Working in UK....many questions

Since being steered in the right direction on visas (ancestory) only a few short days ago, this pipe-dream has been gaining momentum rather quickly. However as answers come, so do more questions. Perhaps someone here has some experience in these matters. (I am looking primarily at England/Scotland)


here are three I have today;

1.
The family (of four) will or will not be entitled to health care for the first year there if I am working full time? If not, anyone know ballpark what a suitable package would cost and is there anything to be wary of or ensure is included? What do professional employers tend to provide in employee packages if anything?

2.
Education - one child would be grade 1-2, the other JK-Sk. My wife would homeschool as an option, but we would prefer to get them in a school. How is public schooling? Would I have to pay for public schooling first year there? would private be a wiser choice and what are costs like?

3.
How is a work permit seperate from a visa and are they a formality once the visa is in hand?


thank you in advance

Hello. I have been living in Scotland for nearly two years now and think I can answer your questions.
1. If you arrive in Scotland and find work, you will need to apply for a National Insurance Number. Once you have that you will be entitled to national Heath care. So far for me, all appointments and perscriptions have been free. Dental is not free, but very cheap. Check ups are free, ex-rays are about £15. That's all I've had done so far, so I don't know the cost of anything else.
2. Public education is free to the best of my knowledge. You will need to pay for their uniforms and supplies as normal, but otherwise pretty minimal. Private education I believe is quite expensive. The public schools seem fine to me.
3. I think a work permit has more restrictions than say and Ancestry Visa. I'm here on an Ancestry Visa and I have no restrictions as to work. Only thing is that you will have no access to public funds on any Visa. So basically you can't move to the UK and start claiming benefits.

Hope that helps

I've been here for two years as well. I don't know much about the schooling questions but I agree with the rest of the last response.

Once you get your National Insurance Number (it's free, they just need a copy of your passport and your new contact info), you'll get a card in the mail. It takes a couple weeks. From there, you register with a doctor (easy) and a dentist (easy) and you are set up. All doctors apts are free and so are your prescriptions (bonus!).

Find an NHS approved dentist and your appointments are cheap! I pay 10 pounds for a cleaning and full check up. If you go to a private dentist, the offices will be a bit more swank, but you'll pay out of pocket.

Yes, you can find work and / or become self employed.