Working in London
What’s the lowdown on working in one of the biggest, brightest and most diverse cities in the world? Radley Green can help you make the move and adjust to living and working in London.
The London life...
The demand for highly skilled, mobile talent is on-going. The London market welcomes new talent from across Europe and beyond. It’s a thriving and diverse city that continues to see high demand for motivated and talented professionals.
Important considerations
When planning your trip to the UK the most important considerations you need to make will be regarding your visa, bank account and accommodation.
Visas
First and foremost you will need a current work visa which you will need to apply for and receive before arriving in the UK. There are a range of visa options available; these are dependent on your country of origin, skill sets and the intentions you have for your stay.
You can find information on visas at:
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration
Typically, we see candidates who have Tier 1 Highly Skilled Migrant Programme visas, Tier 5 Youth Mobility visas, Ancestry visas, EEA and Temporary Worker visas.
You can find out more information on the types of visas available for non-European candidates wanting to work in the UK at:
Bank Accounts
If you are looking for a temporary or interim job in the UK you will also need to set-up a bank account. It is better to do this through your own bank since opening an account in the UK can be difficult if you are not a UK resident. Banks in the UK require proof of UK residence, a utility bill registered in your name and proof of earnings. It is unlikely that you will have this information if you have just arrived in the UK. In addition the application process can take up to eight weeks. Your best move is to go via your own bank since most international banks can advise you and set-up an overseas account for you.
At Radley Green, we can offer some practical advice if you do not have a UK bank account upon arrival in London.
The following site has useful information on setting up a bank account:
http://money.workgateways.com/working-uk-taxation-ni-number.html
Accommodation
London has great transport links but it is a big city and it can take well over an hour to get from one side of the city to the other. As such, it is important to consider your accommodation in advance of arriving. Short-term options include hostels, bed and breakfasts and hotels. Plus some businesses have rooms to rent on a short-term basis to help you settle before committing to longer term rented accommodation.
Radley Green are more than happy to offer some practical advice about these options before you arrive.
The typical commute in London will be one hour so be prepared for this and consider where you are going to stay when you arrive. Some useful sites to assist you with your search for accommodation in London are: