Moving To London From Overseas Checklist

moove2london on 23 Aug 2010

Summer is the time when most people think about moving to London. If you’re moving to London from overseas, you’ll have many more things to consider than the average Brit who can just stick everything in a van and drive a couple of hundred miles. So we’ve compiled the below checklist to give you some ideas of what to think about when you’re planning your move over here. It’s not a very country-specific list, so adjust it depending on where you hail from.

Do it A.S.A.P

• Sort out your visa. For more info about visas, please visit Ukvisas.gov.uk You should normally leave yourself at least a couple of months for a visa to come through, but it could be much longer or shorter depending on your circumstances.
• Write an excellent C.V and upload it for FREE to Monster’s database where employers can search for candidates for their jobs. It’s absolutely free to post your C.V up there, so if you don’t do it you’re really missing a great opportunity.
• Book your tickets. Take a look at current prices using Expedia
• Check that your passport is valid and has more than 6 months left on it

2-3 months to go

• Start looking for somewhere to stay. Sign up with Easyroommate . Use the box below to search for FREE for a room in London.
• If you need to stay in a hostel for a few days before you take up semi-permanent residency somewhere, book a room at Hostelworld which has many affordable, yet comfortable hostels located in Central London.
• Inform your local tax office that you’re planning on leaving the country so that if necessary you have time to fill in a mid-year tax return or possibly even get a tax refund depending on your situation and the tax procedures in your home country.
• You should also

1 month to go

• Find your medical records so that when you register for a doctor on the NHS, they’ll be able to quickly see your medical history. This is especially important if you have an ongoing condition or need regular prescriptions.
• Arrange your travel insurance for your journey. Make sure it covers the value of all your belongings for your trip.
• Give notice on your current accommodation and service contracts such as gym membership, cell phone contracts etc.

1-2 weeks to go

• Find out how to register for postal voting so that you’re able to vote whilst you’re away from home.
• Redirect all mail and inform utility providers of your impending departure.
• Start downsizing your belongings and make lists for packing.
• Have a going away party and say your goodbyes – make sure you have a full list of email addresses and phone numbers!