FAQs
When is the best time to travel to the UK?
In our opinion, there is never a bad time land in the UK. We think the UK is unique in all seasons, but if you’re not good with the cold its best travel June-August (summer). If you’re heading over for work, we know that recruitment takes a little bit of a dip in December; however it quickly heats back up in January for contracting. Generally contract work is stable all year round.
What is the general cost of living in the UK?
Cost of living is higher in the cities, with Lonely Planet quoting that in London you can scrape through on about £50 a day: £20 on a dorm bed, £10 on self-catering supplies, £8-10 on admissions and £7 for a one-day travelcard.
Away from the major cities a budget traveller will get through on £30 a day, this is including accommodation and food.
Getting across the country in the UK can really cut into the travel funds. Buses are the cheapest option by far. If you’re catching the trains, booking ahead is a must to save money. You can pay well over double the fare if you’re purchasing your ticket on the day.
How do I know what visa I need?
· To look at your eligibility for the most common visa types, have a look at the visa pages of our website and/or try our visa assessment
· You can also check out the British High Commission websites http://ukinaustralia.fco.gov.uk/en/ (Australia), http://ukinnewzealand.fco.gov.uk/en/ (New Zealand).
· If you’re still unsure please contact one of our consultants.
How long will it take to process my visa?
At present the British High Commission in both Australia and New Zealand are taking about 7 working days (from the date of receipt) to process straightforward applications. Please note Settlement, Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode, and Tier 1 PBS are not considered straightforward. This is only a guide however and it is subject to change without warning from the BHC.
Both Restless and the British High Commission cannot give guarantees for visa processing times, as it varies depending on volume of incoming applications and available resources.
Most importantly Restless encourages you not to book flights until you have confirmation of your visa approval.
What time frame is best to apply for my visa?
We would suggest that you should be getting started with us about 12-14 weeks prior to your proposed date of travel. That way you’re not running it to the line to get your visa approval. The British High Commission will only process applications where you are proposing to travel within 3 months of receipt of your application. It will make it less stressful for you if you don’t book flights as otherwise it will be a very tight time frame. Changing flights can be expensive and frustrating, therefore trust us, and wait till you’ve got your visa.
Can I apply for my visa or change visa types over in the United Kingdom?
All new visa applications should be applied for from your home country, or a country where the UK post will accept applications and that you have permission to stay in for more than six months.
If you’re extending your visa such as on a Tier 1, or applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) then you will be able to apply in the UK. The UK Home Office won’t allow you to stay in country by changing on to another visa type. You will need to exit the country in order to apply for any new visa type.
Can I travel or apply for other visas while waiting for my UK visa approval?
Unfortunately you will need to submit your passport with your application to the British High Commission for the duration of the visa processing. Therefore you won’t be able to travel or apply for other visas while your application is with the British High Commission. If you need your passport back such as in the case of an emergency, you can withdraw your application and have your passport send back to you.
What is a national insurance number and why do I need one?
A National Insurance Number is the UK equivalent to an Australian Tax File Number or New Zealand IRD number. You can work without one but you will be stung with emergency tax rate of 40%.
Why do I need to set up a bank account before I leave?
If you’re planning to work in the UK you will need a UK bank account to be paid into. The trouble is that UK banks have a tricky system where you need to be able to provide 3 months proof of UK residency in the form of a bank statement or utility bill. Hence we have developed a system for getting bank accounts open for people before they travel to the UK.
Can’t I just pick up a No contract post-paid plan when I arrive in the UK?
No unfortunately, and we’ve done all our research. Every couple months we talk to all the major providers, and you can’t get one without the UK credit history.
Is there a way of expediting my visa application?
Unfortunately there is no express or priority service available for visa processing. If there was some way of speeding up the BHC’s processing, we’d be recommending it to all of our clients. What we can offer is our service to ensure that your application is presented in the best possible way to get your visa approved.