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United Kingdom

Capital: London

Last verified: 2026-02-20

Fees, fines, and deadlines are approximate and may change. Always verify with official sources.

Key Registrations & Procedures

Visa Application (Skilled Worker / Student / Family)

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)

Deadline: Apply before travelling to the UK. Most visa categories require approval before entry. EU/EEA citizens no longer have automatic right to live and work in the UK post-Brexit. ⚠️ From 25 February 2026 (in 5 days), all non-visa nationals (including EU/EEA citizens) MUST have an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA, £16) to board transport to the UK. Full no-permission-no-travel enforcement is now strictly enforced — no discretion. Apply via the UK ETA app or gov.uk.
Processing Time: Standard processing: 3–8 weeks depending on visa type. Priority service available for some categories (5–10 working days). Super priority: next working day (where available).
💰Fees: Skilled Worker visa: £769–£1,519 (outside UK) / £885–£1,751 (inside UK) depending on duration (updated April 2025, skills charge December 2025). Student visa: £524. Family visa: £1,938. Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035/year (£776 for students). Immigration Skills Charge (employer-paid): £1,320/year for large sponsors, £480/year for small sponsors (increased December 2025). General salary threshold: £41,700.
📅Appointment: Online application via gov.uk. Biometrics appointment required at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) or UKVCAS service point. Book via the gov.uk portal after submitting the online form.
Required Documents:
  • Valid passport (with at least 6 months remaining validity)
  • Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) reference number from employer (Skilled Worker) or Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from university (Student)
  • Proof of English language ability (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent — minimum B2 for Skilled Worker/Scale-up visas since January 2026; B1 for family visas)
  • Proof of sufficient funds (maintenance requirement: £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days)
  • Tuberculosis (TB) test certificate (if from a listed country)
  • Criminal record certificate (for some visa types)
  • Passport-sized biometric photo
  • Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) payment confirmation
Where to Do It:

Apply online at gov.uk. Biometrics collected at UKVCAS centres (in the UK) or Visa Application Centres (outside the UK). In London: multiple UKVCAS locations. VACs operate in most countries worldwide.

If You Don't Do It:

Working or residing in the UK without a valid visa is a criminal offence. Penalties include fines, detention, deportation, and entry bans of up to 10 years. Employers face fines of up to £60,000 per illegal worker.

Regional Variations: Same immigration system applies across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Scotland has additional pathways under consideration. Northern Ireland has some special provisions under the Windsor Framework for EU goods.
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Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) / eVisa

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)

Deadline: The UK has transitioned from physical BRP cards to eVisas (digital immigration status). All BRPs expired on 31 December 2024. New visa holders receive an eVisa linked to their passport. Existing holders should have created a UKVI online account to access their digital status.
Processing Time: eVisa is linked to your passport automatically after visa approval. No separate card issued for new applicants.
💰Fees: Included in visa application fee. No separate charge for eVisa.
📅Appointment: No appointment needed for eVisa. Managed via your UKVI online account at gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status.
Required Documents:
  • Decision letter from UKVI
  • Valid passport
  • UKVI online account credentials
Where to Do It:

Managed entirely online at gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status. Use your eVisa to prove your immigration status to employers, landlords, and service providers.

If You Don't Do It:

Without valid immigration status proof, you may face difficulties accessing employment, housing, healthcare, and banking. Employers and landlords are legally required to check immigration status.

Regional Variations: Same process across the entire UK. Post Office collection points available in all regions.
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National Insurance Number (NINo)

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

Deadline: Apply as soon as you start working or plan to work in the UK. You can start work before receiving your NINo.
Processing Time: Applications typically processed within 2–6 weeks. You will receive your NINo by post.
💰Fees: Free
📅Appointment: Apply online via gov.uk. No in-person appointment required in most cases. You may need to prove your identity online or, rarely, attend a Jobcentre Plus.
Required Documents:
  • Valid passport or BRP/eVisa
  • Proof of right to work in the UK
  • Proof of UK address (utility bill, tenancy agreement, bank statement)
Where to Do It:

Apply online at gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number. Phone applications accepted. In rare cases, an interview at a Jobcentre Plus may be required.

If You Don't Do It:

No direct penalty for not having a NINo, but without it your employer must use emergency tax code, meaning higher tax deductions. You may not be able to access certain benefits or build your state pension record.

Regional Variations: Same process across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Jobcentre Plus offices available nationwide.
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Register with a GP (General Practitioner)

National Health Service (NHS)

Deadline: Register as soon as possible after arrival. NHS care is available to all UK residents regardless of immigration status for GP and emergency services.
Processing Time: Same day to 2 weeks. Some GP surgeries have waiting lists in high-demand areas.
💰Fees: Free (funded through Immigration Health Surcharge paid with visa application). NHS is free at the point of use for registered patients.
📅Appointment: Walk in or call your chosen GP surgery. Some accept online registration via their website.
Required Documents:
  • Proof of address (utility bill, tenancy agreement)
  • Passport or photo ID
  • Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) payment reference (if applicable)
  • NHS number (if previously registered — otherwise one will be assigned)
Where to Do It:

Any GP surgery near your home. Find your nearest GP at nhs.uk/service-search. In London and major cities, many GP surgeries accept new patients. Rural areas may have fewer options.

If You Don't Do It:

No penalty for not registering, but without a GP registration you cannot access routine NHS healthcare, referrals to specialists, or prescriptions. A&E and emergency care remain accessible to all.

Regional Variations: NHS operates slightly differently across the four nations: NHS England, NHS Scotland, NHS Wales, and Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland. Prescriptions are free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland but charged in England (£9.90 per item, with exemptions available).
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Bank Account Opening

Commercial Banks (HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds, NatWest, etc.)

Deadline: No deadline — open when needed. Some landlords and employers require a UK bank account.
Processing Time: Same day to 5 working days depending on bank. Digital banks (Monzo, Starling, Revolut) often provide accounts within hours.
💰Fees: Free for standard current accounts.
📅Appointment: Walk in to a branch or apply online. Digital banks are entirely app-based.
Required Documents:
  • Valid passport or BRP
  • Proof of UK address (some banks accept visa decision letter if you have no UK address yet)
  • Proof of immigration status (eVisa or BRP)
  • Some banks require a letter from employer or university
Where to Do It:

Any bank branch or online. Digital banks (Monzo, Starling) do not require a branch visit. HSBC and Barclays offer international student account packages. In London and major cities, most branches have same-day account opening.

If You Don't Do It:

No penalty. However, without a UK bank account, receiving salary, paying rent via standing order, and building a UK credit history is difficult. Many services require a UK bank account for direct debit payments.

Regional Variations: Same banking system across the UK. All major banks operate nationwide. In Scotland, Clydesdale Bank and Bank of Scotland are additional options. In Northern Ireland, some branches also handle euro transactions.
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Council Tax Registration

Local Council (Borough / District Council)

Deadline: Automatically registered when you move into a property. You must inform the council within days of moving.
Processing Time: Council tax bill issued within 2–4 weeks of registration.
💰Fees: Varies by property band and location. Typical range: £1,200–£2,500/year for Band D. Full-time students are exempt. Single occupants get 25% discount.
📅Appointment: No appointment needed. Register online via your local council website or by phone.
Required Documents:
  • Tenancy agreement or property deed
  • Proof of identity
  • Student status letter (if claiming exemption)
Where to Do It:

Your local council website. Find your council at gov.uk/find-local-council. Every property in the UK is assigned a council tax band (A–H in England/Scotland, A–I in Wales).

If You Don't Do It:

Failure to pay council tax can result in court summons, bailiff action, and attachment of earnings. Penalties and court costs added to outstanding amount. Persistent non-payment may result in imprisonment (up to 3 months).

Regional Variations: Council tax rates vary significantly by region. London boroughs tend to be higher. Scotland has its own council tax bands. Northern Ireland uses a different system called "domestic rates".
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