Cheat Sheet
To help you make it to London, this checklist will help you stay on track. Here’s what to do before leaving.
Step one: Get your right to live and work in the UK
Visas: If you don’t have a British passport, you will need a visa to work in the UK:
Youth Mobility Scheme Visa - 2-3 years (18-35 year olds)
UK Ancestry Visa - 5 years (if you have a grandparent born in the UK)
Skilled Worker Visa- 3-5 years (if you have a job offer from a UK employer)
Hot tip: Feeling overwhelmed with how complex visas are? Head to migrate.london for step-by-step guidance.
Step two: Set yourself up for employment success
Work: Need a job? Start with these handy resources and online communities
Next Stop London - Connect with the right recruiters for free
Kiwis in London & Aussies in London - Find temp and contract work easily
Job boards & LinkedIn - Search by location to find open roles in London
Hot tip: Hot tip: If you land your first role through Next Stop London you’ll earn £100 commission on yourself. Refer your friends and earn even more!
Step three: Find your new home
Key Aussie/Kiwi areas:
Clapham, South London: Epicentre of Australasians. ££
Highbury & Islington, North London: Upmarket area is close to the city with lovely parks and well connected. £££
Hackney, East London: Trendy area, with great bars, pubs and vibes. £££
Streatham, South London: All the benefits of South London with a reduced price tag. £
Top sites to find flats:
HousingAnywhere: Organise a flat to rent from abroad, a great way to help get you you started in London.
Spareroom: Flatting website to find homes with roommates, or whole flats.
Facebook pages: Kiwis in London weekly flat posts, Aussies in London weekly flat posts, Hackney Wick spaces, Flats to Rent London, London House/Flat/Rooms to rent
Hot tip: Join the pages in advance and start reaching out close to the time you arrive.
Step four: Make your arrival as smooth as possible
Services: Get yourself signed up to these
NHS - Sign up for government funded health services
HMRC - Apply for a NIN to work
Revolut or Monzo - Online banks with an easy sign up process
Wise - Send money overseas at the best rates.
Hot tip: Before you leave home we suggest requesting a bank statement from your local bank to go to a UK address so that you have a local proof of address.
Get the tech: Join these useful groups and apps
Kiwis in London - FB group run by Kiwis with weekly flat posts and work opportunities
Aussies in London - FB group run by Aussies with social activities and work opportunities
Ladies in London - FB group for Antipodean gals with travel tips and weekly flat posts
Citymapper - Best app to get you around London
Jacks Flight Club - A weekly email with Europe’s best flight deals
Doyouspain & Doyouitaly - Great for car rentals in Spain and Italy
Trusted House Sitters - House sitting app for the UK and Europe
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