The moving to London blog

Recommendations, news and articles to help you; apply for a UK visa, find a flat, secure a job and much more.

From making the move to settling in, all articles found here are free.

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Moving to London from Australia or New Zealand in 2025

Is London calling you in 2025! Here's what you need to know moving from down under to the UK 🇦🇺 🇳🇿

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The UK's new eVisa system: Everything you need to know

🤖 The UK's immigration system is going digital as of 2025.

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Skilled Worker visa: Why is it so hard to get sponsored?

😩 If you're trying to move to the UK with a Skilled Worker visa but finding it tough, there are some reasons why.

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What to do with Aussie government accounts before moving to the UK

🇦🇺 Aussies moving abroad, there are some things you need to do for the government before you go.

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Pre-existing health conditions and the NHS: Moving to the UK from abroad

⛑️ Any new residents in the UK will have access to the NHS which will help manage any pre-existing medical conditions.

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Youth Mobility visa: The requirement to apply from outside the UK

📍 All Youth Mobility visa applications must take place from outside the UK.

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Applying for the Youth Mobility visa from outside your home country

🌍 If you're already living abroad and want to apply for the Youth Mobility visa you can, with some important considerations.

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Moving to London as an American - Mackenzie Sepler

🇺🇸 Hear from Mackenzie what it's like moving to London from the USA.

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Youth Mobility visa: Everything you need to know

⚡️ The Youth Mobility visa offers a fantastic pathway for young people to live and work in the UK.

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Switching from a foreign license to a UK drivers license: What new Londoners need to know

🪪 If you've moved to the UK, you have 1 year to switch your foreign license to a UK drivers license.

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Google autocomplete questions answered: "Moving to London"

🔍 "Hey Google, give me the answers to the autocomplete 'moving to London' questions."

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Youth Mobility visa: Frequently asked questions

⚡️ The Youth Mobility visa is one of the UK's most popular, here are answers to this visa's FAQs.

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How much does moving to London cost?

💸 It's an expensive process moving to London from abroad. Although there are costs in every category, there are savings to be made along the way if you know where to find them.

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100 fun facts about London

💯 London is a very fun place to live, here are 100 fun facts about the city you could call home.

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House sharing in London explained

🏠 House sharing in London is the most common way to live in the city helping you to keep costs down and make friends.

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When is the best time of year to move to London

📆 Moving to London is always a good idea, but it can be hard to know when the best time of the year to make the move.

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Starting work in London, UK: Frequently asked questions

🧑‍💻 Starting work in the UK raises a bunch of questions, this article covers FAQs for those starting work when moving from abroad.

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Moving to London on a budget: 3 ways to save money on your move

💷 Moving to London from abroad is expensive, here are 3 guaranteed ways to save money during your move.

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How to move to London in 10 steps

🇬🇧 Thinking of moving to London? Here's 10 steps you need to take.

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Flat hunting in London: Frequently asked questions

🏡 Frequently asked questions about house hunting in London for those new to the city and country.

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Moving to London from Australia: 5 reasons why it's a great idea

🪃 If you come from a land down under, here's why you should move to London.

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UK Ancestry visa: Frequently asked questions

👵 For Commonwealth citizens who have a grandparent born in the UK, the UK Ancestry visa is a popular choice.

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Starting work in the UK without a National Insurance Number

🪪 It is possible to start work without a NIN but there are important things to know so that you don't have more money deducted than necessary.

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Top 10 apps for life in London

📱 These apps are on the phone of every Londoner.

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Opening a UK bank account as a visa holder: Frequently asked questions

🏦 Opening a UK bank account raises a bunch of questions, this article covers those FAQs.

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Hipster heaven: 5 of London's coolest neighbourhoods to live in

👨‍🎤 Looking to call one of London's hipster hoods home? These are 5 of the best hipster neighbourhoods.

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Proving your UK immigration status: Share codes

# Share codes are how UK visa holders can prove their immigration status.

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11 of the best things about living in London

🌟 Thinking of moving to London from abroad? Here is why life in the city is awesome.

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UK Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) Post Office collection

📮 Collecting your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) from a UK Post Office is an essential step in your immigration journey.

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Couch-surfing in London: How to keep your friendship in-tact when staying temporarily

🛋 Here's how you can stay with your friend, avoid expensive temporary accommodation costs and not cause any issues.

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UK visas: Showing sufficient funds for 28 days

🏦 A common reason visa applications are rejected is failing to meet the complex requirements showing the required funds for 28 days.

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How do deal with London's bad weather

☔️ Learn how to deal with London's notoriously wet, windy and unpredictable weather.

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Moving to London as an Australian: Sarah Mander

🇦🇺 Hear from Sarah what it's like moving to London from Australia.

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Different flat types for renting in London

🏘 There are many different types of flats in London, here is the breakdown for renters new to the country.

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The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): A guide for UK visa holders

🧑‍⚕️ Anyone moving to the UK on a visa will need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).

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The challenges of living in London

😬 Believe it or not, there are some cons that come with living in London that new Londoners should prepare for.

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London postcodes: How to understand them

📍 Explore the intricacies of London postcodes to help understand how they are structured and what they signify in terms of geographical location.

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Youth mobility visa expanded for Aussies

🪃 Good news for Aussies! The popular Youth Mobility visa is set to expand meaning more Australians will be able to live and work in the UK.

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Youth mobility visa expanded for Kiwis

🥝 Good news for Kiwis! The popular Youth Mobility visa is set to expand meaning more New Zealanders will be able to live and work in the UK.

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Ryanair visa checks: What you need to know

🛂 If you're living in the UK on a visa and travelling with Ryanair, you'll need to arrive at the airport early for a visa check.

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Healthcare in the UK for visa holders: Frequently asked questions

🩺 Frequently asked questions about healthcare in the UK for those new to the country.

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Moving to London as a Kiwi - Sean Van Oosaanen

🇳🇿 Hear from Sean what it's like moving to London from New Zealand.

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Selecting a UK visa start date: Factors to consider

🗓 Selecting the right start date for your UK visa is essential to ensuring a smooth application.

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Flexible working in London: working from home, abroad and anywhere

🤸‍♀️ Flexible working has significantly risen in popularity for London employers since the COVID-19 pandemic.

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British passports through descent: How to get a British passport when born outside the UK

🇬🇧 If you have a parent born in the UK, then you can apply for a British passport through descent.

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Youth Mobility visa: Arrival dates explained

🛬 Arrival dates are an important factor in activating a Youth Mobility visa.

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Choosing a London football team to support: From newcomer to fan

⚽️ Football is a way of life in London and this guide will help new Londoners pick a team to support.

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UK visas: How to prepare for your biometrics appointment

✋ The biometrics appointment is a crucial step in the process for any UK visa application.

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Moving to London as a Canadian: Emily Houghton

🇨🇦 Hear from Emily what it's like moving to London from Canada.

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Healthcare Essentials: Understanding the NHS

🫶 Whether you've lived in the UK for 5 minutes or your whole life, all residents get free healthcare through the NHS.

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What to pack when moving to London from abroad

🧳 Airlines charge extortionate amounts for extra baggage, make sure you pack the right things when moving to London.

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What it is like to cycle in London

🚲 The pedal powered guide for commuting around London.

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British cuisine: Uniquely British foods to try when living in London

🥧 The ultimate guide for understanding and appreciating the uniqueness of British cuisine.

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Essential travel apps: For adventurous Londoners

📲 These apps will help make adventurous Londoner's travel easier.

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National Insurance explained

🪪 National Insurance is a scheme that is paid into by everyone living in the UK, even if you move from abroad.

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UK Ancestry visa: Everything you need to know

🇬🇧 For those with a grandparent born in the UK, the UK Ancestry visa allows you to live and work in the UK while retracing your British roots.

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Where to Live in London: A guide for new Londoners

🏡 Moving to London and don't know where to live? This guide will help you understand the areas of the city.

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UK visa and immigration price increases: Starting October 4, 2023

⬆️ UK visa and immigration prices have increased between 15% and 64%.

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Mastering currency exchange: Transferring your money into GBP

💸 How to get your money into British Pounds (GBP) as effectively as possible.

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What it's like to fly with Ryanair: Travelling in Europe

✈️ Wondering what it's like to fly with one of Europe's biggest budget airlines?

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Making new friends in London: Ways to meet people

👯‍♂️ For those new to London and the UK, here are ways you can meet new people and make friends.

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Youth Mobility visa: Top 10 application mistakes to avoid

🙈 Having your eyes open to these common Youth Mobility visa application mistakes will help you avoid serious headaches.

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A guide to British English: Vocabulary and expressions

🗣 Introducing common British English words and phrases that may be unfamiliar to new Londoners.

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Choosing a UK phone network: Understanding UK phone essentials for new Londoners

📱 If you're new to the UK it can be difficult to know where to start when choosing a phone network.

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Everything you need to know about UK visa vignettes

🛂 The essential details about UK visa vignettes, from their purpose to how to transfer or replace them.

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Costs of living in London: What to expect

💷 Break down of the costs associated with living in London, including housing, food, transportation, and entertainment for those moving from abroad.

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How to prepare for flat hunting in London when living abroad

🏡 What you need to know about house hunting in London when moving from abroad.

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Migrate makes moving to London easy

✈️ Tailored moving planner to guide you every step of the way

💬 Messaging with Migrate experts to answer any questions

🧭 Ultimate in-depth guides for moving to London from abroad

Full access for just £25