Are you considering moving to England for work, school or simply to gain experience of what it’s like to live in a different country? Before you move to the home of the Beatles and Buckingham Palace, there are some important things you need to know.
Visas
If you plan on staying in England for more than six months, you’ll need a visa. This online tool will help you determine whether you need a visa or not, and what type of visa you’ll need. You can apply for a visa online.
Shipping Personal Goods to the UK
You are allowed to ship personal goods into England. Be aware that you will have to pay tax on what you ship, though. Fortunately, you may be able to claim relief on tax and duties. UK Form C3 allows British customs officials to determine whether you qualify for relief. It also tells them how much tax you owe.
Regardless of whether you qualify for tax relief, your shipping company will tell you how much duty you owe on your shipment. You’ll have to pay it before you collect your goods
What will British Customs Charge You?
Most likely, you will pay customs duty, which will depend on the origin of the goods and their type. If you’re bringing alcohol and tobacco in your shipment, you’ll pay the excise duty. You’ll also pay the value added tax, which is 20% of the total value of the goods being shipped.
Healthcare
When you immigrate to England, you’ll have to pay a fee to use the National Health Services (NHS). This fee is part of your immigration application. You’ll need to pay £200 per year for yourself and any dependents. If you don’t pay this fee, your immigration application won’t be accepted.
Weather
While the weather isn’t on the same level of importance as the documents and procedures you will have to complete before immigrating, it’s still something of which you need to be aware.
Canada’s weather depends on the region in which you live: Atlantic Canada has cooler summers, warmer winters, and a great deal of precipitation; the area that stretches from Quebec City to Windsor, ON is known for frigid winters and sweltering heat during the summer; people in the Prairies freeze during the winter and experience short, warm summers; while the residents of British Columbia’s coast have mild winters and cool summers.
Because England is so much smaller, and it’s located to the west of Europe and is an island, its winters are warmer than those in much of Canada. Its summers are also cooler. Its overall climate is probably closest to that of the coastal areas of Canada.
Choose Orbit for Your Move to England
Orbit International Moving and Logistics Ltd. have been helping people move around the world since 2004. Our professional, courteous staff will be with you every step of the way. We’ll answer all of your questions and treat you with the respect you deserve. At Orbit, we understand that moving internationally is a big deal, so we aim to reduce the hassle. Call us today at 416-661-4228 to find out more about our international moving services.
