Considering Moving and Working in the UK

[TimV]

Hi All

I am a 26 year old who is considering moving to the UK to work and possibly emigrate. (Once Corona and Travel Restrictions calm down)
I have done extensive research into this but there are still questions I cannot find answers to.

The visa I will attempt to get is a Skilled Worker Visa as I don't have any family abroad or UK ancestry.
What I am struggling to figure out is how and what are the cost associated with taking my savings over and what bank account should I be looking at from South Africa to use in a meantime while I look for a bank account in the UK.

If there is anyone who has experience in this process and could offer some guidance, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Thor]

Monzo is the best bank there.

 

[HavocXphere]

ZA bank cards are fine until you get a UK account opened. You can burn through ZA savings quite fast @ UK cost of living that way so moving it is to some extent not even necessary.

Just tell the bank in advance so that it doesn't get fraud flagged.

Only gotcha with that plan is that you can't usually pay rent & deposit by card.

 

[Sinbad]

I opened an fnb Channel Islands account. Comes with a debit card, can do payments etc from it. Has a UK sort code so i believe my uk employer will be able to pay salary into it as well. Only thing it can't do yet is direct debits.

 

[bwana]

I've been banking with Barclays since I was a teen but banks there always seemed pretty much like for like.

Monzo is the best bank there.

Based on having lived there for how long?

 

[richjdavies]

Only done it the other way.

In the UK side of things, if you are legal and have ID (passport, drivers license) and an address iI believe its pretty simple to open an account with anyone.
Just remember that locals DON'T PAY for basic banking in the UK. Current accounts generally cost £0 and transaction fees (card swipes, efts (which are immediate - faster payment service) and direct debits / standing orders (i.e. debit orders and regular scheduled efts) are all FREE).
Where they make their money is overdraft fees, interest when you're in debt (particularly short term loans, overdrafts and credit card balances) and cross selling things like "packages" - insurances and stuff.

Also sign up to cashback sites... (Pm me for referal)
And use a broker like currency fair or transfer wise etc. I.e. shop around DO NOT USE your bank when making that international transfer.

If you want to be smart about money, read

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Ps - if there is an equivalent in SA would love to hear it.