Relocating from Romania to the UK
According to the UK’s last census, over half a million Romanian nationals live in England and Wales, representing the fourth largest group of immigrants behind nationals of Pakistan, Poland, and India. The UK saw a substantial increase in arrivals from Romania after 1st January 2007, when Romania joined the EU, allowing both countries to benefit from the right of free movement. While the UK has now left the EU, the good news is that it is still possible to move to the UK to work, study, join family, or set up a business.
In this guide, we will cover the main legal requirements for those moving from Romania to the UK, and the cost of living here and how it compares to Romania. Also provided is a useful relocation checklist and answers to many of the most frequently asked questions regarding making the move from Romania to the UK.
Moving from Romania to the UK after Brexit
Due to the UK’s departure from the EU at the end of 2020, Romanian citizens wishing to live, work, study, or run a business in the UK require an immigration visa. Thankfully, the UK’s immigration system provides a wide range of visas catering for different needs. With the guidance of a UK immigration lawyer, making a successful visa application to move to the UK is simple and hassle-free.
Legal requirements for Romanian citizens moving to the UK
If you plan to relocate to the UK from Romania, the legal requirements that apply to you will depend on the type of visa you apply for, as follows:
UK Skilled Worker Visa
The Skilled Worker visa permits Romanian nationals to live and work in the UK for up to 5 years. It is then possible to apply for permanent settlement after this initial 5 years and British citizenship 1 year later. Partners and children can also join the main applicant in the UK.
To successfully apply for a Skilled Worker visa as a Romanian citizen, you will need to secure a job in an eligible occupation from a UK employer with permission to sponsor overseas candidates. Importantly, your job must have a minimum salary of £38,700 per year or the ‘going rate’ for your occupation. It is worth noting that you may qualify for a lower salary threshold if you have a PhD or a job on the UK government’s new immigration salary list. Applicants for work visas also need to meet the English language requirement, typically by passing an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT).
UK Student Visa
To study at a university, college, or school in the UK, you must be 16 years or over and have been offered a place on a course by an approved educational provider in the UK. Most universities in the UK are keen to encourage applications from overseas students.
You must also have enough money to financially support yourself during your studies and meet the English language requirements.
Having completed your course, if you wish, you can then apply for a UK Graduate visa, which will allow you to stay for a further 2 years. Many Graduate visa holders use this time to look for skilled full-time work based on their degree or post-graduate qualifications. Having found employment, it is then possible to switch to a Skilled Worker visa, which will allow you to secure permanent residency after 5 years and citizenship 1 year later. Your employer must be a sponsor licence holder or make a licence application if they don’t have one.
UK Innovator Founder Visa
The Innovator Founder visa is ideal for Romanian citizens with bold plans to set up and operate a new business in the UK. This route also comes with the added bonus of being able to settle after just 3 years, rather than 5 years required for most visas.
To apply, you must have a business idea that has been endorsed as being innovative, feasible, and scalable. In addition, you will need to satisfy the English language requirement and have sufficient funds to support yourself and any family members while in the UK.
Family Visa
The Family Visa enables Romanian nationals to join a partner/spouse, parent, or child who lives in the UK with permanent residence or British citizenship. Holders can stay for up to 5 years and then apply for permanent residency and, 1 year later, UK citizenship.
If applying for a partner visa, you will need to show that you have a combined income of at least £29,000 and meet the English language requirement.
What is the Cost of Living in the UK?
According to the well-known cost of living comparison website Numbeo, the cost of living in Romania is 64% lower than in the UK and 93.5% lower when rent is taken into account. In addition, the cost of eating out in the UK is 76% higher than in Romania, and food prices are 54% higher here. It is important to remember, however, that pay is typically much higher in the UK than in Romania. In addition, the cost of living in the UK varies considerably depending on where you live. Living outside London and the South of England will reduce your living costs down to a much lower level, especially rent.
Emigrating to the UK from Romania – Checklist
At AY&J, our expert team of UK immigration specialists has assisted hundreds of people and families in moving from the EU to the UK since Brexit. Based on our experience of helping migrants to the UK, including from Romania, we recommend taking the following steps to make your journey as seamless as possible:
- Work with a respected immigration specialist who can handle all aspects of your visa requirements and remove this from your shoulders. They can recommend the best route for your needs and handle the application process for you and your family members.
- If you plan to apply for a work visa, securing a job as soon as possible will remove much of the pressure of moving to the UK. Apply directly to licensed sponsors who work in your field of skills and expertise.
- Create a financial budget that includes your after-tax income and expected costs, including insurance, food, fuel, energy, and council tax. Also, if you know someone who already lives here, speak to them about the current cost of living here.
- Work out the cost of relocating from Romania to the UK, including travel, removal fees, and putting down a rental deposit on a property. Always ask for at least three quotes from moving companies to ensure that you get the best possible price.
- Create a short list of where you would like to live in the UK. When doing so, consider the commuting distance to work, access to transport, distance to friends and family, availability and quality of schools, and living costs, including rent.
- Visit the UK before making the decision to move here. Doing so will allow you to decide where to live, find a place to rent, and arrange a place in a school for your children.
- If you are under 67 when you become a UK resident, you can use your EU driving license until you turn 70. If you are 67 or older, you can continue driving with your EU license for up to three years.
Benefits of Moving to the UK from Romania
For Romanian citizens, moving to the UK offers enormous benefits. We have a strong and vibrant economy with many highly skilled and well-paid jobs. For Romanian business people and entrepreneurs, the UK enjoys very low levels of administration and bureaucracy, making it easy to set up and run a business. From a cultural perspective, the UK has a rich history and cultural heritage with many museums, galleries, and historical sites. And, of course, there are our beautiful villages, mountains, hills, and lakes. The UK has some of the top schools and universities in the world, including Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, St Andrews, and University College London (UCL), to name but a few. We also have an excellent transport network, including roads, railways, and airports, which makes it easy to travel within the UK and overseas.
Setting Up Your Finances in the UK
When opening a UK bank account, you will need to provide proof of your identity and permanent UK address. For this reason, we advise you to wait until you get to the UK to open your UK bank account.
Once in the UK, it is important to apply for a National Insurance (NI) number before you start earning money and paying taxes. If you will be working for an employer, they will deduct any tax you owe automatically through the HMRC ‘Pay As You Earn’ (PAYE) system. As such, there is nothing for you to do from a tax standpoint. On the other hand, if you will be self-employed in the UK, you will need to prepare and submit a self-assessment tax return to HMRC each year. We advise seeking the help of an accountant in the UK who can do this for you.
What is a Self-Sponsored Route?
The self-sponsorship route is a relatively new immigration pathway that removes the need to find work before applying for a visa. Instead, applicants set up their own business in the UK and become their own sponsor. With the self-sponsorship route, it is possible to gain permanent residency and later British citizenship. The team at AY&J can guide you through every stage of the self-sponsorship application process and help you benefit from all that this innovative immigration route has to offer Romanian nationals.
Emigrating to the UK as a Non-Romanian National
Non-Romanian nationals also need to apply for a visa to relocate to the UK. At AY&J, our expert immigration team will be delighted to advise you on the optimal visa for your requirements given your nationality, background, familial links to the UK, and whether you plan to work, run a business, study or join your family here.
Joining UK Family Members as a Non-Romanian National
If you are a non-Romanian national wishing to join a family member in the UK, you will need to apply for a UK family visa. To apply for a family visa, you must have a partner, child, or parent living in the UK who either has British citizenship, indefinite leave to remain (ILR), or the right to live here as an EU/EEA national who started living in the UK before 1st January 2021 (i.e. Brexit), or refugee status. After 5 continuous years of continuous residence, you can apply for permanent residence and then British citizenship 1 year later.
FAQs
What documents and information do I need to move to the UK?
The necessary documents vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for. For instance, if you are applying for a UK Skilled Worker visa, you will need the following:
- A valid Romanian passport
- Proof of a job offer for an eligible position from a licensed UK employer
- A Certificate of Sponsorship from your UK employer
- Evidence of meeting the English language requirement (such as a SELT pass certificate)
- A bank statement demonstrating sufficient funds to support yourself and your immediate family
Do Romanian citizens need sponsorship to work in the UK?
Yes, since the UK exited the EU, Romanian nationals require sponsorship from a licensed UK employer to apply for a work visa. Alternatively, you can explore the self-sponsorship route, which entails starting your own business in the UK and sponsoring yourself.
What should I consider before moving back to the UK from Romania?
If you are planning to return to the UK from Romania, it is recommended that you reassess your banking arrangements, credit rating, and national insurance contributions. Having lived outside the UK for several years may have affected your credit rating, making it more difficult to secure a mortgage or obtain credit. Additionally, consider the tax implications if you have resided in Romania for over five years. Also, check if you need to ‘top up’ your National Insurance contributions to qualify for a UK state pension.
Can you move to the UK from Romania?
Yes, but Romanian citizens and their family members need a visa to live in the UK. Please refer to the visa options explained above.
Are Romanian citizens allowed to work in the UK?
Yes, Romanian nationals are able to work in the UK, but they do need a job offer from a sponsoring employer, a certificate of sponsorship, and a work visa from the UK Home Office.
Applying for a UK visa from Romania
Romanian nationals can apply for a UK visa online via the UK Home Office website. The process includes filling out a form, paying application fees, and submitting the required documents. A UK immigration solicitor can provide assistance throughout this process.
UK entry requirements from Romania
Refer to the legal requirements for moving from Romania to the UK above.
How long can a Romanian citizen stay in the UK?
The duration of stay depends on the type of visa. Romanian nationals can visit the UK for up to six months without needing a visa. Work visas are valid for up to five years and can lead to permanent settlement. Student visas last for the duration of the course, with the option to apply for a graduate visa, which provides an additional two years to find employment. Family visas are issued for up to five years.
What is the cost of living in the UK?
See the cost of living section above for details.
A Y & J Solicitors is a specialist immigration law firm with extensive experience with all types of visa applications. We have an in-depth understanding of immigration law and are professional and results-focused. For assistance with your visa application or any other UK immigration law concerns, please contact us on +44 20 7404 7933 or at contact us today. We’re here to help!
