When you receive an offer letter from your favorite university in the UK, it is the hard part of your admission that you have successfully achieved. Then, the adventure of your educational journey truly begins. Now, the only thing left is to say goodbye to your loved ones and start a new and exciting chapter of your life.
Having a passion for studying in the UK on a study visa is not enough for you. You may need to be prepared to cope with these exciting milestones in your educational journey.
Because it seems more challenging and tough for you.
So, if you are one of them who is pursuing their studies in the UK, there are several important things to do after landing in the UK.
You can consider this blog as an international students arrival guide 2023, which contains a complete list of things that need to be done after landing in the UK on your UK student visa.
This guide will help the students who are coming outside the UK and make their lives easier while moving to the UK.
Understand the Important Things to Do After Landing in the UK
No doubt, getting started on your educational journey in the UK can be both exciting and overwhelming for you as an international student. But it might be a huge step to move to a new country with plenty of new challenges.
Below are the most important things to do after landing in the UK that will help you have a hassle-free experience that you can enjoy. It may also be considered an international student arrival guide for 2023 or a UK Arrival Checklist 2023;
- Arrange your Transport
- Find Your Accommodation
- Collect your BRP
- Register With a University
- Register with a GP
- Get a New SIM Card
- Open a UK Bank Account
- Get Your National Insurance Number
- Find a Job
- Unpack your Things & Enjoy the UK
Arrange your Transport
Once you landed in the UK, the most important thing to do is to manage your transport. If this is your first move to the UK, you must sort out this issue first, ask your educational institute or university to make the arrangements. You might have to pay extra charges to them. Apart from this, seek information about local transportation, access a complete list of stations, and sign up for airline newsletters to get notified and be informed about the possible available transportation options.
As an international student, preparing for your educational journey can be difficult for you but our international students arrival guide 2023 will be your go-to-resource.
Find Your Accommodation
After landing a long hours flight in the UK, you must be in dire need of a place where you can sleep after arrival. Some of the luckiest international students successfully find their accommodation before or after their arrival in the UK. So, it is crucial to get your new home connected before you arrive in the UK.
Generally, there are three kinds of accommodations for international students in the UK.
- University Halls of Residence/Dormitories
- Commercial Student Flats
- Private Landlords
These accommodations might be found anywhere across the UK. Whether you opt for public dormitories arranged by the university or private ones, you must arrange them near your institute or university.
Collect your BRP
After landing in the UK, it is important to receive your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card. It is a secure identity card that will help you to provide a proof that you are an international student in the UK. If you have a digital immigration status, you will not be able to get a BRP.
Now, the next question in your mind will be where to collect your BRP in the UK if you are still waiting for someone.
The BRP can be collected from:
- The Post Office of UK
- Your University
After arriving in the UK you should have followed all the guidelines for collecting your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) as mentioned in this international students arrival guide 2023.
Register With a University
After collecting your BRP, you are obliged to present your passport and BRP card and register yourself with the university. By getting registered with the university, you will receive your student’s International Identity ID card. Your prior educational institute or university will send you a guideline email. You should make sure that you have all the required documents for registration.
Register with a GP
In order to enjoy the benefits of healthcare, you will need to register with a GP (General Practitioner) doctor. You are required to register during the first week of your arrival in the UK. You know you have paid for the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which is included in the visa application. The only way you can access NHS services is when you have a GP registration.
For the GP registration, you will be required to submit the following information:
- Your current address in Leicester
- The date when you entered the UK
- Your ID card
- Your proof of registration with the UK university
Get a New SIM Card
One of the most important things to do after landing in the UK is to get a UK SIM card. It will be the easiest and cheapest way to communicate with your loved ones and get in touch with your friends. Having a local number means you are approachable and contactable in the UK. When it comes to a UK SIM card, you will have two options: a prepaid SIM or a cell phone contact.
Furthermore, you can get connected by getting a SIM card from:
- Vodafone
- EE
- O2
- Lebara
Whichever network you may choose, contact them at home by making a quick phone call or sending a text and let them know that you have arrived in the UK safely.
Open a UK Bank Account
Opening a bank account is an essential first step in any foreign country on the path to financial success. It seems like planting a seed for your money tree. If you open your UK bank account within the first week after landing in the UK, it will be helpful if your payments go smoothly. There are required minimum of 5 working days to open a bank account in the UK. For this purpose, you must provide your passport, ID, photos, student status letter, stay permit, and proof of your address. You can also choose some digital banks, such as:
- Starling
- Monzo
- Revolut
- Chase UK
Some offline banks include:
- HSBS
- Lloyds
- NatWest
Get Your National Insurance Number
If you intend to do any job part-time, then a National Insurance (NI) number is mandatory to have with you for any most important activity in the UK. This ID is a proof that demonstrates you are allowed to work in the UK. You can apply online by booking an appointment and providing soft copies of your required documents. The required documents are your passport and BRP card. This process can take 8 to 9 weeks to get your NI number.
Find a Job
We know studying abroad can be a big achievement for you, but you may have to face some challenges along the way, especially financial ones. That’s why settling in the UK with a job will be a secure option for you. So it would help if you started looking for a job after arriving in the UK. As it is advisable in our international students arrival guide 2023. It will help you to settle and bear your bread and butter in the UK.
Unpack your Things & Enjoy the UK
If you have done all the above-listed essential things in the UK that sound a little harder, then it’s time to be relaxed. Unpack your bags and get out there to enjoy. You will explore a host of exciting places around your school, college, or university. No matter if you are visiting a museum near your home or university or going hiking through the countryside, it will be one of the most exciting things to do after arriving in the UK.
What to do Next?
Congratulations!
You have embarked on an exciting educational journey as an international student in the UK. The journey is filled with lots of opportunities, incredible adventures, and, obviously, your educational growth.
To make this experience more successful, follow the key steps outlined in our international students arrival guide 2023. From the very step of organizing your transport to unpacking your bags to enjoy the beauty of the UK, we have got you covered.
In conclusion, we can say that you should follow the guidelines mentioned above and make your educational journey memorable by attending social events and making new friends.
Furthermore, to get more details and clarity about what to do after landing in the UK, reach out to us at StudyWise.
We have a team of educational consultants and registered migration agents who provide consultancy and assistance regarding your application and admission process. Apart from this, we offer career counseling, visa application assistance, advice regarding admissions, and guidance on choosing the cheapest universities in the UK.
So, to receive any kind of help and service regarding student visas, application process, or consulting, get in touch with us via our websites or social media platforms including Facebook, LinkedIn, and more
