According to Jo-Anne Woodward, there are several regulations that you need to be aware of before you move to the U.K. You must think about and plan essential things such as obtaining a visa, opening a bank account, getting health care, acquiring health care, renting or buying a home, getting a driver’s license, and finding a job. There are many different types of visas that allow you to work in the U.K. A Work Permit allows a person to work in the U.K. with the employer’s permission, meaning you have to find work before you get there. There is also a Highly Skilled Migrant Program Visa which is given according to education, current salary, and work experience. You can hit some snags when trying to open a bank account in the U.K. mainly because they ask you to provide a letter from your employer, passport, and proof of your residential address. Many people run into problems if they are not yet employed or if they are sharing a flat or home with someone and their name isn’t on the bills. Health care is provided to most residents through the National Health Service for free. Anyone visiting the Emergency and Accident section of an NHS hospital receives free care even if they have no visa. Waiting times can be somewhat long though. Renting a home in the U.K. is expensive, although many properties come with furniture. According to Woodward, “Consider whether you really need to drive, particularly if you live in London, where roads are congested, parking is scarce, and public transport is usually efficient.” If you end up deciding to drive you can keep your U.S. license for a year, then you must take a written and practical driving test. It is hard to find work before you arrive in the U.K. unless your skills are in short supply. Once you get there, it is best to learn the rules of interviews, CVs, and work practices when trying to get a job.
This article is very helpful, and the things mentioned seem crucial in a move to the U.K. I’m not sure I agree completely about the visa, because I don’t think obtaining a visa is only about your job and work experience. I will have to do more research about obtaining a visa. The NHS seems like it is mostly a good thing, although I have heard some negative things about it such as not having enough staff and the wait times that Woodward mentioned. I don’t think I will be renting a home in the U.K. due to the high costs, especially if I plan on living there for a while. I also will probably use public transport at first, until I become more familiar with wherever I’m living. Also, she implies that it is not even necessary to drive, especially in London, unlike in America where it is basically mandatory unless you live in a big city. This has helped me know a bit more about what to expect when moving to Britain.
Woodward, Jo-Anne. "Moving to the U.K.". Transitions Abroad. Web. 24 Mar 2010.
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0611/moving_to_the_uk.shtml.
