What to Do After Arriving in the UK as a Nepali Student | 2026 Guide
The initiation of study in the United Kingdom is an exciting event for Nepali students. The decision to go to the UK after months of research, applying to universities, arranging finances and processing the Student visa can be exciting and overwhelming.
You have a number of important tasks to complete in your first few days and weeks in the UK. These include verifying your immigration status, reaching your university, registering with a doctor, opening a bank account, understanding your work conditions and learning how transportation works.
These things will be much easier to manage once you are properly settled as a student.
If you are still preparing for your journey, you may also find our guide on how to get a UK student visa from Nepal useful before travelling.
This guide explains the important things Nepali students should do after arriving in the UK in 2026.
The initial experience upon arrival in the UK is likely to be immigration and border clearance. Do not keep essential paperwork in checked luggage.
Consider keeping the following documents with you:
You might be asked questions regarding your studies, your university, or why you are in the UK. Be clear and concise in your response.
Keep your boarding pass, travel itinerary and any border documents in a safe place. Your university may ask when and how you entered the UK as part of its enrolment or sponsorship checks.
By 2026, the UK had largely replaced physical immigration documents, including BRPs, with eVisas. An eVisa is a digital record of a person’s identity and UK immigration status.
Your eVisa shows your identity and immigration status, including the type and expiry date of your permission and any conditions attached to it, such as work restrictions.
You need a UK Visas and Immigration UKVI account to access your eVisa. GOV.UK states that eVisas have replaced physical immigration documents.
After arriving, log into your UKVI account and make sure:
If you change your passport or important personal information later, make sure your UKVI account is updated where required.
Official information: UK eVisa guidance
Your first step should be to register with your university. New international students normally receive instructions before arrival explaining when and how to enrol.
Depending on the university you attend, you may be required to submit:
Once your enrolment is complete, you may receive or activate your:
Do not delay enrolment without a valid reason. Your university must keep updated records of the international students it sponsors.
Orientation or induction week is more important than many students realise. It is a chance to learn your university’s systems before the semester becomes busy.
Orientation programmes can include:
Orientation is also an opportunity to make friends with other students and international students. It can make the transition easier for Nepali students entering a new country.
Whether you are living in university halls, private student housing or shared accommodation, carefully check your room when you move in.
If you rent privately, keep copies of relevant paperwork such as:
Take photographs of the condition of the property when you first move in, especially if you notice existing damage.
Also learn:
Your UK address will be important when opening accounts, receiving documents and registering for different services.
Council Tax is a local tax on homes. In England, Scotland and Wales, a household occupied entirely by qualifying full-time students is normally exempt from Council Tax. If one adult resident is not a full-time student or otherwise disregarded, the household may receive a 25% discount. If two or more adults are counted for Council Tax, the full bill may apply.
Students may need to provide a student-status certificate or apply through their local council. Your university may be able to provide a Certificate of Student Status or a Certificate of Council Tax status.
Different rules may apply if the property is lived in by someone who is not a full-time student. The property may still be liable for a Council Tax bill.
Northern Ireland uses domestic rates rather than Council Tax. Students living in Northern Ireland should check the applicable rates rules with their university or local authority.
Students should register with a local General Practitioner (GP) after settling into their accommodation. A GP is normally your first point of contact for non-emergency medical care.
Anyone living in England can register with a GP surgery, and registration is free. You do not need an NHS number, identification, proof of address or proof of immigration status simply to register.
Many universities have a health centre or GP surgery nearby. It is better to register early than to wait until you are ill.
You might be required to provide some basic details such as:
Healthcare arrangements vary slightly across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so follow the healthcare guidance provided by your university.
Save important emergency and university-security numbers on your phone.
Opening a UK bank account can make everyday student life much easier.
You may need an account for:
Although banks vary in requirements, international students might be asked to present documents including:
Some banks provide online or digital accounts, and banks may require further verification of your identity or address.
Do not choose a bank simply because another student is using it. Check fees, cash access, international transfers and services before making a decision.
One of the first things you should do is obtain a UK mobile phone number. A local number can be useful for:
You add credit or purchase packages as needed.
You get a specific amount of calls, texts and mobile data in a package, with a fixed monthly price.
Many new international students use a prepaid plan first and switch to another plan once they are settled. Consider coverage and pricing in the area where you live and study.
Public transport is likely to play a significant role in everyday student life. Depending on your location, you may use:
Transport systems differ between cities. London students may use the Underground frequently, while students in other cities may rely more on buses, trains and trams.
Look into student discounts through your university or local transport provider. If you use trains often, check whether you can get a railcard or student concession.
Before your first class, practise the journey between your accommodation and university so you know:
Part-time employment is a popular choice for many international students in the UK. However, you must follow the work conditions attached to your visa.
A Student studying a full-time degree-level course with a higher education provider that has a track record of compliance may normally work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during official vacations. A Student studying a full-time course below degree level with such a provider may normally work up to 10 hours per week during term time. Other students, including those studying part-time, may not be permitted to work.
Always follow the conditions shown on your eVisa and confirmed by your university. Do not assume that all international students have the same work allowance.
Student visa holders are generally prohibited from being self-employed, engaging in business activity, working as an entertainer or professional sportsperson including as a sports coach, or filling a permanent full-time vacancy, unless a specific exception under the Immigration Rules applies.
Official vacation periods are determined by the university. Postgraduate and research students may not have the same vacation periods as undergraduate students.
For working in the UK, you might need a National Insurance number, also known as an NI number. Check your UKVI account before applying for one.
Some individuals with an eVisa may have a National Insurance number listed on the immigration record. If you do not have one, you can apply after arriving in the UK if you have the right to work.
You may start work before receiving the number if you can prove your right to work.
Avoid paying money to an unofficial company. It cannot guarantee or process your National Insurance number.
Read the official GOV.UK process: Apply for a National Insurance number
Students may work part-time to gain experience and earn extra money, but work should not affect studies.
Common student employment opportunities can be found in:
Your university career centre can be a useful place to start. It may provide:
Be careful with job offers that ask for upfront payments or financial details. Before taking any work, check that the hours and type of work match your Student visa conditions.
When you begin working, do not think only about the hourly wage. Understand what to look for on your payslip.
A payslip can include details such as:
Income tax and National Insurance may still be payable by students depending on income and circumstances. Applicable deductions are usually taken by employers through PAYE.
Keep copies of payslips and employment-related documents.
Life in the UK can feel different after you arrive. Some of the bigger costs you may face include:
Track your spending in your first month. You may find that you are spending more than expected on takeaway food, coffee, taxis and subscriptions.
Preparing meals at home, using student discounts and planning trips can help manage expenses.
For students still planning their finances before travelling, read our detailed guide on how much it costs to study in the UK from Nepal.
Students in the UK may be able to get discounts on:
Some discounts may be available with your university student card. However, just because an item is advertised as a student discount does not mean it is the cheapest option. Compare prices before buying.
Create both physical and secure digital copies of important documents. These may include:
Never send copies of your passport, immigration paperwork, bank account details or National Insurance number to unknown individuals. Protecting personal information helps reduce the risk of identity theft and fraud.
International students are sometimes targeted by scams because they are not familiar with UK systems.
Be cautious of unexpected:
Government departments, universities and banks have official communication channels. Do not panic if someone pressures you to transfer money or threatens you with immigration issues. Check the request through the official website or contact the organisation directly.
Some older guides still tell international students to register with the police after arriving in the UK. This information is outdated.
The UK police registration scheme closed on 4 August 2022. Students are no longer required to register with the police simply because they have a visa.
This is one reason students should be cautious when reading older UK arrival guides online.
Your experience in the UK is not limited to your university campus. In the first few weeks, try to find key locations such as:
Getting to know your environment early can make everyday life much easier. You can also join university societies and student groups to connect with people with similar interests.
Other Nepali students can be good sources of support while adapting to a new country.
Nepali student groups may help you understand:
Studying abroad is also a chance to meet people from different backgrounds. You can join academic societies, sports clubs, volunteering activities or university events to expand your network and confidence.
When you have part-time work, it may be tempting to work long hours. However, your main purpose for coming to the UK is to study.
Make sure you:
Student engagement is monitored by universities. International students should be aware of any attendance or academic requirements communicated by their university.
After arriving in the UK, try to complete the following:
You do not need to complete everything on the day you arrive. Prioritise immigration status, accommodation and university registration first, then organise the remaining tasks during your first few weeks.
Raffles Educare can assist students with the UK study journey, including university selection, course guidance, admission support, documentation preparation and pre-departure guidance.
Good preparation helps students avoid confusion after arrival and settle into UK student life more confidently.
FAQ
Your first priorities should be completing entry formalities, reaching your accommodation safely, checking your immigration status and following your university's enrolment instructions.
The UK has moved to a digital immigration system. Successful visa applicants now generally receive an eVisa, which can be accessed through a UKVI account. GOV.UK states that eVisas have replaced physical immigration documents. Always follow the instructions contained in your own visa decision communication.
No. The UK's police registration scheme ended on 4 August 2022.
It depends on the conditions attached to your Student visa. Many students studying full-time degree-level courses with eligible higher education providers are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during term time, but other students may have different restrictions. Always check your eVisa.
Not necessarily. GOV.UK says you can start work before receiving a National Insurance number if you can prove that you have the right to work in the UK. Check your eVisa first because a National Insurance number may already have been issued.
It is a good idea to register soon after settling into your accommodation rather than waiting until you become ill. In England, NHS guidance states that GP registration is free and you do not need proof of immigration status simply to register.
A household occupied entirely by qualifying full-time students generally does not have to pay Council Tax. If you receive a bill, you may need to apply for the relevant exemption. If you live with someone who is not a full-time student, different rules may apply.
