Moving to a new country in search of work and better opportunities? Relocating can be both exciting and scary, but being prepared for what to expect is a good way to get yourself grounded somewhere new. Rewire’s relocation guides are meant to help you with the essential information you’ll need to get started in a new country.
The UK: Quick Facts for Migrants from The Philippines
- Population: 67 million
- Capital: London
- Main language: English
- Emergency phone number: 999 or 112
- Electricity: 230 volts, 50Hz
- Currency: Pound Sterling
- Pound to Philippine Peso: 1 GBP = ~7 PHP
- Embassy: 6-11 Suffolk Street, London; https://londonpe.dfa.gov.ph/
Finding Housing in the UK
First things first, you’ll need a place to call home while you’re working in a foreign country. Wherever you live in the UK, you can either ask other migrants in the community for recommendations on where to rent an apartment, or you can turn your search online. Here are some popular housing search websites in the UK:
Before going to see potential apartments, make sure you have the documents necessary to sign a lease in the UK. Basic documents include a passport, immigration status document, national identification card, or other paperwork the landlord requests.
Not sure how much rent you can afford? Check out our budgeting for migrants series to see how to break down your costs and set a budget that allows you to save money, too.
Finding Work in the UK
You can also turn to your migrant community for help with finding a job or check out any local community centers to see if they have a list of local job postings. There’s a great Facebook group for Filipino migrants in Europe where you can ask for job search tips. Aside from that, there are some websites that you can use to search for jobs or turn to for support:
- Migrant Help – get support in your job search or anything else in the UK if you’re a migrant
- UKHired – search for jobs online
- Gumtree – look for jobs online by location
- Expatica – job search for migrants, immigrants, visa holders, and international workers
- Monster – search for all kinds of jobs
Getting Around the UK
While a car would surely make transport easier, you definitely don’t need one, especially if you’re living in a major city like London. There are many options when it comes to public transportation, like buses, intercity coach buses, trains, and underground systems.
To travel between cities, many people rely on coach buses like National Express or Megabus, as well as trains with National Rail, which are often the faster but more expensive option. If you’re living in or around London, then you’ll want to get used to the metro system, or the tube as the locals call it, since it’s one of the most efficient ways to get around the city. You can use the Transport for London website to plan trips, access maps, and estimate journey times.
Send Money to The Philippines from the UK
One of the main things migrants from The Philippines want to know when landing in the UK is how they’ll be able to transfer money to The Philippines. Luckily, you don’t actually need to worry about visiting banks or money transfer bureaus as you can do online money transfers instead. Rewire offers a way to manage your money while you’re abroad, with a global money transfer service that enables you to send money back home, as well as SSS payment services, family protection coverage for your loved ones back home, and more.
To Wrap Up
Moving to the UK is an exciting moment in your life, but it can be stressful, too. Managing your expectations and planning ahead is a good way to help you reduce that stress so you can have an easier transition to a new country.
