One of the biggest concerns IMGs relocating with families will have, is how to find the right school for their children in the UK.
The good news is that the education system is excellent, and education is free!
If you are bringing children to the UK with you, the first thing you will need to do is apply for a place in the school you want them to go to. To do this you will need to get in touch with your local council to ask about the schools in the catchment area, and find out where places are available.
You can then apply for places in schools through the local council, applications usually opening a year before you want your child to start. More information about the process is available here. Children normally begin school in the September after they turn four and usually you can apply for a place in a state school at any point in the year.
There are many options that parents have when deciding which school is best for their children, including faith schools, free schools, academies, technology colleges, boarding schools, private or paid for schools, or grammar schools to name a few.
All children living in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland are entitled to a free place at a state school.
If you choose to send your child to a free state school, then your local council will decide which school your child is given a place at.
All schools have admission criteria to decide which children get places. The school or local council usually set these.
Admission criteria are different for each school. For example, schools may give priority to children:
who live close to the school (catchment area)
who have a brother or sister at the school already
from a particular religion (for faith schools)
who do well in an entrance exam (for selective schools, for example grammar schools or stage schools)
who went to a particular primary school (a ‘feeder school’)
Councils usually use 'catchment areas' to decide where your child is given a place at school.
A catchment area is an area around a school. Any children who live in this area are given a place at the school.
Most councils publish catchment area maps on their website.
You can find out where your child will be given a place at school by looking on your local council's website.
See below useful links to how to register, depending on country:
Scotland
England & Wales
Northern Ireland
Ireland
If you choose to send your child to a paid school, then you can ask the team at IMG connect to help you further, including advice on how to check the school’s standards, costs and how to contact them directly.
If you want to know more about schooling in the UK, have a chat with our team or take a look at our relocation blogs.
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It will come as a relief to those moving to the UK from overseas to know that the NHS is free to all at the point of delivery.
Put simply, the NHS belongs to you and is run for the people of the UK. It exists to help you and your family to stay healthy and improve your wellbeing. It helps you to keep mentally and physically well.
The NHS was founded on a common set of principles and values that bind together the communities and people it serves – the patients and public of the UK – and of course the amazing staff who work for it.
Provided you are resident in the UK, you and your family can access free GP & hospital treatment.
Some people in the UK are also entitled to free prescriptions; to check your eligibility, click here. In Scotland prescriptions are free for all patients.
You should register with the NHS as soon as you can have relocated to the UK. To do so is simple. Once you arrive in the UK, check for GP practices near you, and if they are taking new patients all you have to do is register. It is quick and easy, simply complete a registration form. Once submitted your GP will register you with the NHS, and you will receive an NHS number.
Once registered, you can attend your local GP at no cost.
Find out more about registering with your GP practice, here.
You can search for your local GP service here, the search also gives you access to reviews, overviews of facilities and services that each service offers.
In summary, the NHS is available to all. It is free at the point of delivery, access to NHS services is based on clinical need, not an individual’s ability to pay.
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It is typical to hear people around the world say that childcare can be difficult to find and costly. Affordable child care is one of the main priorities for many working parents. And with a large number of overseas doctors relocating with their families, child care is a big issue.
The good news in the UK is that you can get help finding and paying for childcare.
Even better, if you work for the NHS, then you are entitled to additional support through the Tax-free childcare scheme.
How much does childcare cost?
The average cost of sending a child under 2 years of age to nursery is:
Part-time - £125 per week
Full-time - £240 per week
The average cost of an after-school club for one working week is £60.
Playgroups or pre-school groups (usually organised by the school or nursery directly), typically cost £2 - £10 per session. Sessions are normally two – three hours before and after standard working hours.
A registered childminder could cost on average £250 per week full time, and £150 per week part-time (costs will be slightly higher in London).
If you have read our articles on schooling, you will remember that nursery schools, if provided by the state, are free for all children.
There is help you can get with childcare costs, for example with tax-free childcare you can get up to £2,000.
Help is provided if you select childcare run by an approved childcare provider, such as:
registered childminder, play scheme, nursery or club
childminder with an Ofsted-registered childminding agency
registered school
home care worker working for a registered home care agency
Try this useful tool for checking what childcare can be made available for you.
Tax free childcare scheme:
A scheme is in place aimed at helping reduce the cost of childcare for NHS employees.
The scheme is administered through online accounts, opened by parents on the get-tax-free-childcare website. Parents pay money into the account, which is used to pay for childcare with registered providers.
Parents can pay money into their childcare account as and when they like, and for every £8 paid in, the government will add £2, up to a maximum of £2,000 government support per child, per year (£4,000 for children with disabilities).
The scheme is open to parents of children up to and including the age of 11 (16 for children with disabilities).
What else is available?
Some employers offer additional support to families, giving that little bit extra to make the work-life balance more sustainable. Extra help could include workplace nurseries, directly contracted childcare, advice services and community groups.
Checking childcare providers:
It is important to check that the provider you wish to use is suitable for your child, working to high standards, and approved for use under the tax-free scheme.
You can check if a childcare provider is approved or search for one using the following websites:
England through Ofsted
Wales through the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales
Scotland through the Scottish Care Inspectorate
Northern Ireland through the local early years team register
You can get help paying for childcare provided by a school, for example nursery school fees. State schools are free, so when it comes to childcare you can only get help paying for care that is outside school hours, for example after school clubs or breakfast clubs
Steps to follow:
If you want to check how much support you can receive and how to find the right provider, follow these steps:
Check how much free childcare you can receive using the government online tool: Government Childcare Calculator
Check where you can get childcare:
England
Wales
Scotland
Northern Ireland
Get help paying for childcare:
You can get help with childcare costs for children under 18. You might be able to apply for:
Tax-Free Childcare
Tax credits
Universal Credit
You could also get free hours childcare. You might be able to apply for:
free education and childcare for 2 year olds
15 hours free childcare for 3 to 4 year olds
30 hours free childcare for 3 to 4 year olds
Advice and support is provided by the government, local councils and education organisations. We advise you to speak with your IMG consultant, who can help you establish where to start, answer any questions you may have and point you in the right direction to getting the best start for your children in the UK.
You will also find that parents in the UK, as well as staff in the NHS and education system, will be keen to support and help you with advice. The parental community in the UK is strong and supportive, with networks of like-minded families sharing experiences and contacts.
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Once you've arrived in the UK, how do you set up a new bank account?
There are many things to consider when setting up your new life in the UK, one of which is opening a new bank account. To help, we put together a few tips and suggestions to get you started, including the following topics:
Options can be confusing
Do I need a new bank account?
How do you set up an account and what do you need?
Once your account is open, what next?
Monitoring your account
Which bank should I choose?
The main five banks
Ethical banking
There are various different, and whilst one type of bank will suit one person, it may not suit everyone. So, it is important to shop around and find the right bank account for you.
Options can be confusing
When choosing a bank account, it can get confusing. There can be accounts that are simple to set up, with no fees, or accounts that require a monthly fee. Equally, you now have the option of online banking with banks that have few or no local branches at all, or you may prefer a bank that has a branch nearby, so you can pop in anytime.
We have taken a look at the easiest to set up, but as above, they may still not be the right account for you. If you want to discuss further after reading this blog, why not give us a call and one of our specialist consultants will answer any questions you may have.
Do I need a new bank account?
Before we look at specific examples, it is important to mention why setting up a bank account is important.
Firstly, you will need to notify your employer where to pay you!
And secondly, a good bank account will offer ease of use, support you in building your credit score (important for your future in the UK), pay bills, and easily check your balance.
How do you set up an account and what do you need?
Similar to a lot of administrative tasks, to set up an account you will need to make an appointment with the bank and bring along the right documents.
Setting up an appointment:
Most banks won’t let you drop in, so it is a good idea to call in advance and schedule in your appointment. The appointment will be focused on discussing your situation in order to open the account.
Required documents:
Once you have booked the appointment you can then start to prepare the documents to bring with you. Basically, one document to prove your identity and one to prove your address.
To prove your identity, you will need one of the following:
Passport
Driver’s licence
EU ID Card
Every bank has its own idea of how to prove your address, the following are widely accepted:
Tenancy agreement or mortgage statement
Electricity or gas bill, dated within the last 3 months
A current Council Tax bill
However, as an IMG you will be new to the UK, so you might not have any of the above as evidence of your address. The good news is that most banks will accept a letter of employment from your Trust (employer) written to the bank.
You can request an employment letter from your Trust HR department. This must confirm:
your home address
include your name
D.O.B
you are employed by the Trust
the starting date of your role
your salary
duration of the contract
It must be on letter headed paper, stamped, signed and dated. Speak to your IMG Consultant who will be happy to help you set this up.
Once your account is open, what next?
Once you have completed your meeting (usually around an hour), your account will be set up and ready to use.
Now that you have your new account number (8 digits) and sort code (6 digits) you can provide these to your payroll department ready for your first pay cheque!
Don’t forget you will also need your NI number! Read our blog on how to get yourself a NI number if you haven't already.
You will also receive your bank card and pin code in the post, these are usually delivered separately.
If you receive one but not the other a day or so after, then contact the bank and they will reissue these. These usually arrive approximately 5 working days after setting up the account, but your bank will advise on the specific number of days so that you can keep an eye out for their arrival.
Once arrived, you can use this to make payments everywhere, including online. If you want to change the pin, you can change this at most bank machines to something that you will remember! Be sure to choose memorably but randomly, not 1234!
Monitoring your account
Now that you are set up, most banks will offer an online account to monitor your income. Most have an app that you can download to your smartphone to manage outgoings and transfers.
Which bank should I choose?
With the banking market bringing a wide range of accounts and banks, it is hard to navigate through all the accounts on offer.
The most important advice we can give is to shop around. Check online and compare what is on offer across a wide range of banks. Often, it can also be easier to open an account with one of the bigger UK banks.
Here are a few things to consider when selecting your account and discussing what is offered during your meeting with the bank:
Examine digital features – online and mobile access via apps and online banking etc. It is beneficial to access your account anywhere, helping you monitor your outgoings and identify fraud.
Check if the account has monthly fees – most standard current accounts don’t, but premium services usually have a monthly charge.
No minimum balance requirement - good banks don’t have these!
No limitations on the number of transactions – you want to be free to make as many, or little transactions as you want.
Free ATM access, so you can withdraw money when needed.
Check overdrafts and associated fees, you don’t want any unwanted charges.
Check if the bank has several branches, including one local to you. You may however prefer to use services offered online, which would open more options up to you.
Some banks offer specific accounts for people who have recently relocated to the UK, usually called new to the UK accounts.
You can also chat to an advisor online to answer any questions you may have before you make the decision to arrange an appointment, check the bank websites for web chat options.
Whatever type of banking suits you, it is always best to research extensively, especially online, which will give you a full idea of what they offer.
The main five banks:
The five main banks in the UK are:
Natwest
Royal Bank of Scotland
Lloyds Banking Group
Barclays
HSBC
Opening an account with these banks is usually easy, and they offer a range of accounts with online options.
Another popular option is to set up a Monzo account as they are very quick, easy to set up - whilst they offer a useful mobile app platform which makes it easy to keep track of your expenses. They also offer free payments and withdrawals outside of the UK whilst are an FSCS approved bank so offer the same security as one of the main five banks.
Ethical banking:
Ethical banks are those that invest your money transparently and only business, companies and investments that do not have a harmful impact on local communities and the environment. The following two are good options:
Triodos Bank offer a great option for Ethical Banking. They invest their money transparently and into projects and trusts that benefit local communities and the planet we live in. They do not invest in any fossil fuel companies or any business that has a harmful impact. Our directors and our business bank with Triodos.
Co-operative Bank offers a range of accounts and can be set up online easily.
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Just arrived in the UK, how do I set up my mobile phone?
There are many things to consider when setting up your new life in the UK, one of which is how to get yourself a mobile phone contract. In this article we’ll help overseas doctors arrange a mobile phone contract by addressing the following questions:
Who are the main providers in the UK?
How can I check for the best coverage in my area?
What do I need to set up a contract?
Can I use my current handset?
What if I plan to be in the UK less than 12 months?
First, some general advice
At IMG Connect we strongly recommend doing some research by using several trusted market-comparison websites and looking at the reviews to help decide on your network provider.
The wrong contract might leave you stuck with a long contract, that proves to be unnecessarily expensive whilst offering poor signal in your area. If you rush this process and take out a contract that is not right, you will regret it. This comes from personal experience, so please do your homework!
Main Providers in the UK
The main providers are:
EE
Three Mobile
02
Vodafone
There are numerous other providers that ‘piggy-back’ off their service, but do not have their own network. The package you can get from a ‘piggy-back’ provider is potentially cheaper than the main provider who’s service they use – however the network quality will always be poorer than the main providers.
How can I check for the best coverage in my area?
Make sure to check the coverage and network availability in your area by using the Ofcom mobile and broadband checker.
Ofcom are the government approved authority for communications and tasked with ensuring people get the best service from their provider. You can raise any issues you have, free of charge, with Ofcom.
What do I need to set up a contract?
Once you’ve decided on your provider and package, most mobile phone companies will only require the following to open a contract:
Two proofs of address (utility bills, rental contracts etc.) which must show both your name and address.
Proof of Identification
Active bank account in order to set up a direct debit
Packages on offer:
There are two types of package you can consider; Contract or Pay-as-you-go
Contract:
Most providers offer a minimum contract of 12 months, SIM only.To get a handset included as part of your contract package typically you need a 24-month contract.
Pay-as-you-go:
Another option to consider is a pay-as-you-go sim card with no contract or handset. This will cost about £10 and can be up and running immediately.
Can I use my current mobile phone handset?
Yes, all sim-only packages will work with the device you already have.
What if I plan to be in the UK less than 12 months?
Whilst most IMGs prefer taking out a contract, if you do plan to be in the UK less than 12 months, a pay-as-you-go contract may be a better option.
In summary:
Only you will know what you are going to use your phone for, and which package will be right for you. If you are someone looking to call overseas regularly, think about WhatsApp calls, VOIP calling packages, face time etc.
With regard to phone contracts, just make sure to get a number of different quotes on similar packages and use these to try and get a bargain for yourself with one particular provider. All networks tend to be flexible at some point and the general rule is, if you don’t ask, you don’t get!
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I'm an overseas doctor planning to relocate to the UK. Can I drive immediately?
Good question, and IMGs asked this question frequently by IMGs planning their relocation to the UK. In this article we’ll help you to arrange your UK driver’s licence by addressing the following questions:
Is my driver’s licence valid?
What is the difference for EU and non-EU driver’s licence holders?
Exchanging your licence
Is my driver’s licence valid?
Regardless of where you are relocating from, if you hold a foreign licence you will be able to drive in the UK immediately. For how long and under what conditions will depend on whether your licence is from an EU (or designated country) or non-EU country. You can check here to confirm your licence status.
What is the difference for EU and non-EU driver’s licence holders?
For an EU licence holder:
If you hold an EU driver’s licence you can drive on your current licence for up to 3 years. After this time, you must exchange your licence, rather than retake the test.
For non-EU licence holders:
If you hold a foreign driver’s licence and are now a resident in the UK, you can drive for a period of 12-months with your current licence. Within this 12-month period you will need to take and pass both your theory and practical drivers’ examination to continue driving in the UK.
Exchanging your licence:
You can exchange your foreign driver’s licence for a GB licence if it is from:
EU (no time limit for exchange applies)
Northern Ireland (no time limit for exchange applies)
Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man (must be exchanged before 12 months)
A designated country* (must be exchanged before 12 months)
* Andorra, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland and Zimbabwe
You can check whether you can exchange your licence here.
How do I exchange my licence?
To exchange your licence, you will need to get a D1 form from a post office that deals with DVLA transactions.Provide all requested details and send back the D1 form with your current driver’s licence.
A fee of £43 is payable by cheque or postal order and this takes roughly 3 weeks to process.
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Here we take a look at an essential document for any Pakistani doctor looking to work outside of the country – the Pakistani Protector Stamp.
In this article we will look at what exactly the protector stamp is and consider the following topics:
What is the Pakistani Protector Stamp?
Do I need the Protector Stamp?
Life Insurance
How do I get my passport stamped?
Documents you will need
The process
I have my protector stamp. What happens next?
What is a Pakistani Protector Stamp?
The protector stamp is an actual passport stamp given to any Pakistani travelling abroad on a work visa. It is an official Pakistani government requirement and without the protector stamp you will not be allowed to travel.
In addition to allowing you to work abroad, it will also cover you for life insurance, with the person you nominate receiving one million Pakistani rupees in such an event.
Do I need the Protector Stamp?
Every intending emigrant is legally bound to get their foreign service agreement protected from the concerned Protectorate of Emigrants (PE) office in Pakistan.
It is important to remember that the protector stamp is needed alongside your offer of employment and your visa. Visits to the UK for leisure or PLAB 2 do not require the Pakistani Protector Stamp.
As well as granting you access to work overseas, the Pakistani Protector Stamp will also cover you for life insurance to a figure of PKR 1,000,000
Life Insurance:
Whilst life insurance is an obvious perk, you do have to pay for it.
You will be required to deposit PKR 2,500 to cover life risk for a sum of PKR 1,000,000.
This insurance is valid for five years.
There are also a number of other benefits that come once your life insurance and protector stamp are in place, you can read through them on the Pakistani Government website here.
How do I get my passport stamped?
You will need to attend an appointment at your local Protectorate Office in order to receive the stamp.
The process of getting your Pakistani Protector Stamp can be a little arduous. Specific documents are required and be prepared to spend up to one whole day completing the process.
Documents you will need:
Your Visa work permit
Contract or a conditional offer of employment from the UK employer
Pakistani passport
Pakistani CNIC (Computerised National Identity Card)
Next of kin information (including CNIC for recipient of insurance compensation)
Medical report
Bank challan receipts
Life insurance
Undertaking form
One passport photo
Please note, until very recently NICOP was an essential document for this process as well. There has been a little confusion over this recently so if you have a card already, it does not hurt to bring this along with you.
It is best to make any copies of your documents in prior to attending your local Protectorate Office, it will help you avoid any delays once you are there and make for a smoother process.
The Process
Attend your local Protectorate Office early in the morning with the original copies of your documents. You can find your local office here.
The main reception will direct you to a window to show the checking officer your CNIC, passport and the copy of your UK visa.
As soon as your visa copy is signed, you will need to take this and the rest of your documents to the next window to submit the rest of your documents.
Once these are ready you can expect to wait a few hours until your passport is stamped.
I have my Protector Stamp. What happens next?
You need to have your passport stamped once you have a job offer and work visa, so this should be one of the last steps before relocating.
Once your passport is stamped you will be cleared to work outside of Pakistan and begin your journey in the UK!
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Attaining your national insurance (NI) number once in the UK is essential once in the UK.
Overseas doctors new to the UK will not have an NI number, and wll need to appy to ensure they are taxed and paid correctly. In this article we’ll help you to arrange your NI by addressing the following questions:
What is a National Insurance number?
Why do I need one?
When do I apply?
How do I apply?
I’ve got my National Insurance number, what next?
What is National Insurance?
National Insurance (NI) is a tax system in the United Kingdom paid by workers and employers for funding state benefits. It is a contributory form of insurance against illness and unemployment, and provides retirement pensions amongst other benefits.
Citizens of the United Kingdom pay National Insurance contributions to become eligible for State Pension and other benefits.
Why do I need a National Insurance number?
A National Insurance number is a unique number assigned to an individual looking to work in the UK. You will keep the same number all of your life.
Your NI number helps to make sure that the National Insurance contributions and tax you pay are properly recorded against your name.
It also acts as a reference number when communicating with the Department for Work and Pensions and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
When can I apply?
You can only apply once you are living in the UK.
Once in the UK you can work for up to 12 weeks without an NI number. However, we strongly recommend applying within your first few days of moving to the UK.
How do I apply?
Call the National Insurance number application line on 0800 141 2075 between the hours:
8.30am - 5pm
Monday - Friday
The phone call will be a 5-10 minute process.
You’ll be asked some questions about why you need a National Insurance number, your background and circumstances. Following this call, you will be asked to attend an evidence of identity interview at your local job center which is followed by an email confirming the appointment.
They will ask you bring as many identity original documents as you can to the interview. Examples of documents which are acceptable are:
valid passport
National Identity card
residence permit or residence card including biometric immigration residency documents
full birth or adoption certificate
full marriage or civil partnership certificate
driving licence
In addition, you should provide:
evidence you are in work or looking for work
proof of address
*If relocating from outside the EU, you will also be asked for your residence permit.
I’ve got my National Insurance number, what next?
If you were asked to provide additional information you will need to do this by the agreed date.
If not, Jobcentre Plus will write to you and let you know whether your application was successful and what your National Insurance number is.
Provide your HR or Payroll department with your National Insurance number as soon as you have it.
Remember to keep the letter safe – you may need it in the future.
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