Complete Guide to Moving to UK from New Zealand: Everything you need to know.

The United Kingdom, home of the Commonwealth, is an attractive destination for Kiwis. If you’re thinking of moving to the UK, there are a few things to consider before you pack your bags. Here is our complete guide to moving to the UK from New Zealand where we cover visas, moving checklists and opening a bank account.

UK Visa for New Zealand Residents

The United Kingdom is made up of Great Britain, Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, and Northern Ireland. A UK visa is sufficient to visit all these countries.

Various visas are available in multiple categories for New Zealanders immigrating to the UK. Let’s look at the long-term visa options available to New Zealanders looking to gain UK citizenship and settle there permanently:¹

Additional visas may be available for athletes and religious workers.

UK Immigration Requirements

New Zealand has friendly relations with the United Kingdom. Generally, NZ passport holders on holiday can enter the UK for six months without a visa.

However, permanently moving to the UK from New Zealand requires NZ citizens to meet specific requirements:⁷

• Must hold a valid New Zealand passport.
• Meet the visa requirements and apply for the appropriate visa. The UK visa application process is complex and involves various documents and possibly an interview. It's important to start this process early to ensure a smooth transition.
• Satisfy health and character requirements.

Moving to the UK checklist

Moving to the UK from New Zealand can be a big endeavour, but this checklist can help you plan your journey:⁸

1. Identify the visa you need. One of your first major moving steps is to get your visa. New Zealand citizens have specific visa options for working, studying, or living in the UK. Research your eligibility and apply for the appropriate visa.
2. Find your new neighborhood. The UK offers a wide range of cities and villages, each with its own unique charm. When choosing where to settle, consider factors like job opportunities, lifestyle, and cost of living. Remember that cities like London or Edinburgh will be much more expensive.
3. Plan where to live, whether for the short or long term. You may want to temporarily get something, like a rental or shared room, as you find your feet or move directly into a more permanent abode. Make a plan for where to rest your head right when you arrive and for the longer term.
4. Register for healthcare. Read up and understand the UK's National Health Service (NHS) and register with a GP. Make sure you have all your necessary medications sorted before you arrive.
5. Enrolling in education. If you or your children are continuing education, research schools or universities in the UK. It’s a good idea to start the application process before your actual move.
6. Get your money in order. The UK operates in the British pound, so you’ll need to convert your New Zealand dollars and likely open a UK bank account. Consider using Wise to save money on transferring funds between your New Zealand and UK accounts.
7. Create a plan for the actual move. You may want to bring personal items over or start brand new in the UK. Given the distance, call shipping companies early on in the process so you can get quotes and timelines if you do want to ship items over.

Before You Leave New Zealand

You’ll need to wrap up your life in New Zealand before heading to the UK. Here are things to keep in mind as you do:⁸

1. Double-check you have your visa and flight tickets for the UK.
2. Get your documents in order, such as passports, medical certificates, and professional degrees and make copies. Keep them with you or have them accessible.
3. Disconnect and cancel all utilities that will no longer be used.
4. Close any bank or credit cards you won’t be using any longer.
5. Request transfer certificates from your or your kids’ schools.
6. Have your medical checkup done according to UK requirements.
7. Get your pets vaccinated and check quarantine requirements if they are moving with you.
8. If you plan to work in the UK, confirm your job offer or begin researching opportunities online.
9. Cancel all subscription plans you no longer need.
10. If you have a car, make a plan to sell it or leave it with family before you depart.
11. If using a shipping company, coordinate pick up and delivery with your departure and arrival dates.
12. Take time off from work to accommodate the travel time and move.
13. Don’t forget to pack memorable items so you don’t miss home.
14. Make a plan to stay in touch with family and friends in New Zealand.

You may want to consider visiting the UK temporarily to shortlist accommodation options and check school availability for your kids before you leave New Zealand. Short trips for less than six months do not require a UK visa.

Upon Arrival in the UK

Upon your arrival in the UK, you should complete specific tasks. Here’s a checklist to help:

1. Complete your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). The BRP is a UK ID card that confirms your identity and the right to study and use public services. You must collect it from the nominated post office within ten days of arriving in the UK.
2. The BRP does not confirm your right to work. You must complete a separate application for employment.
3. Get your UK income tax identification number. UK employers are required to deduct income tax and national insurance contributions from your gross income.
4. To work in the UK, you must have a National Insurance Number (NI). This number serves as your identification in the UK tax system. You can apply for the NI online after you arrive in the UK. Sometimes, the BRP has the NI printed on its reverse.
5. You must register for the National Health Services at a local GP.
6. If you plan to travel outside the UK in the European Union, you must apply for a Global Health Insurance Card.
7. Open a bank account in the UK if you do not already have one. Jump to the next section on how to open one.
8. Get out and explore your new home and make yourself comfortable in the country. Many Kiwis live in the UK, so find your community any time you miss home.

Moving with pets requires completing health checkups, vaccinations, and quarantine. Take a look at our article on relocating pets to learn more.

How much money does it cost to move to the UK from NZ

Immigrating to the UK from New Zealand can be expensive, especially given the distance. Here are some example costs when moving:

Initially, you might stay in hotels or smaller rented accommodations until you shift your entire family. Starter accommodations are available on websites like Airbnb for around £200 per night.

Cost of Living in the UK

The United Kingdom is an expensive place to live, but the overall cost of living depends on your location. For example, London is more expensive than smaller towns in Ireland or Scotland. On average, the monthly cost of living for a family of four in the UK is around £3,200 GBP.

Learn more in our upcoming article on the cost of living in the UK.

Open a UK bank account as an NZ Expat

The UK has an established banking infrastructure, with branches nationwide of almost all the top international banks. Some popular banks include HSBC, Lloyds Bank, NatWest, Standard Chartered Bank, Barclays, and the Royal Bank of Scotland. Learn more in our article on the top banks in the UK.

Managing finances as an expat in the UK is easier when you have a local UK account. To open a bank account, you must provide a valid ID (passport or driving license) and local address proof. All savings accounts come with ATM cards, letting you withdraw cash. Mobile apps and Internet banking are also available at nearly all banks.

However, a big part of moving is transferring money around- whether to yourself or to make payments like a security deposit. Remitting funds can be expensive since many banks charge high international transfer fees, especially outside Europe.

Want to save money on fees? Open a Wise account. Using smart tech, Wise lets you transfer money directly to local bank accounts abroad. So whether you need to transfer money to your new UK bank account or send rent to your new landlord, you can do it with one low transfer fee. Wise also uses the mid-market exchange rate, which is the same rate you see on Google or Reuters, so you will save on mark-ups or extra fees.

Join now and see why 13 million people have used Wise to get their money where it needs to go worldwide.

Moving your Money to the UK from New Zealand

You have a lot of options when moving your money from New Zealand to the UK. You can use the traditional banking route to transfer funds, also called a wire transfer, which can take 2 - 5 days and high fees. Traveller's cheques or airport money exchange shops also allow you to convert NZD to GBP, but you might get hit with high currency conversion markup charges.

When you want to send your money from New Zealand to the UK, look no further than Wise. Wise has only one low transfer fee and uses the actual mid-market exchange rate, so more of your money stays in your wallet. And with a Wise account, you can convert your NZD to GBP through the Wise app. You can use your GBP balance to make payments, send transfers, pay for cabs or even take out cash at ATMs locally.

Learn more about withdrawing money with your Wise card in our video.

Moving your KiwiSaver Savings to the UK

If you have permanently relocated to the UK from New Zealand, you can withdraw your KiwiSaver savings after 12 months. You may need approval to close the account and withdraw your funds. This option lets you keep the interest earned on the tax credits and the $1,000 NZD kickstart amount. All member tax credits received from the government since joining will be returned to the government.¹⁰

You must provide the following documents with the closure application:

1. Proof of emigration from New Zealand
2. Residential address in the UK
3. A statutory declaration of your emigration status

Start your UK journey with Wise

One of the biggest steps in getting started in the UK is opening a local bank account. UK bank details will help you receive a local salary and make payments daily and monthly. If you want to get a jump on your UK journey, open a Wise multi-currency account with UK bank details.

The Wise multi-currency account lets you hold GBP even before you set foot in the UK. That means you can start securing a place to live, buying furniture and domestic travel tickets, or whatever else you may need. It is also one account that will let you hold New Zealand dollars for easy conversion or to send money back home.

Sign up for Wise today

By loading your Wise account, you can make your move smooth and easy. As always, you’ll receive a low fee and the actual mid-market exchange rate on every transaction. The linked debit card lets you withdraw cash from any ATM. And if you need to send money back to New Zealand, you can do so within seconds with a Wise account.