The United Kingdom is rich in culture and history. People can find many educational and career opportunities in the UK, making it a perfect place for single immigrants and families. Because of its progressive economy, it’s not a surprise that many people choose to migrate to the United Kingdom.
Americans migrate to the United Kingdom mostly to get better job opportunities, study in top universities, start a business, or have a fresh start with their families. However, if you’re from the US and planning to migrate to the UK, you should prepare yourself for the costs of moving.
Here’s a brief guide to know how much money you should have if you want to immigrate and live in the United Kingdom.
Visa Costs
If you’re planning to migrate, the first thing you should prepare for is the cost of the visa application process. The cost of a visa application depends on the visa type you need.
Here’s a sample list of the visa costs you might pay for:
- Tier 5 – Youth Mobility Visa: It requires £244 to process the application and £940 payment for the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge. The Immigration Healthcare Surcharge allows you to access the UK’s National Health Service during your stay and while your visa remains active. You should also save up to around £2,500+ before applying for a UK visa.
- Tier 2 – Skilled Worker Visa: You must have a confirmed job offer to apply for a skilled worker visa. This visa allows you to stay in the UK for 5 years before renewing it.
For a Tier 2 application, you need to prepare an application fee that ranges from £600+ to £1050, depending on your eligibility. You also need to pay the healthcare surcharge, which costs around £600+ per year. Lastly, you need enough money to support yourself once you’re in the UK, so prepare around £1300 in your savings account.
- UK Ancestry Visa: If you’re applying for an ancestry visa, you need to prepare £516 for application and £3120 for the healthcare surcharge.
If you’re unsure about the entire visa application process and how you can protect yourself from fraud, you can seek assistance from reliable immigration lawyers, like the Eversage Immigration Lawyer, to guide you through your application.
Travel Costs
Once you’re done with your visa application, you need to save up and consider the travel costs of moving to the UK. This includes flights that can cost around £300+ and travel insurance. If your visa’s approved and you already paid for the healthcare surcharge, you don’t have to worry about insurance once you land in the UK.
You also need to save up for the airport transports and baggage, especially if you’re bringing many belongings with you.
Accommodation Costs
You need a place to stay once you arrive in the UK. If you haven’t secured a house yet, you need to prepare your money for upfront payments once you find a hotel, Airbnb, or apartment where you can stay temporarily.
It’s best to research different areas before you move to the UK so you can see what you can afford and what fits your lifestyle the most. For instance, you need around £600-£2000 per month to rent out a flat in the London area.
Basic Living Expenses
Most importantly, you need enough money to cover the cost of living in the United Kingdom. This includes food, transportation, clothes, and other essential bills. It’s best to save £500-£1000 before moving to the UK so you can prepare for any circumstances and support yourself while looking for a job.
Takeaway
Migrating to the United Kingdom can be costly, so ensure that you have enough savings to support yourself during the entire process. You need to prepare for your visa application, travel expenses, accommodation costs, and basic living costs before beginning your immigration process.
By being fully prepared for any expenses, you’ll have a stress-free moving experience to the UK.
