Living in the UK

Your salary will normally be paid directly into your bank account on a weekly basis.

There are plenty of ATMs or 'cashpoints' around, and you can also get cash at many supermarkets and some other retailers if you have a debit card eg Switch.

Cash and debit cards, which deduct the money straight from your bank account, are the most common forms of payment. Cheques are also used, but most shops will require you to have a cheque guarantee card, issued by your bank. All major credit cards are widely accepted, but there is sometimes a minimum purchase amount of £5.

You can cash travellers cheques at banks and bureau de change, but not many shops will accept them as payment.

Tax levels for 2008/9 are as follows:

Once in the UK, you will need a national insurance number. National Insurance (NI) is also a tax on your income and will be deducted directly from your salary. NI ensures your health care through the National Health Service and also contributes towards a pension if you stay in the UK for ten years. This will also entitle you to benefits, if you are eligible, after you have worked in the country for two years. For further information please contact http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/

To get your NI number, contact the Department for Work and Pensions (www.dwp.gov.uk) in the area in which you live. You will need a valid work permit/visa and your passport, and may have to attend an interview. Your NI number will be sent to you on a plastic card the size of a credit card, which you should keep safe.

For more information about tax and National Insurance, see the www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk

At August 2007, £1 sterling (100p) is roughly equal to $2.04 (US Dollar), €1.43 (Euro) and R14.03 (South African Rand). You can find out the latest rates by using an online currency converter: http://finance.yahoo.com/currency?u is a good place to start.

It is a good idea to register with a GP (general practitioner) in the area you live in. All you need to do is call the doctor's surgery and say that you'd like to register. They'll ask you your address, so that they can check if you live within their catchment area. When you go for your appointment take along some proof of your address (an electricity bill or bank statement). You will be treated free of charge, but will have to pay for any prescriptions required.

Hospital emergency treatment is also free on the National Health Service - in case of emergency go along to the Casualty or Accident and Emergency (A & E) department.

Most dentists do not provide free treatment, so you may have to pay for dental treatment. You can simply call in to most dentists to register and make an appointment.

England, Scotland and Wales are all connected by an extensive network of train routes. Trains tend to be more expensive than travelling by coach, but are usually quicker.

For timetables and the cost of tickets call National Rail Enquiries on 0845 7 484 950 (www.nationalrail.co.uk).

For travel to Europe and beyond, call Eurostar on 08705 186 186 (enquiries), or 08457 30 30 30 (reservations) or www.eurostar.com

Travelling by coach is often the cheapest option, although journey times can be long. Coaches serve most towns and cities in the UK, and you can also travel to mainland Europe.

The main coach operator is National Express (08705 808 080 or www.nationalexpress.com).

Whether your driving licence is valid depends on which country issued it. Please check with the DVLA (0870 240 0009 or http://www.dvla.gov.uk/).

Remember that if you plan to drive you must also have insurance and your car must have road tax and, if it is over 3 years old, an MOT.

You can also hire cars, but different companies have different requirements, so always check that your licence is valid and that you have insurance.

There are many car hire companies to choose from. Two of the best known are

Avis: 08705 900 500
Hertz: 020 8679 1799

Ferries provide a relatively economical way to travel from the United Kingdom to the rest of Europe. Well-known ferry operators include:

P&O: 08705 980 9803
Hoverspeed: 01304 240 101

Flying between UK cities is relatively unusual and quite expensive. Flying to European cities is often cheaper because there are several low cost airlines.

Can I bring my marriage partner/children?

You can bring family with you. Advantage Healthcare is not able to help with bringing your family to the UK, or with finding schools or childcare.

Your spouse can get a work permit for the UK so long as you already have one. This work permit has to be organised in person at the British Embassy.

Please note: the names of all service users have been changed for their protection on all of our advertisements and case studies.