Banking and Utilities in London

An Insider’s Guide to Living in London

This London relocation guide has been designed with the explicit intention to provide expats and travellers with all they need to know about moving to London.

This exciting chapter covers: Banking and Utilities.

Learn about your visa limitations, tax variations, your eligibility to work, even the best mobile phone contracts - this chapter is loaded with useful stuff you’ll require during your stay.

The guide includes actionable insights and direct links to official websites that can help you along the way.

Moving to London Checklist - Taking Care of Paperwork

It’s a glorious moment following months of planning when you’re finally able to move to London. We know that you’re courageous and spontaneous (that’s why we like you), but having your paperwork in order before your trip will ensure a smooth landing at the other end.

This chapter will focus on the little (and legal) administrative precautions that will save you major headaches during your first few months in your new home. From understanding your visa limitations, tax variations and best mobile phone contracts to your eligibility to work and the bureaucratic prerequisites of getting paid; we’ll show you how to dot the i’s and cross the t’s leaving you free to explore all that London has to offer.

In this chapter, we hope to guide you through the not-so-glamorous practicalities of relocating to London.

2.1 How to Sort Out Your UK Visa

First thing’s first. If you don’t have the valid entry documents for your visit to London, you won’t get much further than the airport. You can find out everything you need to know about whether or not you’re eligible for a visa to general trends in processing time on the UK Border Agency Website.