The United Kingdom (UK) and The Republic of Uganda are significant historical partners. These two countries have a strong bilateral relationship and a large development collaboration. Uganda receives budgetary and project aid from the United Kingdom through the Department for International Development (DFID) which contributes to this strong relationship.
The UK assistance is primarily towards the implementation of Uganda’s Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP). This action plan has mainly been towards sectors such as; education, the judiciary, health, police and defense.
Uganda’s High Commission is working with the United Kingdom to ensure that;
- Ugandan commodities such as processed coffee, processed tea, fish, tobacco, fresh flowers, fresh fruits, and cotton would have easier access to the UK market.
- Uganda enjoys an increase in direct investment from the United Kingdom
- Uganda gets an increase in the number of tourists visiting.
- The Ugandan image is well developed, projected and maintained in the United Kingdom.
- More Ugandans get jobs in the United Kingdom.
The United Kingdom has become a top destination country for most people not only in Uganda but around the world as a result of economic growth, job opportunities and social benefits.
Residency in the United Kingdom comes with the following advantages;
- If you are migrating from outside the EEA/EU, you will have better access to other European countries from the UK.
- The National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom provides free public health care
- Legal residents are entitled to free public education.
- Work opportunities abound, as do labor laws.
Visiting the UK as a Ugandan citizen is different from shifting to the UK. Moving your whole household to a new country is definitely not easy and the processes involved are a bit complex. This requires enough time for planning and execution.
Below is a list of some important things that you need to know when planning for such a shift.
1. You will need to obtain a work/resident visa
Whether you need to apply for a UK visa depends on your home country first. Working in the UK does not require a visa or work permit if you are from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland.
If you are a Ugandan citizen and wish to spend six months or more in the UK for work, business, or as a family member of a long-term applicant, you must apply for a UK visa.
Work visas and temporary residency permits you to lawfully live and work in the United Kingdom. You may be qualified to become a permanent resident after this period (this is also known as Indefinite Leave to Remain).
The requirements, timeframes, and prices of UK visa applications and processes vary based on how long you expect to stay, what you plan to do during that time, and your country of origin.
To apply for a UK work visa from Uganda, you must schedule an appointment and have the following;
- A valid passport or other forms of identification are required for travel.
- Financial proof that you will be able to support yourself during your stay (bank statements or sponsor confirmation).
- Language proficiency in English
- Proof of healthcare insurance.
- A tuberculosis test.
2. Types of Visas
General) visas are for workers with specialized skills (earning at least 25,000 GBP or 32,000 USD). Sponsorship from a field-licensed organization is essential and can last up to six years.
intra-company Transfer visas are for those who are employed by a UK company but are based outside of the country and are offered work in the UK. It has a validity period of six to nine years.
Minister of Religion visas are for those who work for a faith community that sponsors them. It has a three-year validity period that can be extended.
Elite athletes or coaches who have been endorsed by their sport’s national governing organization are eligible for a Sportsperson visa. It’s valid for three years and can be renewed for another three.
Temporary Worker visas are for sponsored temporary employees on a formal exchange or as part of an international agreement (charity volunteers, athletes, artists, and religious workers). It’s valid for one to two years.
Youth Mobility Scheme visas are for those between the ages of 18 and 30, who are from Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Hong Kong, South Korea, or Taiwan, who have roughly 2,000 GBP (2,500 USD) in savings. It has a two-year validity period.
The domestic Workers in Private Household visa is for private domestic servants who have worked for their employer for at least a year. It is only valid for six months at most.
The Permitted Paid Engagement visa allows you to work in the UK for a short period of time without being sponsored. It’s only valid for a month.
3. Shipping Household Goods
Shipments of household goods and personal things can enter the UK duty-free if they have been owned and used for at least six months prior to importation.
It is important to get your items cleared by customs before you arrive in the UK. Getting a custom clearance is possible as long as they arrive no more than six months before you do and all essential documentation is completed correctly prior to the shipment.
In most cases, you will be charged a price to have your belongings shipped to your new UK home. This means that if you can show that you’ve owned the household products you’re bringing into the UK from Uganda for more than six months, you’ll be able to import them duty-free!
The following are some examples of duty-free household items:
- household effects
- personal effects
- Linen
- furnishings
- any equipment intended for your personal use or use within your household
- household provisions necessary for normal family requirements
4. Apply For a Residence Relief Beforehand
You may be eligible for transfer of residence (ToR) relief if you are:
- Transferring your primary residence—-allows you to import your goods, including animals and modes of transportation, with import tariffs and fees waived.
- Moving to get married or enter into a civil partnership
- A student coming for full-time study
- Moving to follow your marriage or civil partnership.
The relief is available to anyone who seeks to make the United Kingdom their primary residence. There is no relief for goods imported from secondary and holiday homes.
Trusts, firms, corporations, associations, groups, and organizations are not eligible for Transfer of Residence Relief.
5. Never ship anything out until the ToR has been approved
Simply because you sought a tax exemption on your home belongings when transferring from Kenya to the United Kingdom does not mean you should ship them.
If your tax waiver is denied, you may face unexpected expenses for delay and detention. To avoid all this, you should always wait until you receive your tax waiver before sending your things to the UK.
6. Moving Your Pets to The UK
You can bring your pet to the UK if it is a pet cat, dog, or ferret, and it meets the following criteria:
- It’s got a working microchip.
- It possesses a current passport or a valid health certificate.
- It has been rabies-vaccinated.
If you’re bringing your dog, it must have received tapeworm treatment within the last 24 hours and no more than 120 hours. You may also be asked to produce your pet’s blood tests depending on where you are flying from.
If your pet does not meet the above criteria, it must be quarantined for four months at an authorized location.
Other pets can be brought but they must meet certain rules.
7. Keep an eye out for city restrictions
Before moving to a new city, especially one that is far away, you should examine the city’s restrictions, which may or may not be a huge concern in your prior location of residency.
In the United Kingdom, big cities like London, for example, impose restrictions on the size of vehicles you can use to transport your belongings. Shuttle services may be necessary for this instance, which could raise your moving fees. This might not be a big deal in Uganda hence the need to study city laws.
8. You can ship your car to the United Kingdom
It is feasible to relocate from Uganda to the United Kingdom with your used vehicle, but it must meet certain UK regulations.
A tax waiver must be requested prior to shipping, just like with household goods, by submitting an application to the HMRC and filling out a particular form called ToR1 on the MRC website.
You will be able to re-import your vehicle into the UK duty-free if it was initially purchased under a tax-free scheme in the UK.
If your car does not qualify for duty and tax-free importation, you will be taxed, which is usually based on the vehicle’s worth. Some cars are not allowed at all.
9. You can have someone else receive your shipment on your behalf
You are not required to be present in the United Kingdom when your things arrive.
You can have someone receive your belongings on your behalf and manage their transportation to your new home. If you still have things to sort out in Uganda, someone else can receive your goods in the UK as long as they provide their identity satisfactorily.
10. Restricted Items
Some items are prohibited from entering the UK and will be seized by customs.
They include:
- controlled substances
- Flick knives, for example, are attacking weapons.
- pepper spray and CS gas.
- rough diamonds of endangered animal and plant species
- books, periodicals, videos, and DVDs that are indecent or vulgar
- Personal meat and dairy imports from the majority of non-EU nations
If you’re importing items protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) into the UK, you’ll need to apply for a permit or certificate.
Moving to the United Kingdom with Nellions Moving and Relocations Company makes a difference because of its knowledge and excellent customer service. No matter where you’re moving to or where you’re coming from in the world, our experience ensures that your move is a success. Nellions is with you every step of the way, ensuring a stress-free overseas relocation.
