Where to start?

[LadySSSS]

I am moving to the UK in few days, on spouse visa, and i think I already picked almost all information about what I have to do and how to do it once i am there... I am not completely sure which order to take... I am mostly confused about proof of residence, since that is required for bank account and for NIC if i got it right?
So is the first thing to do go and register with Council and wait for them to send me evidence of residence which i will then use to open bank account and apply for NIC? I also want to get mobile phone contract, so I am wondering will that be enough evidence for opening bank account? I am guessing i need some evidence of residence for that mobile phone contract too... and available bank account. So confusing...

Could somebody please share their experience as to what is the quickest way to sort this out?

Thanks

[derlin]

I am moving to the UK in few days, on spouse visa, and i think I already picked almost all information about what I have to do and how to do it once i am there... I am not completely sure which order to take... I am mostly confused about proof of residence, since that is required for bank account and for NIC if i got it right?
So is the first thing to do go and register with Council and wait for them to send me evidence of residence which i will then use to open bank account and apply for NIC? I also want to get mobile phone contract, so I am wondering will that be enough evidence for opening bank account? I am guessing i need some evidence of residence for that mobile phone contract too... and available bank account. So confusing...

Could somebody please share their experience as to what is the quickest way to sort this out?

Thanks

I am not completely sure which order to take... I am mostly confused about proof of residence, since that is required for bank account and for NIC if i got it right?

Yes. Signing up to the electoral register (or local council, as you call it) identifies your name to a specific address. But, in your case, it might not be enough to open up a current account with a bank; or obtain a contract phone. Banks and mobile phone retailers or mobile phone operators ideally seek a 5 to 10 year history of living in an address (addresses) in the UK. This is so true with mobile phone operators/retailers where an average-to-excellent credit history in the last five years or so is a condition for a successful contract phone purchase.

However, you can still open a cash-card account which has limited benefits compared with the standard account, popularly known as current account. If not all, most banks offer cash-card accounts to newly arrivals. See: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAnd ... G_10035164.

[hur575]

Hi,

The quickest way I heard, to apply for NI number as soon as you get here, once you have the number then you can open an account , it will all fall in place then.

My husband got his spouse visa, and I was advice of this, I went and asked my bank and they confirmed this, they will open an account for him once he get the letter with number on it but not the interview letter.

To get phone contract you will need to have some credit history. Some get basic credit cards, use it and pay the full amount each month and build some decent history.

[LadySSSS]

Ok, so a little update on my curent situation. I applied for NI, waiting on their letter now, got all the papers to apply for NHS card and register with local GP, and got mobile phone contract on my husband's name, so it is all great so far

There is something I am very confused about tho... I went to local council - electoral register, and they gave me some form to fill in, so i did that. Now i got letter from them saying that I am not entiteled to be registered since I am not citizen of any of the countries listed... Which i understand, not a problem at all. I dont wish to be able to vote anyway... But now I am confused because i thought that this is sort of evidence of me being registered at this adress, since i have been told that i do not need to register with Police. I really dont understand now do i have to officially be registered somewhere or that is not necessary...

I appreciate your help.

[Greenie]

That's correct you are not entitled to vote so cannot be added to the electoral role.

you don't need to be 'officially' registered anywhere in terms of this being a legal requirement once you come to the UK but you will need to have prood that you and your husband have been living together for the two year probationary period when you come to apply for settlement. You will persumably be added to the council tax bill, and you can also add yourself to utility bills

[LadySSSS]

Thanks for answering Greenie. Found how to do it online, and added myself to the Council bill.