Useful Tips after Landing in UK (Plz make this sticky)

HSMPGUY · Post by **HSMPGUY** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 8:40 am

Hi guys,

I m going to start new threat for all those who have already got HSMP Visa. and Planning to land in UK in couple of weeks.

The people who are already living there on HSMP Visa, and have gone through initial documentation difficulities. Kindly share your experiences and suggest ways. It will be excellent help specially for newcomers.

I m also planning to move to UK next month. and little scared about how should i start my initial things

Can someone please guide me how i can get this initial documentation done as soon as possiable. and also guide me what other things in need to takecare.

Please share your experince about following things how should i start with these.

1- To get National Insurance No.
2- Bank Account.
3- Seach for Accomodation.
4- Seach for Job.
5- What is best City to live initially.

Kindly contribute in this thread it will be excellent help.

Thanks

bulldozer · Post by **bulldozer** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 9:16 am

Hi,

I have been living in the UK for the past 7 months on WHM visa, so I will reply to some of your questions since same would be true for HSMP visa.

To get National Insurance No

you are entitiled to a NI number if you pay NI contributions (part of your tax). To get this you need evidence of a job,visa, home address. So practically only do this once you are settled in the uk (i.e 1-2 months when u can get bank statements to prove UK income and employers letters and permenant home address). You will need to phone them up and setup an interview and you will get your NI number 4-6 weeks later.

Bank Account

I did this by using Travellex in New Zealand(i am not sure if they are in your country). They opened an HSBC account in the UK with an initial deposit of Â£1500

Seach for Accomodation.

Lots of rental agencies on every main street. A good website is www.gumtree.com to look for flats and second hand goods.

Seach for Job

tough questions. This varies a lot depending on your role.

What is best City to live initially

I'd say london for the job opportunities...however very expensive to start off (before you get Â£Â£Â£ as income).

hope that helps

HSMPGUY · Post by **HSMPGUY** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 2:20 pm

To get National Insurance Noyou are entitiled to a NI number if you pay NI contributions (part of your tax). To get this you need evidence of a job,visa, home address. So practically only do this once you are settled in the uk (i.e 1-2 months when u can get bank statements to prove UK income and employers letters and permenant home address). You will need to phone them up and setup an interview and you will get your NI number 4-6 weeks later.

I have heard that almost all employees asked for NI card before they offer you a job. But on the other hand you cannot get your CARD without a job and premanent address. So what is the ways getout of this loop.
becos i am not gona have job in the first month.

bulldozer · Post by **bulldozer** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 2:26 pm

Okay, their stance on this seems to have changed. What used to happen is, if the employee had no NI number, employer could issue them with a temporary NI number.

I read this http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/employers/taking_on.htm and it seems the procedures are different. You might want to call up and arrange an interview sooner rather than later.

jagacharaja · Post by **jagacharaja** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 4:01 am

This can turn out to be quite a useful thread.

Mod/s - can this be a sticky?

HSMPGUY · Post by **HSMPGUY** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 6:48 am

bulldozer wrote:Okay, their stance on this seems to have changed. What used to happen is, if the employee had no NI number, employer could issue them with a temporary NI number.

I read this http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/employers/taking_on.htm and it seems the procedures are different. You might want to call up and arrange an interview sooner rather than later.

thanks Bulldozer for your kind reply.

Can you please also guide what it takes to open bank account after landing in UK. becos I think Bank account and NI are two most important things which needs to done as soon as possiable.

Most of us will be intrested in this information, So requesting to modrator to make this thread a sticky.

Thanks

bulldozer · Post by **bulldozer** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 12:26 pm

opening a bank account here in the uk is a classic chicken/egg situation

you need a proof of permanent address in the UK. But to get a permenant address you need a bank account to some extent.

most people need bankaccounts before they will find a permanent place to stay.

so i suggest using an agency to open a bank account. Thats what i did. Also if you are already with a large bank in your country they might have a branch here, or even a partnership with UK banks.

its so useful if u have ur uk account open from overseas (believe me its easier and faster)

SpiderKing · Post by **SpiderKing** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 3:40 pm

This is half true. You can get NI number even if you do not have any job.
You need to prove them that you are activly looking for job.

You need adrress proof, and three rejection letter or email (take a print out). You also need your passpost that it. Call them and book the appointment.

Regards
SK

bulldozer wrote:Hi,

To get National Insurance No
you are entitiled to a NI number if you pay NI contributions (part of your tax). To get this you need evidence of a job,visa, home address. So practically only do this once you are settled in the uk (i.e 1-2 months when u can get bank statements to prove UK income and employers letters and permenant home address). You will need to phone them up and setup an interview and you will get your NI number 4-6 weeks later.

hope that helps

HSMP holder · Post by **HSMP holder** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 6:07 pm

For those wishing to open a new UK bank account, take a look at the HSBC passport account (available on their website). They don't need addres proof but you need to pay 50 pounds per year and a 12 months contract. Also, they don't have checks for you.

I believe that account would help you go through the difficult period of initial settlement in the UK. After a year, you will have got address proof and possibly job everything, so you will be able to upgrade to a regular account after one year.

HSMPGUY · Post by **HSMPGUY** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 5:38 am

SpiderKing wrote:This is half true. You can get NI number even if you do not have any job.
You need to prove them that you are activly looking for job.

You need adrress proof, and three rejection letter or email (take a print out). You also need your passpost that it. Call them and book the appointment.

Regards
SK

Thanks SK nice tip. can you give any site or contact info where i can book my appointment.

and any idea about getting driving lisence I have international Lisence with me at the moment.

invisibleman · Post by **invisibleman** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 5:48 am

Moderators,
Please make this thread sticky!!

nnj10 · Post by **nnj10** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 7:10 am

Agree...with Invisible Man...

MODERATORS.....Pls. make it a sticky...

Request..all...those members..who have shifted to UK on HSMP...
Pls. provide..your suggestions...and any advice...that may help..all new-bees..in UK...OR those who are about to reach UK...

NNJ10

simar · Post by **simar** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 2:14 pm

nnj10 wrote:Agree...with Invisible Man...

MODERATORS.....Pls. make it a sticky...

Request..all...those members..who have shifted to UK on HSMP...
Pls. provide..your suggestions...and any advice...that may help..all new-bees..in UK...OR those who are about to reach UK...

NNJ10

No matter where you go. DO not forget your home country. Make sure going back, always remain option (by buying house back home) and have close contact with employment opportunities.
Through most people here are well behaved. But significant number in west have started seeing all non-white skin as asylum seekers and young chaps attack women and kids.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/gla ... 547705.stm

Be careful, do not feel dishearten on listening to facial taunts etc, Welcome to UK.

HSMPGUY · Post by **HSMPGUY** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:09 am

nnj10 wrote:Agree...with Invisible Man...

MODERATORS.....Pls. make it a sticky...

Request..all...those members..who have shifted to UK on HSMP...
Pls. provide..your suggestions...and any advice...that may help..all new-bees..in UK...OR those who are about to reach UK...

NNJ10

MODERATORS kindly make this a sticky

HSMPGUY · Post by **HSMPGUY** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:12 am

Requesting all those friends who are already in UK. Please guide us what things we need to take care after landing. what things we take from home. and any other important info which we need to take care.

please share your experiences.

Thanks.

tarek131 · Post by **tarek131** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 9:36 pm

get bank account is your first step, but to get it you have to have a proof of address such as bills etc.
For me, I got a recommendation letter from HSBC Egypt and get passport account in HSBC UK easily.
NI very easy, got to the nearest jobcenter

What is best City to live initially
I like London very much

Jayceesh · Post by **Jayceesh** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 10:22 am

1 - National Insurance
Go to the nearest jobcenter to you. Check this site and put in your post code to see the nearest jobcenter
http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Abo ... l%20Office

Alternatively, you can call them on 01708814440 (or some other 0845 number) to book an appointment for NINO.

2 - Bank Account
As with others, I think HSBC still remains the best option, you can go online as request for the brochure to a BASIC BANK ACCOUNT, and I have also heard about the PASSPORT account, but I did not go through that option, I started with the Basic Bank Account - its a normal bank account, no fees, u get a Â£200 daily limit cash card for 6 months, after 6 months you get a Solo Card and the account is turned to a full Bank Account, and in about 3 to 6 months later u get a full Switch (Maestro) card.
http://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/personal/curr ... :11j77hvaa

3, 4 and 5 - Accommodation Search, Job Search and City to live in
Depends on individuals really and your personal cisrcumstances. Just bear in mind that you may not see your dream job immediately, but always remain focused on earning enough in the last 12 months of your 2-year initial visa.

All the best and Welcome to the UK

PS.... I am not selling the HSBC account to anyone, I am just saying how things went for me when I first came into the UK on HSMP, hoping it will help others settle in....

HSMPGUY · Post by **HSMPGUY** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 7:18 am

Any one have idea how one can estiblised himself as a self employed.

1- What are legal requirements needs to be full filled.
2- How much earning have to show in order to get extension.
3- what other thing which need to be take care.

Once again requesting to Moderators to make this thread a sticky so that every one can seek help from here.

Thanks

mayana · Post by **mayana** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 12:32 pm

Moderators pls make the topic sticky

Mayana

nnj10 · Post by **nnj10** » Mon May 07, 2007 7:24 am

Once again....

Requesting moderators to make this a Sticky...

NNJ10

nnj10 · Post by **nnj10** » Mon May 07, 2007 7:25 am

Hi All,

I have some querry on Arrival at UK Airport.

Does the Immigration Officer at UK Airport ask for the proof of residence on arrival?

If I show the hotel booking which is different (dates/hotel changed) than what was given at the time of EC at local BHC; will that be of any problem.

Pls. throw some light on this subject.

Thanks,
NNJ10

aprilhsmp · Post by **aprilhsmp** » Mon May 07, 2007 7:40 am

I have a question on medical test report for arrival to UK. Do they ask for medical report (xray etc) for dependents also.

Anybody travelled with a small child. Anything specifically asked for the dependent child?

HSMPGUY · Post by **HSMPGUY** » Mon May 07, 2007 1:30 pm

nnj10 wrote:Once again....

Requesting moderators to make this a Sticky...

NNJ10

Please make this sticky

HSMPGUY · Post by **HSMPGUY** » Mon May 07, 2007 1:31 pm

aprilhsmp wrote:I have a question on medical test report for arrival to UK. Do they ask for medical report (xray etc) for dependents also.

Anybody travelled with a small child. Anything specifically asked for the dependent child?

Yes i also wanted to know about Xray. If some one guide us.

ns7 · Post by **ns7** » Tue May 08, 2007 4:36 am

Hi,
I am reaching London (on HSMP) next week.

Can someone please suggest the form in which I should be taking GBP to UK i.e. cash, travellers cheque or world money card?

Also I have heard that on arrival Immigration officer can ask to declare the for the money which one is bringing to UK, is that true?

Regards,
ns7

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Useful Tips after Landing in UK (Plz make this sticky)

Useful Tips after Landing in UK (Plz make this sticky)

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