This section in our FAQ will cover all the little bits and pieces that don’t really fit in other sections.
If anything here is out of date, please let us know! To read many of these links you need to be a member of our Kiwis in London chat group which you can join here
SIGN UP TO REAL ME BEFORE LEAVING NZ!
If you have not left NZ yet, register NOW to get verified on Real Me
This will help you with things like replacing passports and more!
I AM A LITTLE NERVOUS ABOUT COMING HERE, MAKING FRIENDS, GETTING EVERYTHING SORTED… SHOULD I PAY A COMPANY TO HELP GET ME SET UP?
Yes and No. There are a few companies out there that charge a lot of money to give you “peace of mind” but are only taking advantage of your fears. We set the Kiwis in London community up to help you, but we understand that sometimes it’s still scary.
If you do want to go with a company to help get you set up, we recommend BritBound.
They can sort the visa, get your bank account and national insurance sorted and heaps more. Plus they have a legendary social club built into their service and a cool office to hang out in, check emails etc whenever you like. I like to call it “emotional insurance” and if you are going to part with any money to do this, they’re the only ones we feel happy to recommend. (trust us, every other one has a horror story!)
Go to https://www.britbound.com for more info
Looking to make new friends safely? Also look at downloading YAKKA. Info at this link!
I SEE PEOPLE POSTING ALL THE TIME ON THE PAGES ABOUT BEING TOO LATE TO BUY TICKETS FOR CONCERTS, SHOWS ETC? WHY IS THAT?
We have exported that Kiwi attitude of waiting around a bit before buying tickets for most things. However you’re competing for shows with many more people than you’re used to and everything sells out early. Our advice? If you see something you really want to go to, buy them immediately! We have so many awesome Kiwi musicians coming to London and they need our love, get behind them and make Kiwi music world famous here in London! 🙂
I AM WORRIED ABOUT BREXIT//SHOULD I BE WORRIED ABOUT BREXIT?
Yeah we can understand why after all the endless (and boring) media coverage that apparently Brexit is the end of the world for the UK. We tend to think about only the facts and being positive about it (nothing we can do about it) but it will hardly affect your T5 or ancestry visa at all.
Firstly, NZ (and Aussie) passports can get you into Europe and always have been able to do so. It has nothing at all to do with the UK or your visa. It will not affect any travel. It will not affect your ability to work in Europe as you will still need to obtain a visa to work in other European countries no matter what anyway. It will not affect your job in the UK. There will be a new immigration system set up for EU citizens, not Kiwi/Aussies exercising previously agreed to visas (T5 and ancestry) Sponsorship visas have changed for Kiwis and Aussies and for the better too as a result of Brexit.
At this stage, the UK seems likely to pivot towards better visa conditions for the Commonwealth including a massive improvement in the 2 year Tier 5 working holiday visa where your 2 year visa will now be a THREE year visa and be open for up to 35 year olds (up from 31!) If you are reading this from July 2023, then you can apply for this new 3 year visa (as long as you have not done a 2 year one before), and if you are already here on a valid 2 year visa, you can apply for that extra year too!
WHAT’S A GOOD VPN FOR THE UK TO WATCH NZ TV SHOWS?
We like Surfshark! Great VPN and will let you watch anything, everywhere! Download it here!
HOW TO GET A UK POLICE CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE (PCC) FROM OVERSEAS
Check out this really helpful comment from our group on how this works!
HOW ABOUT GETTING A CRIMINAL RECORD HISTORY FROM THE NZ MINISTRY OF JUSTICE?
Here is a little write up on that incl time frames!
ARE THERE ANY GOOD CHURCHES YOU RECOMMEND?
Many people in our group offered recommendations that you can view here
I HAVE KIDS HERE IN THE UK AND I’D LOVE FOR THEM TO UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT NEW ZEALANDS HERITAGE AND CULTURE.
Join Kiwi Kids Abroad on FB, website www.kiwikidsabroad.com, and also get their free quarterly magazine Tamariki Times! And help all young New Zealanders living abroad have a lifelong connection to their heritage, culture, and homeland!
HOW DO THE BUSES WORK HERE?
Tap in with your Oyster card/contactless card on the yellow reader at the doors. No need to tap out. They only use Oysters and Pay Wave/Contactless cards, NO CASH.
I NEED AN 18+ CARD AS I KNOW IF I USE MY BRP CARD AND LOSE IT, IT WILL COST LOTS TO REPLACE! And you’d bee correct! Protect that BRP card with your life and try this card: http://www.pass-scheme.org.uk/
WHAT IS A GOOD SIM CARD FOR USING HERE AND IN EUROPE?
This information changes a lot, esp with changes with roaming in Europe. I recommend you post a question on Kiwis in London Chat and also use the search box there for up to date information.
I NEED A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE OR LAWYER TO SIGN MY DOCUMENTS
We have currently 1 JP available for you to contact.Her name is Denise and her email is hydedmb@yahoo.co.uk
Please do not use her for everything, only for when a JP is required .
We have other lawyers here below who have been signing documents for Kiwis for years so please ask them too.
Sayer Moore & Co in Acton can also do this, call them on 0208 993 7571
Pickwick Solicitors on Mentmore Terrace will witness docs for a fiver. You just have to call ahead to see if they’ll be free on 020 8502 9398. They are on Mentmore Terrace, opposite London Fields station.
Here is another conversation about this with some more options!
The New Zealand High Commission Notarial services are available and if people want to check if we’re able to help with what they require they’re best to call us directly to check, and can then set up an appointment 020 7930 8422.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING WITH ME TO THE UK? IS THERE A CHECK LIST THAT COULD HELP?
We have a couple good conversations about that!
Conversation one
Conversation two
Don’t forget we also have a pre and post arrival section on our website too – here
I NEED HELP WITH MY GREENSTONE!
Jewellery of the Earth can help! They are based in Camden Market. He has been around for a long time and has lots of Greenstone!
I’D LIKE TO VOTE/ENROL TO VOTE FROM OVERSEAS!
Easy to do mate. Here is the link 🙂
HAVE YOU GOT ANY CONTACTS 😉
Whatever could you mean?! We get this question a lot on the page for locations here and all over Europe. We presume it’s far cheaper to obtain ocular pharmaceuticals in the UK and Europe!
We recommend if your vision is blurry and you need advice on best products to ask on the KIL Chat group 🙂
THE WATER HERE IS REALLY HARD! HOW DO YOU AND YOUR HAIR AND SKIN SURVIVE?
Our soft water paradise really does spoil us doesn’t it? Here is a great conversation about this and tips on how to survive!
I AM RUNNING EVENTS, WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO ORGANISE TICKETS AND CHECKING PEOPLE IN?
We have worked with Ticket Tailor for ages for all our events. It’s clear and easy to run and it has super easy check in facilities. Check it out here!