Great Britain is considered one of the most prosperous countries in the world. According to the latest UN report, it occupies the 16th place in the rating of life satisfaction (Russia - on the 49th place). On average, the British live up to 81 years and earn 42.8 thousand dollars a year (almost five times more than the Russians). Only according to official statistics, who moved to the UK from Russia since 2000, has tripled. England is chosen for living, studying and doing business. A lot of companies with Russian roots are based in London. For example, Fintehstartup Revolut, service for sale of photos Lobster and social network for Badoo women.
These cards we made together with the company Imperial & Legal, which just helps with the move to the UK.
Can anyone move?
Yes. There are different types of visas for different people. Which one to choose depends on your personal circumstances and how much you are willing to spend.
Visa of the investor. You invest money - from 2 million pounds - in the British economy and receive in exchange the visa "Tier 1 Investor". In this case, it is not necessary to know English. If you want a couple of years to obtain a residence permit, you will have to invest from 5 or 10 million pounds. This money should be put, respectively, for three or two years in a British bank and buy on them bonds that were issued by British companies and the state.
The visa of the businessman. To get the "Tier 1 Entrepreneur" you need experience and a willingness to invest in British business (or spend to open a new one) at least 200 thousand pounds. Also, you must provide a ready business plan and confirm your knowledge of English.
Work Visa. Tier 2 is suitable for those who have previously got a job in a British company and received an invitation from her. Such a visa can not be issued to all companies - a list of those that have the right to do so, is on gov.uk.
The visa of the spouse. Often for such a visa, in addition to the marriage certificate and other documents, it is required to prove that the spouses really are in the relationship: joint bills, common photos or, for example, hotel reservations addressed to both spouses. Such a visa is usually issued for 30 months, after which it is updated. You can work and learn from it.
The student's visa. Tier 4 (General) can get young people who already have 16 years old. Students are officially allowed to work, but with restrictions - usually no more than 20 hours per week during the semester.
Visa student. The validity of Tier 4 (Child) depends on the age of the child and the year of study. If you study in Britain for 10 years, you can get a residence permit. While the child is studying and has not reached the age of 12, parents have the opportunity to obtain a Parent of a Tier 4 Child student visa. However, it is impossible to work or study on such a visa.
For any permanent visa you can transfer to the country of close relatives - spouse or spouse, as well as children. In this case, adult relatives will have the right to work officially without restrictions, and children - to learn.
About the latter you can read more? Just think of sending a child to a British school.
Translate into the British school from the Russian is not so simple. Junior students must pass the exams in mathematics, English and the IQ test, and pass an interview. For high school students there are examinations in all subjects. Help with the choice of the school can ratings: pupils of the best schools most often receive the highest scores in the exams and enter the educational institutions of the group "Russell" (24 most prestigious universities). The most important thing, which is worth paying attention to, is the availability of a special state license from the school. It allows the school to issue official confirmation that the child is accepted for training. Having received such a confirmation, you can apply for a visa.
Probably, for the visa it is necessary to collect a heap of papers. Which ones?
For the visa itself - no. The British Embassy needs only a questionnaire, information on the availability of funds and on the absence of a criminal record, as well as the results of a test for tuberculosis. Then everything depends on the chosen visa. For example, entrepreneurs need to provide a business plan and confirm the level of knowledge of English, and investors - to prove the existence of an investment account in the UK. In some cases, you will have to run around with papers at the preliminary stage - when you go to university or hire a job.
The company Imperial & Legal helps to deal with all the nuances. They will tell you which documents for which visa are needed, help prepare and submit the immigration application, and control everything until the receipt of a passport with a visa.
What to do with money? Carry cash with you?
You do not have to bring all your cash with you. And for importation into the country more than 10,000 euros will have to report on the border. In Britain, almost everywhere you can pay a card. After obtaining a permanent visa, it is easy to open a bank account: for this you need a passport and proof of residence (for example, a lease or purchase agreement, a paid utility bill). ATMs are at every step. You can issue a card in one of the largest British banks, among them - Barclays, HSBC, NatWest and Lloyds. There is another option: to find out in your Russian bank, whether it has partners in England, and open an account there.
In Imperial & Legal will help to choose a bank (including private) and prepare documents for opening an account.
Do I have to pay taxes?
To answer this question, you need to understand whether you are a tax resident in the UK. A special test will help with this. If you are a resident, you need to contact the British Tax and Customs Service (HMRC). There you will receive a national insurance number (NIN) for taxes that you will pay at your main place of work, and a tax number (UTR) for taxes on all other income. With the help of these numbers, you can go to the HMRC website, report income and, in fact, pay taxes (the higher the income, the higher the rate). You need to do this once a year. There is no real estate tax in England, but a special municipal tax will have to be paid at the place of residence.
In Imperial & Legal will help determine the tax status or plan it. In addition, they prepare tax returns and advise on the optimization of tax obligations.
By the way, about real estate. As in England with housing?
Housing in England is expensive. To save up for a private house, the average Britan spends at least seven years (however, in Russia it will take even longer). The most expensive property in London: the average house here will cost 480.8 thousand pounds. Removable housing is also more expensive than in Moscow. Although you can always find an advantageous option or just an apartment away from the center. A studio apartment in the center of the city (in the "first zone" - it's roughly like inside the Garden Ring in Moscow) will cost 1000-1400 pounds. And this is without taking into account the bills and taxes that you, most likely, will also have to pay (the conditions are discussed during the signing of the lease). You can search for an apartment through an agent or yourself. For example, on the sites zoopla.co.uk and rightmove.co.uk. By the way, those who have just arrived in the country can be asked to pay immediately for six months in advance.
And transport?
In Britain, it is convenient to travel by public transport. But it's not cheap: for example, a trip on the subway costs from 1.5 to 5.9 pounds. You have to spend money on a taxi: the famous London cabs are expensive, even for Uber, the travel rates are higher than Moscow ones (the minimum bill is 5 pounds). Also here are services for bicycle rental and car racing. It's quite expensive to keep a car and it's not very convenient. Insurance for a year is one or two thousand pounds, about the same amount will be spent on gasoline (price per liter - 1.2 pounds). The road tax depends on the air pollution index and reaches 2,000 pounds for powerful off-road vehicles. Find parking is not so simple, for the entrance to the center of London during business hours you have to pay. And do not forget that in England, left-hand traffic - at first it may be unusual.
What if I get sick there?
In the UK, free medicine. But it is available only to citizens of the country and holders of permanent visas. At any time, you can make an appointment with the therapist (by phone, in person or via the Internet): he will either send to another doctor, or prescribe medication. Those who can not use free medicine are offered to buy private insurance. Its owners paid specialists take faster. In addition, it allows you to obtain improved conditions in the hospital.
How do the English rest? Go to the pubs?
Englishmen rest in different ways, as do residents of other countries. Going to the pub is a popular form of leisure, but only one of the possible. By the way, pubs go not only to drink, but also to play in the pub-quiz - this is a quiz in the spirit of "What? Where? When". For example, the British like short trips to Europe: tickets are bought cheaply and at the last minute. In addition, Britain - the birthplace of football, golf and tennis. Therefore sports here too like. And museums. And the parks. And many other things. In general, the entertainment to your taste you will definitely find.
They say all the British are very prim. This stereotype?
Of course, the stereotype. All people are different, and the set of personal qualities from the nationality does not depend.