UK4Tier | Before Arriving

Before Arriving to the UK

1. Checking list

2. Documents to put in your hand luggage

3. How to entry the UK border

4. Documents you should take with you

5. Simple Dialogues in English

6 . Mobile phone

1. Checking List

1. College acceptance letter
2. College confirmation of accommodation letter
3. Signed payment policy documentation
4. Travellers' cheques or pounds sterling for the first few weeks you are in the UK.
5. Money for the accommodation and tuition fees
6. Passport with valid UK students visa
7. Confirm ticket
8. Birth certificate if necessary
9. Medical certificate including chest X-ray if necessary
10. Travel insurance
11. Original certificates and Transcripts of your previous qualifications
12. letter from employers in necessary
13. Address of where you will be staying and a contact number in case of emergency.
14. Pen/pencil and some papers in case you need it.
15. Driver's licence (if you have one).
16. Arrange to bring a blanket particularly if you are arriving at night, as in most accommodation bedding is not provided.
17. Arrange to bring some warm clothing and umbrella as the weather in the UK may be different to what you are accustomed to.
18. For various reasons you will need passport-sized photos which may be more expensive in the UK than at home.
19. In order to open a bank account once you arrive, you may need to show proof of your overseas address and a letter of recommendation from your bank in your home country.
20. A calculator and an English dictionary
21. Your CV and a reference letter from a former employer or teacher can help in applying for part time work.
22. Any medicines from home that you may need that would not be available
23. Universal power adaptors - necessary for using foreign electrical goods(You can also buy from the UK)
24. Favourite photos of friends and family, posters and pictures - some items to make you feel at home in your new room.
25. Important documents - also photocopy and scan your plane tickets, passport, visa, birth certificate and home country driving licence if possible
26. Leave all photocopies of all your important documents with a friend or relative for safekeeping.

2. Documents to put in your hand luggage

1. Your valid passport
2. The correct entry clearance (if required) in your passport, to allow you to enter the UK
3. Any letters from the school offering you a place on a course
4. Original certificates of your qualifications, or certified copies
5. Enough money (in pounds sterling – cash and / or travellers’ cheques) to pay for your expenses over the first few weeks in the UK documents to show that you have enough money to pay for tuition fees and living expenses for you and any family dependants coming to UK with you
6. Certificates of health, vaccination or x-ray reports, if you need them
7. Documents to show insurance for your journey
8. The address and telephone number of where you are going to stay
9. All correspondence from the school, including your unconditional offer letter and accommodation contract letter
10. Pen and paper.

3. How to entry UK border

At the airport - after landing

On leaving the aircraft, follow the signs for arrivals to go through passport control (international passengers only), baggage reclaim and Customs.

Passport control

Note that there is likely to be a queuing system in place so check that you join the right one! The Immigration Officer will want to see that your documents are in order, that your passport is up-to-date,

check your landing card and visa/entry clearance. Also have evidence of financial support, your admission letter and your accommodation confirmation, ready for inspection. Part of the immigration

process may, if required, include evidence of a recent medical examination or international vaccination certificate.

As part of the immigration process it is possible that you may be stopped and asked some additional security questions. If there are any problems, or if you have any concerns on arrival regarding your

passage through immigration/passport control, ask the Immigration Officer to contact your school(Therefore your school contact info should be with you, especially the person who you always contacted when you applied for the school.) Have a pen and paper ready just in case you have to take down details.

Collecting your luggage (baggage)

Once you have cleared passport control follow the signs to the baggage collection point which will show your flight number and departure point. You may then proceed through Customs; follow the green light if

you have nothing to declare but Customs Officers may ask you to open your luggage, so keep your keys accessible. If in doubt ask one of the Customs Officers for advice before proceeding.

Airport Pick up Service

When you arrive to UK for the first time and if you don’t have anyone to pick you up from the airport then a meeting with the college representative can be arranged normally. This requires the students to give prior

information to the student welfare officer. The following information need to be provided before the arrival

Name of the student
Name of the airport
Airline & flight number
Date & time of arrival
Contact details including email and mobile numbers

If the student arrives on a week day he may be taken to the college or to their lodging address in London. which can be arranged by the college if it is booked well in advance. A charge from the school normally is applicable.

4. Documents you should take with you:

a. Passport
b. College offer letter
c. Bank statements (with your name and address on are better)
d. Your school address and map
e. Your accommodation address and map
f. Your friend or your accommodation family/agency's contact details
g. Your driving license if you wish to drive in the UK
h. Pocket dictionary if you are not confident to communicate with people easily
i. Some cash

5. Simple Dialogues in English

You should prepare to speak basic English in order to deal with any situation you might have to express yourself on the way to the UK. You should be able to answer the following questions clearly,

Where do you come from?

Which country are you going?

Passport please,

Which school are you going to study?

What course are you going to study? etc.

6. Mobile Phone

You may take your own mobile phone with you, or you can easily buy a phone set in the UK when you arrive. The cheap temporary phone sets can cost from 30-50pounds. Sometimes, the phone sets you take from your own country won't work here properly. How to buy a phone set and sim card.