UK Arrival Checklist for International Students (2026)
Arriving in the UK for the first time is exciting — and overwhelming. There's a lot you need to sort out quickly, and some of it has real deadlines. This checklist walks you through everything, week by week, so nothing gets missed.
Time-sensitive: Some items on this list have strict deadlines — especially checking your eVisa is active in your UKVI account, enrolling with your university, and registering with a GP. Don't leave these for later.
1
Before you fly — get these sorted
1–4 weeks before arrival
Confirm your visa and CAS number are correct
Urgent
Double-check your student visa (vignette) in your passport matches your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies). Name, nationality, and course start date must all match exactly.
Book your accommodation
University halls usually open close to term start. If you're renting privately, try to confirm your move-in date before you leave. Arriving without a confirmed address makes everything harder.
Check the Amber Student platform for verified student accommodation across the UK.
Get a travel SIM or order a UK SIM to arrive on arrival
You'll need data the moment you land to call an Uber, contact your university, or message family. Order a giffgaff SIM before you leave — they ship free to most countries.
Order a free SIM from giffgaff or Lebara before you fly — both ship internationally and activate when you land.
Download key apps
Google Maps (offline UK map), Citymapper or the local transport app, your university's app, WhatsApp, and Wise or Revolut for payments. Download while on fast Wi-Fi at home.
Carry printed copies of important documents
Print: your offer letter, CAS letter, accommodation confirmation, travel insurance, and the first two pages of your passport. Keep them in your carry-on, not your checked luggage.
2
Day 1–3 — Urgent admin
As soon as you arrive
Check your eVisa is active (UK immigration status)
Urgent
Since January 2025, the UK no longer issues physical BRP cards. Your immigration status is now fully digital — it's called an eVisa. Log into your UKVI online account at gov.uk/check-immigration-status to confirm your eVisa is active and the details are correct (course, dates, work entitlement). This is your legal right to live and study in the UK.
If you haven't already created a UKVI account, do it immediately on arrival. You'll need your passport and the details from your visa application. Share your status using a share code — your university and future employers will ask for this instead of a physical card.
Activate your UK SIM card
Insert your UK SIM (giffgaff, Lebara, or whichever you ordered) and activate a plan. You'll want data immediately for maps and communication.
Find your accommodation and check in
If university halls, register at reception. If private, do a check-in inspection and take photos of any existing damage before unpacking. Email the photos to your landlord the same day.
Register with your university
Urgent
International students must complete "enrolment" with the university shortly after arriving — this confirms you've arrived and your study visa attendance. Check your university email for instructions before you land.
3
Week 1 — Essential setup
Within your first week
Open a UK bank account
You'll need a UK bank account for your salary (if working), rent payments, and direct debits. Starling Bank and Monzo are the easiest to open as a student — no branch visit needed, just your passport, visa vignette, and eVisa share code.
Starling accepts international students and usually approves within 24 hours. Some traditional banks (Barclays, HSBC) also have student accounts but may take longer and require an in-branch appointment.
Register with a GP (doctor)
Healthcare is free on the NHS once you've paid the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of your visa. You need to register with a local GP surgery to access appointments. Find your nearest one at nhs.uk/service-search.
Many universities have a GP surgery on campus or a student health centre. Register there first — they understand international student schedules.
Apply for a Council Tax exemption
Urgent
Full-time students are exempt from Council Tax in the UK. Your local council will send you a bill automatically — you must apply for the exemption. Ask your university's student services for the exemption certificate, then submit it to your council.
Ignoring a Council Tax bill can lead to enforcement action. Sort this in week 1, even if you think it doesn't apply to you.
Get a National Insurance number (if planning to work)
If you plan to work part-time (permitted on most student visas), you'll need a National Insurance number (NINO) for tax purposes. Apply at gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number. It can take 4–6 weeks to arrive.
Set up Wise for sending money home
While your bank account is being set up, download Wise and complete verification. Once your UK bank account is active, link it to Wise for cheap international transfers.
Wise offers the mid-market exchange rate with low fees — typically far cheaper than any UK bank for sending money home.
4
Week 2–4 — Settling in
First month
Explore student discounts
Get a TOTUM card (UK National Union of Students card) for discounts at hundreds of retailers, restaurants, and online services. Many places also accept your university ID.
Sort your mobile plan
Once you know how much data you use, upgrade from a pay-as-you-go plan to a monthly rolling plan. giffgaff offers unlimited data from £25/month with no contract.
Understand your accommodation contract
Read your tenancy agreement carefully. Know your notice period, what's included (bills? internet?), and what you're responsible for maintaining. Ask Student Services if anything is unclear.
Register to vote (if eligible)
EU and some Commonwealth citizens can vote in UK local elections. Register at gov.uk/register-to-vote. Even if you're not eligible, registering your address helps with credit checks later.
Connect with your university's international students' office
They can help with visa queries, local registration, part-time work rules, and events for new international students. Visit them in person in your first week.
Join the RealityCheck UK platform
Find part-time student jobs, book events, explore housing options and get practical UK life advice — all in one place, built specifically for international students.
Create your free account and access everything from jobs to money transfers to housing in one place.
Documents to always keep accessible
Keep both physical and digital copies of these. Store digital copies in Google Drive or iCloud:
Passport (photo page)
UK student visa vignette (in your passport)
UKVI account login + eVisa share code
CAS letter from your university
Offer/acceptance letter from your university
Accommodation contract / tenancy agreement
Travel insurance policy and emergency number
University enrolment confirmation
GP registration confirmation
Bank account details (sort code and account number)
Frequently asked questions
I don't have a BRP card — is that normal?
Yes, completely normal. The UK stopped issuing BRP cards to new applicants from 31 December 2024. Your immigration status is now an eVisa — a digital record linked to your UKVI online account. You check and share it via gov.uk, not with a physical card. If you applied for your visa after January 2025, you will never receive a BRP card.
Can I work in the UK as an international student?
Most Student visa holders can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during vacations. Your work entitlement is shown in your UKVI account under your eVisa details. Some courses (medicine, dentistry) may have different rules — always check your specific visa conditions.
When can I open a UK bank account?
You can apply once you have proof of your UK address (your university letter or accommodation contract) and can share your eVisa status. Starling and Monzo are the fastest — approval in 24–48 hours with no branch visit. Traditional banks take longer and may require an in-branch appointment.
Do I need to register with the police?
Overseas Police Registration (OPR) was abolished in August 2022. You no longer need to register with a police station as part of your visa conditions. If your visa was issued before this date and mentions police registration, you're now exempt.
How do I prove my student status for discounts?
Your university ID card works at most places. For online discounts (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Prime Student), you'll verify through UNiDAYS or Student Beans using your university email address.
You've arrived. Now make the most of it.
RealityCheck UK is built for international students. Find part-time jobs, events, affordable housing, and practical UK life guides — all in one place.
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