Complete guides for moving, working & living in the UK
In-depth resources on UK visas, housing, the NHS, employment rights and everyday expat life — fully updated for 2026 and in line with the latest official guidance.
Essential Reading
Home Office data reveals the continuing impact of salary and sponsorship changes on February 2026 visa numbers, with all main routes showing significant declines year-on-year.
Read article →
UK Work Visa Guides
The main route for qualified overseas workers with a UK job offer. Salary thresholds, sponsorship & April 2026 changes explained.
Read guide →Lower fees for NHS and care professionals. Eligibility, salary requirements and how the recent stat changes affect you.
Read guide →For leaders and potential leaders in academia, research, arts, digital technology and finance. No job offer required.
Read guide →For experienced entrepreneurs launching an innovative, viable and scalable business in the UK. Full eligibility breakdown.
Read guide →For recent graduates of top global universities. No job offer needed. Eligible universities, conditions and switching rules.
Read guide →Live and work in the UK for up to 2 years (3 for some nationalities). 13 countries, ballot details and 2026 fee breakdown.
Read guide →Jobs, Rights & Employment
How to format a British CV, what to include and the key differences from American and European résumés.
What employers must verify, how to use the Home Office online service, and what documents count as proof.
Skilled Worker visa salary compliance changes employers and employees need to act on before the April deadline.
Find trusted UK expat services
Immigration lawyers, removal companies, currency exchange, health insurance, housing and more — all vetted for expats moving to the UK.
Your Guide to the NHS
Step-by-step guide to finding and registering with an NHS GP as an expat, including what documents you need.
How the NHS works, who qualifies for free care, GP registration, eligibility, private care and what to expect when you arrive.
Moving from the USA to Britain
Visa options, banking, driving licences, healthcare and everything Americans need to know before and after arriving in the UK.
US Citizen Guides →
Required from 2 April 2026. How to apply, costs and timelines.
Read guide →Can you swap your US driving licence for a UK one? Full DVLA rules.
Read guide →Work, family and ancestry visas available to US passport holders.
Read guide →Best banks for US expats, how to open an account before you arrive.
Read guide →Planning Your Move to the UK
Everything you need to plan and execute a successful move to the United Kingdom from start to finish.
How to choose a removal company, shipping containers vs air freight, customs rules and cost guides.
Realistic monthly budgets by city and region — rent, groceries, transport and utilities for expats.
The UK immigration & expat update, in your inbox
Weekly briefings on visa changes, policy updates and practical expat guides — written by specialists, sourced from official guidance.
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Explore Every Category
Work, study, family and visit visas — plus ILR, citizenship and eVisa guidance for every nationality.
Browse guides →Employment rights, tax, National Insurance, self-employment and how to find a job as an expat.
Browse guides →Registering with a GP, the IHS, dental care, mental health services and private insurance options.
Browse guides →Removal companies, shipping, customs, finding a home and settling into UK life on arrival.
Browse guides →Cost of living, schools, transport, banking, council tax, utilities and everyday British life.
Browse guides →Vetted UK immigration lawyers, removal firms, currency services, insurers and more — for expats.
Browse directory →Built for expats, by specialists
Moving to the UK is an independent resource built by immigration writers, employment specialists and relocation experts — not a content farm. Every guide is sourced from official UK government guidance, HMRC, and the Home Office.
We cover everything from visa applications and employment rights to the NHS and everyday British life — fully updated for 2026.
Every article is sourced from GOV.UK, HMRC and the Home Office — not forums or hearsay.
Our team includes immigration writers, employment experts and relocation specialists.
4–6 articles and updates published every day, including breaking immigration news.
Written for people actually moving, working and living in the UK — not abstract overviews.
More Guides for Expats
Mortgages, stamp duty surcharge, conveyancing and what to expect.
Best banks, challengers like Monzo and Starling, and how to open without a UK address.
Income tax bands, NI categories, self-assessment and what changes on a work visa.
Holiday pay, sick leave, redundancy, notice periods and minimum wage.
National Living Wage at £12.21/hr from April 2026 — rates, categories and enforcement.
Registering as self-employed, sole trader vs limited company, and visa work rules.
Rent, groceries, transport and utilities — realistic monthly budgets by city.
How council tax bands work, who pays, discounts available and how to register.
State vs independent schools, admissions, the national curriculum and international schools.
Common Questions
What visa do I need to work in the UK?
Most overseas workers need a Skilled Worker visa, which requires a job offer from a licensed UK sponsor. Other routes include the Global Talent, Innovator Founder, and High Potential Individual visas depending on your background.
Do I need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge?
Most visa applicants pay the IHS upfront as part of their visa fee. It covers NHS treatment during your stay. Health & Care Worker visa holders pay a discounted rate. Students and some other routes also pay it.
How long does it take to qualify for ILR?
Most routes require 5 years of continuous residence in the UK. However, the qualifying period is under review — the Home Affairs Committee recommended delaying proposed changes until the system is ready, with a decision expected Autumn 2026.
Can I use the NHS as a newcomer to the UK?
Yes — if you've paid the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of your visa application, you're entitled to use the NHS in the same way as UK residents. You'll need to register with a local GP to access most services.