireland). The stages of education in the UK are:

• Early years (3+)

• Primary school (5-11)

• Secondary school (11-16)

• Further education (16-18)

• Higher education (18+)

Many secondary schools also provide further education (FE) and cater to students up until the age of 18, after which they can move on to higher education (HE). HE includes undergraduate degrees such as a Bachelor’s, postgraduate degrees like Master’s or doctorates, and other qualifications such as a diploma or NVQ (National Vocational Qualification).

Universities in the UK are the equivalent to colleges in the US and offer a range of HE qualifications. Some of the top universities in the world are in the UK, according to 2022 rankings by QS. Oxford takes a prestigious 2nd place, followed by Cambridge in 3rd, Imperial College London in 7th, and University College London in 8th.

So, whether you’re moving to the UK for work or study, there are options all over the country from larger-than-life London to cultural Cardiff.

Hopefully, you now feel better prepared to make a decision about moving to the UK. More resources on living in the UK or abroad are available on our blog - see our guide to State Pensions in the UK here.

Regardless of which city you move to, or even which country, WorldRemit is here for you to help you send money back home to your family, and vice versa. We’re fast, safe, and affordable. It’s always free to sign up, and you can send through our app or on our website. Find out more here.

Disclaimer: The contents of this blog post does not constitute legal or financial advice and is provided for general information purposes only. If you require specific legal and / or financial advice you should contact a specialist lawyer or financial advisor. Information true at time of publishing.