UK Essentials
So, you’re off to the UK…. It’s exciting and just a little bit daunting with everything you need to organise and get the low down on, like getting a bank account sorted, a Tax File Number (or National Insurance Number as it is known by the Brits), a mobile phone plan….the list goes on.
No doubt, you’ve heard some pretty frightening tales about the banks and the home office from your friends in London and want to get it right before you go so you can focus on the very things you’ve gone there to do – work, play and travel.
We couldn’t agree more, so we’ve done the hard work, found the right people to hook up with and bundled it all together in our UK Essentials Packs for a one-stop, hassle-free solution to moving to the UK. You can also buy one product at a time if you feel that suits you best…the choice is yours.
Our UK Essentials Packs Include:
UK Bank Account
Why bother? Well, waiting until you arrive in the UK to set up a bank account can often mean waiting weeks before the account is opened. Most require you to have proof of a job first, which can add even longer to the process if you don’t get working straight away and then of course, if you do get a job, you still won’t have an account to receive your pay for several weeks!
There are some banks that do allow you to set up an account before you leave but require you to have up to $4000 to open the account with; a huge amount of money after you’ve paid for flights and everything.
We think the best thing to do is open a Bank Account before you go so we talked to the banks in the UK and formed a relationship with a major UK bank. We can open a bank account for you with only a £100 deposit. The account is fully operational within 48 hours of the bank receiving your completed application, which means you’ll have an activated Visa Debit Card giving you free international withdrawals, great for when you are travelling and Internet Banking set up you before you leave the country. Too easy!
UK Mobile Plans
Restless have teamed up with Nomi and can deliver your Nomi Service right to your door before you leave home. You will have a UK number ready to give out to family, friends and recruiters.
‘Nomi’ means ‘Call’ in the international language, Esperanto. Nomi’s aim is to help unite people across the world, as Esperanto does, and provide a fair service that everyone finds easy to use.
With Nomi-mobile you can chat-as-you-go for as long as you like; forgetting about time zones and call costs. You will benefit from domestic and International calls anywhere, anytime and a simple flat rate.
There’s loads more information on how it all works in our UK Mobile Plan pages.
Payroll & Tax Services
If you plan on contracting in the UK, then our top tip would have to be to get yourself registered with an umbrella company. Umbrella companies specialise in payroll and tax management services for expat contractors.
By far, the best way to maximise your income while contracting in the UK is to register with an umbrella company before you go. This is the only way you can claim your relocation and work related expenses, i.e. flights, accommodation and travel to reduce your taxable income thereby minimising the tax you will be required to pay.
When you sign up to one of our UK Essentials Packs, we will get you registered with i4 Group here in Australia making sure you maximise your relocation benefits, one more thing sorted and one less thing to do when you arrive. Head to our Payroll & Tax Services section for more information about i4 Group’s services.
National Insurance Number (NIN)
In order to work and earn money while you live it up in the UK, you will have to get a National Insurance Number. This is essentially the same as a Tax File Number in Australia and an IRD in New Zealand and you won’t be able to work for an employer without one. The process for getting an NI number is pretty mind-numbing but ultimately essential.
We can take some of the pain out of the process for you by booking your appointment and giving you all the details but I’m afraid you’re still going to have to get down to the local home office branch and get yourself registered. We suggest you take a good book!
Money Transfers
If you’re moving to the UK, at some point you are going to want to transfer some money internationally between accounts. Whether it’s for the purpose of actually setting up a UK Bank Account before you leave, getting some extra spending money sent over while you’re away, or sending some hard earned British Pounds home, transferring funds abroad can be costly and confusing.
Using a company like OZForex or Tranzfers allows you to do this online which is cheap and easy! They also have awesome online tools for checking exchange rates and conversion figures and produce regular market updates that you can subscribe to, ensuring you are always aware of the best rates and times to exchange currency.
You’ll also recieve
If you get a Restless UK Essentials Pack, we’ll throw in your first international money transfer for free, saving you $15 AUD.
