Mr.UK LivingYour First Weeks in the UK: A Practical Checklist for International Students
Arriving to study in the UK involves a handful of admin tasks that are easy to put off and awkward to fix later. This checklist sets out the essentials in the order most students need them, with links to the official guidance.
1. Before you travel
A Student visa application can be made up to 6 months before your course starts if you apply from outside the UK, and a decision usually takes around 3 weeks. Check the conditions on your visa carefully, including any work restrictions. [1]
Most applicants pay the immigration health surcharge as part of the visa application. It allows you to use the NHS from the date your visa starts, although some services such as prescriptions, dental treatment and eye tests may still be charged. [2]
2. Set up your eVisa
Physical immigration documents have been replaced by eVisas, a digital record of your identity and immigration status. You need a free UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account to view it. [3]
Your eVisa lets you generate a share code to prove your status, for example when renting a home or starting a part-time job. Add your passport details to the account before you travel. [3]
3. Register with a GP
Everyone in England can register with a GP surgery free of charge, and most surgeries accept registration online. The form takes about 15 minutes and registration is usually confirmed within 5 days. [4]
Register soon after you arrive rather than waiting until you are unwell.
4. Council Tax
Households where everyone is a full-time student do not have to pay Council Tax. A course normally counts as full-time if it lasts at least one year and involves at least 21 hours of study a week. If you receive a bill, you can apply for an exemption. [5]
Our view
None of these steps is difficult on its own, but together they arrive at the busiest point of the year. Dealing with them in a fixed order in the first two weeks avoids most of the problems we see later on.
Sources
- [1] GOV.UK, Student visa: gov.uk/student-visa
- [2] GOV.UK, Pay for UK healthcare as part of your immigration application: gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application
- [3] GOV.UK, eVisas: access and use your online immigration status: gov.uk/evisa
- [4] NHS, Register with a GP surgery: nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/how-to-register-with-a-gp-surgery
- [5] GOV.UK, Council Tax: discounts for full-time students: gov.uk/council-tax/discounts-for-full-time-students