Cost of living/ Rent/ Job Search, Please help, EC cleared

[AC77]

Hi All,

I got my EC on march 22, 2005 from DElhi, India.

I plan to arrive in the UK in the month of May 2005.
I have no close friends and relatives in UK. I am IT professional
(Embedded Software Engineer, 4+ yrs Exp). I am single and will be
travelling alone.
It would really helpful if I could get some information regarding
the following....

1) Which part of London is inexpensive to stay initially in terms of
rent ? Please tell some place which is not expensive, but is well
connected in terms of commuting/traveling.

2) What are the approximate monthly costs for rent (with electricity/water), phone, internet usage and food ?

3) Though I have been searching for job right through after my EC clearance, I haven't got anything done. I will have to find a job after landing in the UK. Please give me some tips regarding job search.

Waiting eagerly for some reply.

Thanks and regards
AC77

[Hector]

Hi AC77,
I'm into the telecom software domain with 4+ yrs of experience. I'll be going for EC in first week of may at Delhi office. Can you please share ur experience. what all documents did you attach with your application. Regarding jobs, well there are a lot in embedded C. please check your inbox to get my phone number and probably we can talk about it.

Cheers,
hector

[saseendra]

Hi Ac77

Congrats for your ec clearance. I also got my hsmp approval recently.

I heard that Manchester and liverpool are very cheap. But London is very costly. It is the second costliest city in the world. Try to stay in Manchester it is far from city but it is very cheap.

I need your help for clearance. What are the documents required for EC from India. I am going for my EC within a couple weeks time. If you can please provide the info at the earliest and any guidance. You are called for inverview at Delhi. How many days it too took to get your EC ?

Thanks

[Hector]

Hi,
got this info from vfsuk.north@visa-services.com. For HSMP one needs to fill the VAF1 form. And apart form the list given below, u need to attach your approval letter .
Hope it helps

cheers,
hector

REQUISITE DOCUMENTS FOR VISA APPLICATION

COMMON REQUIREMENT
All documents to be submitted as original.
One unmounted white background photo (size 45mmX35 mm), taken within the last 6 months.
Current passport valid for at least six months, with available visa pages, and old passport(s), if available.
The required visa fee + processing fee (Rs. 441.00) + optional courier fee (Rs. 165.00). Demand draft for visa fee can be generated at the VFS application center.

NON-SETTLEMENT
1.VAF 1, 3, 4 or 5 (as applicable), fully completed and signed by the applicant.
2.Financial Evidence.
a.6 months itemized bank statement.
b.Evidence of income.
c.Evidence of employment and leave.
d.Evidence of sponsor’s finance.
e.Evidence of sponsor’s status.
f.Evidence of sponsor’s accommodation.
3.Student - Please fill student detail form also.
4.MOR - Please provide IELTS.
5.Investors / Innovators / Setting up in business - Please provide the Business Plan.
6.Any other supporting documents
7.Work Permit - Valid Work Permit & Contract of Employment
8.PLAB - Letter of Enrolment from General Medical Council (GMC) confirming a place in the exam, and evidence of any PLAB test already undertaken.
9.SHO - Contract of employment from the hospital or National Health Service (NHS) trust.

SETTLEMENT
1.VAF 2 fully completed and signed by the applicant.
2.Official letter from the Sponsor.
3.Evidence of sponsor’s immigration status in UK.
4.If sponsor is employed
a. Sponsors pay slips, or evidence of their income
b. Itemized bank statement for previous 6 Months
c. Any other evidence of savings.
5. If sponsor is unemployed
a. Letter from DWP (Deptt. of Work & Pensions).
b. Itemized bank statement for previous 6 Months
6. Evidence of Relationship / Papers relating to any previous marriage.
7. Evidence of available accommodation whether it’s owned outright; mortgaged or leased and the Property inspection Report (PIR)
8. Any other supporting Document

[saseendra]

Dear Hector,

Thank you very much such an elaborate details.