Your first 30 days in the UK

Your first month in the UK goes more smoothly if you do things in the right order. Check your eVisa and UKVI account first, then settle an address where you can receive post. Next, register with a GP, apply for a National Insurance number if you have the right to work and do not already have one, and register for Council Tax. Build your budget on what you actually spend, not on estimates. This guide takes each step in turn and shows what can wait and what cannot.

This is a practical plan, not an official checklist. A skilled worker, a student and someone joining family will have different priorities. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also run health, housing and local tax differently, so always check the rules for the nation you live in.

Who this first-month plan is for

It suits anyone who has just arrived on a work, study or family visa, and anyone who has moved to a new address inside the UK. Most of these steps depend on where you live, not on your nationality.

Work visa holders: prove your right to work to your employer, sort out your National Insurance number and understand your first payslip.
Students: secure housing, register with a GP and understand how Council Tax treats full-time students.
Families: find suitable housing, register every family member with a GP and start on school places.

Before you travel: build a document pack

Gather your temporary address, airport transfer details and day-one contacts. Keep secure copies of important documents somewhere other than your phone, such as a protected cloud account.

The passport you added to your UKVI account. GOV.UK says you must travel with a valid passport or travel document that is linked to your account.
Your university offer, employment contract or Certificate of Sponsorship, depending on your route.
Your first address written in full, including the postcode.
An arrival budget kept separate from your normal monthly budget.

The first 30 days, step by step

Check your eVisa and UKVI account in the first two days.
Settle an address where you can receive post.
Register with a GP near your home.
Apply for a National Insurance number if you need one.
Register for Council Tax.
Sort out banking and your budget.
Finish the less urgent tasks: the electoral register and driving.

1. Your eVisa and UKVI account

An eVisa is an online record of your identity, immigration status and rights, such as the right to work or rent. Sign in to your UKVI account and check your name, date of birth, type of permission and expiry date. Keep your phone number, email address and home address up to date, as GOV.UK asks. If the record itself is wrong, use the eVisa error reporting service. GOV.UK says UKVI aims to fix most issues within 5 working days, and complex cases can take up to 15 working days. Our eVisa and share code guide explains which service to use for each purpose.

2. Your address

A stable address unlocks GP registration, banking and Council Tax. If you are in temporary accommodation, ask whether you can receive post there. In England, a landlord must check your right to rent before the tenancy starts, and you will need a share code made for renting. Before you pay anything, read our housing checklist to see the legal cap on deposits and how they must be protected.

3. Registering with a GP

In England, registering with a GP surgery is free. The NHS says you do not need ID, proof of address or proof of immigration status to register. You can register online through the NHS website. A surgery can refuse you if it is not taking new patients or you live outside its area, but it must write to you within 14 days to explain why. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own processes; start with our healthcare registration guide.

4. Your National Insurance number

If you have the right to work and you are working, looking for work or have a job offer, you can apply for a National Insurance number online. You can start work before it arrives if you can prove your right to work. GOV.UK says it can take up to 4 weeks to get your number after you have proved your identity. Before applying, check old documents such as a biometric residence permit, because you may already have one. Our National Insurance guide covers the details.

5. Council Tax

You will usually have to pay Council Tax if you are 18 or over. If you live alone, or everyone else in the home is “disregarded”, you get 25% off the bill. Full-time students at college or university are disregarded. GOV.UK says households where everyone is a full-time student do not have to pay Council Tax at all. You must apply for a discount or exemption even if you qualify. Register with your council as soon as you move in so a backdated bill does not build up. Use our council finder to identify your council.

6. Banking and your budget

Banks set their own identity and address requirements, so ask the bank directly what it accepts for your situation. After two weeks, compare what you planned to spend with what you actually spent. A cheaper room can come with a much higher commute. Use the cost of living planner to compare two scenarios, and the salary calculator if you are employed.

7. Voting and driving

In England and Northern Ireland, only some residents can join the electoral register: British and Irish citizens, qualifying Commonwealth citizens and certain EU citizens who meet set conditions. In Scotland and Wales, any foreign national with permission to enter or stay can register from age 14. Check your eligibility on GOV.UK first. Driving on a non-GB licence depends on the country that issued it and how long you have lived here. Use the official GOV.UK checker rather than relying on other people’s experience.

Key deadlines and timings

Task	Official timing or amount	Source
Share code from your eVisa	Lasts 90 days and can be used as many times as you need	GOV.UK — eVisa
Fixing an eVisa error	Most within 5 working days; complex cases up to 15	GOV.UK — Report an eVisa error
Receiving your NI number	Up to 4 weeks after you prove your identity	GOV.UK — Apply for a NI number
GP surgery refusing registration	Must explain in writing within 14 days	NHS
Single person Council Tax discount	25%	GOV.UK — Council Tax
Deposit protection in England	Within 30 days of the landlord receiving it	GOV.UK — Tenancy deposit protection

Common first-month mistakes

Confusing a National Insurance number with the right to work. The number records your contributions and tax. It does not give you permission to work; your employer checks that separately.
Leaving your UKVI account out of date. A new passport or address that is not on your account can cause delays at the border or when you prove your rights.
Paying housing money without a written receipt. England and Wales have deposit protection rules; Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own.
Waiting until you are ill to register with a GP. Registering while you are well saves time when you need care.
Sharing codes or passport numbers in public groups. Give them only to the organisation that needs them.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need proof of address to register with a GP in England?

No. The NHS says you do not need ID, proof of address or proof of immigration status. You still give your address, and a surgery can decline if you live outside its catchment area.

Can I start work before my National Insurance number arrives?

Yes, as long as you can prove your right to work to your employer. GOV.UK confirms the number is not needed to start.

Do students pay Council Tax?

Full-time students are not counted when a bill is worked out. If everyone in the home is a full-time student, there is nothing to pay. If someone who is not a student lives with you, a bill is issued but a discount may apply. You need to apply for the discount or exemption, so contact your council.

What should I do if my eVisa details are wrong?

Use the GOV.UK service to report an eVisa error. Do not use it to change your address or phone number; update those through your UKVI account instead.

Are the steps different in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?

Yes for healthcare, housing and local tax. Each nation has its own GP registration process and deposit rules, and local tax is organised differently in Northern Ireland, so check with your local authority there. eVisas and National Insurance numbers work the same across the UK.

Sources

Your next step

Open My UK Plan, choose the arrival stage and tick off each task as you finish it. If you need help with translations or documents, search the translators directory.

Reviewed 17 October 2026.