9 Tips for Living in the UK for Students and Workers

Planning to live in the UK? Home to world-famous museums, restaurants, beloved sports teams, and some of the top 10 universities in the world, it’s no wonder Queen Elizabeth’s country is a dream destination for many, whether for students, workers, or those looking to start a new life.

See also The easiest and most convenient way to send money to the United Kingdom

When moving abroad, there are plenty of things you need to prepare. From the necessary documents as a student or worker, managing your passport and visa, arranging your residence permit, and more. But don’t forget to also learn some essential tips for living in the UK, so your life in the land of Big Ben becomes safer and more comfortable.

Here are nine tips from Transfez that you can prepare and practice while living in the UK.

Tips for Living in the UK from Transfez

1. Check Your Visa Status

If you’re not a permanent resident, you must have a valid visa that needs to be renewed according to regulations.

For students, the visa usually covers the duration of your study program, while for workers, it can last up to 5 years as long as you don’t change jobs. Always make sure your visa is valid and update it regularly as needed.

2. Always Carry Your Passport or ID Card

Just like how you always carry your ID in Indonesia, in the UK, you’ll also need to carry identification.

You might need to show your ID when dealing with authorities or for certain transactions.
Always have your ID with you when leaving the house. Your passport is essential if you plan to travel to other countries in Europe. You don’t want to get stuck abroad without it, right?

3. Obey the Rules

“When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” This saying should be your motto while living abroad. Rules can differ from country to country, even from one city to another. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the local regulations to avoid trouble.

For example, in some areas, you’re prohibited from littering gum. If you throw gum carelessly instead of disposing of it properly, you might end up getting fined. You wouldn’t want that to happen in the UK, would you?

4. Be Friendly to the Locals

Locals will be the people you interact with daily. They can help you get to know your neighborhood and provide useful information.

Remember, you also carry the name of Indonesia, which is known for its hospitality. Don’t be indifferent to your surroundings—you might even get some discounts from local food vendors if you’re friendly!

5. Find a Community from Your Home Country

Feeling homesick is normal—missing home, the food, your friends, and family, especially during national celebrations like Independence Day, Eid, Christmas, and others.

To ease homesickness, you can join communities from your home country. For students, there’s the Indonesian Student Association in the UK (PPI UK). For workers, you can join open houses at the Indonesian embassy or participate in national celebrations.

Meeting familiar faces, tasting traditional food, and sharing experiences about living in the UK with fellow Indonesians can help you feel closer to home.

6. Learn to Budget Wisely

Higher living costs are something you must prepare for when moving to the UK. The currency difference and daily expenses compared to Indonesia can cause culture shock.

Learn as much as you can about the cost of living in the UK. Start managing your finances and prioritize essentials such as rent, transportation, healthcare, food, and emergency funds.

One common mistake is spending too much on money transfers from Indonesia to the UK. You can lose hundreds of thousands of rupiah just on a single transaction fee. Imagine how much you’d lose in a year due to hidden fees when sending money through banks.

Instead, look for a cheaper and faster alternative like Transfez, where you can send money in just 2 minutes and it’ll arrive on the same working day. Stop wasting your money on hidden fees!

7. Choose Your Accommodation Wisely

Finding the right place to live should be at the top of your priority list when moving to the UK. You’ll spend most of your time at home and in your neighborhood, so make sure your accommodation fits your needs and budget.

See Video on How to Easily Send Money Abroad with Transfez

Also, check if there are any additional costs aside from the rent to avoid surprises later. You wouldn’t want your planned expenses to skyrocket due to unexpected charges.

8. Get Insurance

Whenever you move abroad, risks are inevitable. Having insurance is a must if you plan to study or work in the UK. Not all healthcare services are fully covered for foreigners. There are different rules and requirements for receiving treatment. It’s best to have insurance as your health protection while in the UK. Consider getting life, health, and accident insurance.

9. Be Aware of Tourist Scams

Every country has its share of scams, and if you’re not careful, you might fall victim.
Choose a safe area to live in, carry only enough cash when going out, don’t trust strangers too easily, and always ask for ID if someone claims to be an official requesting fines or payments.

So, Are You Ready to Live in the UK?

Download Transfez App

Transfez App can help you transfer money abroad more quickly and efficiently. Jack Finance can also help your business in making transactions abroad. For those of you who want to send money to relatives who are abroad because they are studying, working, or traveling, Transfez will be ready to help. This app is available on Android as well as iOS.