Newly approved Tier 1 Highly Skilled Migrant visa - what are next steps?

[erwindv]

Hi guys.

My tier 1 Highly Skilled Migrant visa was approved last week. Unfortunately, i dont see any info on the net on the steps I should do after that.

So, my questions are:

1) What other docs/IDs do i need to start work? Is the only thing I need is the NIN?

2) Any "dangerous" places in London I should avoid living in? The "tondo" equivalent there?

3) What is the Makati or Ortigas of London? I prefer to look for a flat there-just walk to work.

4) In the net, the prices of flats for rent are below. Are they accurate?
studio type: 1600-2000 near Chelsea
20-30km away: 1000

5) How strict/easy it is to get a driver's license there? If i get an international drivers license here in the Philippines, is it a simple "conversion" to a UK drivers license?

[-sillybilly-]

Hello there!

I will try to share a bit of information that i know.

With regards to your driver's licence you are allowed to use it in the UK for only 1 year. After that you will need to apply for the proper UK Driving Licence which you have to take the written test and pass it specially the practical for a period of time and you can search on the internet to get a cheaper rate an hour.

About the dangerous place in London..there is no such place as safe! Everywhere is dangerous you just need to be very careful.
Theres lots of posh places round central..

Renting a bed flat is very expensive specially if you chose to live the city. Even a room to let maybe you can find no less than £500. So try to live outside London and work out your train or bus fares as they can be cheaper for you. The more you live in the city is the more expensive!

Before you start work, you will have to register yourself with the National Insurance for taxes! YOur employer will get you your CRB (Police check) and will have to wait when it releases before they will tell you when to start your job.

[erwindv]

Thank you! this was very helpful. If I'm going to live outside London, what are the popular suburbs? I'm looking at middle to high-middle class suburbs.

I guess these are the developed suburbs with nice malls and nightlife.

In Manila,LA and NY, there are still "dangerous"/seedy spots in the city. Nice to know London is safe

[erwindv]

DVLA emailed me and told that a Philippine issued Drivers license is good for 1 year there. By then, I should apply for a UK drivers license

[joebloggs]

not should apply but have passed the theory and practical test if you want to continue driving..

well done getting your visa, we dont see many on here getting a Tier 1 visa.

whats your field of work ?

[Sharpey]

Hi Erwindv,

CONGRATULATIONS! I also like to try my luck in applying for Tier 1 UK visa.

I went to UK last May 2010 for 25 days to visit my sister in Staffordshire. After coming back, I tried applying in several UK job openings, however no succesful applications till now.

Getting Tier 1 visa came to my mind when last Thursday, I received a call from Morgan Mckinley asking if I have a work visa to UK. They cannot proceed with my application unless I have a work visa as most UK companies now do not give sponsorship. They suggested to see whether I can pass Tier 1points based system.

Requirements are kind of high, may I please know if you actually passed 95 points? Were you able to go to UK Naric to assess your qualification? Did you graduated from the Philippines? What are the documents you presented?

Greatly appreciate your response!

Thanks!!!

[erwindv]

Hi guys! I'm already a senior IT consultant here in Manila. And, I mean consultant in a western, 1st world standard. (consultant is loosely used in IT in Philippines, they can give you a consultant position which is a junior level in USA or UK)

Not to brag, boastful, be "mayabang" or anything, but I've been getting 1st world level salary while here in Manila for the past 5 years normally thru outsourcing or consulting projects - that's how senior I am already.

I mentioned my high salary (which enabled me to have huge savings already) since it is the crucial requirement for the Tier 1 Highly Skilled Visa. They made it very simple logic: highly skilled = highly paid, with savings.

A normal graduate from an excellent university can easily get the required points for college degree, english, and age. Its the salary and savings thats very hard to get.

My total points in the UKBA calculator was 135. I got 75pts in salary alone.

Again, as sincere advise, if you don't qualify - don't apply since your gonna waste 51,300 pesos. They are very strict, and all your evidence must be complete, clear, and original.

I actually wasted 51,300 and re-applied after my first denial since I simply forgot 1 freakingly simple financial document. I thought the other docs I gave was ok already, and that the UK embassy can easily read "between the lines"
the implied meaning of the 1st financial doc. Boy was I wrong! So make sure all the documents/evidence is clear and simple that a 5 year old can understand it ... (as suggested by Denzel washington in "Philadelphia")

[erwindv]

what actually scares me is I'm used to driving on the right side of the road. My instincts are for left-driven cars. I fear I'm zooming down a 2 lane country road, and during a critical part (like dodge some asshole or something), my instincts kick-in and I bring the car to the right lane ... recipe for a head-on collision.

[erwindv]

Sharpey,

I dont think you'll need to contact Naric. The UKBA points based calculator already has most(if not all) the good universities of the Philippines. Fyi, I graduated in Ateneo - all I had to say was Ateneo was already in the UKBA calculator, then give my supporting docs (transcript, certficate of graduation, English translation of diploma)

[Sharpey]

Hi Erwindb, thanks for your response. I,m a CPA here employed in a multinational bank. I tried UKBA assessment points and I only got 90points

[Sharpey]

You must be really senior in your field coz I tried working back your points, Im pretty sure that your monthly salary is around 275,000 PHP monthly or more, with your age at 30-34 bracket. Alright, thanks for the advice and goodluck!

[erwindv]

sincere advise: don't force the application if you cannot make the required points, You'll just waste money. The best thing you can do is get sideline jobs, as they can also be credited as part of your salary. Or, get an MBA - I think that's addtional 10 pts.

If I remember correctly, you need PHP 150,000 monthly to get the 45 points.
So, 45 salary, 30 college, 5 age, 10 english, 10 maintenance.

[erwindv]

Sharpey,

There's also 1 more crucial element you need to factor in - the renewal of the visa. Simply put, you'll need to maintain a salary higher than 40,000 GBP in UK for a 12 month period when you renew your visa in 2 years.

This might be difficult to do for your field. Lucky me, my IT specialization is in demand in UK/internationally.

[Sharpey]

Thanks for the reminder, yes I wont proceed with Tier 1 application since I do not have the required points. I'm just trying to explore other possibilities.

I already contacted London School of Business and Finance, I'll be enrolling as ACCA student for next year, still finalizing required documents though.

I hope everything will turn out just right.

Many thanks for your inputs.