Your First 30 Days in the UK as a South African

Moving from South Africa to the UK is exciting, but the first few weeks can also feel like a mountain of paperwork, unfamiliar systems and things you suddenly need to understand. The good news? You do not have to figure everything out in one day. This Saffa Hub guide gives you a practical starting point for your first 30 days, with links to official UK information and a few things that are particularly useful for South Africans to know. IMPORTANT Your immigration status, visa conditions and personal circumstances determine what you can do in the UK. This guide provides general information, not immigration, legal or financial advice. Always check the current official guidance for your own circumstances. WEEK 1 — GET THE ESSENTIALS UNDER CONTROL 1. CHECK YOUR UK IMMIGRATION STATUS If you have moved to the UK with a visa or other immigration permission, one of your first priorities should be making sure you can access your eVisa and UKVI account. An eVisa is the digital record of your identity and immigration status, including the conditions attached to your permission. Depending on your status, your eVisa can show rights such as whether you are allowed to work or rent. You may also need a share code when proving your immigration status to an employer, landlord or another organisation. A share code is normally valid for 90 days. SAFFA TIP Keep your UKVI login details somewhere secure. Make sure the passport or travel document connected to your UKVI account is up to date. Do not assume that another person's visa conditions apply to you. Always check your own status. Official information: https://www.gov.uk/evisa 2. GET YOUR IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS TOGETHER Create a secure folder — digital and, if possible, physical — for your important UK documents. Consider keeping copies of: • Passport • Visa or immigration correspondence • eVisa information • Share codes when you need them • National Insurance information • Employment contract • Payslips • Tenancy agreement • Proof of address • Council tax correspondence • Driving licence • Important children's documents • School correspondence • NHS information You will probably be asked for different documents at different stages, so having everything organised will save you a lot of frustration. SAFFA TIP Do not email sensitive documents to random people or businesses just because they ask. Make sure you know who you are dealing with and why they need the information. 3. CHECK YOUR NATIONAL INSURANCE POSITION A National Insurance number is used when dealing with your tax and National Insurance record. If you already have one, you keep the same number for life. If you have an eVisa, you might already have a National Insurance number associated with your UKVI account, so check before applying for another one. If you do not have one and you plan to work, check the current GOV.UK application requirements. An important point for new arrivals is that you can start work before receiving your National Insurance number if you can prove your right to work in the UK. Do not confuse your National Insurance number with your immigration permission or right to work. They are different things. Keep your National Insurance number private and avoid sharing it unnecessarily. Official information: https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number WEEK 1–2 — FIND YOUR FEET 4. FIND A GP Once you have settled into an area, find out which GP surgeries serve your address and register with one. In England, registering with a GP surgery is free. You generally only need to provide basic information such as your name, date of birth and address. You do not need ID, proof of address or proof of immigration status simply to register with a GP. Having an NHS number can make it easier to find your medical records, but you do not need one to register. SAFFA TIP The NHS system may work differently from what you were used to in South Africa. Take a little time to understand your GP surgery, NHS 111, pharmacies and when to use urgent or emergency services. Official information: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/how-to-register-with-a-gp-surgery/ 5. IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN, START THE SCHOOL PROCESS EARLY If you are moving with children, do not leave school applications until the last minute. In England, applications for state-funded schools are handled through the relevant local council, although the exact process depends on the type of application and the school. If you are moving during the school year, you may need to make an in-year application. Start by finding your local council and checking its school admissions information. You may need information such as: • Your child's full name • Date of birth • Your new address • Previous school details • Your preferred schools • Evidence relating to your new address, depending on the circumstances Education systems differ between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. SAFFA TIP If you are moving with school-age children, start researching schools before you move if you can. It can make the transition much less stressful. Official information: https://www.gov.uk/schools-admissions WEEK 2 — GET YOUR HOME AND MONEY ORGANISED 6. UNDERSTAND YOUR RENTAL AGREEMENT If you are renting, read your tenancy agreement carefully before signing it. Pay attention to: • Rent • Deposit • Tenancy arrangements • Notice requirements • Bills included or excluded • Council tax • Utilities • Repairs and maintenance • Restrictions on pets • Rules about making changes to the property Rental rules in England changed significantly from 1 May 2026, so do not rely on older information you may find online. For private renting in England, current rules cover matters such as deposits, rent and permitted fees. For many private tenancies, the maximum tenancy deposit is up to five weeks' rent where annual rent is below £50,000, or up to six weeks' rent where annual rent is £50,000 or more. SAFFA TIP Keep copies of your tenancy agreement, inventory and correspondence with your landlord or letting agent. Take photographs of the property when you move in, including existing damage or marks. Official information: https://www.gov.uk/private-renting/deposits https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renters-rights-act-overview-for-tenants 7. SET UP YOUR HOUSEHOLD BILLS Depending on your circumstances, you may need to arrange: • Electricity • Gas • Water • Broadband • Mobile phone • Council tax • Contents insurance Take meter readings when you move into a property and keep a record of them. If you are responsible for council tax, check the requirements with your local council. Do not assume that all bills work the same way they did in South Africa. 8. OPEN A UK BANK ACCOUNT A UK bank account can make everyday life much easier, particularly once you are receiving a salary or paying rent and household bills. Different banks have different requirements for new customers, so check the current requirements directly with the bank you choose. You may be asked for identification and information about your address and circumstances. If one bank cannot accommodate your situation, that does not necessarily mean you cannot open an account elsewhere. SAFFA TIP Keep your South African bank account and financial records organised while you settle into the UK. You may still need them for existing South African commitments, family matters or transfers between countries. WEEK 2–3 — GET AROUND 9. UNDERSTAND YOUR DRIVING POSITION If you arrived with a South African driving licence, do not assume that the rules are exactly the same as they were in South Africa. The rules for driving on a non-UK licence depend on factors including: • Where your licence was issued • How long you have been resident • Your licence type • Your age • The country in which you are driving South Africa is covered by Great Britain's arrangements for certain non-GB licences, but you should use the current GOV.UK guidance to determine what applies to your particular licence. Great Britain means England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has a separate driving-licence system. SAFFA TIP Before buying a car, make sure you understand your licence position, insurance requirements, vehicle tax and any other requirements that apply to you. Official information: https://www.gov.uk/driving-nongb-licence https://www.gov.uk/exchange-nongb-driving-licence 10. LEARN HOW LOCAL TRANSPORT WORKS Your new area may have: • Buses • Trains • Underground or metro services • Park-and-ride • Cycle routes • Walking routes Download the relevant local transport apps and save your nearest station or bus routes. If you are commuting to work, compare the cost of different travel options before committing to a long-term arrangement. WEEK 3–4 — START BUILDING YOUR NEW LIFE 11. FIND YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY Moving country is about much more than paperwork. Start looking for: • South African businesses • Churches • Sports clubs • Rugby groups • Community organisations • Local South African events • Braai groups • Schools and family activities • Other South Africans in your area You do not have to lose your South African identity because you have moved to Britain. Sometimes finding familiar food, hearing an accent from home or meeting someone who understands exactly what you are going through can make a huge difference. That is one of the reasons we created Saffa Hub. Use the Saffa Hub directory to find South African-owned and Saffa-friendly businesses, services and community connections around the UK. 12. FIND THE THINGS THAT MAKE SOMEWHERE FEEL LIKE HOME Your first month can become very focused on administration. Do not forget to actually enjoy your new surroundings. Find: • Your nearest park • A local coffee shop • Your nearest supermarket • A South African food shop if there is one nearby • A church if that is important to you • A good family restaurant • Your nearest railway station • A place to watch the Springboks • Something interesting to do at the weekend You are not just moving to a new address. You are building a new life. YOUR FIRST 30 DAYS CHECKLIST IMMIGRATION & DOCUMENTS ☐ Access my UKVI account and check my eVisa ☐ Check the conditions attached to my immigration status ☐ Make sure my passport details are correct ☐ Know how to obtain a share code if I need one ☐ Create a secure folder for important documents WORK & MONEY ☐ Check whether I already have a National Insurance number ☐ Apply for one if I need one and am eligible ☐ Confirm my right-to-work arrangements ☐ Open a UK bank account if needed ☐ Organise my salary and household payments ☐ Keep my South African financial affairs organised HOME ☐ Secure accommodation ☐ Read and keep my tenancy agreement ☐ Record the property's condition ☐ Take meter readings ☐ Check council tax arrangements ☐ Arrange utilities and broadband HEALTH ☐ Find a GP ☐ Register with a GP ☐ Find my nearest pharmacy ☐ Learn how NHS 111 works ☐ Know where to go for urgent and emergency care FAMILY ☐ Start school applications if needed ☐ Find local childcare or family services if required ☐ Keep children's documents organised ☐ Find local family activities GETTING AROUND ☐ Check my driving-licence position ☐ Arrange appropriate car insurance if driving ☐ Learn the local public transport system ☐ Find the most practical route to work or school BUILDING A LIFE ☐ Find South African businesses near me ☐ Find local community groups ☐ Find somewhere to watch the Springboks ☐ Explore my new town or city ☐ Find at least one place that feels a little bit like home A FINAL WORD FROM SAFFA HUB Your first month in the UK may feel exciting one day and completely overwhelming the next. That is normal. You do not have to understand every British system immediately. You do not have to know where everything is. And you certainly do not have to stop being South African just because you are building a life here. Take it one step at a time. Sort the essentials first. Then start finding your people, your places and your new routines. Welcome to your new home — without having to leave the old one behind. LAST CHECKED: SEPTEMBER 2026 For immigration, employment, tax, healthcare, education, renting and driving matters, always check the latest official guidance because rules and individual circumstances can change. OFFICIAL SOURCES GOV.UK — eVisas: https://www.gov.uk/evisa GOV.UK — National Insurance: https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number NHS — Register with a GP: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/how-to-register-with-a-gp-surgery/ GOV.UK — School admissions: https://www.gov.uk/schools-admissions GOV.UK — Private renting and deposits: https://www.gov.uk/private-renting/deposits GOV.UK — Renters' Rights Act: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renters-rights-act-overview-for-tenants GOV.UK — Driving in Great Britain on a non-GB licence: https://www.gov.uk/driving-nongb-licence GOV.UK — Exchange a non-GB driving licence: https://www.gov.uk/exchange-nongb-driving-licence