Things to Do on Arrival in the UK

You’ve made it!

After months of planning, paperwork, packing and goodbyes, you have finally arrived in the United Kingdom.

The first few days and weeks can feel overwhelming. There are quite a few practical things to sort out, and some UK systems work very differently from what you may be used to in South Africa.

This guide covers the most important things to do after arriving in the UK and will help you get settled as quickly as possible.

1. Check Your Immigration Status

One of the first things to do is make sure you understand how your immigration status is recorded and how you can prove your right to live, work or study in the UK.

The UK has moved towards a digital immigration system, and many visa holders now use an eVisa rather than a physical immigration document.

Make sure you can access your UKVI account and that your personal details, passport and immigration status are correct.

You may need to prove your immigration status when starting a new job, renting a property or dealing with other organisations.

Tip: Keep digital copies of your passport, visa-related documents and important immigration correspondence somewhere secure.

2. Get a UK Mobile Number

Getting a UK mobile number will make almost everything else easier.

You will need a UK number for things such as banking, job applications, property enquiries, deliveries and verification codes.

You can usually choose between:

• Pay-as-you-go
• SIM-only contracts
• Monthly phone contracts

If you have only just arrived and don’t yet have a UK credit history, a pay-as-you-go or flexible SIM-only option can be the easiest place to start.

3. Open a UK Bank Account

A UK bank account is useful for receiving your salary, paying rent and bills, setting up Direct Debits and managing everyday expenses.

Traditional banks may ask for proof of your UK address and identification. Some digital banking providers may have different requirements.

Documents you may be asked for include:

• Passport
• Proof of UK address
• Immigration or residency information
• Employment details

Don’t worry if you don’t have much of a UK credit history yet. Building a financial footprint in a new country takes time.

4. Find Your National Insurance Number

Your National Insurance (NI) number is used for UK tax, National Insurance contributions and employment records.

Depending on your circumstances, you may already have been allocated one.

If you haven’t, check whether you need to apply.

You can generally start work before receiving your National Insurance number provided you can prove that you have the right to work in the UK.

Keep your NI number private and only provide it when there is a legitimate reason to do so.

5. Register With a GP

A GP — General Practitioner — is your main point of contact for most non-emergency healthcare through the NHS.

Once you know where you will be living, find a GP surgery in your area and register.

Don’t wait until you’re sick.

Registration requirements can vary, so check directly with the GP practice if you’re unsure what documents they need.

Once registered, you’ll be able to use your GP for routine healthcare, prescriptions, referrals and ongoing medical needs.

For urgent medical help that isn’t a life-threatening emergency, NHS 111 can provide advice. For a serious or life-threatening emergency, call 999.

6. Find Somewhere to Live

If you’re initially staying with friends, family, in an Airbnb or temporary accommodation, finding a longer-term home will probably be one of your biggest priorities.

Rental properties in some parts of the UK move quickly.

When renting, you may be asked for:

• Proof of identity
• Proof of income or employment
• References
• A deposit
• Rent in advance
• Evidence of your right to rent, where applicable

If you have recently arrived and don’t yet have UK employment or credit history, a landlord or letting agent may ask for a guarantor or additional rent in advance.

Never transfer money for a property without taking reasonable steps to confirm that the property, landlord or letting agent and tenancy are genuine.

7. Understand Council Tax

Council Tax often comes as a surprise to South Africans.

It is a local tax charged by councils to help pay for services in your area.

If you’re responsible for Council Tax at your new home, contact your local council and make sure the account is set up correctly.

The amount you pay depends on factors including the property and local council.

Discounts or exemptions may apply in certain circumstances, including some single-person households.

8. Set Up Your Household Bills

Once you move into your own home, check which household bills you are responsible for.

These may include:

• Electricity
• Gas
• Water
• Broadband
• Council Tax
• TV Licence, where required
• Contents insurance
• Mobile phone

Take meter readings when you move into a property and keep a photograph of the readings for your records.

It can save you a headache later if there is a dispute about energy usage before you moved in.

9. Understand the TV Licence

The UK’s TV Licence rules can be confusing when you’ve just arrived.

Whether you need a TV Licence depends on how you watch television, not simply whether you own a TV.

Check the current TV Licensing rules before deciding whether you need one.

Don’t assume that owning a television automatically means you need a licence — or that not owning one automatically means you don’t.

10. Register to Vote If You’re Eligible

Depending on your nationality and immigration status, you may be eligible to register to vote in certain UK elections.

Eligibility varies, so check the official UK government guidance rather than assuming you can or cannot register.

Being registered to vote can also help establish your UK address history.

11. Get Familiar With Public Transport

Public transport is a big part of everyday life in many areas of the UK.

Depending on where you live, you may use:

• Trains
• Buses
• The London Underground
• Trams
• Local transport networks

Contactless bank cards and mobile payments are widely used, particularly in London, although ticketing systems vary around the country.

If you’ll be commuting regularly, investigate season tickets, railcards and local travel passes. They can sometimes make a significant difference to the cost.

12. Driving in the UK

Yes, you’re still driving on the left — so at least that part feels familiar!

However, UK road rules, speed limits, parking restrictions and driving conventions can be different from South Africa.

If you have a South African driving licence, check the current rules regarding how long you can use it in Great Britain and whether and when you need to exchange or replace it.

Do this early. Don’t wait until your South African licence is about to become unusable.

If you buy a car, remember to consider:

• Vehicle insurance
• Vehicle tax
• MOT requirements
• Servicing
• Parking permits
• Congestion or clean-air charges in applicable areas

13. Start Building Your UK Credit History

Your South African credit record generally doesn’t simply transfer across to the UK.

This can be frustrating when you’re trying to obtain a mobile contract, credit card, car finance or mortgage.

Building a UK credit history takes time.

Simple steps that may help include keeping your address details consistent, paying bills on time, using financial products responsibly and registering to vote if you’re eligible.

Avoid applying for lots of credit products at the same time simply to try to establish a credit history.

14. Understand Your Payslip

Your first UK payslip might look slightly unfamiliar.

Depending on your circumstances, it may include deductions for:

• Income Tax
• National Insurance
• Workplace pension contributions
• Student loan repayments, where applicable
• Other employment-related deductions

Check that your personal details and tax code appear correct.

If something doesn’t look right, speak to your employer’s payroll department or check with HMRC.

15. Understand Workplace Pensions

If you’re employed in the UK and meet the relevant requirements, your employer may automatically enrol you into a workplace pension.

Both you and your employer may contribute.

Before immediately opting out because you want a slightly larger monthly salary, understand what you would be giving up — particularly any employer contributions.

16. Find Your Local Supermarkets and Shops

This is one of the more enjoyable parts of settling in.

You’ll quickly become familiar with UK supermarkets such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, ASDA, Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl, Waitrose and M&S.

And when the craving hits, don’t panic.

South African food shops and online stores can be found throughout the UK, selling favourites such as:

• Mrs Ball’s chutney
• Ouma Rusks
• NikNaks
• Aromat
• ProNutro
• Bakers biscuits
• Boerewors
• Biltong

Finding your first proper packet of biltong in the UK can feel like a significant milestone.

17. Prepare for the Weather

South Africans often hear jokes about British weather before moving here.

Then winter arrives.

A good waterproof jacket is usually more useful than simply carrying an umbrella, especially when wind and rain arrive together.

For colder months, consider:

• A proper winter coat
• Waterproof shoes or boots
• Layers
• Gloves
• A scarf
• An umbrella

UK homes can also be expensive to heat, so learning how your boiler, thermostat and heating controls work can help keep energy costs under control.

18. Learn the Little UK Differences

Some things take a little getting used to.

A few examples:

Robots are traffic lights.
A boot is still a boot.
A bakkie is usually called a pickup.
A circle is a roundabout.
Petrol stations are often called filling stations or service stations.
A braai is a barbecue — although we’re not suggesting you start calling it that.

You’ll also discover that “you alright?” usually means hello rather than someone expressing concern about your wellbeing.

Give yourself time. The small cultural differences eventually become second nature.

19. Connect With Other South Africans

Moving countries can be exciting, but it can also be lonely.

There are large South African communities throughout the UK, both online and offline.

Look for local South African groups, sports clubs, churches, community organisations, Facebook groups and events.

Having people around who understand references to loadshedding, Woolies, a proper braai and why rusks belong next to coffee can make the UK feel considerably more like home.

20. Keep Important Documents Organised

Create a secure folder — physical, digital or both — containing your important UK documents.

Consider keeping copies of:

• Passport
• Immigration documents
• UKVI information
• Employment contract
• Tenancy agreement
• National Insurance information
• Payslips
• P60s and P45s
• Bank documents
• Utility bills
• Council Tax correspondence
• Driving documents
• Insurance policies

You’ll be surprised how often you need to prove where you live or provide documentation during your first year in the UK.

Your First UK Checklist

If you’ve just landed and aren’t sure where to begin, concentrate on the essentials first:

☐ Check your immigration status and UKVI account
☐ Get a UK mobile number
☐ Open a UK bank account
☐ Check your National Insurance number
☐ Register with a GP
☐ Arrange permanent accommodation
☐ Set up Council Tax and household bills
☐ Understand your transport options
☐ Check the rules for your South African driving licence
☐ Start establishing your UK address and credit history
☐ Keep copies of important documents
☐ Connect with your local community

Welcome to the UK

Moving from South Africa to the United Kingdom is a huge adjustment.

Some things will be familiar. Others will make absolutely no sense at first.

Give yourself time to settle in.

You don’t need to have everything sorted during your first week. Focus on the essentials, work through your list one step at a time and keep asking questions.

Before long, you’ll know your National Insurance number, understand Council Tax, complain about train delays and discuss the weather with complete strangers.

Then you’ll know you’re settling in nicely.

Important: Immigration, tax, healthcare, driving and other government rules can change. Always check the latest information on the official GOV.UK and NHS websites before taking action.