In this blog I want to write about applying for UK visa, connecting with alums and in general preps before you travel to a different country.
This is one of my last few entries on this blog. I'm closing this blog and continue writing on my regular blog about my life in London. So my visa is done and tickets are blocked.
Steps to take once you have your admission -
* Make list of things to do and then put them in order. Examples -
- People to connect with at the travel location
- People to meet before you leave
- Things to do before you go
- Things to take with you
* Money calculations, account for -
- Visa fees
- Visa consultant (if you want one)
- Flight tickets
- Tuition fees
- Luggage (if you don't have big suitcases already)
- Laptop
- Clothes : formals are a must have
- Food items (specially if you're from asia)
- Phone connection
- Accommodation
- Books
- Monthly living cost
* Visa
- In simple language UK student visa asks for two things - CAS and Funds
CAS: This is a number you get from School/ Uni you're selected for. There are few things written on your CAS which consitute the documents to submit for Visa. This also helps calculate funds to show in your account.
1. CAS Number
2. Documents for your selection criteria (Degree/ work ex etc)
3. Course fee and how much is paid
4. Proof of English proficiency (Where applicable)
The above documents are all you need to submit along with your passport, visa forms and photograph. Now along with this use some common sense - if you have been working for long time and you are selected on degree, then its never bad to attach work ex certificates.
FUNDS: Funds are what is pending to pay as your course fee + maintainence funds. Maintenance funds are mentioned in the form - typical 800gbp a month if your school is in inner London boroughs and 600 if in outer. How many months will depend on your course duration. The funds can be shown in anything thats liquid or can be converted immediately (Things that don't work are funds with locking period, GPF unless there is approval on withdrawal). If funds are not in your name - use common sense and the details follow -
1. Funds in parents name: Proof that they are your parents (birth certificate or affidavit) and documents to support that funds are liquid (letter from bank manager/ property papers etc)
2. Joint Account: No objection certificate from joint account holder + their identity proof
3. Loans: Loan papers saying you'll get the money subject to your visa clearance
4. FD/ other savings: proof that its encashable. Letter from bank manager works the best.
To summarize, here are the docs you require for Visa -
1. Visa Forms
2. Passport + photocopy
3. Photograph
4. Print of CAS statement
5. Proof of degree(same as you have sent to your school/uni)
6. Work ex certificates
7. 10th and 12th pass certificates (for India, not sure about other countries)
8. Bank statement/ passbook/ loan papers
9. Birth certificate/ NOC/ affidavits (if required)
* Accommodation : Hostel or halls if there are available or temporary accommodation for a month to give you time for flat search and deciding on flatmates.
* Connect with Alumni : I believe this is always helpful. Find alums through facebook or just email your school/uni to share these details with you. I found alums very helpful. I'm in touch with only one who regularly responds to me and is friedly so it works.
* Connect with batchmates: This was the best thing that happened to me. We live in facebook world and should use that stuff! There is a group created for all Indians joining LSE this year and there is another group of all those joining my institute (social psychology) this year. We're all working through things together - collecting documents, applying for visa, booking flights, shopping, finding accommodation. so basically there are 160 people to talk about the entire cycle. Then the institute group helps stay connected with those I'll be studying with. I would highly recommend creating a group or find if one already exists. It helps to stay connected!
This is what I have done so far. The biggest items on my list are to sell off some of my belongings and to be able to pack my never ending stock of shoes!
