I have my Spouse Visa-What do I do when I get there?

Hi All!

Sorry if this is already covered somewhere else, in fact I would guess it is.  This forum has an incredible amount of information!  Sadly, I haven't found what I'm looking for in another post, so here I am.

I have my spouse visa and will be arriving in the UK on July 4th, I know...My husband is settled there (born and raised) so I will have a place to stay and a support system, what I need to know is what do I do once I get there, besides the obvious (get job, bank account, etc.)

I remember reading in the past something about having to register/check in with the local police station?  Over the years I've read a lot online about what I should/shouldn't do when I get there, but much of the information seems to contradict each other, or what one site says another doesn't, etc.

Any help, tips, suggestions, for what to do when I step off the plane in July will be very much appreciated.

Thanks!  Take Care!

You don't have to check in with the local police.  Just get in the car and go home with your husband. 

Thank you Kristi.  That is good to know.

Is there anyone I need to register with when I get there (not the moment I get there)?  Or can anyone direct me to a guide for what I need to do now.  I was shocked that they didn't provide me with any instructions when they sent my Visa.  I thought they may have sent some sort of "What's Next" or "What to do when you get there" guide. 

Thanks in advance for any advice!

No.  You've done everything you need to.  It is just as easy as get off the plane, go through immigration, get your stuff and go home. Unpack your stuff and settle in.  The obvious stuff is it.  Really!  Look for a job, get  a bank account, do whatever you want. 

Some people choose to register with the embassy but I don't think it's a requirement.  I know I never did it.  

Well, don't you have to do things like register with a GP and for an NI number? 

ye you do, my wife is joining me 2 weeks today you need to get in touch with the job centre to have an interview to get your national insurance number/card, then you need to register for gp/dentists etc, well thats what we are doing. The bank account was a little more tricky wouldnt let my wife open a banl ac until she had a job but you can have joint account with hubby thats what we did

congratulations! There really isn't much you need to do. I didn't register with the embassy, I did get registered with my gp the day after I got back (had a prescription that needed renewing) but you don't have to do that right away.

I wasn't allowed to apply for my NI number until I had a job. I still got paid until I got my NI number, just had a temporary one. I don't know if that has changed, but i'm certain someone on here does.

So really all you NEED to do in the first couple of days / weeks is enjoy being with your hubby and get an understanding of life here. Have fun!

You can actually apply for an NI number when you're searching for employment and you don't actually have to have a job and it's done by mail.

Right to work in the UK
If you have the right to work in the UK and you are looking for, starting work or are setting up as self-employed telephone Jobcentre Plus on 0845 600 0643. Lines are open 8.00 am to 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday.

This may help:

Moving back to the UK: checklist
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/LivingintheUK/DG_4000140

To get a bank account, you can do it before getting a job.
DW found this the most frustrating, you'll need to be named on a utility bill, the easiest is for your husband to contact the local council to get you named on the council tax bill, they'll send out an update and both names will then be on the bill.
DW was only offered a basic bank account at first, one they usually give to people who have had money problems just to allow them to build up credit....but after about 3 months they allowed her to upgrade. They were a little more accomodating because I am employed by the same bank and also she found  job with them as well!

   Thanks so much all!  This is exactly the information I was looking for!  Cheers!

Yep, we had to show my husbands name on a utility bill before they would let him even be a joint account owner with me! I added him to my gas/elec, water and council tax and now he is a joint owner of my bank account. We also got him a NIN straight away and registered with my GP. The reason I wanted him added to my bills so quickly was i was thinking in the future when he needs to apply for probationary citizenship - no idea what supporting docs we'll need but at least he is named on them from the very beginning of his time here!!!

Edited to add - we found the quickest bill to update was our gas/elec which was online, i phoned them with an updated meter read and they issued a new online bill with our joint names then and there!