To-do list after arrival in the UK

So you plan like crazy, get what feels like a million documents together, do an online application that feels both invasive and frightening, head off for biometrics where your face is photographed and your fingers are printed and now finally, FINALLY you have made it to the UK. Now what??


Now the fun starts! And the big questions is what to do first?



TO DO LIST:


* BRP. First up, if you came on a visa and not a British passport, you need to toddle off to the post office mentioned on the letter you got when you collected your passport (it's usually the post office nearest the address you gave in your application) and collect your BRP.


*UK Driver's Licence. Next it would be a good idea to exchange your SA Driver's licence for a British one - although you can drive on your South African licence legally for a year. A British Driver's licence comes in very handy as a proof of address and also for identification purposes. Find out how to exchange your Drivers licence here.


*Opening a bank account. Personally I found it very helpful to open a Monzo account initially. I opened my account before we left South Africa - this is possible provided you have a friend or family member who is willing to have your bank card delivered to their address. I absolutely love Monzo, it is the most user-friendly bank I have ever dealt with and I have not had a single problem.


*Applying for an NI number. National Insurance (NI) works in a similar fashion to UIF in South Africa. National Insurance contributions are basically a tax on your earnings paid by both employees and employers and your NI contributions help to build your entitlement to certain state benefits, such as the state pension and maternity allowance. You will begin paying National Insurance once you are earning more than £162 a week (this is the figure for the 2018-19 tax year). To apply for your NI number you need to phone 08001412075 and speak to an agent to make an appointment to apply for your NI number. (Note: If you are on a Tier 2 visa your NI number has probably already been issued to you and you will find it on the back of your BRP card.) You can begin working before you receive your NI number, but your employer will need it asap


*Register for NHS. To register for NHS you will need to register with your local GP. Pop into your chosen GP's rooms and ask to register as a patient of that practice. They will give you various forms to fill out and will need proof of accommodation (I used my UK Driver's licence) and will need to see (and perhaps take a copy of) your BRP and passport. You will soon receive a letter in the mail with your NHS number on it.


*TV Licence. Assuming you buy a TV in the UK, you will need to get a TV licence. Have a look at this website with details of how to get a licence.


photo credit: verchmarco <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/160866001@N07/46537652121">Leere Prioritätenliste mit dem Titel PRIORITIES und drei freien, nummerierten Zeilen</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)</a>