Living in the United Kingdom

If you paid the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of your visa application, you have access to the National Health Service from the day you arrive. This includes GP consultations, hospital treatment, emergency care, and mental health services — without additional charge beyond standard prescription fees (£9.90 per item in England; free in Scotland and Wales).

Within your first week, register with a local NHS GP practice at nhs.uk/find-a-gp. Bring your passport, BRP, and UK address. Also register with your university health service if one exists. For minor illnesses, NHS 111 provides advice and redirection without a GP appointment.

You need a UK bank account to receive wages, pay rent by direct debit, and manage finances. Traditional banks require a UK address and university letter. The faster option for arrival day:

• Monzo — open via app within 24 hours using your passport. No UK credit history required. Free contactless Mastercard debit card.
• Starling Bank — same as Monzo. Particularly useful for sending money to Nepal at competitive mid-market rates.

The UK has one of the largest and most established Nepali communities outside Nepal. The Gurkha connection means cities including Aldershot, Farnborough, Reading, Catterick, and parts of London have long-established Nepali populations — grocery shops, restaurants, temples, and community organisations. For students in these cities, the transition is considerably easier.

For students in cities without an established community, social media groups (Facebook, WhatsApp) for Nepali students in your city are typically active and welcoming. Edupark UK can connect you with the relevant groups for your destination city before you travel.