I have been in the UK for almost 6 months now. I was nervous but preparing myself for this experience.
I am waiting for my wife Nija to join me but before that it will be Vishnu who will be arriving in the UK. I thought of jotting down and making a list of things which I remember I had to do when I arrived in UK.
What this blog covers ?
A) Steps needs to be taken after getting a Entry Clearance i.e. (EC)/ VISA.
B) Steps need to be taken after you reach UK.
This blog does not cover the following :-
a) UK work permit and entry clearance procedures
b) Survival techniques in the UK
c) Things to visit in the UK
d) Who is eligible to work in the UK.
e) How to be confident at the port of entry :)
After Entry Clearance.
a) It is a must that all people get a full body check up done. Try to get all the medical reports in English.
b) Chest X-ray is a must.
c) Please carry a temporary address and phone number of your friend/relative who you are planning to stay with.
d) Keep in mind to carry your medical documents, passport in your hand baggage.
e) It is necessary to also keep your certificates with you i.e. Post graduation certificates
f) List of employers name who you will be giving an interview or name of the agency who you have got in touch.
g) Please carry the local currency i.e. UK pounds with you.
h) Please check the weather report before entering into UK
http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/
i) Its best to carry a umbrella, rain coat at all the times.
j) You will not be disappointed if you are caring proper apparels with you during winter.
k) After the port of entry do make it a point to check all your baggage are in place.
l) It's good to have a traveler's insurance with you.
m) Please do carry a print out of London tube stations and a clear idea of the place you would like to go.
Websites which will provide information about London transport.
For Heathrow please specify " Heathrow terminal X" i.e. X = 1/2/3/4/5
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/
n) Also do take a note of the first and the last tube timings
o) Any normal cellphones will work in the UK. UK only support's GSM network.
p) Do get international roaming activated if you need to call once u arrive at the UK airport and before the port of entry.
q) Apply for International driving license.
r) If you would like to carry less cash while traveling. Prepaid Credit card from SBI called as Vishwa Yatra card would come in handy.
After port of entry ............. Welcome to the UK
1) Phone connection:- Check their tariff. It's difficult to get a contract phone if you are just entering the UK.
Websites to visit are:
O2 : http://www.o2.co.uk/
Virginmobile : www.virgin.com/gateways/mobile/
T mobile: www.t-mobile.co.uk
3: http://www.three.co.uk/Home
Tesco mobile http://www.tesco.com/mobilenetwork/homepage.aspx?page=3
2) Apply for a National Insurance Number i.e. NI number
Please go through this website.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/
NI number to start work or make voluntary contributions -
Telephone 0845 600 0643/ 0845 915 7006 (8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to
Friday).
Note: Please visit the website for updated land line number
Jobcentre Plus will check to make sure:
* that you need a NI number
* you don’t already have a NI number
Once you get the NI number, make sure that you do not discard the invitation letter. You will need this to get a bank account.
3) Bank: I had a bitter experience getting a bank account in the UK. They require a proof that you have a job/ you have been living in the UK for quite long time i.e. 6 months or so.
I personally feel HSBC passport account is the best for starters. They do have a charge and its not free. In case if you would like to go with HSBC passport account.
Please do refer my name i.e. Kunal Bandekar with
Sort code:- 40-45-42 and acc no:- 91284363.
By doing so we both benefit as they add 10 quid into our account :)
4) You need to also register yourself with the NHS for medical related illness and other minor health problems
http://www.nhs.uk/Pages/HomePage.aspx
For NHS registration you need to carry your original passport, and your residence proof
5) Residence proof can be
* Bank documents
* Library ID
* Contract with the landlord.
* License (provisional License is not valid)
6) Applying for a license in the UK.
Please explore the website
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/DrivingInGbOnAForeignLicence/index.htm
Important thing to do is to apply for Provisional license and then get a license in a year.
7) Library registration: You can register with the council library. You can get access to the intranet with the computer which is free for an hour everyday and access to books.
8) It is a must to get yourself registered for voting in the UK
http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/elections/voter-registration
9) Hint for Staying:- Its important to make sure that the place you are planning is a safe place.
My personal experience is that safe places are expensive, cheap places are not safe. Please make sure you have done your research when it comes to rest/ stay.
10) If you are planning to stay in London. The best thing will be to get a Oyster card. This card is economical and convenient. Yearly charge is 10 quid.
11) If you are traveling out of London. The best way is to take a travel card. Showing this card at the train station you will get a discount on your train journey.
12) The big black Taxi in London is very expensive. But it gives a a feeling of old times.
13) The public phones i.e. red colour telephone booth have exorbitant charges associated with it.
999 is the official emergency telephone number
Search for business, people and places
http://www.192.com/
Websites/ consultants for VLSI and software design
www.ic-resources.com
www.arm.co.uk
www.cwjobs.co.uk
www.londonjobs.co.uk
General website which covers employment to places for stay
www.gumtree.com
Enjoy,
Kunal
UK land of possibilities
Number of friends visited :)
I am waiting for my wife Nija to join me but before that it will be Vishnu who will be arriving in the UK. I thought of jotting down and making a list of things which I remember I had to do when I arrived in UK.
What this blog covers ?
A) Steps needs to be taken after getting a Entry Clearance i.e. (EC)/ VISA.
B) Steps need to be taken after you reach UK.
This blog does not cover the following :-
a) UK work permit and entry clearance procedures
b) Survival techniques in the UK
c) Things to visit in the UK
d) Who is eligible to work in the UK.
e) How to be confident at the port of entry :)
After Entry Clearance.
a) It is a must that all people get a full body check up done. Try to get all the medical reports in English.
b) Chest X-ray is a must.
c) Please carry a temporary address and phone number of your friend/relative who you are planning to stay with.
d) Keep in mind to carry your medical documents, passport in your hand baggage.
e) It is necessary to also keep your certificates with you i.e. Post graduation certificates
f) List of employers name who you will be giving an interview or name of the agency who you have got in touch.
g) Please carry the local currency i.e. UK pounds with you.
h) Please check the weather report before entering into UK
http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/
i) Its best to carry a umbrella, rain coat at all the times.
j) You will not be disappointed if you are caring proper apparels with you during winter.
k) After the port of entry do make it a point to check all your baggage are in place.
l) It's good to have a traveler's insurance with you.
m) Please do carry a print out of London tube stations and a clear idea of the place you would like to go.
Websites which will provide information about London transport.
For Heathrow please specify " Heathrow terminal X" i.e. X = 1/2/3/4/5
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/
n) Also do take a note of the first and the last tube timings
o) Any normal cellphones will work in the UK. UK only support's GSM network.
p) Do get international roaming activated if you need to call once u arrive at the UK airport and before the port of entry.
q) Apply for International driving license.
r) If you would like to carry less cash while traveling. Prepaid Credit card from SBI called as Vishwa Yatra card would come in handy.
After port of entry ............. Welcome to the UK
1) Phone connection:- Check their tariff. It's difficult to get a contract phone if you are just entering the UK.
Websites to visit are:
O2 : http://www.o2.co.uk/
Virginmobile : www.virgin.com/gateways/mobile/
T mobile: www.t-mobile.co.uk
3: http://www.three.co.uk/Home
Tesco mobile http://www.tesco.com/mobilenetwork/homepage.aspx?page=3
2) Apply for a National Insurance Number i.e. NI number
Please go through this website.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/
NI number to start work or make voluntary contributions -
Telephone 0845 600 0643/ 0845 915 7006 (8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to
Friday).
Note: Please visit the website for updated land line number
Jobcentre Plus will check to make sure:
* that you need a NI number
* you don’t already have a NI number
Once you get the NI number, make sure that you do not discard the invitation letter. You will need this to get a bank account.
3) Bank: I had a bitter experience getting a bank account in the UK. They require a proof that you have a job/ you have been living in the UK for quite long time i.e. 6 months or so.
I personally feel HSBC passport account is the best for starters. They do have a charge and its not free. In case if you would like to go with HSBC passport account.
Please do refer my name i.e. Kunal Bandekar with
Sort code:- 40-45-42 and acc no:- 91284363.
By doing so we both benefit as they add 10 quid into our account :)
4) You need to also register yourself with the NHS for medical related illness and other minor health problems
http://www.nhs.uk/Pages/HomePage.aspx
For NHS registration you need to carry your original passport, and your residence proof
5) Residence proof can be
* Bank documents
* Library ID
* Contract with the landlord.
* License (provisional License is not valid)
6) Applying for a license in the UK.
Please explore the website
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/DrivingInGbOnAForeignLicence/index.htm
Important thing to do is to apply for Provisional license and then get a license in a year.
7) Library registration: You can register with the council library. You can get access to the intranet with the computer which is free for an hour everyday and access to books.
8) It is a must to get yourself registered for voting in the UK
http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/elections/voter-registration
9) Hint for Staying:- Its important to make sure that the place you are planning is a safe place.
My personal experience is that safe places are expensive, cheap places are not safe. Please make sure you have done your research when it comes to rest/ stay.
10) If you are planning to stay in London. The best thing will be to get a Oyster card. This card is economical and convenient. Yearly charge is 10 quid.
11) If you are traveling out of London. The best way is to take a travel card. Showing this card at the train station you will get a discount on your train journey.
12) The big black Taxi in London is very expensive. But it gives a a feeling of old times.
13) The public phones i.e. red colour telephone booth have exorbitant charges associated with it.
999 is the official emergency telephone number
Search for business, people and places
http://www.192.com/
Websites/ consultants for VLSI and software design
www.ic-resources.com
www.arm.co.uk
www.cwjobs.co.uk
www.londonjobs.co.uk
General website which covers employment to places for stay
www.gumtree.com
Enjoy,
Kunal
UK land of possibilities
Number of friends visited :)
