many congrats Adhiraj! Since you have done it successfully, I want to know the process in particular detail, specifically:
1. what did you produce as age proof? Is a photocopy of passport is enough? what was your experience?
2. For educational qualification, what did you exactly submitted; all the degree certificates in original along with their photocopies? I am planning to submit my B.Sc and M.Sc. gradesheets and degree certificates in original along with averification letter from my university authenticating the degrees. Is that okay do i have to produce some other documents also?
3.Previous earnings: I am planning to submit 12 months salary slip verified by the HR in my company and the corresponding bank statements (ICICI) which show that the salary have been credited to my account. Is that everything? please tell me the nitty gritty of the process like authentication of the online bank statements etc.
4.Maintenance fund: I have accumulated the required fund in a different acount separate from the salary account. Is that okay?Do I need to authenticate the monthly online statement?
5. English proficiency: Letter from the university that shows my degree courses were taught in English. Is it sufficient?
In addition to these please share your experience that you think is important for a successful application.
1. Age Proof - Passport in original. No xeroxes accepted. In any case you have to submit your passport for the visa to be stamped.
2. Educational Qualifications - I submitted my B.Sc and M.Sc Degree certificates and marksheets all in original. Plus I had the Letter of Degree Comparability and English Language Assessment from the UK NARIC. This was totally unnecessary which I realised later but I had already applied to NARIC in June when I was in the process of gathering the required documents. You should have your degrees on the PBS Calculator which is most important. It should be fine if you also submit a verification letter from your university authenticating the degrees. But again it is not mandatory.
3.Previous Earnings - I submitted the salary slips of the last 12 months which was stamped and signed by the Payroll deptt. The second proof I submitted was the last 12 months Bank A/C Statements which was in the original bank stationery (bearing the logo of the bank and not e-statements). You can go for the e-statements but it has to be stamped and signed by the bank authorities on every page. Best if you can get the original statements.
4. Maintenance Fund - For me the proofs were a letter from my Bank stating the date since which I have been holding the A/C, the last withdrawable balance and the min. balance in the last 3 months (in INR). The date on the letter cannot be older than 1 month. Plus I gave the last 3 months A/C statements. It is fine if it is different from your salary A/C (for me they were the same though). But it has to be a Savings A/C.
5. English Proficiency - Again, if you have your degrees on the PBS Calculator, your job is done. And you are already submitting the B.Sc and M.Sc degrees.
In addition to the above, submit a xerox copy of every single document including your passport and bank statements. This had somehow slipped my mind and I had to waste an hour getting the xeroxes done.
Well, whatever suggestions I can give you would not be any different from what you will come across in this forum. I had all my doubts answered here and from a friend who had applied some months back. What I can say is fill in the forms (VAF9 and PBSAppendix1) very carefully, write a concise cover letter mentioning all the documents you are submitting (you will find some sample cover letters here and I suggest you have a look at some of them) and if possible submit an accommodation proof (I gave an invite letter from a friend in the UK and a copy of his rental agreement). This is not mandatory but it I believe it strengthens your application.
That's about it...
