Well, firstly congratulations and all the best if you have finally thought of applying to the UK because I assume you wouldn’t be landing on this blog right? Now, I am talking about my personal experience and like everyone, well not everyone but atleast me, I was really scared about what I should be doing once I arrived in the UK. There might be a question regarding who will come to pick you up at the airport. Well, in my experience I got lucky and someone had me pick up. If you have any of your friends, family or relatives here in the UK, then you can ask them to pick you up but if you do not know anybody, you can take a cab or a train if the train station is near the place you’re staying from the airport.
Okay, let’s now move on to the main thing regarding why we are here today. So, the first thing I suggest you all do , which of course everyone does, is contacting your family to let them know that you have landed and arrived safely. However, this is obviously not a process that should be followed but here are the actual things to do after you arrive.
- Collect keys: You have to collect the key to the place where you are staying be it student accommodation or any rental places. For this, you must book the place you are staying beforehand and if you have already booked it, you must know the correct address of where you are staying. You then go directly to the place where you are staying, collect keys and there you go. You’re half settled. You might jet lag after a long flight so I suggest you rest that day and if you feel bored, you can do more research on places to buy your groceries or watch a movie to freshen up your mind.
- Collect your BRP card: Collecting your BRP card is a crucial thing to do. Collect your biometric residence permit, using your UKVI decision letter and passport from the post office with the exact location and post code that has been mentioned on the BRP decision. Use Google Maps if you are unsure of the location to avoid getting lost like I did. You cannot proceed with anything without having a BRP card as it shows your immigration status. Please note, the Post Office might be closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Register with a General Practitioner (GP): You have rights to the NHS health care system, just like UK citizens, through the health surcharge you paid with your visa application. You might be asked for your BRP in order to receive healthcare services under the National Health Service (NHS) while registering with a general practitioner (GP) or using other NHS services. Here is the in depth process for registration with a GP. Here is the GP registration form.
- Get your National Insurance Number (NI): You must apply for an NI number if you intend to work part-time while on a student visa. The social security system in the United Kingdom uses a unique identity called an NI number. Throughout your working life, your National Insurance number guarantees that your taxes and NI contributions are correctly recorded and attributed to you.
- Open a bank account: Having a UK bank account will make it easier for you to manage your finances and receive payments. Most banks will require proof of address and identification to open an account. Set up a UK bank account online or in person. The banks here normally are online. Even I opened my account online so you do not have to worry about having to search for the nearest locations to the bank.
- Enroll to the university: If you are a student, you must visit the university for the enrollment. Attend main registration where you will be given your student ID card, university email username and password and so on.
- Search for jobs if you’re willing to: If you are willing to apply for any jobs, prepare a suitable resume and cover letter. Remember to not lie about your skills and be honest on your resume. Use networking events, recruitment firms, and online job portals to look for employment opportunities. Adapt your CV to UK requirements by emphasizing your relevant experiences and skills. Here are few ideas that you can take for the part time jobs in the UK.
So, I hope you are now clear and not clueless unlike I was before arriving in the UK. If you have any confusion, Bizz is always here to support you in every step so do visit us or contact us. I wish you all the best for your new journey and I hope you achieve everything that you have worked for.
