Life in the UK...
Below are our articles on the subject of Life in the UK. If you can't see what you are looking for our other categories are displayed on the left under 'Our Quick Links'...
About ID Cards in the UK and EU
Many countries already have some form of identity card. In some countries it is compulsory for residents or citizens over a certain age to carry one. The law which...
Adopting a Child from Abroad
The UK authorities allow citizens and residents to adopt children from abroad and bring them to live in the UK. However, there are restrictions on adopting abroad to...
Applying for Visas for Extended Family
The rules on applying for visas to bring extended family to live in the UK vary according to the nature of the relationship and the family...
British Attitudes to Immigration
It would be fair to say that British attitudes to immigration are mixed. Some consider immigrants to be an important part of the UK’s vibrant cultural mix, whilst...
Budget Cuts: How They Affect Life in the UK
Public budget and benefit cuts combined with rising prices and a devalued pound are making life difficult for millions of UK residents. The UK...
Changing Patterns in Immigration to the UK
The topic of immigration to the UK is emotive and opinion can be sharply divided on whether immigrants contribute to society and the economy or...
Claiming a VAT Refund When Leaving the UK
VAT – or Value Added Tax – is a tax payable on many goods and services in the UK. The rate at which VAT is charged depends on the category of...
Coming to the UK as an Au Pair
Coming to the UK to work as an au pair has always been a popular choice for young people from overseas who wish to experience life in the UK. It can be an excellent...
Cracking Down on the Abuse of Student Visas
Abuse of the UK’s student visa system has already seen changes being made to the eligibility criteria for foreign nationals who wish to come to...
Deportation from the UK
In some circumstances a foreign national may face deportation from the UK.
Deportation Orders
Under UK immigration law a deportation order may be made...
Do I Need a Visa to Come to the UK?
Before making plans to travel, foreign nationals should ensure that they know whether or not they need a visa or entry clearance to enter the UK. It should be noted...
Driving in the UK
Newcomers or visitors to the UK who intend to drive while they are in the country should make sure that they familiarise themselves with the rules and regulations...
Education in the UK
All children living in the UK must take part in full time education between the ages of 5 and 16. The majority of children receive their education at state primary...
Far Right Political Parties and UK Immigrants
The UK has three main political parties - Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat. Traditionally the Conservatives have been to the right of...
Healthcare in the UK
Legal residents of the UK are entitled to receive free healthcare from the National Health Service (NHS). Treatment provided by the NHS is likely to cover most...
Housing in the UK
One of the first things most people will be thinking about when they come to the UK is finding somewhere to live. Exactly what is needed will depend on the length...
Human Rights in the UK
Citizens and residents of the UK have enjoyed certain, fundamental human rights for hundreds of years. The Human Rights Act 1998 enshrined many of these rights in...
Life in the UK
Most foreign nationals who wish to become British citizens take a test called Life in the UK. This is meant to ensure that anyone acquiring citizenship has a good...
Multicultural Britain: What Does it Mean?
Definition - Multicultural: of or relating to or constituting several cultural or ethnic groups within a society.
Multicultural Britain...
New Policies on Children in UK Detention Centres
When the UK’s new coalition government announced their policies in May 2010 one of the first topics they addressed was the detention of children...
Politics in the UK
The political system in the UK is a parliamentary democracy – the people vote for Members of Parliament (MPs) to represent their interests.
The Head of...
Religion in the UK
The state religion of the UK is Christianity as practiced by the Church of England. However, it is felt by many that the UK is becoming an increasingly secular...
The UK's Police Authorities
Foreign nationals may come into contact with the UK police for a number of reasons. Some foreign nationals may be required to report to the police whilst in the UK,...
Travelling Within the UK
After arriving in the UK many visitors wish to travel within the country.
The UK is relatively small and is fairly comprehensively served by a public...
UK Detention Centres
Detention centres – or Immigration Removal Centres – are a source of ongoing controversy in the UK. Some immigrants, including children, are held in detention...
UK Immigrants and State Benefits
Foreign nationals applying for a visa to live or work in the UK will generally have to satisfy the immigration authorities that they have the financial means to...
UK Policies on Illegal Immigrants
The UK’s coalition government consists of politicians from two different parties who previously had some divergent policies on illegal immigration. During the...
UK Universities and Foreign Students
Studying at a UK university can be a valuable educational experience whilst also giving foreign students the opportunity to immerse themselves in a different way of...
Use of Data Stored on ID Cards
As the UK ID card scheme is introduced all residents and citizens who apply for a card will have their personal data – or biographical footprint – verified by the UK...
What Sort of Visa Do I Need?
The rules on UK visas are complex and it is not always easy to work out what sort of visa is needed for entry to the UK. In addition, the immigration rules are...
Where to go for Help or Advice as an Immigrant
For immigrants who wish to come to the UK the amount of help they are likely to require will depend on:
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