You got your UK student visa. That is great news. Now a new part of the journey begins: landing in the UK and getting settled. The first few weeks can feel a bit confusing, even if you planned everything well. This guide breaks down each step, so you know exactly what to do and when.
Pack the Right Papers
Put your important papers in your hand luggage, not your checked bag. Carry your passport, your university admission documents, and your CAS details. Bring financial evidence, such as bank statements. Some universities want to see your original certificates and transcripts when you arrive, so pack those as well.
If your course runs for six months or more, you have already taken a TB (tuberculosis) test before you applied for your visa. This is required for Bangladeshi citizens travelling for that length of time. Your TB certificate is normally valid for six months from the date of the examination, and it must still be valid when you submit your visa application. Carry a copy with you while travelling in case an airline or immigration officer asks to see it. Keep it with your other documents, along with your passport photos and proof of where you will live.
Pack a plug adapter too. Plugs in the UK are not the same shape as plugs in Bangladesh. It also helps to bring a warm layer or a waterproof jacket in your carry-on bag. Do this even in summer. UK weather can turn cold with little warning.
Understand Your eVisa
The UK no longer issues the old plastic ID card, known as a BRP. Since 2025, your visa exists only as a digital record called an eVisa. This eVisa is stored in your UKVI account online, not on a card you carry.
Before you travel, sign in to your UKVI account. Make sure your current passport is linked to it. Airlines normally verify your immigration permission digitally using the passport linked to your UKVI account. If your passport is not linked correctly, you could be stopped from boarding your flight. You can also create a share code from your UKVI account. This proves your status to an airline, an employer, a landlord, or a bank, if any of them ask for one. Do this check at least a week before you fly, not the night before.
What Happens at the UK Border
When you land, you will go through border checks in one of two ways. You may use an e-gate, which scans your face and passport. Or you may speak with a Border Force officer instead. Your eVisa is checked automatically using your passport. Border Force officers can view your immigration status electronically. In some circumstances, they may ask for additional information, so it is sensible to keep your UKVI login details available. Keep your phone charged and your UKVI account login details handy.
Check what you can bring with you. Fresh meat and most dairy products are not allowed into the UK. Dry food, spices, and packaged snacks are usually fine in normal amounts. If you are carrying £10,000 or more in cash, you must declare it before you arrive. If you do not, you risk having it taken away. Many universities run airport pickup services for new students. Check your welcome email before booking your own taxi.
Check Your New Home Carefully
Once you reach your room or flat, look around before you unpack. Take photos of any damage, stains, or missing items you notice. Report these to your landlord or accommodation office on the same day. This protects your deposit when you move out later.
If you are renting privately in England, your landlord may ask you to prove your right to rent. This rule only applies in England, not in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland. Most students now prove their immigration status using a Right to Rent share code generated through their UKVI account. Some existing physical immigration documents may still be accepted where permitted under current Home Office guidance. The choice is yours, and your landlord cannot refuse you just for picking one option over the other.
Sign Up with Your University
Most universities hold an induction week soon after you arrive. Bring your passport, your university admission documents, and your academic certificates. Some universities will also check your immigration status through your UKVI account, so it helps to know how to share it.
During enrolment, you will get your student ID card, your university email, and access to the library. Ask staff about council tax too. If you live in halls of residence, you are usually automatically exempt from council tax. Private renters can also be exempt, but only if everyone in the home is a full-time student. You may need to apply for this and show a student certificate from your university.
Open a UK Bank Account
A UK bank account makes daily spending much easier. What you need can differ slightly between banks. Most will ask for your passport. Most will also ask for proof of your address, such as a tenancy agreement or a letter from your university. They will usually ask for proof of your immigration status, too. Some banks may also ask for proof of student status or a bank introduction letter from your university.
Digital banks such as Monzo and Starling are popular with students. You can often open an account within days, using their mobile app. High street banks like Barclays, HSBC, and Lloyds also offer student accounts. These usually take longer to set up. They may need a visit to a branch as well. Compare a few options, since fees and features differ.
Sign Up with a Doctor
You already paid for NHS healthcare access as part of your visa application. This means you can use the National Health Service like a UK resident. Your access starts from the date your visa began. To actually use it, you still need to register with a local GP (a family doctor) near where you live. Registering is free. You do not legally need to show ID or proof of address to do it. Some clinics may still ask for extra details to help find your records.
Once you are registered, save NHS 111 and 999 in your phone. Call 111 when you need medical help quickly, but it is not life-threatening. This could be a bad cough or a minor injury. Call 999 only for real emergencies, like chest pain, serious bleeding, or trouble breathing. Registering with a GP as soon as you arrive means you will not be stuck without help later.
Get a SIM Card and Learn to Get Around
Buy a UK SIM card soon after you land. Providers such as giffgaff, EE, Vodafone, O2, Three and Lebara offer simple monthly plans with no long contracts. A UK phone number also makes it easier to receive codes for your bank and university accounts.
For travel, most UK cities let you tap a contactless banks card on buses and trains. You pay the same way you would for anything else. If you study in London, look into an Oyster card as well. Always check the local transport options for your specific city, since they vary.
Working While You Study
If you are on a full degree-level course, your student visa usually lets you work part-time during term. The limit is up to 20 hours a week. During your university’s official holidays, you can usually work full-time if your visa allows it. After you finish your course, you can keep working under your student visa until it expires or you change to another visa, such as the Graduate visa if you qualify. This limit covers every job added together. A week is counted from Monday to Sunday. You can’t make up for one week by working extra hours and then reducing hours the next week.
You do not need a National Insurance (NI) number before you start your first job. You only need to prove you have the right to work, usually with your share code. You can apply for a National Insurance number once you have a job, have a firm offer, or are actively job hunting. You do not have to wait for the number to arrive before you start work. You only need to show that you have the right to work in the UK. It can take up to four weeks to arrive. Self-employment, freelance work, and gig-economy apps are not allowed on a student visa. Always check your own working hours through your UKVI account, since they depend on your specific course.
Plan Your Money for the First Month
Your first month often costs more than later months. You may need to pay a deposit, rent in advance, and setup costs all at once. Bring a small amount of British pounds in cash for your first day or two. Avoid carrying large sums with you. Use your bank’s transfer service for larger amounts. You could also use another regulated money transfer provider. These often give better exchange rates than carrying cash from home.
Track your spending from the very first week using a notebook or a simple app. Many new students underestimate costs like groceries and transport in their first term. A little planning now saves a lot of stress later.
Find Other Bangladeshi Students
You will not be the only Bangladeshi student at your university. Look for a Bangladeshi or South Asian student society, since most universities have one. These groups can point you toward halal food shops, Bengali grocery stores, and events for Pohela Boishakh or Eid.
If you feel lonely or overwhelmed in your first weeks, talk to your university’s international student support team. This is a normal part of moving to a new country, and asking for support is not a weakness.
Save Emergency Numbers
Before you even land, save a few key numbers in your phone. Include your university’s emergency line and your accommodation’s out-of-hours contact. Save the contact details of the Bangladesh High Commission in London and your nearest Bangladeshi consular service in case you lose your passport or require urgent consular assistance. They can help with a lost passport or a serious legal problem. For everyday immigration questions, your university’s international office can usually help faster than contacting UKVI directly.
Keep a backup copy of your important documents, too. Take a photo or scan of your passport, your visa decision letter, your CAS details, and your accommodation paperwork. This can save you a lot of trouble if the originals are ever lost.
Your First Weeks at a Glance
Before you fly, link your passport to your UKVI account. Confirm that your UKVI account is working correctly and that your passport is linked to your eVisa. Generate a share code only if you need one. After you land, register with your university, open a bank account, sign up with a GP, and get a UK SIM card. Within your first month: learn your exact working hours, set a simple budget, and connect with other Bangladeshi students nearby.
Moving to a new country is never perfectly smooth. That is completely normal. With your papers in order and this checklist in hand, you are ready for a confident start to student life in the UK.
