UK legislation has undergone a number of changes in recent years aimed at reducing the flow of migration. The main ones are the reduction of opportunities for labor migrants and the abolition of the right to receive permanent residence for foreign pensioners. Closed several programs for legal residence in the country.
Despite the tightening of legislation, moving to the UK is quite possible. To do this, you need to have a reason and be patient.
About the country
England is an administrative part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain. Located on the island of Great Britain and occupies about two-thirds of its territory. In addition to England, the Kingdom includes Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
State area - about 241 thousand sq. km. The southeast and center of England are plains and wastelands. The territory is mainly covered with hills, in the northern part abutting against the mountains. The eastern part is flat, with large swamps, which, after draining, are used for agricultural purposes. The shores of the state are washed by the North and Irish Seas. The world's longest underwater tunnel, 50 km long, runs from the southern coast to continental Europe.
The UK has a humid oceanic climate with high rainfall. The temperature in summer averages 18 degrees Celsius, in winter it can drop to zero. In London and the south of the country the average temperature is higher, in the north of the UK it is much cooler.
Great Britain is called "foggy albion" for a reason. The amount of precipitation reaches 750 mm per year. There are often fogs and rains. During one day, the weather can change from sunny to rainy more than once.
The UK economy is at its peak and serves as a hub for international business activity. Its main advantage is the combination of the possibilities of the world market and a unique innovative system of an entrepreneurial type.
In the state, in addition to agriculture and industrial production, the last 10 years have seen a rapid growth in the high-tech and sports industry.
Population of England - more than 53 million, density - over 350 people per sq. km. 80% Englishmen belong to the Church of England. Prudence and restraint are characteristic of the indigenous population.
UK statistics
| Parameters | Meaning |
| Population | 66 million people |
| Capital | London |
| Unemployment rate | 4,2% |
| Currency | GBP |
| Inflation | 3% |
| Official language | English |
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English cuisine is not particularly sophisticated or sophisticated. Great attention is paid to the quality of the products. There are many meat dishes in the national cuisine, oatmeal and tea famous all over the world.
Emigration policy
The first step when moving to England for permanent residence is to obtain a resident visa. For Russian citizens, this permit is a prerequisite. In this case, a regular visitor visa is not suitable.
Reference! The time spent in the country on a resident visa is counted to emigrants as length of residence when obtaining permanent residence.
Permission can be obtained by:
- Highly qualified employees and students of British universities;
- Investors;
- Close relatives of British citizens;
- Spouses of local residents who have expressed a desire to emigrate.
Visa processing begins with registration and filling out an online application form on the website. All information is entered in English. On the same resource, an electronic application is drawn up and the visa fee is paid.
After filling out the electronic forms, an appointment at the visa center and submission of documents will become available.
Consular fees for different types of visas
| Permission type | Maximum stay in the country | Cost, dollar |
| Short Term Visitor Visa | 6 months | 135 |
| Long term resident visa | 2 to 10 years old | 515-1172 |
| Bride's visa | 6 months | 135 |
| Transit | 6 months | 89 |
To apply for a visa you will need:
- Completed and printed form;
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of submission;
- Old passport (if available);
- 2 color photographs;
- A copy of the internal passport;
- Information about the place of work (contact information of the organization, length of service and salary of the employee);
- Bank statement for the last 3 months;
- Confirmation of intention to return to your home country (ownership of real estate, marriage or childbirth certificates);
- Notarized translation of each document into English;
- Printed receipts for payment of the consular fee.
Additional documents confirming the basis for obtaining a visa:
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- Employer contract;
- Certificate of admission to the university;
- An invitation from relatives;
- Proof of relationship.
After submitting the documents, the collection of biometric data and, if necessary, an additional interview follows.
Refusal to issue a visa may be due to incorrectly completed documents or the applicant's criminal record.
England visa application form
Immigration methods
A resident visa gives you the right to legally reside in England for a long time. After arriving in the country, you need to check in at the police station within 7 days. The immigrant must provide information about the place of study, work and residence. In addition, you will need to pass a test of knowledge of the language, culture of the country and an analysis for tuberculosis.
Having lived in the country for 5 years, a foreigner has the right to apply for a residence permit, and after another 5 years - for citizenship.
Reference! Foreigners staying in the country illegally for 10-15 years can apply for British citizenship.
UK visa
Business immigration and investment
Investing in the economy of the state will have to be at least 2 million pounds. Thus, the investor acquires the right to stay in England for 5 years, and after the specified period, issue a residence permit.
The advantages include the simplicity of the registration procedure and the absence of the need to confirm knowledge of the English language.
By cons - the need to make up for the lack of funds in case of depreciation of bonds.
An additional condition for investors is to invest their own, not borrowed funds.
Entrepreneurs who create their own firms on the territory of the state can also count on obtaining the right to reside in England. The authorized capital of the company must be not less than 200 thousand pounds.
Reference! Both entrepreneurs and investors receive a residence permit without the right to employment.
Immigration for study
Students who enroll in educational institutions in the UK can legally stay in the country for the entire duration of their studies.
Student visas fall into 2 categories:
- Short-term;
- Long term.
The first type is issued for those who came to the courses. The validity of such a permit does not exceed 6 months. For students entering the university, a long-term visa is required.
According to such a document, a foreigner can not only stay in the country, but also invite his family to live. This type of permit makes it possible to work 20 hours a week, and 40 hours on vacation.
Under the new legislation, the extension of a student visa for 2 years after graduation to look for work has been canceled. Now the validity of the permit ends with the receipt of a diploma.
During training, a foreigner can change the type of visa to marriage or any other. If you want to stay in the country after graduation, the student must find a company that is ready to employ him as a young specialist.
The main advantage of this kind of immigration is that Britain welcomes foreign students and it is quite easy to get a visa. The disadvantages include the need to prove the ability to pay for education and living in the country.
Reference! Obtaining a visa is possible only upon admission to a university that has an appropriate license to attract foreign students.
Moving to work
The difficulties and hassle of registering a foreign worker are completely borne by the employer's firm. For this reason, migrants may find it difficult to find a place of service. Not all British companies have a permit for the employment of migrants and the desire to get additional trouble. Usually, specialists of rare professions and high qualifications are invited to work from other countries.
The main disadvantage of such a basis for immigration is the prohibition to work in any specialty, except for the one reflected in the visa.
Residence permit through the purchase of real estate
Buying property in England is a popular investment for foreigners. By renting out housing, you can get a decent income. However, real estate owned by a foreigner is not the basis for benefits in obtaining a residence permit.
Migrants who buy apartments or houses in the UK receive a 2-year multivisa. Such a permit does not give the right to employment or benefits when applying for permanent residence.
Immigration through marriage
Moving to the UK through marriage is a two-step process:
- In the case when a British citizen wants to start a family with a foreigner, you need to start by obtaining a marriage visa. Such a permit is issued for a period of 6 months and allows you to cross the border of the country an unlimited number of times. During this time, the couple must marry.
- After receiving the certificate, the foreigner must leave England and apply for a visa for family reunification. This permit is issued for 2.5 years with the possibility of renewal for another 2 years and 4 months. After the specified period, a foreigner has the right to apply for permanent residence.
Reference! When applying for a visa, civil, church and same-sex marriages are taken into account.
Before marrying to immigrate to England, it is worth considering that the authorities strictly check the couple's cohabitation, revealing fictitious marriages. In case of divorce, a foreigner is deprived of the right to stay and expelled from the country, and the children, if they were born in marriage, remain in Britain.
Life in England after immigration
When moving to the UK, it is worth considering that diplomas issued in the CIS countries are not accepted there. Proof of qualifications will be required, which takes a long time. More often than not, migrants find jobs with lower qualifications than they had in their home country.
Tamara: “I am a nurse by education, but after my arrival I had to work as a nurse for several years. I received a very small salary, enough to live on only in the regime of total economy. "
Rental housing in England is expensive, while the apartments are very small. London is divided into sectors. The central districts are considered elite and, accordingly, the rent is the highest there. As you move away from the center, house prices decline. People who agree to live outside the city can count on an apartment with low pay.
Olga: “Prices for renting an apartment depend on the number of bedrooms. Accordingly, the owners of apartments are trying in every possible way to increase their number. Oftentimes, the bedroom only fits a single bed. "
The British are very reserved people who always adhere to traditions. It is difficult for a foreigner to understand what actually lies behind the abundance of standard polite phrases. Sometimes a refusal to help looks like it is almost impossible to discern it.
Alyona:“It's very difficult to make friends here. Gatherings in the kitchen, like among Russians, are not accepted here. Even close friends should be warned about the visit in advance, and it is not a fact that the hosts will serve at least tea. "
Average price level in England
| Name | Cost, EUR |
| Bread | 1,2 |
| Tea | 1,5 |
| Meat | 5-7 |
| Milk | 1,2 |
| Vegetables | 1-2 |
| Eggs | 1,5-2 |
| Fruit | 2-3 |
| Rent 1 room. apartments on the outskirts | 850 |
| Communal payments | 500-600 |
| average salary | 2500 |
It is also worth considering taxes. In England they make up from 20 to 45% from income. The higher the salary, the more taxes you have to pay.
Medicine and education in the country is practically free.
Despite the difficulties in obtaining visas, foreigners often choose England for moving to permanent residence. This is largely due to the state language, which is much easier to improve than to learn Spanish or French from scratch. Also, migrants are attracted by stability and social protection in the UK.
