Cheatsheet

The Landing Guide's

Moving to London Cheatsheet

This is a one-page quick-start guide to moving to London.

Use it to get oriented fast, then plug into the full ecosystem — courses, community, and trusted companies that help you land smarter and settle faster.

1) Visas & Entry

Check your visa / right to enter the UK → Available UK Visas → Visa Checker
Apply online + pay fees & Immigration Health Surcharge → Apply online → GOV.UK
Book biometrics (if required) → Book biometrics → VFS Global
UKVI account + eVisa + Share Codes → Access your eVisa → eVisa hub
Use a professional service if you need help → If you need help → IAS Services

IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge)
Access to healthcare. Paid upfront during checkout.

UKVI account + Share Codes
Your UKVI account is where your eVisa lives. Share codes are what employers/landlords actually check.

British passport eligibility
You may already be eligible for a British passport if you have a UK-born parent or a parent with British citizenship.

Pro Tip: Don’t book non-refundable flights until your visa is approved (or you’ve paid for priority).

2) Flights

Compare flights → Skyscanner Google
Flexible options → Expedia + Booking
Sort baggage early (not at the airport)
Send bags if you need to → SendMyBag

Pro Tip: Land mid-week if you can — better for admin, viewings, and settling in.

3) Insurance

Travel cover SafetyWing World Nomads
Cover first 30–60 days minimum
Keep docs available offline (PDF in phone)

Pro Tip: NHS access doesn’t replace travel insurance — you still want cover for delays, baggage, and emergencies.

4) Accommodation

Browse rentals → Zoopla / Rightmove
Short stays → Airbnb Booking Expedia
Flatshares → Spareroom / Facebook
Prepare funds: deposit + first month rent
Know your areas + commute times
Avoid scams: never pay before viewing

Pro Tip: Do 2–4 weeks in a short let first so you can inspect areas in person — photos lie.

5) Phone / eSIM

Get an eSIM → Simify10% off
Get a UK SIM → Lebara50% off / 3 mths
Set up WhatsApp + 2FA before landing
Move your home number over to a low cost or online only plan.
Make sure it's unlocked.

Pro Tip: Activate eSIM before you land so maps + booking confirmations work instantly.

6) Banking

#1 Account to Start with → Wise
UK app banks → Monzo / Revolut
Big banks → HSBC / Barclays
VPN for security → Surfshark NordVPN
Set up direct debits (helps UK credit history)

Pro Tip: Use the same name/address format everywhere (banks, GP, employer) to avoid verification issues.

7) Work / Jobs

Job boards → Reed Totaljobs Indeed
Recruitment Firms → Hays / Adecco
LinkedIn can be very powerful for landing a job, so spend a bit of time on your profile.
UK CV format (tight + achievement-led)
Right to work checks → share code ready

Pro Tip: Apply in batches, then follow up — London hiring moves fast when you nudge.

8) London Admin

Register with a GP → NHS GP Finder
Meet people → join socials, sports, clubs, community groups
Council tax basics → GOV.UK

Pro Tip: Pick 1 weekly activity and go every week for a month — consistency makes friends in London.

9) Packing

Pack light — you’ll buy basics here (Primark, IKEA, Argos, FB Marketplace)
Bring essential medicines (Doctors note)
Favourite skincare / comfort items
UK Adapters + power bank
Send bags to the UK → SendMyBag

Pro Tip: If you’re torn, don’t pack it — London has everything. Save luggage space for the stuff you can’t easily replace.

10) Health

Join a gym →Pure Gym Anytime Fitness
Sports clubs are everywhere — football, netball, rugby, climbing, boxing & social fitness groups.
Use a Bike scheme → Santander Cycles
Walk everywhere you can.
Healthy food options can be found at the major supermarkets; M&S Food, Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Tesco, Aldi & Whole Foods.

Pro Tip: Pick one weekly fitness/social thing and lock it in for 4 weeks. That consistency is how London stops feeling lonely.
Lots of gyms offer free trials. Shop around.

12) Transport

Tubes, buses, bikes, walking — mix and match depending on the day
Oyster Card info → TfL Oyster & tickets
Rail savings (if you travel) → Railcard
You can tap on/off with your bank card (contactless) — no Oyster needed
Bikes and Scooters → Santander / Lime

Pro Tip: Do your first few commutes by bus if you can — you’ll learn the city layout 10x faster than underground.

11) Apps & Docs

Transport apps → Citymapper + TfL
Comms → WhatsApp
Money app (UK Account) → Wise
Get your eVisa share code →UKVI
Gigs and events (tickets) →DICE
Save copies: passport, eVisa, bank statements, emergency contacts, insurance cert/number
Upload everything to the cloud (and keep 1 offline copy on your phone)

Pro Tip: Make a single “UK Move” folder in your cloud + star it for offline access. You’ll get asked for documents at the worst possible times.