UK ARRIVAL GUIDE | Use this countdown checklist to help you plan ahead for moving to the UK.
WEEKLY COUNTDOWN:
8 Weeks Before You Go
Call 1st Contact for visa applications, opening a UK bank account and to purchase a Kickstart Package.
Send your CV to your local 1st Contact office for free job assistance with top recruitment agencies in London.
Confirm that your flight ticket and relevant visa documents to enter the UK are in order.
Consider joining a frequent flyers scheme when you book your tickets — it’s a long way to London so you’ll earn many points.
Check that your passport is still valid for at least six months and that you have plenty of blank pages for travel visas and immigration stamps.
Ensure all your financial obligations are up to date, e.g. tax returns, change of address, contact and payment details, etc.
6 Weeks To Go
Visit the dentist before you leave as UK dentistry is pricey.
Organise a will and power of attorney with a family lawyer. The power of attorney will enable someone you trust the power to act on your behalf in your absence.
Check with your mobile phone provider to see if your phone is unlocked for use in the UK and Europe or if they can unlock it.
Set up a web-based email account to back-up your CV and references, etc.
4 Weeks To Go
Notify the post office, bank, credit card companies, and so on, of your new forwarding address, e.g. your power of attorney.
If you are a landlord, inform the utilities companies of your departure date and ensure that all outstanding bills are settled.
If you rent, ask your landlord for a reference as this will help enormously when looking for accommodation in the UK.
If you are travelling to the UK via other countries, confirm any relevant visas for entry clearance and get vaccinated if needed.
Notify your council and/or government that you’ll be unable to vote due to travels.
3 Weeks To Go
Collect your bank statements to prove you have sufficient funds.
Organise your initial accommodation for the UK.
Change your CV to a UK format as it will be rejected if it’s in the wrong format. 1st Contact can provide this service for you.
2 Weeks To Go
Tie up all loose ends: cancel memberships and close accounts.
Make copies of all documentation — passport, flight tickets,travellers’ cheque receipts, insurance docs, etc — and put copiesvarious places where they can be easily accessed in an emergency.
Arrange travel insurance — it can be difficult to to do so after arriving in the UK.
Organise storage for your belongings while you’re away.
1 Week To Go
Email your CV to your web email and check that it arrived.
Start to pack.
Say All Your Goodbyes and get to the airport early!!