Dear Friends,
I submitted my EC application at VFS, Chennai, India yesterday (11/feb). I went to VFS office at around 8:45am. Not much of crowd outside the building at that time.
Just a note: For friends who are attending the VFS Office in Chennai, it is located exactly opposite to pachaiyappa's college adjacent to the traffic signal. VFS office is in the first floor of Symphony Palace.
I walked to the first floor and security asked me to make any entry in the register and asked me how many applicants. I said only one. He gave me a token, scanned with the metal detector and allowed me to go in.
Just a note: Friends cell phones are not allowed into the VFS office. But if you have them with you, while you are at VFS office. Don’t worry, the security will collect them before you enter and you can re-collect them back while leaving VFS.
After I entered the building, there are around 40 people (approximately) waiting inside. The security guy inside the office asked me to sit and wait for the token number to be displayed.
I told that guy that I have to fill the application. He told me that it has to be done outside. He asked me to collect the application from the entrance, fill it and come back. He asked me to use the exit door to go out and collect the application.
Actually, I already filled the internet application print out and wanted to re-fill the form that was available at VFS.
Man!!!
I thought I would loose my token number and I have to get it again. I came out of the exit door and the security guy from inside came out and told the outside security to give me the application form and informed him that I would fill and come back. I was asked to go to the ground floor to fill my application, since there are cameras recording live even at the entrance. Luckily they didn't ask my token back
.
I came down, filled my application and when I returned back, there was a huge line at the stair case
. I went straight to the security and showed him the token. He scanned me again and allowed me into the office.
Actually I had all the documents (in original) that are required for HSMP, but I don't know which one to make a copy and how many copies of the document that I have to submit.
I asked the lady at the enquiry counter, what are all the documents required for submission. She gave me a document "Integra Check list" and asked me do you have all these. She told me that I need to submit a copy of those documents. She told me that this checklist is being followed for integra for the past six months.
Here I am typing what is there in the integra checklist: (Note: is my inputs)
1. PERSONAL DETAILS
* Copy of VAF Form (1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th, 11th, 12th, 13th & Declaration Page)
* Copy of Passport
(Note: Take copy of the filled VAF form with the photo affixed. Complete form is not required. Take a copy of the non blank pages of your passport. No need for the full complete passport. If you have older passports you need to take the copy of non blank pages of those passports too.)
2.INTEGRA SCREEN HSMP/WORK PERMIT FORM
(Note: You need to fill this form. The original goes in this checklist and a copy of the same goes with the EC Docs list. For more info read this http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=20834)
3. EMPLOYMENT CHECK LIST
* All employment details submitted by the applicant (For both HSMP & Work Permit)
(Note: A copy of your current and your previous employer’s details - appointment letters, hike letters etc. is required here)
4. EDUCATION CHECKLIST (HSMP)
* Degree Certificate for degree information provided in the HSMP Form.
* Last Years mark sheet (Only last year)
(Note: self explanatory)
I made a copy of the above and placed in the exact same order. Integra verification set is ready.
Friends at VFS Chennai the following services are currently available. Xerox copier, Photo and Fee payment services.
Since my token number is way passed, I told the security guy that I went out to fill the application and came back and requested him to inform the same to one of the VFS representative that my token number has crossed. He went and told to one lady in counter no 4. She said that she will call me after the next person.
My turn has come.
I asked her the same question. What are all the documents that I should submit.
She asked me one by one for the EC Set.
1. VAF2 Application form
2. HSMP Approval letter
3. Integra screen form copy
4. HSMP points proforma (Note: This has to be filled.
http://www.fco.gov.uk/Files/kfile/HSMP POINTS PRO FORMA.doc)
5. EC Covering Letter
6. Pay slips till date (which include the one submitted for HSMP)
7. Bank statement till date (which include the one submitted for HSMP)
8. Two employer details, which includes the current employment (i.e. appointment, experience & hike letters). This is sufficient no need to submit more than two employers details, if you have worked for more than two.
9. Last 3 years IT Returns (Original). I initially gave the last year only. The VFS representative advised me to give for 3 years.
10. 10th, 12th & to the highest degree mark sheets and degree certificates (original).
11. Proof of hotel booking.
12. Details of job hunt.
13. DD for INR 17000
14. Asset letter from CA for financial support. I did not submit CA Statement. I have given my liquid funds as an Annexure document.
15. Given all the supporting documents for the Annexure document.
16. Passport. If you have old passport you need to submit that also.
17. If any additional documents that you have submitted to HSMP. I didn't submit anything additional.
18. I have given Xerox of my wife's and kid's passport first and last pages, my ID card copy.
(Note: Most of the above docs are originals.)
Finally she asked me to make a copy of the passport first page and bring it. I made it and gave it to her.
For Integra verification she asked me the complete checklist set. I gave her the set that I prepared.
After taking all these documents, she added one more form to the EC Set and scribbled something on it. Put everything in a folder. She then stamped on the first page copy of my passport and stapled the receipt along with an enquiry details page and gave it to me. She underlined on the VFS website address and the helpline numbers and told me that VFS can be reached to enquire about the application status. She told me to verify for the status after 18 to 20 working days.
She handed over the folder to me and asked me to wait for the biometric. She told the security will call and I have to complete the biometric part and I will be done. I went and sat back in the chair. I was called for biometric and the lady there took the folder and asked me to put all the four fingers of the right hand first and then the left hand. After that both my thumbs at the same time. She took a photograph and ask me to look at the cameras which are located above. And she said that I am done and I can leave now.
I asked her why you are asking me to look at the camera before leaving. She told me that ever activity is being recorded and while doing the biometric only the top of the head of the person is getting recorded and they want to record the face too.
I think I bored you guys. Sorry for the long post. I hope my experience would be helpful.
I would like thank everyone in this forum who have shared their experiences, which helped me to understand the process for HSMP and EC. I also would like to thank Paul Thomas for consolidating everything related to HSMP (
http://ec-hsmp.blogspot.com/). Great work Paul.
Any one needing suggestions pls msg me, I will try to guide to the best of my knowledge.
Regards,
Rajasekhar.
but did my best from my side 
