Posts tagged ‘visa’
What to bring to the UK?
UK is expensive country and what more if you’re coming to big city like London. But please do not worry; if you are smart enough you can still buy lots of cheap household goods and cheap clothing in shops and in the markets eg. Poundland, Primax, etc. Before thinking what to bring, may worth checking with your airline how much luggage you can bring. Please note: paying for excess baggage can be very expensive at the airport.
Winter clothes ( sweater, jackets, glove, socks, scarf )
If you are arriving in September or later, you will need winter clothing. In winter you should layer your clothes to keep warm. Again, please do not spend too much at Winter Time etc. Reason no. 1 they’re expensive in KL and quality wise I think you can get much better jacket in the UK with similar budget. Reason no. 2 you will end up no space in your luggage for other stuffs. It may be better to wait until you come to the UK to buy much of your clothing. Many students in the UK find cheap clothes in highstreet shops or markets.
Passport, visa, relevant documents
By now you should have the approved visa attached to your passport. Other important documents could be your offer letter from the uni, prove of maintenance fund eg bank statements, etc, medical checkup/chest x-ray so on and so fought.
How much cash should I bring?
I suggest you bring enough cash for your daily food and expenses for your first two weeks in the UK. For me, I’ll probably look at 400-500pounds to settle down before waiting for my bank account to be approved. The remaining fund you could have it in pound sterling Bank Draft paying to UK banks under your name. Once you’ve your bank account sorted, you could bank in the draft to your new account.
Which bank to choose for student account?
Opening bank account in the UK needs a recommendation letter from your uni. Please get a copy before approaching the bank officer. Generally, all banks will allow international student to open a current account that comes with a visa debit card facility. A nominal fees will be charged eg 8pounds for HSBC, etc.
What medicine should I have?
If you easily gets cold or flu, I suggest you bring some antibiotics that works for you. Unlike Malaysia, the doctor in the UK will hardly prescribe you with antibiotic. Why No Antibiotic? The doctors believe many common infections are caused by viruses and antibiotics do not kill viruses. Also, many bacterial infections do not need antibiotics. J
Which mobile phone plan? Prepaid or Postpaid?
I would recommend you to start off with prepaid service. In the UK you need to have good credit rating before you could get a postpaid plan. Normally, once you’re in the UK for few months you will have no problem to switch to postpaid plan and get some free phone. Again, please discuss with your telco eg. Term and conditions, keep your old no, etc.
What are the daily essential and toiletries I should bring? Buying in UK or Malaysia?
Toiletries are not that expensive. The cheapest tissues, I saw in Sainsbury is 50p for 4 rolls. Toothbrush may be a bit costly eg 2-3 quids compare to MYR5 for 3 in KL. J Colgate you could get it like 1 pound but if you’re a fan of Darlie/Darkie (like me), please bring your own. You won’t be able them here L
Hope that helps!
Btw, if you not sure things you would like to bring are cheaper or expensive in the UK, feel free to drop me a message.
Does anyone know, What not to bring to the UK?
UK Government Announces First Quotas for Non-EEA Migrants
Another SAD news to Malaysian who have intention to ‘migrate’ to the UK.
March 2010, the new UK government has retained the Conservative idea by introducing a ‘cap’ or quota to limit the number of non-EU to work in the UK.
The following is an extract from the agreed Programme for Government on the subject of immigration;
“The Government believes that immigration has enriched our culture and strengthened our economy, but that it must be controlled so that people have confidence in the system. We also recognise that to ensure cohesion and protect our public services, we need to introduce a cap on immigration and reduce the number of non EU immigrants.”
On the 28th June, the UK Government announces the first ‘quota’ for non-EU immigrants. New Tier 1 Highly Skilled visa will be capped to 5400 and Tier 2 Work Permit will be capped to 18,700.
For more information, please read the following article published in UK Border Agency website effective from 19 July 2010:
The following summary extracted from Davenport Lyons website (Accessed: 30 June 2010)
If you are a non-EEA migrant looking to come to the UK to work, or a business looking to bring in a skilled worker, the new visa quotas announced today by the UK Government are important news.
From 19 July 2010:
- New Tier 1 (General) visas granted outside the UK for the most highly skilled individuals will be capped at 5,400;
- New Tier 2 (General) visas granted outside the UK for skilled individuals who are sponsored by a licensed UK employer will be capped at 18,700.
These caps will be in place until April 2011 when the quota scheme will be officially launched. These interim caps are designed to prevent a flood of applications over the coming months.
Businesses or employees preparing applications now should act fast to ensure that they do not fall foul of the new quotas, which are based on the number of applications made over the same period last year (or in respect of Tier 2, last year’s numbers minus 5%) and which are part of the UK Government’s avowed aim to reduce overall net migration.
Tier 1 routes for investors, entrepreneurs and recent graduates are excluded from the quota, as are Tier 2 intra-company transfers, ministers of religion and elite sportspeople. Applications made by migrants already in the UK (other than visiting) are also excluded. With new quotas comes a tightening of the Tier 1 points test, with 80 points required for a pass, rather than 75.
Word of Advice: If you have intention to apply for Tier 1 or Tier 2, I seriously think if you’re qualified; you need to submit your application asap to avoid any further changes to the policy in April 2011.
What are your thoughts on this new ruling?