So you’ve completed your application and you’ve been for your interview. What’s next to prepare for your move to the UK?
Waiting for Confirmation
About a day or two after my interview, I received an email saying my documents had arrived in New York and were being reviewed. The email said that they aim to complete their review within 15 working days; so, it was time to wait. About a week later I got an email saying my documents were being shipped back to me but nothing confirming their decision. Pretty much everything I had read online from other applicants said that they had received an email saying their application had been accepted. I never received anything like that which caused a very stressful 24 hours for me. So if you don’t receive an email, don’t worry. By the next evening I had received the package containing my decision letter (this lets you know you’ve been accepted and tells you when and where to pick up your BRP,) my passport with the temporary visa sticker, and all the copies of documents I had supplied.
Preparing to Move
First I made sure I was saving as much as possible before leaving. I ensured I had enough CAD to pay for a few months worth of food and rent in Vancouver. If I could get by in the expensive rental market of Vancouver with my savings I’d be okay in Edinburgh. I decided to keep my Canadian credit card instead of applying for one over here. This was probably a good idea in the end due to it being really difficult to open a bank account in the UK. But more about that in the next post. Less than a week before leaving, I went into the bank to switch my accounts and withdraw money. I left some money in my account for emergencies and to be able to pay my credit card until I was working again. Then I asked to have my accounts switched to the free accounts so I could still keep them open but not have to worry about paying for an account I was not using. I recommend going to an actual currency exchange to change over your money before leaving. Banks only order so much of each currency each week. I’ve also found you get better rates at an exchange vs. the bank.
Before leaving, start getting an idea of what neighbourhood you’d like to live in, what amenities you’d like to have near you and what kind of budget you have. For some people, living close to the city centre or being walking distance from work is necessary. For myself personally, I used to commute an hour to work every day and I care about being close to public transit and a grocery store. Start browsing Gumtree, the British version of Craigslist, to get an idea of what’s out there. Keep in mind that anything with a professional letting agency will require UK bank info.
When it comes to packing, bring only the essentials. You are going to travel so much while here and buy a lot of new stuff. I was told my entire wardrobe would change while I’m here. Honestly, I think it’s become 10x cuter. I made sure to bring extra bags with me because I know myself. I can’t even go away for a month without running out of room in my suitcase. But that might have something to do with my need to collect Starbucks mugs and books from around the world. I pretty much made sure I had my core skincare products, my camera and all it’s gear, my electronics and all their chargers, my winter jacket, warm and waterproof shoes, a couple pairs of pants and maybe five shirts. Primark, H&M and Topshop are always great options for finding good clothes at a decent price once you arrive. Don’t forget to pack your confirmation letter in your carry-on, as you will have to present it at customs.
Make sure you have somewhere to stay when you first arrive and give yourself enough time there to find somewhere to live. I booked a cheap Airbnb but hostels and hotels work as well. Depends on your budget. You don’t want to be stressed for time when looking for a place to live. I gave myself two weeks and found that was more than enough
And finally, the last thing I’d recommend preparing before you leave is your CV. CV’s are a little different from the resumes I always used in Canada, they seem to be a little more in depth. You can easily find templates online to help you out. Getting it done before leaving means there’s one less thing to worry about when you arrive and you can get letters of recommendations from previous employers or collect reference information before leaving, then there’s no time delay.
Next week I’ll be posting the final part of my series about moving to the UK. This one will be about what to do once you arrive in the UK and how to get settled. If you’d like to stay up to date with my adventures you can follow along on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. You can read Part One, all about the visa application process, here
And you can always reach out to me on any of those sites if you have questions I have not answered!