v256.0 · relocation checklist · IN → GB · verified 2026-04
India to United Kingdom — relocation checklist
18-step ordered checklist covering visa, banking, healthcare, housing, taxes, schooling, shipping, and pets. Written for the Indian tech professional, student, or family on Skilled Worker / Global Talent / Student visa.
From
Total cost
£10,000-35,000 (₹10-35 lakh) — visa, IHS, deposit, shipping
Timeline
10-20 weeks pre-arrival, 6 weeks post-arrival to full setup
Typical profile for this pair
Indian tech professional, student, or family on Skilled Worker / Global Talent / Student visa
Step-by-step checklist (18 steps)
Pre-departure (16-20 weeks out)
- Choose visa — Skilled Worker (salary >£38,700 from April 2024), Global Talent, Student, Innovator Founder, High Potential Individual, Ancestry
Pre-departure (14-16 weeks out)
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from UK employer; English language proof (IELTS, OET, Pearson)
Pre-departure (12-14 weeks out)
- UKVI online application + biometrics at VFS Global — 3-week processing; Priority Service +£500-1,000
Pre-departure (10-12 weeks out)
- Pay Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) £1,035/year (raised Oct 2023) for full visa duration
Pre-departure (8-10 weeks out)
- Attested educational + experience certificates; PCC from local police; TB test from UKVI-approved center
Pre-departure (6-8 weeks out)
- Tax planning — file IT-30; LRS USD 250K/year strategy; pre-open Wise for INR-GBP
Pre-departure (4-6 weeks out)
- Arrange first 4-6 weeks accommodation (serviced apartment, Spareroom) — London £1,500-4,000/month
Pre-departure (2-4 weeks out)
- Ship household goods — sea freight Mumbai/Chennai to Felixstowe 28-35 days, £2,500-6,000 for 20ft
Pre-departure (1-2 weeks out)
- Pet relocation — PETS Travel Scheme: microchip + rabies + tapeworm + AHC (USD 800-2,500)
Arrival (Week 1)
- Collect BRP from designated Post Office within 10 days of arrival
- Apply for National Insurance Number (NINo) — online via gov.uk, 2-6 week processing
Arrival (Week 1-2)
- Open UK bank — Monzo, Starling, Revolut accept BRP + passport instantly
Arrival (Week 2-3)
- Register with GP (NHS) — IHS gives full NHS access
Arrival (Week 2-4)
- Long-term housing — UK guarantor or 6 months rent upfront typical for new arrivals
Arrival (Week 3-4)
- Set up utilities + council tax + TV licence (£169.50/year for live TV / iPlayer)
Arrival (Month 2)
- School enrollment via local council 2-4 weeks before start
Arrival (Month 2-3)
- File Indian ITR partial year; FIG (Foreign Income & Gains) 4-year regime claim if eligible
Ongoing
- Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years Skilled Worker, 3 years Global Talent
Cost breakdown
| Skilled Worker visa application | £719 (out-of-country) or £827 (in-country) |
| IHS | £1,035/year × visa duration |
| TB test | £90-120 |
| IELTS | £200-250 |
| First month rent + 5-week deposit (London 2BR) | £3,500-12,000 |
| Shipping (sea freight 20ft) | £2,500-6,000 |
⚠ Gotchas + watch-outs
- Skilled Worker salary threshold raised to £38,700 from April 2024 (was £26,200)
- IHS £1,035/year × full visa duration = £3-5K upfront
- Right to Rent check + UK guarantor or 6-12 months rent upfront typical
- FIG regime since April 2025 — 4-year clean break replaces non-dom
- NINo can take 2-6 weeks
- TV licence £169.50/year mandatory for streaming BBC iPlayer
Official sources
- UK Visas + Immigration — https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration
- NHS overseas visitors — https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/visiting-or-moving-to-england/
See also: India profile · United Kingdom profile · all relocation checklists · United Kingdom tax residency · United Kingdom banking · United Kingdom healthcare
Last verified 2026-04. Immigration, tax, and banking rules change frequently — verify with official sources before acting.