First Time To UK

What to do after getting the Visa Stamped:

If you have got your HSMP stamped and thinking to over to come to UK then remember to take care of following:

1. Job Related:

   It is very difficult to get a job while you are in India. As soon as you get your visa stamped get your tickets booked to UK. This is important because you can tell the recruiters that on such date you are available for interview. In UK recruiters do not entertain telephonic interview that too when you are in India.

   
   

   While in India post your CV to as much job sites as you can. Make sure you have a covering letter mentioning your date of UK arrival and your India phone number. You are very likely to get calls from consultants. In UK seldom any company approaches the candidate, most of the times calls are from consultant. Its superb if you arrange for an interview before coming to UK.

   
   

   Few of the sites where can submit your CV is:

   
   
   • Reed.co.uk
   • JobServe.com
   • Trovit.co.uk
   • Monster.co.uk
   • Jobsite.co.uk
   • Jobxpresso.com
   • LondonJobs.co.uk
   • PlanetRecruit.com
   
   
2. Accommodation:



If you are coming without your family the best place to search accommodation is gumtree.com, you can easily find many posting for the want of roommates. Sharing the place with the people already staying in UK is a good idea as you dont have to immediately start buying basic things.



3. Internet Access:



The best way to get internet is to find accommodation that already have internet connection, this is the most hassle free option to get internet access. It is always advantages to have your laptop, as you can access wireless. I am highlighting internet as this is the soul requirement for searching job. The other options for getting internet are:


• Buy internet with "Pay as you go" (Pre-paid) option, this cost you a lot. You cannot opt for contract internet as all vendors asks for your credit history in UK and if you are new to UK you will not have any history.
• Goto the internet cafe which cost you one pound per hour.


4. Phone:



Get your mobile from India and arrange for "Pay as you go" (Pre-paid) UK SIM card. You can order SIM card even before you come to UK, vendors deliver the SIM card free to your UK address. Further you need to recharge the SIM with some amount. Order the SIM after finding your initial accommodation place. You cannot go for phone contract basis as vendors ask for credit history.
Get your free SIM using following links:


• O2


• T-Mobile


• Vodafone




5. Commuting:



For commuting use Transport of London (www.tfl.gov.uk). It is always suggestible to have Oyster card which is valid in Buses and Tubes. For issuing Oysters card you do not need any proofs, and it is available at all TUBE station. FYI: Heathrow Airport also have Tube Station.



6. UK Bank Account:

HSBC bank have a account called Passport account, which is for the people who recently came to UK. Although the monthly charges for this account is 6 pounds but people do not have any other option.

I have just arrived to UK and thought its worth sharing this information with you.

For any information pre/post visa application, just scrap me on Orkut.