First 30 Days in the UK: Complete Migrant Checklist

Week 1: arrival and identity

On arrival, the priority is verifying that the eVisa or BRP is correctly linked to the passport. eVisa holders log into the UKVI account and check the status reflects the visa granted. BRP holders collect from the designated Post Office within 10 days of the date stated on the decision letter.

Border Force may stamp the passport or issue an entry vignette. Keep arrival documentation including boarding passes and accommodation receipts for the early weeks; some services request proof of arrival date.

Week 1-2: address and bank account

Establishing a UK address comes first because most services need one. Short-term accommodation (Airbnb, serviced apartments, family) bridges to a longer-term rental. The Right to Rent check by the landlord uses the eVisa share code service or the BRP.

Opening a UK bank account follows. Several digital banks open accounts within hours of arrival with minimal proof of address. High-street banks typically need proof of UK address (council tax bill, utility bill, signed tenancy agreement) and proof of identity.

Week 2-3: National Insurance number

National Insurance numbers are needed for tax and benefit administration. Applications are made online via GOV.UK after arrival. Processing times vary. The number can be used by employers in the interim using a Notional NI process for PAYE.

The first payslip may show an emergency tax code until the NI number arrives and the tax code is updated. Refunds for over-paid tax during the emergency period are processed automatically by HMRC at the end of the tax year.

Week 3-4: NHS, council tax, utilities

Registering with a GP is the gateway to NHS services. Practices accept new patients on a postcode basis. Required documents: proof of address and immigration status. The NHS Find a GP service identifies practices accepting new patients.

Council tax is registered with the local authority on the council's website. The first bill usually arrives within a few weeks of registration. Utilities (gas, electricity, water, broadband) are set up via the supplier; many tenancies inherit a supplier from the previous tenant.

Throughout: documentation and admin

Keeping a single folder (physical or digital) of arrival documentation reduces friction across services. Useful items: passport copy, eVisa share code, tenancy agreement, first utility bills, NHS number once registered, NI number, bank account details.

Some services (insurance, financial product applications) ask for UK address history; the gradually-built UK file fills this gap. The first six months in the UK are typically about building the paper trail that everyday services expect.

Frequent ordering issues

The bank-account-and-address loop is the most common friction point: many landlords want a UK bank account; many banks want a UK address. Newcomer-friendly digital banks break this loop. The dedicated proof-of-address article on this site lists the specific routes.

GP registration without a permanent address is possible at many practices using the temporary address rules. NHS access in the first weeks is not blocked by lack of permanent address; emergency care is free for all in any case.

Week 1: arrival and immediate setup

Day 1-2: arrive in the UK on the visa or eVisa. Border Force at the port of entry checks the passport and visa documentation. For visa holders with a vignette, the vignette permits entry; the longer-term status is on the BRP (where issued) or activated as an eVisa in the UKVI account.

BRP collection: where a BRP is issued, collect it from the designated Post Office in the UK within 10 days of the date specified on the decision letter (or arrival, whichever is later). The Post Office requires identification (passport) and the collection reference letter. Missing the window can lead to the BRP being returned to UKVI.

eVisa activation: where the visa is eVisa-only (no BRP), log into the UKVI account at View and prove immigration status. Check the status reflects the visa granted with correct dates and conditions. Generate share codes for landlord, employer and benefit checks.

Immediate accommodation: short-term accommodation (Airbnb, serviced apartments, hotel, family) is the standard bridge for the first 1-2 weeks while permanent accommodation is sorted. Plan in advance; arrival accommodation booking confirms before flights are booked.

Week 1-2: housing search and tenancy

Permanent rental search: most international movers find permanent accommodation within 2-4 weeks of arrival. Online platforms (Rightmove, Zoopla, OpenRent, SpareRoom for shared housing) list properties; estate agents handle the formal letting process.

Documents for the tenancy application: passport with eVisa share code or BRP, proof of income (employment offer letter, recent payslips if already working), bank statement (UK or overseas), references from previous landlords if available. Right to Rent check by the landlord uses the eVisa share code service introduced under the Immigration Act 2014 and subsequent regulations.

Deposit: capped under the Tenant Fees Act 2019 at five weeks' rent for tenancies under £50,000 annual rent. Plus a holding deposit of up to one week's rent before signing. The deposit is held in one of three approved schemes: DPS, MyDeposits or TDS.

Tenancy agreement: most assured shorthold tenancies are 12 months with a 6-month break clause. Read carefully before signing; the agreement governs the tenant's rights for the duration. The right-to-rent check uses the eVisa share code; the landlord typically checks this through GOV.UK View a tenant's right to rent.

Week 2-3: banking and address verification

Bank account: digital banks (Monzo, Starling, Revolut UK) typically open accounts within hours using passport and biometric verification with minimal address evidence. High-street banks (HSBC, Lloyds, Barclays, NatWest) typically require proof of UK address (council tax bill, utility bill, signed tenancy) plus passport identification.

The bank-account-and-address loop: most landlords expect a UK bank account before accepting tenants; most banks expect a UK address before opening accounts. Digital banks break this loop; some employers provide an introduction to high-street banks for new sponsored staff.

Setting up direct debits: once the account is active, set up direct debits for council tax, utilities, broadband, mobile, and any other recurring payments. Most providers prefer Direct Debit; some offer discounts for Direct Debit payment.

Credit history: starts from zero for most new UK residents. Building it takes 6-12 months through timely bill payments, electoral roll registration where eligible (Commonwealth, Irish and EU pre-settled status holders can register), and credit-builder products. Experian, Equifax and TransUnion are the three main UK credit reference agencies.

Week 2-4: NI number, tax and employment

National Insurance number: applied for after arrival via GOV.UK Apply for a National Insurance number. The application asks for personal details, visa status and employment status. Processing takes weeks to several months depending on workload.

Working while waiting: most employers run a Notional NI process in payroll software while the NI number is pending. The first payslips may show emergency tax codes (0T or BR) until HMRC issues the correct tax code; refunds for overpaid tax during the emergency period are processed automatically at the end of the tax year via P800 or via the personal tax account.

HMRC personal tax account: register at GOV.UK Personal tax account using Government Gateway or GOV.UK One Login. The account shows tax codes, P60 end-of-year statements, P45 leaver statements, and pension contributions. Updating personal details (address, marital status) through the account is the standard route.

Employer onboarding: HR typically arranges payroll setup, pension auto-enrolment (under the Pensions Act 2008), and statutory disclosures during the first weeks. Pension contributions are deducted from salary at the contributing rate; employer matches at the matching rate. The Money and Pensions Service's MoneyHelper provides free guidance on pension choices.

Week 3-4: NHS, council and utilities

GP registration: visit the local GP practice with passport, eVisa share code or BRP, and proof of address. NHS England operates the Find a GP service to identify practices accepting new patients. Registration is free for those ordinarily resident or with visa-IHS coverage. The practice records the patient's NHS number and arranges any catch-up vaccinations.

NHS dental: dentistry is separately registered. NHS dentists are listed on NHS.UK; private dentists are also available. NHS dental charges (Band 1, 2 and 3 fees) apply to most adults; children, pregnant women, and adults on certain benefits are exempt.

Council tax registration: visit the local council's website (gov.uk/find-local-council finds the right council from a postcode). The online form asks for the property details, the move-in date, and the household members. The first bill arrives within a few weeks covering the remainder of the financial year (April to March).

Utilities setup: gas, electricity and water are typically set up by the new tenant on move-in. Outgoing tenants or landlords provide handover meter readings; the new tenant contacts the supplier with the readings. Switching suppliers is possible after the initial contract; comparison sites authorised by Ofgem provide standardised price information.

Broadband and TV licence: broadband contracts typically have minimum terms (12-24 months) and installation timing varies (some can be activated by router-only within days; new line installations can take weeks). TV licence is required for watching live BBC TV or BBC iPlayer; sign up at tvlicensing.co.uk.

Throughout the month: documentation and the running folder

Documentation folder: keep a physical or digital folder of arrival documentation. Useful contents: passport copy, eVisa share code, tenancy agreement, first utility bills, council tax bill, NHS number once registered, NI number once issued, bank account details, P60 or payslips, vehicle documents if relevant.

Service registrations needing UK address history: insurance products (home contents, car), mobile phone contracts beyond initial PAYG, credit cards beyond bank-affiliated credit-builders. The folder accumulates the documentation that proves UK address history.

Children's school admissions (if applicable): refer to the arriving-in-uk-with-children article for the in-year admissions process. The local authority covering the family's postcode handles state school admissions; applications are typically processed within 1-4 weeks.

Pets (if applicable): register with a local vet using the pet passport or AHC/GBHC documentation from the international move. Update microchip databases with the new UK address (PETtrac, ProtectedPet, Identibase).

Vehicle (if applicable): import process via NoVA, then DVLA registration for UK number plates. The first MOT test on UK roads applies at the relevant interval (typically 3 years from new vehicle, then annually). UK car insurance is required to drive on public roads.

Frequent ordering issues and workarounds

The bank-account-and-address loop: digital banks (Monzo, Starling, Revolut UK) break this by opening accounts with minimal address evidence. Some employers' HR teams introduce sponsored workers to high-street banks with a letter of employment.

GP registration without permanent address: NHS England guidance permits registration without a permanent address using temporary address procedures. Emergency care (A&E, 999) is free for all in any case; routine care via GP registration can use a hotel or temporary address.

NI number application backlog: emergency tax codes apply while waiting; the first salary may be smaller than expected. Tax refunds for the overpaid amount come automatically at the tax year end. Where the wait is unusually long, escalation via HMRC is sometimes needed.

Council tax queries during the first month: most councils have an online query form. Disputed bills (wrong band, wrong dates, wrong household composition) can take weeks to resolve. Pay the assessed amount in the meantime to avoid arrears; refunds follow correction.

Mobile phone contracts: PAYG SIM cards (EE, Vodafone, O2, Three) are immediately available without credit checks. Contract phones with built-in credit typically need 6-12 months of UK address history; the workaround is PAYG for the first months, then switching to contract when credit history allows.

Tax setup in the first 30 days

HMRC personal tax account: at gov.uk/personal-tax-account. Shows tax code, P60 records, PAYE history, self-assessment status. Register via Government Gateway or GOV.UK One Login.

Tax codes and PAYE: emergency tax codes (0T, BR) apply at the start of employment until HMRC issues the correct code. The first few payslips may show higher deductions; refunds for overpayment are processed automatically at year end via P800 or through the personal tax account.

Self-assessment for additional income: required where the worker has self-employment income, property rental income, dividends above the threshold, or other non-PAYE income. Annual returns are due 31 January following the tax year end.

National Insurance contributions: Class 1 on employment income, Class 2 and 4 on self-employment, Class 3 voluntary for non-residents. NI contributions count towards State Pension entitlement.

Pension contributions: tax relief at the worker's marginal rate. Auto-enrolment under the Pensions Act 2008 covers most workers; employer contributions match at the agreed level.

Long-term planning across the immigration journey

Long-term planning across the visa lifecycle: the journey from initial visa to ILR to British citizenship spans 6-8 years typically. Building the documentary record, maintaining lawful status, planning extensions and switches, and the eventual settlement application all benefit from a long-term view.

Career and family planning around immigration: visa requirements interact with career progression, education choices, family timing, and other life decisions. Where significant life events are planned, considering the immigration position is part of the planning.

Risk management: keep documents, maintain contact with UKVI through changes of address, comply with visa conditions, build a clean record. Issues that arise during the visa years are easier to address proactively than at the settlement application.

Backup routes: where the primary route encounters difficulties, alternative routes provide options. Skilled Worker holders can consider Global Talent, family route, Innovator Founder depending on circumstances. Long Residence (10 years) provides a backup settlement path.

Future return scenarios: where the applicant may return to the country of origin or move elsewhere, planning preserves options. Maintaining country-of-origin ties, financial records, and qualifications supports future flexibility.

Disclaimer

This article provides general information about UK immigration, tax and consumer matters and is not legal, financial or tax advice. Rules, fees and thresholds change. Always check GOV.UK and the relevant UK regulator before acting, and consider taking professional advice tailored to individual circumstances.

Frequently asked questions

What do I do first when I arrive in the UK?

On arrival: verify the eVisa is correctly linked in the UKVI account or collect the BRP from the designated Post Office within 10 days. In the first week: secure short-term accommodation while permanent rental search happens, open a digital UK bank account for early-stage banking, start applying for a National Insurance number. In weeks 2-4: find permanent rental and sign the tenancy, register with a GP using the eVisa share code, register for council tax with the local authority, set up utilities. The order depends on individual circumstances; the bank-account-and-address question is the most common bottleneck.

Can I work in the UK without a National Insurance number?

Yes. The NI number is needed for HMRC tax administration but is not a prerequisite for starting work. Employers use a Notional NI process in payroll software while the NI application is in progress. Tax may initially be on emergency codes (0T or BR), producing higher initial deductions; this is corrected once the NI number arrives and HMRC issues the correct tax code. Refunds for the overpaid emergency-code tax come automatically at the end of the tax year via P800 or through the personal tax account.

How quickly can I open a UK bank account?

Several digital banks (Monzo, Starling, Revolut UK) open accounts within hours of arrival using passport and biometric verification with minimal address evidence. High-street banks (HSBC, Lloyds, Barclays, NatWest) typically take 1-2 weeks and require proof of UK address (council tax bill, utility bill, signed tenancy agreement). The FSCS protects deposits up to £85,000 per depositor per bank. The choice depends on whether you need a full current account immediately or can use a fintech option while a high-street application progresses.

Can I register with a GP without a permanent UK address?

Yes. NHS England guidance permits registration without a permanent address using temporary address procedures, registration without an address, or registration with a short-term tenancy. Emergency care (A&E, 999) is free for all in any case. Routine care via GP registration can use a temporary or short-term address; the practice records the patient's NHS number and provides referrals to specialist services as needed. The NHS Find a GP service identifies practices accepting new patients in a given postcode.

When does my council tax start?

Council tax is charged from the date you move into a property. Registration with the local council is via the council's website (find at gov.uk/find-local-council). The online form asks for property details, move-in date, and household members. The first bill typically arrives within 2-4 weeks of registration and covers the remainder of the financial year (which runs April to March). Single-person households pay 75% of the band's full rate under the single person discount; full-time students living alone can be exempt.

Frequently asked questions

What do I do first when I arrive in the UK?

On arrival: verify the eVisa is correctly linked in the UKVI account or collect the BRP from the designated Post Office within 10 days. In the first week: secure short-term accommodation while permanent rental search happens, open a digital UK bank account for early-stage banking, start applying for a National Insurance number. In weeks 2-4: find permanent rental and sign the tenancy, register with a GP using the eVisa share code, register for council tax with the local authority, set up utilities. The order depends on individual circumstances; the bank-account-and-address question is the most common bottleneck.

Can I work in the UK without a National Insurance number?

Yes. The NI number is needed for HMRC tax administration but is not a prerequisite for starting work. Employers use a Notional NI process in payroll software while the NI application is in progress. Tax may initially be on emergency codes (0T or BR), producing higher initial deductions; this is corrected once the NI number arrives and HMRC issues the correct tax code. Refunds for the overpaid emergency-code tax come automatically at the end of the tax year via P800 or through the personal tax account.

How quickly can I open a UK bank account?

Several digital banks (Monzo, Starling, Revolut UK) open accounts within hours of arrival using passport and biometric verification with minimal address evidence. High-street banks (HSBC, Lloyds, Barclays, NatWest) typically take 1-2 weeks and require proof of UK address (council tax bill, utility bill, signed tenancy agreement). The FSCS protects deposits up to £85,000 per depositor per bank. The choice depends on whether you need a full current account immediately or can use a fintech option while a high-street application progresses.

Can I register with a GP without a permanent UK address?

Yes. NHS England guidance permits registration without a permanent address using temporary address procedures, registration without an address, or registration with a short-term tenancy. Emergency care (A&E, 999) is free for all in any case. Routine care via GP registration can use a temporary or short-term address; the practice records the patient's NHS number and provides referrals to specialist services as needed. The NHS Find a GP service identifies practices accepting new patients in a given postcode.

When does my council tax start?

Council tax is charged from the date you move into a property. Registration with the local council is via the council's website (find at gov.uk/find-local-council). The online form asks for property details, move-in date, and household members. The first bill typically arrives within 2-4 weeks of registration and covers the remainder of the financial year (which runs April to March). Single-person households pay 75% of the band's full rate under the single person discount; full-time students living alone can be exempt.