Frequently asked questions for life in the UK and new arrivals, plus trusted links
Short, sourced answers to the questions our community asks most. Newest first.
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GOV.UK says children aged 5 to 16 in England are entitled to a free place at a state school. Education starts in Reception (ages 4-5) and runs through Key Stages from Year 1 to Year 11. Most take GCSEs in Year 11. Until 18 a young person must stay in education or in work that includes training.
GOV.UK says all immigration advisers must be registered with the IAA or belong to an approved professional body. You can check registration with the IAA Adviser Finder. Money paid to an unregulated adviser cannot be recovered. A recommendation in a group is not a check of the register.
GOV.UK says a British citizen can enter with a valid UK passport, a Gibraltar identity card or a certificate of entitlement. British and Irish nationals do not need an eVisa. Entry on another country’s passport is described separately.
GOV.UK says your eVisa is checked when you leave and enter; you do not necessarily have to show it, but a carrier may ask for more proof. Your passport and UKVI account details must match what you give the airline exactly. A share code lasts 90 days and can be obtained before you travel.
GOV.UK says that for a first family visa application you need at least CEFR A1. Proof: a UK degree, an Ecctis-assessed overseas degree, or a SELT from an approved provider. At the 2.5-year extension those who came on A1 must show at least A2 in speaking and listening.
NHS says that for anxiety and depression, if you are registered with a GP, you can refer yourself to NHS Talking Therapies without one. Other conditions need a GP referral. For children, speak to the GP or school first. With a private therapist, ask which body they are registered with.
GOV.UK says that people who are UK resident for tax pay Capital Gains Tax when they sell property abroad. Relief can be claimed for double taxation. Tax residence is decided by days spent in the UK and ties, not by your visa or pre-settled status.
GOV.UK says that in England from 1 May 2026 at most one month's rent can be asked in advance, and only after the agreement is signed. No rent can be taken before signing. Offers above the advertised rent are banned. The page does not say landlords must accept someone without a job.
GOV.UK says that after ILR you usually wait 12 months; this does not apply to the spouse of a British citizen with ILR. Check the current Form AN guide for the days-abroad limits. Law firms report a £500 faster decision option since July 2026.
The GOV.UK guidance says you can apply for ILR up to 28 days before you reach the required period. The absence ceiling is 180 whole days in any 12 months. The time between entry clearance being issued and entering the UK may count. Check the current guidance for your route.