Australia Shipping - Moving Regulations

Moving Regulations - United Kingdom

All applicants wishing to move to the UK from Australia must send their application and supporting documents to the British High Commission in Canberra. An application can be sent directly to the Home Office in London under no circumstances. If you have any queries please contact the British High Commission in Canberra.

You may move your personal items tax-free to the United Kingdom if you have owned them for at least 6 months, have lived for the last 12 months continuously outside the European Union, will keep them for your personal use. Belongings can be sent to the UK before you arrive, but no more than 6 months beforehand. If not, you may have to pay tax on them.

After you have lived legally in the United Kingdom for a certain length of time (usually between 2 and 5 years), you may be able to apply to live here permanently, depending on the category of visa you have. To be able to apply for permanent residence, you will normally first need to show that you have enough knowledge of language and life in the United Kingdom.

If you can demonstrate that you satisfy certain legal requirements and the Home Secretary thinks you fit, you may be granted citizenship.

The requirements you should meet before you apply are that you:
• have lived in the UK for a minimum of 5 years before you apply;
• are of sound mind, so that you understand the step you are taking;
• are aged 18 or over when you apply;
• can communicate in English (or Welsh or Scottish Gaelic) to an acceptable degree;
• are of good character;
• have sufficient knowledge about life in the UK;
• intend to continue to live in the UK.