How to move to the UK in 2021

Long-term visas to the UK

A foreign citizen newly arrived in England can stay in the country for a long time only if he obtains a long-term visa. Unlike a tourist visa, it is valid for longer than 6 months - most often several years (depending on the type of visa) and in most cases can be extended.

Depending on the purpose for which you decide to settle on the shores of Foggy Albion, you must submit an application for the appropriate visa category. Those who plan to open their own business in the UK or a representative office of an existing company in their home country choose visas for entrepreneurs. Those who plan to work for hire apply for a work visa. There are categories for future students, for brides and spouses of British citizens. You can learn more about which visa you need to apply for in order to subsequently obtain permanent residence and British citizenship from this article.

Conclusion

Obtaining UK resident status is actually not that difficult. Obtaining a visa, obtaining a residence permit, obtaining permanent residence and a passport - these are all issues that can be resolved. All those who believe that the UK is a country with high tax rates should know that competent tax planning allows you to either avoid paying taxes completely or take on low tax obligations. In this, the UK differs from many jurisdictions, including the US. Therefore, before moving to the UK, try not only to decide on a visa, but also to solve many everyday issues. Pay special attention to tax planning. You can receive competent advice and additional information at [email protected] .

What are the immigration routes to the UK in 2020?

Despite Brexit, when immigrating to the UK, applicants have the right to use the following types of visas: Investor, Innovator, Startup - visa, student, family. Depending on the type of visa chosen, the conditions for obtaining each of them vary. What is suitable or not should be decided together with an immigration lawyer, who will individually select the best solution for immigration to the UK.

What is the points system for immigration in the UK?

After the transition period, the UK will accept professional immigrants who achieve the appropriate number of points. The passing threshold is 70 points. The assessment will be made according to several criteria: language knowledge, professional qualifications, invitation from an employer, salary level, specialty in short supply. The new point system is a real chance for highly qualified specialists to immigrate to the UK, against the backdrop of a general decline in the flow of immigrants into the country.

Should immigrants pay taxes?

The fact of immigration in itself does not determine taxation. It is much more important to know your residency status and domicile, which are different from the definition of visa category or citizenship. Immigrants who maintain domicile in their home country and are not UK tax residents can retain numerous tax advantages, despite the UK tax system subject to capital gains, personal income and inheritance taxes. Therefore, it should be taken into account that careful tax planning will significantly reduce the tax obligations of immigrants who are planning to move to the country.

Visa to England: what is allowed and prohibited?

With rare happy exceptions, a visa imposes significant restrictions on the immigrant’s occupation within the country, in full accordance with the Russian proverb “If you call yourself a load, get into the back.” That is, if you came to England as the founder of a startup, then you need to develop your business in order to move into the Innovator category in a couple of years. If you came to study, you cannot abandon your studies to work full time.

To a greater extent, holders of a wife/husband or same-sex partner visa have a free hand. They can study and work. However, immigration authorities within the country view them primarily as life partners of British residents. And only Investor visa holders are free to do whatever they want in the Kingdom, because they have invested millions of pounds sterling in the real sector of the British economy - they may not even speak English.

Depending on the visa category, the applicant is required to prepare his documents and financial assets.

What you need to get an investor visa

For example, a future Investor will need to have at his disposal honestly earned £2,000,000. And this is the minimum allowable amount for investment. If you find it difficult to tell the British authorities about the source of your capital, the required amount of money must lie in your bank account for at least 2 years before you apply for a visa.

To England with family

Almost all long-term categories allow you to bring your family with you. True, here too the British have a condition - you must have enough money to support yourself and your household without claiming social benefits.

The process of obtaining a long-term British visa is a labor-intensive and responsible process, which has many subtleties, pitfalls and individual characteristics. In order not to be refused by the immigration authorities, it is better to seek advice from competent lawyers already at the stage of preparation for applying for a visa to England.

What to live on in another country? We provide sources of income

Well, I'll write it down point by point. The first thing you need is a work permit.

Work Permit. Types of work permits in the UK

My main income was wages provided by my employer. To obtain a work permit, it was necessary to submit the correct set of documents for a work visa. There are 3 types in total: Tier 1 (for highly qualified, rare and experienced specialists), Tier 2 (For mid-level specialists), Tier 5 (for low-skilled or seasonal workers). I was eligible for a Tier 2 visa, which I received, albeit not without problems.

Average salary in the UK for visitors

For an hour of work, the average specialist receives 6.5 pounds, which approximately equals 510 rubles . Thus, the average salary is 1500 - 1800 pounds (about 125 thousand rubles). But you shouldn’t delude yourself. Firstly, not everyone receives such a salary, and the expenses will be considerable. Personally, my profit at first was only 900 pounds a month for a full-time correspondent. By comparison, the average salary in Russia in 2021 is around £475.

Types of social benefits in England. Is it realistic to come to Europe and live on benefits?

There are more than a hundred different benefits in England. Among them are Child Benefit (payments to parents of a child who work more than 30 hours), Jobseeker's Allowance (unemployment benefits), Housing Benefit (benefits for the poor, covering the cost of housing), Income support (general support) and others.

But you shouldn't count on them. Both at the time of my arrival and now, long-term queues line up at the Social Centers to receive one payment or another. However, you still won’t listen to me, and you are interested in the list of documents for receiving benefits, right?

The registration procedure is simple; it only requires a set of documents:

Passport
Document confirming immigration status
Letter from employer confirming employment
Tax forms P45 and P60
Letter from the employment agency stating that you are looking for a job
Dismissal, in case of leaving work
Letter from school if you have children
...and lots and lots of patience.

Lotteries

The UK has an interesting national lottery system. The total prize fund is quite large, sometimes reaching millions of pounds. But, as in any lottery, you have to rely only on luck. I must admit, sometimes I spent my last money on participation, but fortune did not like me. Not a single ticket brought me luck. Any resident of the United Kingdom over 16 years of age can purchase the right to participate. If you are passing through England, ask any boy to buy a ticket. Maybe you'll have better luck.

How is permanent residence and UK citizenship obtained?

Permanent resident status is only available to those who have lived in the UK for a significant part of the duration of the visa. When applying for permanent residence in any 12 months, you must not be absent from the country for more than 180 days. Unfortunately, not all visa categories lead to permanent residence. Study visas and the Startup visa do not imply that after a few years you will be able to apply for permanent residence in England.

The holder of permanent residence in terms of the amount of rights is not much different from native Britons. Unless he cannot take part in general elections. Permanent residents can do whatever they want, are free to leave England and come back freely, but this status does not give the right to visa-free travel and residence in any EU country - for this you need to obtain English citizenship. Many immigrants stop at the permanent residence stage, but if you need a British passport, after a year of permanent residence you can take a simple test on your knowledge of life in the UK, confirm your good knowledge of the language, apply and become a full citizen of the Kingdom.

Visa issue

Where should you start planning your immigration process? Of course, with obtaining a visa. As before, the following visa categories are now available in the UK:

Business immigration is possible through an Innovator visa, a startup visa, or a visa to the Sole Representative of a foreign company. Information on business visas is presented in the article https://internationalwealth.info/business-immigration/izmenenija-v-predprinimatelskih-vizah-velikobritanii/.

You can also immigrate to the UK on a student visa. This article https://internationalwealth.info/best-offshore-services/tier-4-visa-for-studies-in-uk-product/ will help you apply for a Tier 4 visa.

Family visa. This is an opportunity to move to the UK to join a spouse, partner or relative. All details on applying for a family visa can be read here https://internationalwealth.info/best-offshore-services/family-visa-uk-product/.

We have listed the main opportunities and types of visas that can be used to move to the UK. But for each individual applicant, the option of moving should be considered individually.

Note that the old immigration rules are still in effect, but from 2021 those who will be entering the UK for a long period of time will need to obtain the appropriate number of points.

How to prepare your personal finances for moving to England?

In Britain, you are required to pay income tax on any income earned within the UK. But the mere fact of moving to the British Isles does not make you a tax resident, because such status presupposes that you have several connections with the Kingdom and a sufficient period of residence in the country. Our website contains a test for determining tax residence in the UK, allowing you to find out your exact status in 5 minutes.

What is net worth

Under UK law, money you earn before you become a UK tax resident is considered net worth and is not subject to tax. Net capital includes only cash in a bank account. What does this requirement give us?

First, before you are recognized as a UK tax resident, convert your other tangible assets outside the UK into cash. Simply put, sell them or you'll have to pay capital gains taxes later.
Secondly, keep separate bank accounts for new income and in no case allow net capital to be mixed with other funds.

All this will need to be done in advance, preferably in your main home country, because British tax residents are required to declare all their income and pay taxes on every penny they receive. A tax consultant from a time-tested company with numerous clients will be a good help in solving such problems.

Key terms for migrant

When starting the process of relocating to a new territory, it will be useful to know the terminology in this area. First, let's figure out what the difference is between three phonetically similar concepts:

Migration is the relocation of citizens within one state.
Immigration involves entering another state for the purpose of long-term residence. Most often, it is due to differences in living standards, the presence of wide economic opportunities in another country, lack of work at home, and other factors.
Emigration is leaving the country in which a person lived permanently for the purpose of settling in another territory.

The residence of a foreigner in foreign territories is regulated by their legislation. A long stay in the country requires going through several stages of legalization:

A residence permit (residence permit) is considered a temporary status, which is assigned for a limited period of time (from 2 to 5 years). The residence permit requires renewal and is not reissued for a new period after the expiration of the validity period. Gives the right to live and work in the target state, but limits the rights and freedoms of a foreigner.
Permanent residence (permanent residence) – often has no validity period, but may require confirmation at certain intervals. It practically equalizes the rights of foreigners with those enjoyed by citizens of the state.
Citizenship is the final stage of legalization. It has no validity period and does not require re-registration.

Whether it is necessary to go through all stages of legalization depends on how much time the foreigner plans to spend in another country and on the basis for immigration.

Interaction with Russian authorities

Russian laws do not prohibit its citizens from obtaining a second citizenship. Moreover, for the Russian authorities, even with a UK passport in your pocket, you still remain a citizen of the Russian Federation.

However, you must notify the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs about the joy that has overtaken you in the form of a British passport. Violation of this rule is punishable by a fine. Holders of multiple citizenship in Russia are not allowed to hold a number of government and elected positions. In this article you can find out the details of the procedure for notification of second citizenship.

If you spent more than 183 days in Russia during the reporting period, you are still considered a Russian tax resident and have all the associated tax benefits. Those who are not tax residents of the Russian Federation pay more. For example, if you returned home after a long stay in England to sell your apartment, you will pay not 13, but 30% income tax on the profit received as a result of the transaction.

Choosing a place to live

Before leaving for permanent residence in the UK, it doesn’t hurt to decide which part of the country is best to settle in. Consider popular places on the British map:

London is a city of great opportunities and equally great competition. Either those who are highly qualified and can interest local employers with their work experience, or those who are ready to work in any, even the most unskilled job, should go here. The English capital willingly hires housekeepers and governesses from Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. The main point to take into account is the very high prices for basic expenses.
Brighton is a coastal city with a large youth population and is home to many events and opportunities for start-ups. It is only an hour's drive from London.
Edinburgh is the Scottish capital and a city of large employers. Venue for a variety of cultural events. The University of Edinburgh attracts a large number of students.
Cardiff is the capital of Wales. The city is located in a picturesque area and is known for its compactness and ease of living. Here you can find moderate housing prices.

Based on climatic conditions, the warmest regions in the country are London, Westland and the southeast of the Kingdom. In Scotland the climate is dry and cold, but in Northern Ireland you need to be prepared for high humidity.

Arranging relocation to the UK

When you have already decided on the visa issue and prepared your assets in advance, several more important issues remain on the agenda.

Where will I and my family live?

Depending on your income and personal preferences, two options are possible:

buying a house or apartment;
renting a house or apartment.

Real estate in England is not cheap, but this does not mean that only the richest immigrants buy it. The country has extremely low bank mortgage interest rates, allowing even people with average incomes to purchase housing on credit.

Taxes and fees when buying a home in England

The British have no ownership tax, but you will pay stamp duty upon purchase, as well as the services of a valuer and lawyer. In addition, any residential property has a cost of ownership, which, in addition to utilities, includes an annual municipal tax, as well as a fee to the landowner (if you bought a non-vacant property). The law provides tax deductions that allow you to save on stamp duty if the value of your apartment does not exceed a certain amount.

Renting housing in England

Renting housing in the Kingdom is preferred by younger immigrants who do not want to be tied to one place for a long time, or people who want to take a closer look at the area and understand whether it is worth purchasing their property there.

Transactions of purchase and sale and long-term rental of housing are not concluded without the participation of qualified lawyers. This way you will protect yourself from unnecessary problems in the future.

Where should I send my children to study?

Great Britain is famous for its educational institutions for every taste and budget. There are many public and private schools here. And graduates of prestigious British universities with a long history are in demand all over the world.

The high level of education in England does not mean that in every institution it will be of unattainable quality. Those who think about a bright future for their children prefer to send them to more expensive private schools.

The British are very proud of the high level of university education in the country and do not compromise. Therefore, no matter how strange it may sound, even a student admitted on a commercial basis will have to intensively gnaw on the granite of science, otherwise he will simply be expelled.

How can I bring my pets?

If you are not ready to leave your pets with relatives at home, you should take care of documents and vaccinations at least six months before moving to the UK. The fact is that for a long time there was a strict quarantine in the British Isles and the import of dogs and cats from the continent was not allowed. Then the rules were noticeably relaxed, but even now, to bring your dog you need to:

Make sure that your dog does not belong to a breed prohibited in the Kingdom.
Get your pet a European veterinary passport.
Implant a microchip with an identification number.
Get vaccinated against rabies no later than three weeks before departure. Additionally, three months before entry, a blood test is performed to determine the presence of rabies antibodies.
Treat against parasites.
Shortly before departure, obtain a veterinary certificate about the health status of your animal.

In the case of a cat, there will be a little less paperwork. And if you are bringing a parrot, you will have to vaccinate it against bird flu. Violation of import rules will result in your animal being quarantined for 4 months or being euthanized.

How can my family quickly adapt to a new place?

The question is more likely from the section of behavioral psychology than jurisprudence. Those who have long moved to the United Kingdom advise new immigrants:

Before your final departure, explore your future second homeland. You can even visit the chosen city on a visitor visa, but on the spot avoid traditional tourist routes and look at the daily life of the British from the inside.
Do not isolate yourself only among immigrants from your country and find comrades among the natives.
Actively learn English, even if you came on an Investor visa and no one requires such skills from you.
Do not give up your old habits, rituals and family traditions in a new place. Perhaps some of your belongings from Russia will provide you with the necessary peace of mind, the transportation of which can be arranged in advance.

Qualified specialists at Imperial & Legal are ready to take charge of organizing your move to the UK - from developing an individual solution for obtaining the necessary visa to selecting real estate and educational institutions for your children, starting a business and optimizing taxes.

Procedure for obtaining a residence permit

A residence permit in the UK for Russians in 2021 is issued to the applicant if he:

highly qualified specialist in his field;
investor in the UK economy;
spouse of a citizen of this country;
has relatives living on the territory of the state.

The residence permit is valid for 5 years, but there is a limitation - you cannot leave the country for more than 2 years.

What does it give to the owner

Those who managed to obtain a residence permit in England are granted the following rights:

free health care and education;
unhindered entry and exit from the country;
obtaining a driver's license and purchasing a car;
buying real estate and doing business;
Tours to the countries of the Schengen zone without additional visa.

This is a basic list of what those legally living in the UK are entitled to.

Conditions for receiving

In order for the move to the UK from Russia to take place, you need to score from 90 to 100 points according to the following criteria:

age – at least 16 years;
qualifications and work experience;
knowledge of English;
financial well-being.

These are the basic conditions for candidates, but in addition to them, there is an additional list.

Mandatory package of documents

When the decision to move has been made, formalities must be resolved, including collecting a package of papers. What documents for a residence permit will be required first? Here is the current list for 2021:

a valid foreign passport;
a resident card confirming that the applicant has lived in the United Kingdom for the required amount of time;
a certificate confirming passing a test on knowledge of language, history and culture, and laws of the country;
evidence confirming the presence of a spouse or relatives in the UK;
certificate of no criminal record;
evidence of the applicant’s stable financial situation;

In addition, a medical card and work record are often required.

Additional Documentation

If the main package is mandatory for all categories of persons traveling to Britain, then the secondary package is formed based on the status in which the applicant resides.

For entrepreneurs

Proof of £50,000 for business and at least £3,310 for residential purposes will be required.

Studies

For future students, the following is required: diplomas and certificates of education in Russia, officially certified evidence of financial security.

Work in a branch of a Russian company

For employees of international or Russian companies, confirmation of transfer to the UK branch must also be prepared.

Family reunification

For these purposes, you will additionally need documents confirming marriage or establishing family ties.

For minors and pensioners

Confirmation that the parents or relative with whom the children wish to reunite will be able to provide them with housing and maintenance without financial assistance from the state. Pensioners are often required to prove their financial savings or provide a certificate from a sponsor.

How to extend a residence permit

5 years after the initial registration of the residence permit, it can be extended. As a rule, subject to permanent residence in the country, there are no obstacles to extension.

How much will the registration cost?

Regarding the cost of the fee, you need to clarify that obtaining a resident visa will require about 1,500 pounds. Moreover, if you are denied it, no one will return the money.

Does an immigrant need to extend a long-term visa before obtaining permanent residence?

To give the correct answer, you need to know exactly what visa category you have chosen to move to the United Kingdom. There are several general rules:

Extension must be done in advance and not wait until the entry visa expires. The process should take at least 8 weeks. If you are not confident in your abilities or for some reason realized it too late, be sure to seek help from experienced immigration lawyers.
At the time of renewal, you must meet all eligibility requirements for your visa category.
If your entry visa is not extended and you did not plan to return to your home country, you should apply for a different category.

Validity periods for long-term visas to England

Immigration category	Validity	Validity after renewal
Investor	3 years 4 months	2 years
Sole representative	3 years	2 years
Startup	2 years	Not renewed
Innovator	3 years	3 years
Work visas	From 1 to 5 years depending on category	Depends on category
Spouse visa	2.5 years – if received in the UK 2 years 9 months – if received outside the UK	2.5 years
student visa	Depends on the duration of study	Not renewed

Some entrepreneurs and investors, subject to a number of strict conditions, can immediately apply for permanent residence. For more information about the Permanent Resident Card, please review the publications on the Imperial & Legal website or schedule a consultation with our lawyers.

Where to begin

In order to become a citizen of the United Kingdom, you should first learn the procedure for obtaining the necessary documents, as well as how to obtain a visa to England. The conditions for receiving it will be specific to each candidate for resettlement. Having the necessary document in hand, a visitor will be able to live and work in any of the countries of the United Kingdom for a certain period. Once your visa type has been selected, you can submit your application. It is better to do this in advance so that you have a few months left to resolve the formalities.

How much money must an applicant have to bring his family to England?

English immigration authorities require that the applicant for a long-term visa has sufficient personal savings to be able to support himself in the new place without applying to the welfare authorities for financial assistance.
The exceptions are: moving to a British spouse or partner, who by law can act as a sponsor of a future resident, or moving on the basis of a work visa, when the inviting party bears all the costs of maintaining a foreign specialist. The standard requirement for a visa applicant is to have at least £1,270. If he takes dependents with him, add to the indicated amount:

£285 – for wife, husband or partner;
£315 – for the first child;
£200 – for one more child in the application.

Evidence that you have money for living expenses must be prepared in advance of your application.

How much does the IHS fee cost for UK long-stay visa applicants?

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a fee for the right to use public health care in the United Kingdom. Therefore, if you are applying for a long-term visa category, you will be charged an additional fee for medical care based on:

£470 per year for a student visa applicant;
£624 per year for an applicant for other visa categories and his adult dependents;
£470 per year for a child under 18 years of age.

Please note that the amount is paid immediately for the entire period of validity of the entry visa. For example, for the future Innovator it will be £1872 for 3 years.

The fee will allow you to receive quality medical care throughout the UK at no extra cost, but it does not cover dental services, vision tests or artificial insemination.