UK Arrival Survival Guide - International Working Holidays

UK
Arrival
Survival
Guide
Essential
guide
to your
UK working
holiday
If you are prepared to give working in the UK your best shot, then it will be a very rewarding
experience. Read on to find out all you need to know about working and living in England.
OUR DETAILS HERE IN NZ:
International Working Holidays
P.O. Box 303-220, North Harbour, Auckland 0751
Ph: +64 9 416 5337
email: info@iwh.co.nz
OUR FACEBOOK PAGE IS:
www.facebook.com/International.Working.Holidays
Things you
should know
before you
leave...
Checklist
• Ensure you have a current passport.
• Ensure you have a current First Aid Certificate and send us a copy when you have it (applies only if you are using our job service).
• Apply for Working Holiday or UK Ancestry Visa if you do not have a British Passport - if you need assistance with this please visit
www.iwh.co.nz/uk-options
• Apply to the AA office for an International Licence a few days before departure - you will need about $20, and a passport size photo. You will also need to show your NZ licence. You need a full licence to get your International licence.
• Buy a full colour A-Z Map Book of London, on Amazon; London Street Atlas (A-Z Street Atlas S.) or if you have a smart phone download the free apps (links further on in this guide).
• Don’t take too much luggage. You definitely need to be able to carry it ALL on your own.
• Remember that central heating is normal in all houses in England so it doesn’t get as cold indoors as it does here, it’s when you go outside in Winter you need good outdoor gear. If you have enough money you will be better to buy a good coat once you are there - they are very well priced.
• Get a Travel Diary or Travel Diary App for your phone, and write everyone’s names and addresses from here in it. Add our details too.
• Take some photos of home and your family and country; you will want to show them off.
• You CAN buy Vegemite from Sainsbury’s, Snifters, Jaffas and Minties from Kiwifruits in London!
UK Arrival Survival Guide
3.
Have you
sorted your
Visa yet?
If not you should call the British High Commission in Wellington on
+64 (0) 4 495 0889 or look up www.britain.org.nz you can now download the
application forms.
Now that the visa processing is done outside of NZ, a lot of applicants are having
their visa applications rejected because they have missed something or answered
a question incorrectly - and to re-apply they need to pay the application fee
again. To eliminate that risk have us do your visa application for you - see Arrival
Packages on www.iwh.co.nz
UK Arrival Survival Guide
4.
Documents
required for
your journey
Certain documents are needed when you arrive at the airport in the UK, where you
will be interviewed by immigration and health officials. It is therefore important
that you bring with you:
• A valid NZ/Australian passport, with a valid visa (YMS or Ancestry) - or a UK passport.
• An air ticket - if you only have an E-Ticket print it out.
• Copies of your bank statements that you used to get your visa to show you have enough funds.
• Originals (or certified true copies) of any degree certificates or technical qualifications.
• Make sure you keep the above documents and the following in your hand luggage:
- Some warm clothing - Some British currency - Insurance documents
• A list of what you are carrying in your luggage in case you have to make an insurance claim.
• Any prescribed drugs or medicine you are taking, plus a letter from your doctor explaining what they are.
• An address, telephone number and travel instructions to your final destination.
• Your International Working Holidays UK Arrival Survival Guide (printed).
• A reference letter from your bank in your own country - this will be useful when you come to open a bank account in the UK.
UK Arrival Survival Guide
5.
Getting
organised
Money
Unless you have a live-in job organised it is likely that you will have to pay
a deposit for your accommodation before you move in. This is normally the
equivalent of one month’s rent but it can be substantially more, depending on
the type of accommodation you are renting. You will need to ensure that you have
sufficient funds immediately available to cover this.
Clothing and other items
You should have enough warm clothing for your flight and subsequent journey.
Several layers of lightweight clothes are better than a single shirt or dress. It is
usually cheaper and easier to buy warm winter clothing in the UK, rather than in
your home country.
Luggage
You will have a free baggage allowance, which will be shown on your air ticket;
this
is usually from 20kg with a restricted weight of 32kg per single item of
luggage. You may be charged for excess baggage if you exceed the baggage
allowance, so check with the airline before you leave if you are not sure of your
allowance. You should make a list of everything you bring. Make sure you can
carry your luggage by yourself. If you can’t re-pack and leave some things behind.
Most things you can buy in the UK.
Insurance
You should always take out travel insurance covering your journey to the UK.
This should cover delays, medical emergencies and the cost of replacing any
belongings if they are lost on your journey. If you are heading to the UK for less
than six months you should also take out travel and medical insurance for the
duration of your stay. Phone TraveCafe on 0800 359 222 for a quote - be sure to
say you are travelling with International Working Holidays for a discount.
www.iwh.co.nz/home/travel-service
Personal security
The UK is generally a safe place to be, but as with anywhere - especially if you’re
new to it - it pays to take a few common sense precautions
For example, always carry your money in an inside pocket, not in your back pocket
or the outer pockets of coats or jackets. If you want to leave your coat or jacket
anywhere, then take your money with you. And if you carry a handbag, keep it
by you and don’t leave it unattended, even for short periods. Be aware in busy
markets and streets of pick-pocketers, make sure your bag are close to you and
visible.
Don’t carry large amounts of cash with you - just enough to meet your day-to-day
needs. Avoid leaving luggage, bags or briefcases in waiting rooms, on railway platforms
or on luggage racks where you can’t see
them. It’s much safer to carry valuables
like cameras, radios and computers with you, and again, make a note of their
serial numbers.
Take care of your mobile phone and try to avoid using it in crowded places or
when you’re walking along busy streets. If your phone is stolen, report it (and give
your number) to the network operator and the police - to minimise the chance of
thieves using it.
Finally, take extra care of your passport, tickets and other personal documents.
UK Arrival Survival Guide
6.
Arriving at
the airport
in England
At first sight an airport can appear a difficult and confusing place, but if you
follow the steps below, getting through it is actually quite easy.
These are the steps you must take:
• Follow the sign for ‘Arrivals’ unless you are transferring to another plane at the same airport. If you are transferring to another plane, follow the ‘Flight connections’ sign and any further instructions.
• ‘Arrivals’ will take you to passport control.
• As you approach passport control you will see electronic screens; these will show you which zone you will need to go through. Make sure you join the right queue or you could waste a lot of time.
• All passengers must go through the immigration zone dealing with their flight. Note that there is one zone for passengers who have UK, EEA or Swiss national passports and one or more zones for all other passport holders. The immigration officer will want to see: that your passport is up-to-date, that your
documents are in order, your landing card from the plane, and, if required, a valid
visa.
• As long as your documents are in order, you should pass through immigration smoothly. Customs control
Once you are clear of passport control you can proceed to the baggage reclaim
area, where you can collect your luggage. Above each baggage carousel is an
electronic display unit. Find the one that shows your flight number, as this will
be the carousel that has your luggage on it. If any item of your luggage does not
appear, find a representative of the airline on which you travelled and fill in a lostluggage form.
At UK airports there are normally three exits through customs - a green channel if
you are travelling from outside the European Union and have nothing to declare; a
red channel if you are travelling from outside the European Union and have goods
to declare; and a blue channel if you are travelling from an airport within the
European Economic Area, where your luggage has already been cleared through
customs control.
Even if you pass through the green channel, the customs officers may ask you to
open your luggage for checking.
If you need to declare anything you have brought into the country - do it. If in
doubt, check with one of the customs officers before passing through customs
control.
When you have come through customs, you will have completed all the formalities
and will have officially arrived in the UK. Yay!
UK Arrival Survival Guide
7.
Finding a place
to live
If you have not found a flat to share with existing flatmates who have already
rented the house you may want to take on a lease and find flatmates yourself. Keep in mind the most usual type of accommodation is a room in a house, sharing
facilities. Renting a furnished house or a flat is likely to be expensive, especially
in city centres, and quite difficult to find. A good way of making this affordable is
to share with others. If you do this, make sure you agree beforehand on how you
will share costs.
You will have to do your own cooking and cleaning, and in some cases, will
need to provide your own bed linen and cooking equipment. Ask the landlord or
landlady about these things.
Whatever type of private accommodation you decide on, you will need to meet the
owner of the property so that you can see it for yourself, and discuss the rent.
Do not sign any accommodation contract you do not understand, as contracts are
legally binding. If you decide to move in, ask for a tenancy agreement that both
you and the owner will sign. This will set out the agreement between you.
You will probably be asked to pay a deposit before you can move in (usually
equivalent to one month’s rent). This will be given back to you when you leave,
provided all the bills have been paid and there is no damage to the property or its
contents. Make sure you get a receipt for this.
If you rent a property from a private landlord or property management agent and
you pay a deposit, they must protect your deposit in a government-authorised
scheme.
You can download a useful leaflet on the tenancy deposit scheme from:
www.direct.gov.uk/en/tenancydeposit/dg_066383.
You may be asked to sign an inventory for all the items listed in the property. Get
a copy of this and a receipt for all the rent payments that you make. Always ask
for a rent book in which your payments can be recorded.
You may have to use a card for the electricity and gas that you use. In some
situations it will make more sense to share bills for lighting and heating with other
tenants, but make sure you agree beforehand on how the costs are to be shared.
UK Arrival Survival Guide
8.
General
information
about UK public
transport
Travelling by train
Many train services offer either ‘Standard’, or ‘First’ Class’ tickets (and therefore
seating). First Class is much more expensive than ‘Standard Class’, which most
people find perfectly comfortable. It is advisable to book a seat in advance on long
distance journeys, especially if you plan to travel on a Friday.
Long distance coach and train services usually have good luggage facilities. Larger
train stations may also have a ‘Left Luggage’ service where you can leave your
bags for a few hours if there is a long wait between connections.
Train services are operated by a variety of different companies. Some companies
offer special deals, especially if booked in advance, on certain routes (usually
longer distance routes). For timetables and fares, see the National Rail website
www.nationalrail.co.uk
Local bus services
Local bus services generally cover shorter distances than coach services and are
cheaper. In London, bus services are the cheapest form of public transport, but
usually take longer than the Underground, due to the large amount of traffic on
the roads. Many local bus services do not have much luggage space, although
services from airports and train stations may have more.
Buses may be very busy at ‘rush hour’ on weekdays (Monday to Friday). ‘Rush
hour’ is between approximately 0800 and 0930 hours and again between 1700
and 1830 hours.
The London Underground (the ‘Tube’)
Many people use the Tube to get around London. There is a Tube station at
Heathrow airport, but not at any other airports near London. The helpful Transport
for London website features a London Underground Journey Planner
journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk and a map of the London Underground system
www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/standard-tube-map.pdf which details the different
Tube lines in different colours, and shows at which stations you can transfer from
one line to another.
If you are planning to use the Tube, remember that you may have to change trains
to get to your destination. At some stations this can be difficult if you have a lot
of luggage, as most stations do not have a lift (elevator); although most do have
escalators.
The Tube can be extremely crowded at ‘rush hour’ on weekdays (Monday to
Friday), roughly 0700-0900 hours and 1630-1830 hours.
UK Arrival Survival Guide
9.
Taxis
‘Public hire’ taxis or ‘cabs’ are taxis that are licensed to pick up passengers
without advance booking. In London, as in many UK cities, these are usually the
familiar black cabs. If you need a cab you can signal to (‘flag down’) any that are
passing and ask them to stop (please note, however, that if the ‘Taxi’ light on the
roof is not lit, this means that they already have a passenger and so will not stop
for you). Although very convenient, public hire taxis can be extremely expensive,
especially in London, as the meter runs the whole time you are in the cab
(including when you are stuck in traffic!).
‘Private hire’ taxis, or ‘minicabs’ are car services that must be booked by
telephone (that is, you cannot simply flag one down in the street as you can a
black cab), and in many cases can be found directly outside places such as train
stations, or at designated ‘Taxi Ranks’ . Minicabs often do not have a ‘Taxi’ sign,
although should display a company name or other official taxi identification.
Generally, they are cheaper than the ‘black cabs’, as the fare is calculated on the
distance travelled.
The rules for minicab drivers vary from town to town, but generally the driver will
have an identity card on display in their car. It is best to agree the price with
the company when you phone or with the driver before starting the journey. Be
particularly careful if you are approached by a ‘minicab’ driver that you have
not booked in advance. Some minicab companies are unlicensed and may be
operating illegally. Using an illegally operated minicab firm can be unsafe and
expensive.
If you do not have a pre-arranged live-in job or some accommodation booked for
your arrival please contact our Travel Department to organise this cathleen@travelcafe.co.nz - Skype; cathleenadams
UK Arrival Survival Guide
10.
Catching the
Underground
Catching the tube can be a nightmare IF you do not know where you are going
and you don’t have an Underground Map. Otherwise IT’S EASY! There is an
Underground map on the back of every A-Z map book if you like paper.
You can download an iPhone app for the map and suggested routes
itunes.apple.com/gb/app/tube-map/id320969612?mt=8 or for Android play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.visualit.tubeLondonCity&hl=en
You can download Maps here also www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/14091.aspx
You need to purchase your ticket before going through the barriers. There are large
fines for those caught without the correct ticket. Use the machines if you have
coins - push the destination button (where you want to get off), and then ADULT,
and it tells you how much money to put in. The machine cleverly gives you your
ticket and your change. You can get a TRAVELCARD after 9:30 on weekdays and
weekends for unlimited travel on tubes, trains and buses. This is a great saving. You just push the TRAVELCARD button on the machine, and enter the zone you
want to travel in i.e. Heathrow is in Zone 6 an outer zone. Normally you would
only travel in zones 1-3 say (it’s cheaper to work centrally).
Keep your ticket or travelcard handy as while travelling you need to insert it in
the automatic barriers to get in and out of stations. Follow the coloured lines on
your Underground Map, linking up where you want to go. If you go the wrong way,
just get off at the next stop, change platforms and get on the next train. The great
thing about tubes is that they are so regular you don’t often wait for more than one
or two minutes for one.
You can even purchase an Oyster card online prior to arrival and it will be posted
to you abroad. An Oyster card is a plastic swipe card that you can top up with
pre-paid credit or weekly/monthly travel cards for journeys on the London tube
system, trains and buses. It is the most cost effective way to travel on London
transport and definitely a worthwhile investment early in proceedings. Cards can
be purchased at tube and train stations or online. Choose the Pay-As-You-Go
option and continue.
UK Arrival Survival Guide
11.
Climate,
clothing &
keeping healthy
Climate and clothing
The UK has a temperate climate, with few extremes, much like NZ. But the
weather is famously changeable. So be prepared. It can be quite wet and cold in
the winter, (roughly November to March). So a warm coat, hat, scarf, gloves and
an umbrella are a good idea. It also gets dark early. Summers can occasionally be
showery and overcast, but are warm but rarely extremely hot. The days are long
and it stays light until late in the evening, often till 10.30pm.
Keeping healthy
The best way to stay healthy while you’re in the UK is the same way to stay
healthy when you’re at home: eat healthy foods, exercise fairly regularly, and make
sure you get enough sleep.
Eating a balanced diet (a selection of foods) can be a challenge when you first
arrive – the food in the UK may be very different from what you’re used to.
Try to eat, every day:
• Lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.
• Some wholegrain bread, potatoes, rice, noodles or pasta.
• Some protein, such as beans, lentils, eggs, fish or meat.
• Some milk, cheese, yogurt or soy products (e.g. soy milk, tofu).
Try to get some exercise several times a week. You’ll be walking more as hardly
anyone has cars in London, so you use Public Transport (which is so good
compared to NZ’s) - so you walk from home to the tube or bus, then to work, then
again in reverse at night.
UK Arrival Survival Guide
12.
Homesickness
Firstly you have to imagine what it will be like to leave everything you know to be
comfortable, here in NZ, and travel across the other side of the world, to a country
you perhaps have never ever been to before. You may not know a single soul there!
You have to be prepared to make friends, to step out of your comfort zone
everyday, to feel a little homesick at some stage, and to make the best of every
situation. If you make a plan of how you will handle the worst parts, and know that
you WILL get through it, you will be fine.
It will seem like very hard work sometimes, other days will seem like a paid
holiday, take the ups with the downs, and you will have a wonderful working
holiday, and earn lots of money to travel with. Remember the first week will be the
worst, if not the second will be! The food, the people, the culture, the weather, the
houses, and the accents will ALL be different and seem strange. Hang in there, six
months down the track you will wonder what you were so worried about. You will
make great friends from all around the world. Sometimes you will feel homesick
and lonely, get out, get busy, meet some people, and make an effort to do things
with friends. Then it will be a piece of cake!
UK Arrival Survival Guide
13.
The world is
your oyster!
There is so much to do in Europe, so here’s some ideas of things you can do in
your time off:
• You can travel to Paris on the train in 3 hours.
• You can fly to Italy in 2 hours, Greece, Spain, Portugal, France, Germany. Switzerland, Holland - all only a few hours by plane! I managed to visit Germany and Paris just by going in my long weekend.
• You could attend a concert in Paris, returning the next day…
The list goes on.
The concerts available in London are fantastic - the range and amount is
unbelievable…
Then there is the live theatre - a constant stream of great shows to see.
Tickets can be reasonable if you queue for returns on the day.
In England there are heaps of places to visit in your
weekends off…
• Scotland you can get to by train - high speed in 8 hours.
• Bath in a couple of hours.
• Brighton in 2 hours.
• Leeds Castle plus the Fun Parks - 1 day.
• Hampton Court.
• Or just go shopping in Oxford Street, Regent Street or Kensington High Street.
UK Arrival Survival Guide
14.
Speaking of
shopping...
For fashion try Kings Road (Sloane Square) and Kensington High Street, as well
as Whiteleys which is a great mall with Cinema and restaurants, and great shops
(Bayswater or Queensway Tube).
For the window shopping go to Harrods - Knightsbridge and to Harvey Nicholls
(sweetydarling)... also in Knightsbridge.
Oxford Street goes for miles and so do the people. Great Xmas lights and tons and
tons of shops and crowds! But it’s all worth it… just the atmosphere is fantastic. Go and see Hamleys - a huge toy shop on 4 storeys - with continuous displays
happening.
UK Arrival Survival Guide
15.
Pubs
When you first arrive (fresh off the boat you will be called)… you will think that
you haven’t travelled all that way and saved all that money - to hang around with
other Australasians! It won’t be long until the urge hits… so keep this handy...
You will also find South Africans and Australians wherever you find
New Zealanders!
Pubs that are great Kiwi hangouts...
(and the nearest tube station)
• Bison & Bird 182-184 Clapham High St, Clapham, London, SW4 7UG
www.bisonandbird.com • The Pride of Paddington, Tube; Paddington The staff at this pub are very patient with the Waitangi Day pub crawl crowd and don’t blink an eye when you turn up in full body lycra asking for a shot of Jagermeister at 10am. • Prince Alfred Notting Hill, Tube; Bayswater / Queensway - Bayswater is a mad area to drink in. Popular and plenty of good quality cold beer! That is if you’re not joining the masses playing cricket on the street for our annual pub crawl cricket game. • The Old Swan Notting Hill, Tube; Notting Hill - The Old Swan pub has been a Waitangi Day pub-crawl staple for those who start at Notting Hill Gate. • Prince of Wales Kensington, Tube; Kensington • Duke of Clarence Kensington / Tube; South Kensington – and old haunting ground for kiwis for what must be 20 years.
• The Zetland Arms Kensington / Tube; South Kensington - The stop off pub at South Kensington is the Zetland Arms. • The Phoenix Victoria / Tube; Victoria The Phoenix pub is a hidden gem with some really delicious ales and bar snacks plus it has a decent outside area for us New Zealanders to spill into. • The Old Star Westminster / Tube; St James Park. The Old Star is THE pub to go to for the penultimate pint. • The Chatsworth Bar - Acton. This popular Kiwi bar has been a regular haunt for most Kiwis who reside in West London mainly because Ronnie and the team here like to look after Kiwis with Kiwi beer cheaper than what you’d find at home and excellent food. • The Church The Clapham Grand, 21-25 St John’s Hill, Clapham, London, SW11 1TT - If you’re planning to have your Sunday service at The Church then be ready for a world of pain. The Church laid its roots in London back in 1979 and has since moved to numerous locations around London spreading the word of the gospel. Be prepared to be heavily entertained by comedians, music,
strippers and all manner of things you could never have forseen happening in a
‘Church’ on a Sunday, all under the heavy influence of copious amounts of
booze. On leaving The Church the challenge is to stay standing before
stumbling towards the tube or another one of the Kiwi/Aussie havens in the
area. It’s a true test of your antipodean roots. Advice, get here early, have
enough money for a cab home and plan to take the monday off.
• The Slug and Lettuce – 146-148 Putney High Street, Putney, London, SW15 1RR
I can’t list them all – it won’t take you long to find them yourself.
UK Arrival Survival Guide
16.
Telephones
Telephones
You will find public telephones at all airports, sea ports, railway stations, bus
stations and on some streets. Instructions on how to use them are displayed next
to the telephone. Most red phone boxes have been replaced by newer modern
clear glass ones, and there are different companies operating phone services.
They accept coins from 20p upwards and many phone boxes also accept credit
cards, or phone cards (these can be purchased from most convenience stores and
newsagents, and come in many denominations from £2 to £20).
For making telephone calls overseas, it can be cheaper to use an international
calling card. You can buy phone cards online or from some newsagents or kiosks in
the UK. You can send emails from internet cafes and public access computers in
public libraries.
Mobile phones
There are a range of different mobile networks to choose from in the UK and
as a result competition is fierce and the deals available extremely competitive.
You have the choice of Pay As You Go or Pay Monthly deals with Pay Monthly
often including the latest phones for free. The easiest way to view all the deals
available is to go through an independent retailer such as Carphone Warehouse
or Phones4U. It may be that you need to wait until you have the required proof of
address to sign up to a contract although Carphone Warehouse do offer contracts
with the only proof of ID required a debit card (see bank accounts section). If
you travel with your own phone you should check roaming rates and also if your
handset is locked which will therefore render it useless when trying to use a sim
card from abroad. We have enclosed a SIM card for you to get your started so
you’ll not be stranded without a phone - please read the instructions on setting it
up before you leave NZ.
Details of THE SIM CARD you received from us
• Call rates from 3p per minute to call UK landlines.
• Call rates from 15p per minute to call UK mobiles.
• Call rates from 3p per minute to call international landlines.
• Call rates from 19p per minute to call international mobiles.
• Coverage on the O2 network in the UK Pre-paid and rechargeable online, via the free self service phone menu, via 24/7 ekit-Telestial Customer Service, or enable Auto-Recharge.
• Preactivated - no inconvenient activation process.
• Send text messages in the UK for 10p per text.
• Send international text messages from the UK for 15p per text.
• Pre-paid data in the UK for 9p per MB.
• View call records and receipts online, in real time Includes FREE voicemail in the UK and call forwarding Connection fee of 25p on charged calls.
• Includes a FREE Online Travel Journal and automatic map of your travels.
• Keep your credit indefinitely as long as you use the service once every 6 months.
• Low cost international roaming in over 160 countries with rates starting from 20p per minute and data in over 100 countries.
UK Arrival Survival Guide
17.
Money
Currency
British coins come in the following denominations: 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p,
£1 (100p), £2 (200p). Bank notes come in denominations of £5, £10, £20, £50
and £100.
Normal banking hours are from 0930 to 1630 hours Monday to Friday. Some are
open on Saturday mornings. You can change currency and cash travellers’ cheques
at ‘Bureaux de Change’ offices, which are open for longer, and are often located
in stations and airports. Try to avoid changing very small amounts of money as
there is often a minimum commission charge which makes it expensive. Shops
and services in the UK will accept payment in UK currency only. Credit and
debit cards are also widely accepted. You may be able to withdraw money from
cashpoint (‘ATM’) machines if you have a Personal Identification Number (PIN) for
that card.
When you arrive in the UK, you should bring about £250 in cash and travellers’
cheques for your immediate needs (meals, train fares, etc.). Avoid carrying any
more cash in case it gets lost or stolen. Most shops and hotels will accept credit
cards, and some will also accept payment in sterling travellers’ cheques.
Bank Accounts
The easiest and quickest way to arrange a bank account in the UK is to open it
prior to your departure. Most of the main banks in New Zealand have a partnership
with a bank in the UK and will therefore be able to set up an account prior to
you departing. Contact them first to discuss the options. There are a number
of accounts available and the account you choose will depend on your personal
circumstances, e.g. you can open an account which will come with a debit card
and therefore the ability to make purchases online (flight to France for example)
but will incur a monthly fee. Alternatively you can waive the monthly fee but will
then only receive a cash card which would enable you to withdraw cash from an
ATM but mean you are unable to make purchases online. Whilst not impossible to
open an account once in the UK it can be more difficult and time consuming if
the bank requires a proof of UK address for example therefore doing as much as
you can beforehand makes sense.
How to save money
Live In Jobs are really great because renting a small room in a flat that’s not even
central can be £80-100 per week. So if you are considering Live In Work think
about Live In Nanny or Live In Pub Job. We can help with both www.iwh.co.nz/uk-options
Cost of everyday items:
Pint of lager
Bottle of wine
Cinema ticket
Leather shoes
A skirt
Tube ticket
Can of coke
Bar of chocolate 125g
Flight to New York rtn
Train to Paris rtn
£3.50
£5
£10-12
from £20-30
from £20
£6
0.70p
£2
£350-400
£69
Get the idea? Live-in you have HEAPS of cash left over.
UK Arrival Survival Guide
18.
National
Insurance (NI)
number
A National Insurance number is required by workers in the UK and tracks
the amount of tax you are required to pay across to the Government. It is
recommended you obtain an NI number to ensure you are not over taxed during
your time working. You will need one to be able to work and be taxed properly –
kind of like our IRD number – but it also gets you access to the National Health
Care.
You will need to contact Jobcentre Plus on Tel 0845 600 0643 to arrange to get
one. Lines are open 8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday and are normally less
busy before 9.00 am. You may be required to attend an interview at which you will
need to take ID and your Visa.
What happens when you apply for a National
Insurance number?
Jobcentre Plus will arrange an ‘Evidence of Identity’ interview for you or send
you a postal application. If relevant, they will confirm the date, time and location
of your interview and what information/documentation you need to support your
application.
The interview will usually be one-to-one. You will be asked questions about why
you need a National Insurance number, your background and circumstances.
You will also have to prove your identity. Bring as many ‘identity documents’
(originals, not photocopies) as you can to your interview. Examples of documents
which count are:
• Valid passport.
• Full birth or adoption certificate.
• Full marriage or civil partnership certificate.
• International Driving licence.
THEN - Jobcentre Plus will write and let you know whether your application was
successful and what your National Insurance number is. Tell your employer your
National Insurance number as soon as you know it. Do not share your National
Insurance number with anyone who does not need it as this might help someone
to steal your identity.
Keep the letter telling you what your National Insurance number is safe.
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19.
Council Tax
In the UK most people over the age of 18 have to pay a charge for local
community services, such as the police, fire brigade, rubbish collection and
leisure services, and this is called Council Tax.
The exact amount will depend upon where you are living.
A local Citizens Advice Bureau can usually help with Council Tax problems
www.nacab.org.uk.
Checklist
• View the property & Tenancy agreement & Deposit.
• Inventory.
• Rent book.
• Payment of bills.
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Healthcare &
Dental
Healthcare
When you arrive in the UK you should register with your nearest doctor, also
known as a General Practitioner (GP). This will allow you to access the UK’s
healthcare system. To find your nearest GP, visit the NHS website below and enter
your postcode, town name or area. On the website you can also find your nearest,
emergency and urgent care centre, hospital, dentist, pharmacy and eye doctor.
Your local doctor, also known as a general practitioner (GP), provides a wide range
of services including providing advice on health problems, physical examinations,
diagnosis of symptoms, and prescribing medication and other treatments. Usually
a small group of GPs work together in a practice also called a surgery, clinic or
health centre.
When you contact the surgery and ask to register they will tell you if they have
vacancies for new patients. They will give you a form to complete which usually
asks for your name and address and any health problems and then you will be
able to make an appointment to see the doctor. In the UK under the NHS, your
appointment with the doctor is free. Once you have seen the doctor, they will
diagnose you and if you need further help they will refer you to other health
services. Visit the NHS website and find your nearest GP.
www.nhs.uk/Service-Search
The National Health system in the UK may cover you for some minor health
problems, but if you need any emergency care or repatriation (getting you home
in an emergency) and you don’t have travel insurance - then forget it. Our Travel
Department not only helps you with flights but with Travel Insurance too.
Dental Care
The National Health Service (NHS) provides dental care and it is available to
everyone, even if you are not registered with the NHS.
You can get the following treatments from your NHS dentist:
• An examination and assessment.
• X-rays.
• Non-surgical treatment like scaling, polishing, periodontal (gum) treatments and oral hygiene instruction.
• Surgical treatments like wisdom and other tooth removal.
• Fillings.
• Root canal fillings.
• Other treatments like bridges, veneers, crowns, inlays, dentures and disease management.
• Referral to a dental hospital for specialist treatment.
You can find your nearest NHS dentist by visiting the website below and entering
your postcode, town or area. Visit the NHS website to find a NHS dentist near you.
Dental costs
There are three standard charges for all NHS dental treatments. This makes it
easier to know how much you may need to pay and also helps to ensure that you
are being charged for NHS care (rather than private care).
You can still receive
free NHS dental treatment if you meet the exemption criteria.
Visit the NHS website to find NHS dental care costs.
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Medical Costs
in the UK
• As a NZ or Australian Citizen (Commonwealth Member) you can get treatment from the British National Health Service (NHS), including free doctor’s examinations and hospital treatment, from the beginning of your stay. You should register with a doctor as an NHS patient and take your passport, proof of your UK address.
Reciprocal health care agreements are limited to hospital treatment of some NHS illnesses that arise during your visit to the UK (i.e. which did not exist before your arrival).
• You will have to pay a fixed contribution towards the costs of any medicines prescribed, some other GP services (e.g. vaccinations) and any eye treatment.
• If you are registered with the NHS you are entitled to the services of an NHS dentist, although dental treatment is not free.
• To check symptoms of illness or to find your nearest doctor, optician, dentist or pharmacy you can use NHS Direct at
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/en/checksymptoms/findyournearest
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Useful contacts
and websites
Traveline
www.traveline.org.uk
National Rail Enquiries
www.nationalrail.co.uk
Heathrow Express
www.heathrowexpress.com
Gatwick Express
www.gatwickexpress.co.uk
First Capital Connect services to Gatwick
www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk
National Express coach services
www.nationalexpress.com
Scottish Citylink coach services
www.citylink.co.uk
Transport for London
www.tfl.gov.uk
Vist Britain
www.visitbritain.com/en/EN/
The above information was correct at the time of printing and International Working
Holidays can not be held responsible for any changes since then.
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