Is now the right time to move to London?
Thinking of moving to London? Not sure whether this is a good time? Moving country, whether as a family or on your own, can be daunting if you haven’t done it before. However, as long as you keep up to date with the rules and get help from reliable professional services, it might not be as hard as you think.
London is one of the most popular destinations for Swedish professionals aiming to get high quality international work experience. The number of graduate schemes and entry-level opportunities for young professionals, coupled with the high level English proficiency among Swedes, has for years made London the number one choice for young professionals spreading their wings outside of Sweden’s borders.
We asked one of the UK’s leading International moving companies, ClickMoves, if they had seen any recent trends in people moving between the UK and Sweden.
Yes, we’ve seen a big increase in Swedes moving back home recently, said the company Director Matt Burden. Sadly many of our clients have lost their jobs, or are returning for economic reasons, but also many are returning for lifestyle and wellness purposes. But what really surprised us is the growing number of young Swedes moving to the UK, and it seems that neither COVID nor the threat of Brexit has deterred Swedes from moving to the UK for academic and professional opportunities.
Move before 31 December 2020
If you were planning to incorporate a stint in London in your career journey and have the opportunity to do so, now is the time to make your move ahead of the 31 December 2020 deadline, when freedom of movement ends.
If you arrive in the UK between now and 31 December 2020, you must apply for Pre-Settled status in order to stay in the country. This can be done by following the steps on the government website or by downloading the app for Apple or Android. You will need proof of identity (EU passport) and proof of address. Examples of this could be utility bills (water, electricity) a bank statement or proof of registration with your GP, as long as it is official and has your name and address on. Once you have lived in the UK for five years, you will be eligible to apply for Settled Status.
London is also an amazing place for families, with activities and cultural enrichment opportunities suitable for all ages. The UK educational system gives a solid academic grounding for children of all ages, and there are also several international schools (with one following the Swedish curriculum), as an alternative for visiting families. For teenagers and older children, international experience will provide a great perspective and give opportunities for enrichment outside of the usual school curriculum.
If you arrive with a family before 31 December 2020 the same rules apply to you. Keep in mind that you have to get pre-settled status for your children as well as for yourself. These are done as separate applications but can be tied to your own.
Move after 1 January 2021
If you arrive after the 1 January 2021 with plans to stay longer than six months, you will have to apply for a visa. This procedure follows a point-based system and in order to have any chance of qualifying, you will need a current job offer, be able to prove that your English meets a certain standard and that you have the specific and necessary skills for the job in question. Without these three (making up 50 out of an obligatory 70 points), you will not be granted a visa. A better salary or higher academic credentials may also weigh into your overall points.
When faced with difficult decisions (should I change career, have a baby, move house?) we often spend a lot of time thinking about whether it is the right time. If Covid has taught us anything, perhaps it ought to be not to put our lives on hold? If you have been planning to move to the UK in the near future, the sooner you make the decision and put the process in motion, the better.
Sounds complicated? To take some of the stress away, why not leave the logistics to the professionals? With ClickMoves, you can simplify the process, getting a whole house full or just a few boxes moved door to door anywhere in the world. By making the majority of the move an online experience, ClickMoves creates simplicity and convenience for their clients, enabling them to concentrate on the more important questions.
