Here is email response to some queries given by BHC Chennai (have bolded relevant part of replies) :
Dear ...,
1.Accommodation Proof: It is advisable to enclose the proof of the same as the Entry Clearance Officer will be assured that you will have a place to stay as soon as you reach UK. There have been stray incidents where applicants were refused for not enclosing accommodation proof.
2.Maintenance Funds:As a general rule each single applicant (HSMP) as of 1st April 2008 will be required to produce evidence that they have £2,800 and £1600 for each dependant at their disposal. This money should be immediately available in sterling in the UK or there should be formal authority to transfer it to the UK. The funds should be in the applicant's name. It should be in a savings account, and the funds must have been held for at least 3 months.
Applicants must provide documentary evidence detailing the source of any funds that have entered their account(s) within the last 3 months, for example fixed deposits, receipts and/or legal documents relating to the sale of assets.
You are required to submit bank statements for last 1 year which would enable the Officer to assess your financial standing over a period of time. However, £2800 have to be maintained for 3 months.
3.English Requirement: If the Points Based Calculator accepts your education for English requirement and grants you the mandatory 10 points, it is absolutely fine.
4. Processing times: We aim to make decisions within 15 working days from the day the application is lodged. However, Tier 1 applications need intense assessment and we may at times not be able to give a decision within this time. These are exceptions and not the norm.
UK Border Agency
Casework Section
British Deputy High Commission,Chennai
Dear Sir/Madam,
This is XXXXXX, a Tier 1 new prospective applicant, and I had following queries for making a new Tier 1 (GHSM) application from India.
Request you to answer following queries:
1.Accommodation proof: Could you please confirm that submitting evidence of arrangements for accommodation in the UK is NOT MANDATORY for new Tier 1 application?
2. Maintenance Funds: Could you please confirm that following is enough for Maintenance fund requirement:
Personal bank statements covering the 3 month period immediately preceding the application. The personal bank or building society statements should clearly show:
* the applicant's name;
* the account number;
* the date of the statement;
* the financial institution's name and logo;
* transactions covering the three month period;
* that there are sufficient funds present in the account i.e. the balance must always be at least £2800;
* the receipt of funds along with regular withdrawals from the account, where appropriate.
I am asking above question to confirm that ONLY 3 months statements are required and NOT 15 months as is being suggested by VFS.
3. English Language requirements: The duration of my Bachelor of Engineering degree was 3 years 10 months. My query for English Language requirement is this: is it mandatory that Bachelor of Engineering degree's duration must be exactly four years? Please note that BIA points calculator recognizes my degree.
4. Processing time: Could you also please let me know what is the processing time for normal Tier 1 applications?
Best regards,