How much does it cost to move to the UK?
The amount of money to save when planning a move to the UK will vary from person to person, having your finances planned correctly is one of the most important aspects of moving to the UK. How much is a visa? Do I have to pay the NHS Surcharge upfront? How much rental deposit do I need to save for? Being in a secure financial position will make things a lot easier, but this article will discuss the minimum savings you will need depending on your visa and the main things to budget for.
How much is a Visa to the UK?
The cost of a visa will depend on the type and the duration you have requested.
As of November 2022 and as a single applicant:
Most Common Types
- British National Overseas Visa – £180 – for 2 years and 6 months
- Health and Care Worker Visa – £247 – for 3 years
- Scale-Up Visa – £715 for 2 years
- Senior or Specialist Worker – £625 for 3 years
- Skilled Worker Visa – £625 for 3 years
- UK Ancestry Visa – £531 for 5 years
- Student Visa – £363 – for the duration of yours, usually 2 or 4 years
- Youth Mobility Scheme – £259 for 2 years
What about family and dependants?
Applicants can apply with their spouse/partner and dependent children for most of the popular visas. Although this will have to be on a separate application for each person, of which the fee is £247 for 3 years.
Do I have to pay for Healthcare?
For the most common visas the short answer is yes, except the Health and Care Worker Visa who are exempt. The healthcare surcharge is an upfront mandatory payment in order to access the National Health Service (NHS). This payment will ensure you are covered in case you become unwell or have an accident in the UK. If you are applying for a 2-year visa you will have to pay £624 each year, Therefore you will have to pay a total of £1248.
What else for the application stage?
During the application stage it is not just the visa fee and healthcare surcharge to budget for, but what else you need to pay for depends on your circumstances.
Below are are estimated costs as of November 2022:
- English Language Test – £180
- Tuberculosis Test – £30 – £100
- Criminal Record Certificate – £20 – £100
- Proof of Finances – £1,270
Before You Arrive
Now that your visa to the UK has been approved, it is time to start preparing for your arrival. You might decide that a suitcase is all you need and anything else can we bought in the UK, but if not, you will need to consider an international shipping company. The cost of shipping belongings will vary from a few hundred pounds for boxes, to thousands for a container, depending on weight and the distance. You will need to budget for your flight which you can get a rough idea by using Skyscanner. If you can, try and select flexible tickets that will allow you to change the date of your flight, just in case your job start date changes, or if an apartment you have agreed falls through. Another possible cost is for your pet, this includes transport and insurance. We have outlined this in more detail on our Pet section, this also includes getting your pet vaccinated and the right documents in place.
Accomodation
When you arrive in the UK, you will need to have already booked yourself some short-term accommodation, usually a hotel or an Airbnb apartment. We would recommend at least 2 weeks as this gives you enough time to decide where you want to live and organise any paperwork if required with a letting agent. It is possible to move into a room quicker, such as through SpareRoom.
So how much?
As you have now just read this can vary wildly depending on your circumstances. From the type of visa, length of stay, apartment or room, single applicant to bringing a pet or not. Overall for a single applicant who has a job already arranged, we recommend to save at least £5000 if you are intending to stay outside London, within London expect to save at least £7000 to have a decent start.
Latest Articles
Carer Jobs in UK with Visa Sponsorship [2025]
In recent years, the UK has experienced increasing demand for carers to provide support for its aging population. Carer jobs in UK with visa sponsorship is one of the most popular visa routes due to a skills shortage throughout the country. The most popular visa route is the Health and Care Worker but there is […]
Top 10 – Best Weekend Away in the UK
When looking for an ideal weekend away in the UK, it is important to choose a place to match what you want to do! The UK has modern bustling cities such as London and Edinburgh to quiet, peaceful and rural areas such as the Scottish Highlands and Cornwall. We have picked out our favourite top […]
5 of the Best Peak District Hikes [2024]
Walking in the Peak District offers views of a stunning national park with its rolling hills, deep valleys and wildlife. There are multiple Peak District hikes and walks to challenge yourself regardless of fitness level. In this article we will walk through our favourite Peak District hikes as well as what to pack, best time […]
4 Ways to get a Skilled Work Visa for UK in 2024 [Apply]
Emigrating on a skilled work visa for UK for many is a popular choice. The UK is experiencing a shortage of skilled workers in many sectors and is looking international to help reduce the skills gap. Many of the UK sponsor visas can lead to permanent residency in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Most […]
How to get Work Permit for UK without Job Offer? [2024]
Most work visas will require you to find companies that offer sponsorship in the UK in order to live and work here, but there are still ways to obtain a work permit for UK without job offer. There are six work visas that we have listed below that do not require you to be sponsored […]
PSW in UK 2024 – [Graduate Visa]
PSW in UK or a Post Work Study permit, is a visa that allows international students who have graduated from a UK university to stay in the country after graduation. The UK Graduate Visa allows you to live and work for up to three years after your studies, depending on if you achieved a bachelors […]
Homes for Rent in the UK [2024]
Homes for rent in the UK in 2024 can be a difficult process when you are new to the country. When you move to the UK for work, you are most likely to rent in the beginning. In 2023, net migration in to the UK was 672,000 with many newcomers moving to popular cities such […]
Immigration Salary List UK (ISL) [2024]
The Immigration Salary List (ISL) will replace the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) in the United Kingdom from the 4th of April 2024. The ISL contains 23 occupations that are most in demand in the UK for 2024, the list will be updated on an annual basis. There is some changes from the SOL including eligibility […]