The United Kingdom consists of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In England, there are 470 airports. London has five airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stanstead, London City and Luton. The first three have underground connections to the centre of London and are the main London airports. The top 10 busiest airports in the UK are:

• ■ Heathrow
• ■ Gatwick
• ■ Manchester
• ■ Stansted
• ■ Birmingham
• ■ Glasgow
• ■ Edinburgh
• ■ Luton
• ■ Belfast International
• ■ Bristol

In the UK, you have the option to either buy or rent a home. Purchasing a property can be a lengthy process, so you may need to rent ahead of completing your move.

Points to be considered before you rent a house:

• ■ Is the landlord or letting agent trying to charge any fees?
• ■ For how long do you want the tenancy for?

You can ask for a tenancy to be any time between 6 months and 7 years. This has to be agreed with the landlord.

• ■ What can you afford?

Think of how much rent you can afford. Usually, 35% of the take-home pay is the maximum that many people can afford. But this depends on what your other outgoings are; for example, whether you have children.

• ■ Are you entitled to Housing Benefit or Universal Credit?

If so, you may get help with all or part of your rent. If you are renting from a private landlord, you will receive up to the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate to cover or help with the cost of the rent.

• ■ Which area would you like to live in, and how are you looking for a rented home?

The broader the area in which you are willing to look, the better your chances of discovering the perfect home.

• ■ Do you have your documents ready?

Landlords and agents will want to verify your name, immigration status, credit history, and job status, among other things.

• ■ Do you have the right to rent property in the UK?

Landlords are responsible for ensuring that all tenants over the age of 18 who reside in their property as their primary or sole residence have the legal right to rent. They will need to duplicate your documents and return them to you.

• ■ Will you need a rent guarantee?

Some landlords might ask someone to guarantee your rent.

For more info, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-rent/how-to-rent-the-checklist-for-renting-in-england

In the United Kingdom, accommodation cost varies from place to place. The rental prices in the UK depend on where you like to live and the type of apartments you want. To minimize the expenses you can share your accommodation or house. Usually, the accommodation expense in UK is £250 to £700 per month per person. In major cities like London, Manchester is more expensive compared to other places in the United Kingdom. The average hotel costs in London for a single room is £50 to £300 per day and for a double room £75 to £450 per day.

When you opt to rent, there are two options:

• 1 . Option one is to live in a shared property. Shared accommodation allows you to cut the cost of rent and utilities in exchange for a single or a double bedroom. Other facilities such as the living room, kitchen, bathroom and garden are all communal.
• 2 . Option two is to rent accommodation of your own. It means you must pay all costs, but no need to share facilities. Rental flats (apartments) or houses can be furnished or unfurnished. Furnished accommodation usually includes a bed, wardrobe, kitchen appliances and a sofa.

The best way to find accommodation to buy or rent is by using a local estate agent. There are usually several agencies in towns and cities, mainly located on the high street. You can also conduct your own searches for property to buy or rent on the internet.

For more info, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-rent/how-to-rent-the-checklist-for-renting-in-england

Few Recommendations:

www.rightmove.co.uk (Buy and Rent)

www.zoopla.co.uk (Buy and Rent)

www.primelocation.co.uk (Buy and Rent)

www.gumtree.com (Rent only)

A biometric residence permit (BRP) can be used to confirm you’re:

• ■ Identity
• ■ Right to study or work in the UK
• ■ Right to any public services or benefits you’re entitled to
• ■ You do not have to apply separately for a BRP

You’ll usually get a BRP if you:

• ■ Apply to come to the UK for longer than 6 months
• ■ Extend your visa to longer than 6 months
• ■ Apply to settle in the UK
• ■ Transfer your visa to a new passport
• ■ Apply for certain Home Office travel documents

• ■ Your name, date and place of birth.
• ■ Your fingerprints and a photo of your face (this is your biometric information).
• ■ Your immigration status and any conditions of your stay
• ■ Whether you can access public funds, for example benefits and health services.
• ■ You may have a National Insurance (NI) number printed on the back of your BRP. Not all BRPs have this - it depends on factors like the date it was issued and your visa status.

Collect your BRP once you’re in the UK.

You must usually do this before the vignette sticker in your travel document expires or within 10 days of arriving in the UK, whichever is later. Check your decision letter. It will tell you to collect your BRP from either:

• ■ A named Post Office branch.
• ■ Your sponsor if you chose this option when you applied.

You must be over 18 to collect a BRP.

• ■ Bring your passport or travel document with your vignette sticker in when you collect your BRP.
• ■ You’ll get your vignette sticker when your visa application is approved. You have permission to come to the UK within 30 days of getting it.

• ■ You must be nominated to collect a child’s BRP, even if you’re the child’s parent.
• ■ The Home Office will tell you within 5 working days if you’re approved to collect the child’s BRP.

• ■ Your NI number is unique to you and ensures that your contributions and tax payments are properly recorded against your name.
• ■ As a UK worker, you must pay National Insurance (NI) in order to build up your entitlement to certain state benefits, including the state pension.
• ■ These contributions are based on the amount of money you are paid and are deducted from your salary each month.
• ■ It also acts as your reference number in any dealings.
• ■ Call the National Insurance number application line to ask for an application form.
• ■ National Insurance number application line (England, Scotland and Wales).
  Telephone: 0800 141 2075
  Text phone: 0800 141 2438
• ■ Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
• ■ Return the application form along with your proof of identity (Passport & BRP) and your right to work or study in the UK.
• ■ Refer the application form for any other Proof of documents to be submitted.
• ■ After you apply, it can take up to 6- 8 weeks to get your National Insurance number.

• ■ Passport Copy
• ■ BRP Copy
• ■ Filled Application Form.

The pound sterling (symbol: £) is the official currency of the United Kingdom, and it is subdivided into 100 pence (symbol: p). You may acquire notes in the denominations of £50, £20, £10, and £5, as well as coins in the denominations of £2, £1, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, and 1p. You can also get coins in the denominations of £2, £1, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, and 1p. Banks, travel agencies, and post offices are just a few of the sites where you can exchange money in the United Kingdom. Among the many nicknames for £ are Pound Sterling, Sterling, Quid, and Nickel.

To open a bank account in the United Kingdom, you'll need two pieces of documentation: one to prove your identification and another to prove your residence. This is true for both in-branch and online transactions. There is no single list of documents that are accepted as evidence of address; instead, each bank has its own list of approved documents. Generally speaking, these are comprised of the following: Rent or mortgage agreement; latest power or gas bill; and any other relevant documentation (less than 3 months old) Not printed off the internet, but a recent (less than 3 months old) bank or credit card statement is OK. The current amount of council tax is due. Credit card statements and a temporary driving licence will not be accepted as proof of identification.

Documents required opening a bank account in the UK without proof of address?

1 . Letter confirming your National Insurance number

Note: Barclays, Lloyds, HSBC and NatWest all offer international bank accounts. In these banks account can be opened in the home country and accessed internationally.

Bank Accounts types:

In the United Kingdom, there are several different sorts of accounts, but the most common is a regular current bank account, which is used for basic everyday activities such as paying bills and receiving a salary. Overdraft protection is usually included with these types of accounts, as is a debit card and a chequebook. Savings accounts provide a greater interest rate than checking accounts and are intended for just what their name implies: saving money.

Credit and Debit cards:

Credit cards, debit cards, and contactless payment methods are widely used in the United Kingdom, and they are the quickest and most convenient way to pay for products. Visa and MasterCard (International) are the two most widely used credit cards in the world.

Money Exchange:

Travelex, American Express and Cheque point all have branches throughout Britain and usually offer good exchange facilities. Marks & Spencer (one of the most popular and well-recognised department stores in the UK) has bureaux de change in more than 110 of its stores across the UK. They charge no commission on foreign currency travellers’ cheques and only 1 per cent on sterling travellers’ cheques. Many post offices across the UK also offer bureaux de change services.

Banking Hours:

Banks and building societies may be found on nearly every high street and are normally open from 9 a.m. to 16 p.m., Monday through Friday; however, opening hours might vary depending on the location. Some banks, particularly in larger towns and cities, may also be open on Saturdays and Sundays. During public holidays (also known as Bank holidays), banks are closed, and some Scottish banks are closed for an hour during lunchtime. As a result, many banks now have 24-hour banking lobbies where you may access a variety of services through ATMs (also known as cash machines), and support is available online 24 hours a day, seven days a week (24/7).

Health care surrounds the UK's National Health Service (NHS), which is probably one of the greatest in the world. The service provides free hospital treatment on-site. Private healthcare is also available, although at a cost. You must be registered with a family doctor, often known as a general practitioner, to receive NHS treatment (GP). Do this as soon as you arrive in the UK. In England, you don't pay to see a GP, but prescriptions are £8.60. Prescriptions are free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. If you require emergency medical care but it is not life-threatening, dial 111. Call 999 if you fear for your life. Then you'll be told where to go for treatment.

You can go to an urgent care centre if you require immediate medical assistance but it is not life-threatening. Currently, the NHS offers walk-in clinics, urgent care clinics, minor injury units, and urgent treatment clinics, all of varying quality. This means they will either be termed urgent treatment facilities or offer other primary health care services by autumn 2020 Urgent care centres want to provide a consistent service across the country. They're GP-led and open at least 12 hours every day (including bank holidays). Clinics – Unable to arrange an appointment with your doctor or not yet registered, you might go to a walk-in clinic. Once there, fill out a form and join a line. You will see a doctor that day and it is free. If you are aged 13-16, your information will be kept private and no one in your household will be contacted without your agreement. Your co-workers may advise you to contact your parents or another trusted adult.

Sexual Health: Consultations on sexual health are provided free of charge. You can usually walk in, but sometimes you need an appointment. You can get free condoms, birth control tablets, and a pregnancy test. Some clinics will also test for STDs.

Dentist: Dentistry is one of the few NHS services where you have to pay a co-payment. Charges must be agreed upon before therapy begins. Emergency dental treatment costs £22.70.

For more information visit https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/dentists/understanding-nhs-dental-charges/

Childcare: Childcare is offered all around the UK, with rates changing depending on service level, child's age, and location. Private nurseries typically accept children as young as six months old and charge between £30 and £100 per day. Many workplaces provide a Daycare Voucher programme where you can set aside a portion of your wages that isn't tax deductible for childcare expenses. The Tax Free Childcare Scheme provides financial assistance to parents based on parameters such as household income. Three-year-olds are eligible for 30 hours of free childcare.

For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/childcare-calculator

Pharmacists in the UK are highly trained professionals who should be able to assist you in most instances. You can find many community pharmacies in towns and villages in and around the UK where pharmacists will be able to dispense medication, dispose of out-of-date medication and offer advice on minor ailments and wellbeing. If you're feeling unwell a pharmacist will be able to help you decide whether or not you need to see a healthcare professional. You can buy a wide range of over-the-counter drugs in Britain. Many medicines, however, are available only with a doctor’s prescription so if you are likely to need medication, either bring it with you or ask your usual doctor to write out the name of the drug you need. If you are entitled to an NHS prescription, you will be charged a standard rate; if not, you will be charged the full cost of the drug. Some pharmacies are open until midnight; contact your local hospital for a list. You can call the NHS 111 Service, a 24-hour helpline or, for emergencies, go to a hospital A&E department. In an emergency, dial 999 for assistance.

When travelling with medicines, you are permitted to bring the following items: Not more than 100ml of essential medications, including liquid nutritional items and inhalers, are required. If you require medical equipment for your journey, make sure to bring it along with you! You'll need supporting documents from a medical practitioner who can vouch for your qualifications (for example a letter from your doctor or a copy of your prescription). In order to screen the liquids at the security check, airport personnel may need to open the containers. Equipment for medical use is subjected to a special screening procedure.