What are common challenges for expats in the UK?

Challenges include cultural shock, finding affordable housing, securing a well-paying job, and managing homesickness.

How can expats manage expenses in the UK?

Expats can manage expenses by budgeting, seeking discounts, using money-saving cards, and cooking meals at home. Apps like TangoPay can help save on international remittance fees.

How can I send money home from the UK?

You can use reliable remittance services like TangoPay, which offers fee-free transactions for the first three months, a referral bonus, and services in over 70 countries.

UK Immigration – Life of an Expat

Q: Is the UK good for expats?

Yes, the UK offers excellent opportunities in jobs and education, making it a popular destination for expats.

Q: How much can you make in the UK as an expat?

Expats in the UK can earn an average of £41,000 per year, depending on their qualifications and industry.

Q: Does an expat pay taxes in the UK?

Expats who are permanent residents in the UK are required to pay taxes. Non-residents may not be subject to UK taxes.

Q: Is moving to the UK a good idea?

Moving to the UK can be a good idea as it offers high wages and strong career opportunities, but it is also one of the more expensive countries to live in.

The UK is a popular destination for people all over the world. That’s because it’s one of the countries with the most stable economy and advanced living standards.

According to Migration Observatory, there are 9.5 million people in the UK who are first-generation immigrants. Three top countries make up most of this percentage, i.e, Poland, Pakistan, and India.

However, as fascinating and heavenly as it seems, living in the UK as an expat or immigrant is not a cakewalk. The problems list starts from cultural shock and expands to getting a job and not finding an affordable living place or childcare.

What is immigration?

Immigration is an act of moving from your birth country to another country for your permanent residence. Most people move to foreign countries for reasons such as better education, employment opportunities, political strains such as war or chaos, and many other various reasons.

The UK provides the utmost security to its citizens alongside seductive career opportunities. They mostly go there in search of good money opportunities, and they must support their families back home. Handsome salaries allow them to earn good and send money back to their loved ones.

How to apply for UK immigration

There are different visas for the UK. Which Visa suits you best depends on the type of visit or stay period. The standard is for up to 6 months. You can apply by going to the UK embassy in your country. There will be a standard procedure which you will have to follow for it. You can get your Visa in one week to three months, depending on the nature of your visit.

The Benefits of Working in UK Visas and Immigration

There are many benefits if you get a work visa. A work visa means that you got approval from your home office and an employer in the UK to work in the UK.

Under a work visa, you can bring your spouse or dependents with you. You can work for an eligible job based on your skills. You can travel abroad and get back to the UK. You can also apply for permanent residency. This will require you to at least be in the UK for a minimum of five years and will require some other requirements.

Common Problems Related to UK Immigration

UK immigration brings perks, but there are certain unavoidable problems. Stick with us as we list down all of the issues for you, and then we will tell you how to tackle these problems.

Finding a Best Job as an Immigrant

However, an expat will get a job as soon as they land in the UK. However, here comes the reality check: you will have to work hard before getting a well-paying job.

You might be best at what you do in your country, but accept that there is a lot of competition in the UK. Sometimes, people must do mediocre jobs to survive.

Finding a Place to Live

Another significant problem that immigrants find is finding a cheap place to live. Homes can be very pricey, even if you find one. It’s difficult to afford a costly living place before finding a job, and of course, an immigrant needs a place to crash in the process of finding work.

Cultural Shock

Immigrants often find themselves in cultural shock because it has the most diverse community. People from all over the world come to the UK and bring their culture with them. Students might find the learning system very different than their schools back home.

All of this cultural shock might be psychologically disturbing for the new expats. However, if you are from a European country or the USA, the system is similar to your home country.

The cultural shock will persist throughout your journey. It’s not like you are going to get all settled after a year or so. There will always be things that will keep coming as cultural shock.

Homesickness

When you move to a place that is different than your sense of familiarity, it may not come easy on your nerves. You may find all the change overwhelming. This feeling is called homesickness.

It’s normal, and it should go away after some time. However, if you feel like it’s causing concentration problems and interfering with your mental health, you should talk to your university or workplace therapist.

Expats in the UK can find different types of support networks. There are support services, therapies, and local expat networks. Support may help you to cater for your problems.

How to Manage Your Expenses as a UK Immigrant

If you move to the UK to earn money, then plan your expenses wisely so that you can save more and reach your financial goals.

Managing your expenses as an expat student is equally necessary. Because you are a student, you need to have more time to focus on your studies instead of working to meet your expenses.

Keep Tracking Your Expenses.

Budgeting is important because otherwise, you will spend your money, and you won’t know where it all went. Cash tends to escape like your naughty pet, who will run to roam around as soon as you lose the leash.

£700 – £1200 is the range of living expenses in the UK. You can easily earn that much even with a meager job.

However, unlike your pet, money won’t come back to you once spent. If it is gone, it’s gone. So don’t be in debt and keep track. You can download a budgeting app or do it yourself. It’s a fun and productive process.

Hunt for Discounts and Cheap Stuff

There are plenty of discounted offers and special prices always available. Just keep track. Go to the restaurants with coupons. Following their social media, they keep updating the special offers. Go to thrift stores. You can find cheap clothes.

Go to movies with low ticket prices. Also, there are plenty of referral bonuses and affiliate programs for different brands and services. Keep an eye out for such rewards and make use of these things.

Go for Money Saving Cards

The UK gives an opportunity for money-saving cards. The Money Saving cards automatically make you eligible for discounts and special offers. You can buy stuff from international as well as local brands at discounted prices using this card. Throughout the UK, there are millions of users.

Save Money on Groceries

Let’s face it: our eating habits cost us more than anything else. Try to eat more vegetables and lentils instead of meat and other costly products. Try to cook more instead of going out. You can make some base meals on weekends and freeze them to use later in the week.

Buy things that you are sure won’t go bad in your fridge, and you are going to prepare a meal out of them. Never let your groceries rotten, and use them before their expiration.

Use TangoPay for Remittance

UK immigration is mostly motivated by extraordinary employment opportunities. If you are there to earn money, then you send money back to your home to your loved ones.

Use TangoPay to send money back to your home. Its services are exceptional.

No Fee for First Three Months: With TangoPay, you can send money to your loved ones without any fee for your first three months of making remittances.

£10 for Referral Bonus: You can earn £10 as a referral bonus when you refer to a friend and they make their transaction worth £100.

Providing Services to 70+ Countries: TangoPay provides services in 70+ countries. You can send it to any country of your choice with us.

Conclusion

The UK can be a great opportunity for an expat or immigrant. All you need to do is be aware of possible problems and think through them. There is nothing which you cannot resolve.

You need to manage things carefully. Find a cheap place to live, cook meals at home, and use public transport. You can always get free healthcare services in the UK. It’s generally a safe country, so you don’t have to worry about security.

Manage your finances carefully and make friends. Take the most out of the amazing opportunities and build your better today and future.

FAQ

Is the UK good for expats?

Yes, the UK has some of the best opportunities when it comes to jobs as well as education.

How much can you make in the UK as an expat?

You can make around £41,000 per year in the UK as an expat.

Does an expat pay taxes in the UK?

If you are a permanent resident in the UK, you will have to pay taxes, but if not, you won’t pay taxes.

Is moving to the UK a good idea?

The UK is one of the most costly countries in the world. But it’s also one of the countries which provides the best wages to their workforce. So it depends on your preference.