Indians in the UK: paperwork on both sides

The UK side

1. Your eVisa

   The UK has replaced most physical residence cards with eVisas. Create your UKVI account, link your passport, and update it when you renew your passport. Employers and landlords check your status online with a share code. GOV.UK: eVisas

2. National Insurance number

   You need a National Insurance number to work and pay tax. Check whether you already have one; if not, apply online. GOV.UK

3. NHS and the health surcharge

   Most work and study visas include the Immigration Health Surcharge, paid with the application: check the current amount on GOV.UK. Then register with a GP surgery near your home (NHS).

4. Renting and council tax

   Landlords in England check your right to rent. Council tax is billed per household by your local council; tell them when you move in. How to rent · Council Tax

5. Driving

   You can drive on a valid Indian licence for up to 12 months after you become resident; after that you need a UK licence. GOV.UK

6. Visa end dates

   Keep the end date of your visa in view and apply to extend or switch before it ends. Skilled Worker visa

The Indian side

1. NRE and NRO accounts

   Under FEMA you tell your Indian bank when you become non-resident: resident savings accounts become NRO, and an NRE account takes money earned abroad. Update KYC and any demat account. Check the current rules with your bank and the RBI.

2. Tax in two countries

   As a UK resident you may need a Self Assessment return for income such as Indian rent or interest, and India can tax Indian income too. India and the UK have a tax treaty. Check your Indian status on the e-Filing portal and ask a tax professional for your case.

3. Your parents' visit

   Indian nationals visiting the UK need a Standard Visitor visa, usually for up to 6 months. Check the current fee and documents on GOV.UK.

4. Home loan and property in India

   Tell your lender you are now an NRI, pay EMIs from an NRE or NRO account, give a trusted person a power of attorney, and keep property tax and rent (with tax deducted at source) in order.

5. OCI if you become British

   The UK allows dual citizenship, India does not: becoming British means giving up Indian citizenship. Surrender your Indian passport and apply for an OCI card; check the current fee on the OCI portal.

How Raaya helps

• Two countries, one setup

  Tell Raaya where you live and where you're from. It suggests journeys for both countries: in the UK, for example, a visa extension; in India, NRE/NRO accounts, PAN or your parents' visa.

• Explain this letter

  Snap or upload an official letter, from a foreigners' office, tax office, council or your bank in India. Raaya explains it in your language: who sent it, what it wants, the deadline and what to do. One tap adds the step and a reminder.

• Expiry radar

  Passport, residence permit, Blue Card, visa, driving licence and health insurance card: Raaya reminds you 6 and 3 months before they run out, flags a passport with less than 6 months left, and one tap starts a renewal journey with the checklist.

• Two currencies

  See pounds and rupees side by side across money and loans, and in splits (Pro), using the European Central Bank's daily reference rates. Totals across currencies are always marked as approximate.

• Family in their own languages

  Invite your partner or parents into the same journey (Pro). Each person reads the chat, updates and notifications in their own language, Hindi included.

• Sub-journeys

  Split a big move into one main journey with sub-journeys (visa, flat, bank in India). The parent shows progress like “5/8 · next: 14 Nov”, and you can share one sub-journey with just the people it concerns (sharing is Pro).

Ready-made checklists

Each checklist opens as a free page with the steps, documents and official sources; start it in Raaya with one tap.

• EU Blue Card / Work PermitEurope · 9 steps · ~41 days · 6 documents
• Apartment Hunting (Wohnungssuche)Europe · 10 steps · ~13 days · 6 documents
• Health Insurance (Krankenversicherung)Europe · 9 steps · ~11 days · 5 documents
• Tax FilingEurope · 8 steps · ~9 days · 5 documents
• Visa Application9 steps · ~33 days · 6 documents
• NRI bank accounts: NRE and NROIndia · 7 steps · ~14 days · 4 documents
• PAN, Aadhaar and NRI tax statusIndia · 7 steps · ~10 days · 4 documents
• OCI card application (ओसीआई कार्ड)India · 7 steps · ~60 days · 4 documents
• Managing a property and home loan in India from abroadIndia · 8 steps · ~21 days · 4 documents
• Income Tax Filing (ITR)India · 8 steps · ~9 days · 8 documents

Browse all templates

Indians in other countries

• Indians in GermanyAnmeldung, Blue Card, health insurance, NRE/NRO accounts, PAN and OCI: the paperwork Indians in Germany handle, with checklists and official sources.
• Indians in CanadaSIN, provincial health card, PR, taxes, parents' Super Visa, NRE/NRO accounts, PAN and OCI: the paperwork Indians in Canada handle, with checklists.
• Indians in the USASSN, visa and I-94, green card, FBAR, B1/B2 visas for parents, NRE/NRO accounts, PAN and OCI: the paperwork Indians in the US handle, with checklists.
• Indians in the UAEResidence visa, Emirates ID, health insurance, tenancy, driving licence, NRE/NRO accounts and Indian tax status: the paperwork Indians in the UAE handle.

Official sources

• GOV.UK: eVisas
• GOV.UK: Apply for a National Insurance number
• GOV.UK: Immigration Health Surcharge
• NHS: How to register with a GP surgery
• GOV.UK: How to rent
• GOV.UK: Council Tax
• GOV.UK: Driving in GB with a non-GB licence
• GOV.UK: Standard Visitor visa
• GOV.UK: Self Assessment tax returns
• Reserve Bank of India (FEMA rules for non-resident accounts)
• Income Tax Department e-Filing portal
• OCI services portal (Ministry of Home Affairs)