WORKING AND LIVING IN THE UK THE ESSENTIAL · PDF fileWorking abroad is a great way to...

WORKING AND LIVING IN THE UKTHE ESSENTIAL GUIDE

hays.co.uk

CONTENTS

pREpARING fOR yOUR jOURNEy

Who we are 02

Visa tips 03

Work permit 04

ARIVING IN THE UK

The essentials 08

Accommodation 11

Transport 12

Healthcare 15

Utilities 16

Communications 16

Embassies and Consulates 20

Working abroad is a great way to simultaneously further your career with international experience, broaden your horizons by living and learning in a new environment and not least, to have the time of your life!

This guide contains all those indispensable numbers, websites and addresses you will need to prepare for the big move and to get you on your feet in your early days here in the UK.

please note this guide is intended for reference only. The companies we’ve listed, unless we’ve stated otherwise, are not specifically endorsed by Hays.

Working in the UK | 1

BEfORE yOU GOpREpARING fOR yOUR jOURNEyWho we are

At Hays, we are global experts in recruiting qualified, professional and skilled people across a wide range of industries and sectors. Fuelled by our energy and passion to look beyond skills and experience in finding the right cultural fit, we take the time to understand you and your career requirements, tailoring our services to meet your needs. This means we have the depth of expertise and industry insight to provide you with accurate, unbiased information and advice. It also allows us to find that special match that makes individuals and companies flourish.

We know that relocating to the other side of the world can be a daunting thought, so we aim to make the move stress-free by assisting you every step of the way. We can help you get organised and compliant – so you can start working as soon as possible once you arrive in the UK.

On application, your local consultant will make initial contact with you and provide you with all the information you need to get started. They will be responsible for helping you fill out the relevant papers and can also provide advice about visas and how to become registered through a relevant body.

When you arrive your UK consultant will be your primary point of contact, responsible for placing you in your perfect role. They will catch up with you regarding your plans, experience and desires about prospective positions and advise you on how to set up a UK bank account and all other documents required to be legally employed in the UK.

2 | Working in the UK

Visa tips

If you are not a British Citizen or a citizen of one the European Economic Area (EEA) countries, you may need a visa before you travel to the UK. As mentioned, we will be able to give you advice on visas, however it is up to you to apply for and organise them.

Please note: Hays staff are not visa agents and can only offer guidance. For current information, please see www.ukvisas.gov.uk and www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk

Here is an overview of the typical visas used by our candidates:

Tier 1: Highly Skilled Migrant Visa (general) This is issued to applicants on a points basis. When you apply, you will be awarded points according to your age, qualifications, previous earnings, UK experience, English language skills and current funds. We recommend visiting the following website before applying to assess your eligibility: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/pointscalculator

Tier 2: Sponsorship If you can secure permanent employment through a UK employer, they may choose to sponsor you to live and work in the UK without a working visa. These agreements occur between you and your employer. We will contact you if we have any roles where the employer is happy to sponsor.

Tier 5: youth Mobility Visa If you are an Australian citizen and between the ages of 18-30 years old, you can apply to work in the UK for two years.

Other than the above, there are two other working visas that can be gained through family connections: Ancestry and Spousal. These visas require evidence of the relevant family members’ UK citizenship/UK birth/appropriate visas.


Ancestry Visa If at least one grandparent was born in the UK, Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, you may be eligible for a five year working visa. You will need birth certificates to provide your relationship with your grandparent as well as birth certificates of your grandparents to show they were born in the UK. You are still eligible if you are adopted, however you will require the relevant documents to prove this.

Spousal Visa Spouses or dependants of people with the right to live in the UK as well as those with a visa can apply for a two year working visa. You will need proof of your relationship ie. Marriage Certificate, Birth Certificates as well as the relevant entitlement documents – British passport, Certificate of Entitlement, UK Residency or UK Ancestry Visa or Work Permit.

Please note, this list is not exhaustive and there are many other routes available that might be preferable to your unique circumstances.

Work permit

Work permits are issued by Work Permits (UK), part of the Home Office’s The UK Border Agency. A work permit relates to a specific person and a specific job. The work permit scheme lets UK employers recruit or transfer people from outside the European Economic Area (EEA), while still protecting the interests of resident workers in the UK. Work permits also allow overseas nationals to come to the UK for training or work experience.

You cannot apply directly for a work permit. The employer in the UK who wants to employ you must do this by sending the filled-in application form at least eight weeks before the date they need you to start work.


EEA nationals:European Community law gives EEA nationals a right to live and work in the UK. This is called a right of residence. You have an initial right of residence in the UK for three months if you are an EEA national. If you are an EEA national and you want to live in the UK for more than three months, you must be a ‘qualified person’. A qualified person means an EEA national who is in the UK as: a jobseeker, a worker, self-employed person, a self-sufficient person (someone who can support themselves financially) or a student.

You do not need a work permit to work in the UK but you may need to register as a worker under the Worker Registration Scheme. There are also separate requirements for Bulgarian and Romanian workers. Visit: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/eucitizens for more information.

Non-EEA nationals:If you are a non-EEA or an overseas national who is not settled in the UK and you intend to work in the UK, in the majority of cases you must have a work permit. The Home Office’s ‘Border and Immigration Agency’ website provides information about the various routes open to foreign nationals who want to come and work in the United Kingdom. Visit: www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk for more details.

Working in the UK | 7Working in the UK | 5

ARRIVING IN THE UKRELOCATION ADVICE


In this section, we’ve put together some useful information on making the transition to living and working in the UK as smooth as possible. If you need further advice or help with anything, please feel free to contact your UK consultant who will be more than happy to offer friendly guidance and some insider tips on living in the UK.


The essentials

National Insurance

National Insurance (NI) is a form of taxation, administered by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), where people in work make payments towards benefits. In other words, you pay NI contributions to build up your entitlement to certain state benefits, including your pension. NI contributions also go towards the costs of the National Health Service.

If you are planning to work in the UK, it’s important that you apply for your NI as soon as possible (it can take up to three months). Your NI number will enable you to obtain Government benefits such as free medical services and can make life a whole lot easier when applying for your tax returns.

Your National Insurance number is like your own personal account number, it is unique to you and you keep the same one all your life. The number ensures the NI contributions (NIC) and tax you pay are properly recorded on your account. It also acts as a reference number when communicating with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

You will need to obtain an NI number from the Department for Work & Pensions. This can be done via your local Jobcentre Plus office (your local jobcentre office will be listed in the phone book or log onto www.direct.gov.uk for more information).


Applying for a National Insurance number

If you have the right to work in the UK and you are looking for, starting work or are setting up as self-employed, phone Jobcentre Plus on 0845 600 0643. Lines are open 8.00 am to 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday.

Jobcentre Plus will arrange an Evidence of Identity (EOI) interview for you or send you a postal application. They will confirm the date, time and location of your interview. They will also tell you what information and documentation is required to support your application.

Go early as NI numbers can take weeks, sometimes months, to process. If you are working, take a letter to that effect from your employer or employment agency. Where you secure a position before obtaining your NI number, you will be given an emergency number based on your birthday.

National Insurance Registrations Helpline0845 915 7006 – 8.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday

Tax

It is more than likely that you will pay tax and your NI contributions through the PAYE (Pay As You Earn) system. You won’t have to do anything, as your local tax office will provide your employer with a tax code to calculate how much tax and NIC you should be paying. It is deducted from your salary, so your payslip reflects your net earnings. For further information, log onto www.hmrc.gov.uk


Bank accounts

Opening a bank account is one of the biggest frustrations for newly arrived travellers, since it’s difficult to receive timely payment or to secure a lease without one.

You may have heard that it is not as easy as you think to open a bank account in the UK. While this may be true to some degree, with a bit of common sense and following these few simple steps, you will be seeing your first pay cheque arrive in your account in no time.

Banks are concerned about security: yours and theirs. This means they will want to see various documents before opening your account.

They will want to see your passport so don’t forget to take it along. If you have a British or EU passport or visa, you will probably find it easier to open an account than those on working holiday visas. In addition to your passport, take along as many of the following as you can:

•Aletterofintroduction/referencefromyourbankmanagerathome

•Proofofaddresseitherintheformofarentalagreement,abilltoyouat your address or a letter from someone whose name is on the lease

•Aletterfromyouremployer(ifyouhavealreadyfoundwork)statingyour role, duration of employment and your address

•Aletterfromanemploymentagency(ifyouhaveregisteredwithone)stating your registration and explaining that you are actively seeking work

There are a number of high street retail banks to choose from when you arrive but having recognised how tricky the process can often be, HSBC have set up their Passport Account which has been specifically designed to assist customers relocating to new countries. This service allows you to open your bank account before you leave home, which means that your account will be up and running by the time you arrive in the UK.


Application forms and further information are available in branches and website www.hsbc.co.uk – type HSBC Passport Bank Account in the search for full details.

Accommodation

If you are lucky enough to have friends in the UK to stay with when you arrive, you can avoid a few initial stresses. However, finding accommodation after you arrive is not such a daunting task. In fact, many firms will help you with finding accommodation and point you in the direction of estate agents, as well as provide other assistance.

A basic rule is: the more central you are, the higher your rent will be, but your transport costs will be reduced. The further out you live, the cheaper your rent, but the more you’ll shell out for transport. If you’re unsure where you will be working, keep your options open committing to no more that a six-month lease. Check out www.upmystreet.com for an overview of particular areas.

Where to start your search

Estate agents/accommodation agenciesRegistering with local estate agents in your chosen area(s) is the best way to get your search under way. Some estate agencies are part of national or London-wide chains with offices in multiple locations. As a general rule, they focus on the particular area in which they are based, so you may have to register with quite a few to ensure that you cover the market.

From a practical point of view, they will want to see a letter from your bank back home or from your future employer to demonstrate your creditworthiness and that you are a quality tenant. Failing that, evidence in the form of bank statements that will prove your ability to pay the rent will be needed.


A useful website is the professional body for lettings agents – ARLA. Here you’ll find useful information for tenants www.arla.co.uk/info/tenants.htm as well as a search facility to find the name of local agents www.arla.co.uk/search/search.asp

Newspapers The newspapers that cover the London property market best are: Loot, The Evening Standard (especially on a Wednesday in the Homes & Property supplement) and of course, the local newspapers in the area. TNT, available for free outside most tube stations, is another good bet, especially for flat shares. These will list properties offered both by agencies and private owners.

Websites In addition to the agents’ own websites, there are numerous websites to check out to search for properties. Some of the most useful are:

www.propertyfinder.com www.findaproperty.co.uk www.loot.com www.accommodationlondon.net www.gumtree.com

Transport

The London Tube

This is the underground rail network and will most likely be your main mode of transport in London.

When you first arrive in London you can pick up a free map from any tube station. It is also worthwhile to purchase an A-Z guide which contains street maps and transport routes in London. They can be purchased from local convenience stores.


Tubes run from 5:50am to midnight, Monday to Saturday and 7:00am to 11:30pm on Sundays. The underground has thirteen lines and the fare system is based on zones.

Oyster cards can be purchased on a weekly, monthly, annual or pay-as-you-go basis. These are a cheaper alternative to getting around, and are more flexible and secure than normal tickets. See the Transport for London (TFL) website for further details.

Tel: 020 7222 1234 or visit www.tfl.gov.uk

Go by bus

Buses are an alternative for getting around and seeing the sights, however during the week they can be slower due to inner city congestion. In central London, most bus tickets must be purchased before getting on the bus. Again, Oyster cards are a cheaper and more efficient way to travel.

In most major cities night buses run at various intervals throughout the night on selected routes. They are generally a reliable and safe option if you miss your last tube home.

Consult the station staff regarding all your queries. There is an extensive selection of free information booklets, brochures, tube and other transport maps provided at all stations.

National Rail networks

There is a network of railways covering the UK and are sometimes referred to as the ‘over land’. If you book in advance, train fares can be relatively cheap. Most fares decrease in price after 9:30am.

National Rail Enquiries (NRE) is the definitive source of information for all passenger rail services on the National Rail network in England, Wales and Scotland. Visit their website if you are planning on any travel by train in the UK. www.nationalrail.co.uk


Coach

Travelling by coach is generally a cheaper way of getting around the UK. National Express provides travel to hundreds of places, while Megabus offers a cheaper alternative to selected locations.

Transport Direct is a website that offers information for door-to-door travel for both public transport and car journeys around Britain. It will provide you with comprehensive, easy-to-use travel information to help you plan your journeys effectively and efficiently.

www.transportdirect.info

Hailing a cab

Black cabs are expensive, however they can be cost effective when travelling in a group and are a safer option at night.

Minicabs are independent operators and are not metered, so you must negotiate a fare in advance. You must book your minicab from an office or over the phone.

For your own safety, it is not advisable to take unlicensed minicabs especially from drivers who approach you in the street or outside pubs and bars, particularly if you are travelling alone. This is an illegal cab.

In London, a new scheme has been launched to ensure people get home safely at night. You can text CAB to 60835 to get the number of one taxi and two local, licensed minicab companies.

Cycle mania

Bicycles are encouraged in the city, as the roads are often extremely congested. There is a growing network of bicycle lanes on England’s roads to increase safety for cyclists.


Healthcare

For most healthcare issues, you can find your answer on the NHS website www.nhs.uk or in more urgent circumstances, you can call the NHS Direct helpline 24 hours a day on 0845 4647 with any health queries you may have.

DoctorsVisiting a doctor is free and the only charge is for medicines prescribed. You will need to register with your local NHS doctor, who can be found in your telephone directory or through the NHS website www.nhs.uk

DentistsThere is no such thing as free dental care in the UK, however, even if you do find an NHS dentist you will have to pay towards any treatment that you receive, even regular check ups.

OpticiansMost high streets will have at least one opticians’ practice. Some are independent, others part of larger chains.

Emergency services

Dial 999 for police, fire or Ambulance services in case of emergency.


Utilities

Moving in to a new place means you will need to get connected to all the usual necessities such as water, gas and electricity. To get impartial advice on the best deals for all of your utilities, log onto www.uswitch.com. This site provides information on all suppliers and service providers in the UK – you can even use their online calculator to work out who will be the cheapest option.

Gas and ElectricityGas and electricity can be supplied separately but can now also be obtained from the same provider (and often it is cheaper to get both from a single utility company). The main providers for gas and electricity in the UK can be viewed here www.electricity-guide.org.uk/companies.html

WaterThere are local water companies for each region in the UK. Most likely, your provider will be:

Thames Water Tel: 0845 920 0800 or visit www.thames-water.com

To find out more information about your water company or any of the other companies in the UK, visit www.water-guide.org.uk

Communications

post Office

You can do more than just post letters and parcels at the post office. Their website lists the full range of services available including details on how to obtain your TV licence – an official license required by law in the UK for using and watching television.

Tel: 0845 722 3344 or visit www.postoffice.co.uk


Satellite and Cable TV (including broadband)

Digital Satellite TV

Freeview www.freeview.co.uk

Top Up TV www.topuptv.com

Sky Digital (+ broadband) www.sky.com

Digital Cable TV (and broadband)

Virgin Media www.virginmedia.com

BT Vision www.bt.co.uk

Internet service providers

It is hard to imagine being without ‘connection’ for very long these days. Luckily, there are dozens of ISPs in the UK. All of them offer different packages to cater for capacity, download limits, connection speed… the combinations are endless.

Some of the bigger and better known names include the following companies, although if you are not buying a TV and internet package from one of the companies above or through BT Broadband, it is certainly worthwhile logging onto www.uswitch.com for an impartial comparison of what they all offer:

www.bethere.co.uk www.plus.net www.talktalk.co.uk www.bulldogbroadband.com


Mobile network providers

To get you out and about and ‘mobile’, here are some of the big UK mobile providers.

Orange

O2

Vodafone

Three Mobile

T-Mobile

fixed Line Telephone

British Telecom – telephone and broadband. www.bt.com

Directory EnquiriesBT UK Directory Enquiries 118500

BT International Enquiries 118505

Operator Services UK 100International 150


Keeping in touch

Phone cards or prepaid plans on your mobile phone tend to be the cheapest way to stay in touch with family and friends. Look out for advertisements for the different plans in travellers’ magazines and on the Tube. There are internet cafes throughout London and most are open late, so you should have no problem catching up with people via email.

EasyEverything is a popular, larger chain and its central London branches are open 24 hours. Quiet times are usually mornings and late in the evening. For branches and more information, visit www.EasyInternetCafe.com

free magazines

There are several free magazines aimed at travellers which are available on a weekly basis from many tube or bus stations. Typically, they offer news and sport from home, travel stories and packages, flats to share, jobs and guides to what’s on in the area. The most well known of these is TNT magazine.


Embassies & Consulates

AustraliaAustralian High Commission Strand, London, WC2B 4LA Tel: +44 (0) 20 7379 4334 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7240 5333 www.australia.org.uk

New ZealandNew Zealand High Commission New Zealand House, 80 Haymarket, London, SW1Y 4TQ Tel: +44 (0) 20 7930 8422 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7839 4580 www.nzembassy.com

CanadaCanadian High Commission Macdonald House, 1 Grosvenor Square, London, W1K 4AB Tel: +44 (0) 20 7258 6600 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7258 6333 www.canada.org.uk

South AfricaSouth African High Commission South Africa House, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DP Tel: +44 (0) 20 7451 7299 (except Consular Section) Fax: +44 (0) 20 7451 7283 (except Consular Section) www.southafricahouse.com


WANT TO KNOW MORE?

If you have a question about what we’ve included in this guide, or to speak with one of our expert consultants, contact us at [email protected]. Alternatively, why not visit our website hays.co.uk.

HAYS and the H device are protected by trade mark and design laws in many jurisdictions. © HAYS 2010

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