Choosing Your Path: University and Beyond · Lesson 8 of 8 · 13 min

Preparing for the move

The months between accepting a place and arriving are busy: visas, accommodation, money, health and packing. A simple timeline keeps stress down and stops important tasks slipping through the cracks.

Student visas in general terms

UK (checked October 2026): GOV.UK says you need an offer from a licensed student sponsor, you can apply up to 6 months before your course if you are outside the UK, and decisions usually take about 3 weeks. The application fee is £558, and you also pay an immigration health surcharge.
UK money rules: GOV.UK says you must show £1,529 a month for courses in London or £1,171 a month elsewhere, for up to 9 months, held for at least 28 days in a row ending within 31 days of your application.
If you are 16 or 17 when you apply for a UK Student visa, GOV.UK says you need parental consent.
UK immigration status is now digital: GOV.UK says eVisas have replaced physical immigration documents, and you access yours through a free UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.
US: the US Department of State says you apply to an SEVP-approved school, receive a Form I-20, pay the SEVIS I-901 fee and attend a visa interview. New students can be issued a visa up to 365 days before the course starts but cannot enter more than 30 days before the start date.
Every country has different rules. Use only official government sites and your university's international office, and never pay an unofficial 'visa agent' who promises guaranteed results.

Accommodation

Apply for university accommodation as soon as you accept your offer; popular halls fill quickly. Check whether first-year housing is guaranteed and what the deadline is.
Read contracts carefully: length, what is included (bills, internet, cleaning), the deposit and how it is returned.
If you rent privately, never send money before you have seen the property (in person or on a live video call) and checked the landlord is genuine. See the Scams and Fraud module.
The British Council notes that most UK universities and colleges have dedicated accommodation teams, so contact them first.

Money and paperwork

Set a monthly budget for rent, food, transport, phone and study costs before you go. The Money Basics and Banking and Credit modules show you how.
Keep a folder (paper and an encrypted digital copy) with your passport, visa or eVisa details, offer letter, accommodation contract, insurance, vaccination record and attested school certificates.
Ask your bank about using your card abroad and fees, and plan how you will open a local account after you arrive.
Tell your bank and family your travel dates, and save the university's emergency and security numbers in your phone.

Health

In England, the NHS says everyone can register with a GP surgery for free, and you do not need ID, proof of address or proof of immigration status to register.
Register with a GP (family doctor) in your first week rather than waiting until you are ill. Online registration takes about 15 minutes, according to the NHS.
Bring a supply of any regular medicine in its original packaging with a letter from your doctor, and check the destination country's rules on bringing medicines.
Find out where your university's student wellbeing and counselling service is. Using it early is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Packing and your first weeks

Pack for the climate: if you are moving from the Gulf to northern Europe or Canada, you will need a warm, waterproof coat, layers and proper shoes. You can buy many basics after you arrive.
Bring adaptor plugs, a few photos or small items from home, and some familiar spices or snacks that are allowed into your destination country.
Go to orientation or welcome week events, join one or two societies (for example a cultural, faith or sports society) and introduce yourself to your neighbours in the first few days.
Homesickness is common. Schedule regular calls home, but also build routines where you are: a weekly meal with new friends, a gym class, a study group.
If you struggle, talk to someone early: a friend, your personal tutor or the university wellbeing team.

Practise in real life

Tick each one off when you have done it.

Make a moving timeline from today to your arrival date, with visa, accommodation, money, health and packing tasks on it.
Find your target country's official student visa page and write down the earliest date you could apply.
Create your document folder now and scan your passport and key certificates into a secure, password-protected place.

Remember

Use official government sites and your university for visa information.
UK Student visa: apply up to 6 months before, £558 fee, plus a health surcharge and proof of funds.
US F-1: I-20, SEVIS fee, interview, and no entry more than 30 days before the start date.
Register with a doctor and find wellbeing support in your first week.
Join activities early to beat homesickness.

Note: Visa fees and money requirements were checked on GOV.UK in October 2026 and change regularly, often each April. The immigration health surcharge amount depends on visa length and is not stated here. Accommodation, packing and settling-in advice is general good practice.

Check yourself

1. According to GOV.UK, how early can you apply for a UK Student visa from outside the UK?

2. For a UK Student visa, how much does GOV.UK say you must show per month for a course outside London?

3. What is the earliest you can enter the US on a new F-1 student visa?

4. What does the NHS say you need to register with a GP surgery in England?

5. What has replaced physical UK immigration documents for most students?