Whether you visited the UK to study and fell in love with the country or are looking for new employment opportunities - there are various reasons as to why you may want to take up residency within the UK.

Despite this, studies suggest that UK  immigration is at its lowest level since 2013, which is likely a result of rapidly changing laws and legislations, combined with a complicated Visa application process. 

Nevertheless, there are many benefits associated with moving to the UK. For example, you can give yourself a fresh start and indulge in a new culture. With that in mind, here are four tips that can make moving to the UK as stress-free as possible! 

Get your Visa. If you want to live or work in the UK for an extended period of time, you’ll need to obtain the appropriate Visa. Thankfully, there are various different options available - such as family or couple Visas, alongside working Visas.

Furthermore, if you have lawfully lived in the UK for five years, you can apply for indefinite leave to remain. Indefinite leave to remain means that you can continue to live in the UK indefinitely and puts you on the path towards obtaining citizenship in the future. 

Choose your location carefully. Though the UK is relatively small, you still need to take some time to carefully consider your options before moving there, especially when it comes to choosing a town or city to live in.

For example, if you have a particular career in mind, you need to ensure that you move to a place where that industry thrives instead of a place where specific opportunities may be few and far between. For example, those who are interested in marine work or fishing should avoid bigger cities in favour of smaller, coastal towns. 

Have a trial run. Unfortunately, it’s hard to get a feel of what a certain place is like through a computer screen. Therefore, if possible, you should try to visit the UK at least once before you plan the big move, as this can help you decide whether or not you would like to stay there on a more permanent basis. When visiting, avoid popular tourist destinations and try to spend time with the locals.

Take your time. Moving house is always going to be stressful, but the stakes are often higher when moving abroad - especially when it comes to your finances. After all, you have to be able to pay for visas and travel in addition to mortgages, down payments and removal fees. Therefore, it is important that you do not rush the process.

Remember that sometimes dreams take a little while to bring to fruition - and it cannot happen overnight. Begin by writing down a list of everything you need to do, as this will give you an indication of how far in advance you need to start planning for the move. Giving yourself a little more time to prepare also means that you can start saving money sooner!