Hello from Denver! Moving to London in 12 days

Hello there,

I have been reading this board religiously for months for all the amazing advice and figured I'd register to say thanks! I have a Tier 1 visa fancy page all set to go in my passport and will be living with my boyfriend in West London at his house (whom I met when I went on vacation to London the first time, five minutes after I arrived. Seriously). Luckily all I had to ship was my computer (hooray for finding the C3 customs form info) and everything else I am taking with me on the plane/making my cousin bring in her extra bag when she visits me the week after I get there

I am very much looking forward to living in England; I have had a passion for the culture ever since I can remember and am a Denver native and have never lived anywhere else, so it's time for something new. Any advice for my next steps once I get there, besides getting a National Insurance number and registering with a GP to get an NHS number? Does anyone know what the job market is like for someone who has a Tier 1 visa in the medical/pharmaceutical sales field? Has anyone with this visa had any success using recruiters? And realistically, will I be able to do such a job without having a UK driving license? I am more than willing to get one at some point but as of right now I am freaked out by driving on the left side of the road/endless roundabouts/street markings that apparently mean stop but there is no stop sign so I would probably just go right through it.

Also, I have recurring migraines and need to have an Imitrex prescription, will I be able to just show up at the GP and show them my medical records/past prescriptions and they will fill it? And is it true that all prescriptions are filled for some flat rate of like 10 pounds or something? Because that would be fabulous.

Now if I can only get my parents to come around and start speaking to me again after telling them I am leaving...

Welcome to UKY!

Unfortunately, with a Tier 1 visa, you are not covered under the NHS until you are employed or been in the UK for 12 months (whichever comes first).  You will be unable to register as an NHS patient until you've met those conditions.

I believe you can register as a private patient and pay for everything yourself, or purchase medical insurance to cover you until you find employment.

Hi there and welcome

not sure about Imitrex but I also have severe recurring migraines and I use Riazitriptan wafer tablets and they are the bomb digity!
Works a charm...besides the other stuff I have used you have to squirt up your nose and I can't handle that!

And realistically, will I be able to do such a job without having a UK driving license?

I have no first hand knowledge, but this would depend entirely on the sales area you were given.  If you were ONLY in Central London, it probably would be doable, but anywhere else and you may be hard pressed.

I'm a Denver native too and have been here for just over a year.

Good luck!

Just wanted to say welcome! Im here from Denver and just got here in March.

Just wanted to say welcome to UKY! 

Welcome to UKY!

Unfortunately, with a Tier 1 visa, you are not covered under the NHS until you are employed or been in the UK for 12 months (whichever comes first).  You will be unable to register as an NHS patient until you've met those conditions.

I believe you can register as a private patient and pay for everything yourself, or purchase medical insurance to cover you until you find employment.

I'm reading in some other topics that if you're there on a visa that lasts longer than 6 months, which a Tier 1 does, you are entitled to NHS coverage. Check it out: newcomer link: http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=50250.0 [nonactive]

Also look at this website: newcomer link: http://www.commonwealthcontractors.com/The_National_Health_Service.html [nonactive]
It specificall states that those who have come to work in the UK are eligible for free NHS care.

Based on this, I'm going to go register at the GP when I get there.

I'm reading in some other topics that if you're there on a visa that lasts longer than 6 months, which a Tier 1 does, you are entitled to NHS coverage. Check it out: http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=50250.0

Also look at this website: http://www.commonwealthcontractors.com/The_National_Health_Service.html
It specificall states that those who have come to work in the UK are eligible for free NHS care.

Based on this, I'm going to go register at the GP when I get there.

You're mistaken.

If you have an employment visa (Tier 1) you have to BE EMPLOYED not just looking for employment, OR you have lived in the UK for 12 continuous months...which ever comes first:

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Entitlementsandcharges/OverseasVisitors/Browsable/DH_074381

Please note that to be exempt from NHS hospital charges on this basis you must be in employment at the time you receive treatment.  If you are here on a work visa but currently unemployed you will be charged for your treatment, unless you are otherwise exempt from charges.

This thread is a more up to date discussion of work visas & NHS: http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=55928.msg795886#msg795886

Also look at this website: http://www.commonwealthcontractors.com/The_National_Health_Service.html
It specificall states that those who have come to work in the UK are eligible for free NHS care.

Based on this, I'm going to go register at the GP when I get there.

ETA:That site is for Commonwealth Citizens and is true for them as they have reciprocal agreements with the UK. However, as you are just a US Citizen that does not apply to you and you are bound by the guidance quoted above & in the thread I linked you to.

Okay I see that now, thank you for the clarification as this is very confusing. I am still going to register with the GP, even if they charge me. Don't really have a choice. Thank you

Okay I see that now, thank you for the clarification as this is very confusing. I am still going to register with the GP, even if they charge me. Don't really have a choice. Thank you

You should really purchase health insurance that will cover you in the UK before you leave the US as the UK doesn't have comprehensive health cover like the US does as even UK private cover piggybacks off the services of the NHS.... Or you can just hope you don't become ill before you've found employment.

Also I would advise you from attempting to obtian NHS from the GP before you're actually eligible because that can be used to refuse any future visas (abuse of the NHS system) and could cause you MAJOR immigration problems down the road especially on the economic side that you're on.

Best of luck to you.

Also I would advise you from attempting to obtian NHS from the GP before you're actually eligible because that can be used to refuse any future visas (abuse of the NHS system) and could cause you MAJOR immigration problems down the road especially on the economic side that you're on.

I would second this advice.  What happens more frequently than it should is that the people at the NHS (or at the benefits office, etc) arent aware of who is actually eligible for coverage, so they will treat at no cost you assuming that you are eligible, but its YOUR responsibility to know what you can claim and what you cant per the constraints of your visa.   Furthermore, it is YOUR responsibily to refuse to accept the benefit or treatment even if it is offered to you.  Ultimately, any "blame" will be placed on you, not the NHS.

Welcome to UKY and stick around here with more of your queries and questions. We've got a nice community, especially if you love food, lol, but we chat about anything and everything! 

(and I hope you can find a job quickly so you can use the NHS)

Good luck!! Sounds like you're off for a grand adventure!!   

Welcome and good luck! Remember to be kind to yourself