This section of the blog is courtesy of Kevin Nguetchouang, who we kindly thank for his time and investment.
It is important to know which type of visa corresponds to your situation because, from one to another, the procedure changes.
As far as I am concerned, being considered a worker, I needed a worker visa and particularly a Skilled worker visa.
To get this visa, you need the following important documents:
ATAS: allows you to work in research fields considered sensitive by the government. Generally, an EU national does not need it, but you should always go to the atas checker to verify that you have the obligation or not to apply because the conditions can change with respect to the situation of the country (crisis, war, pandemics, etc.) ATAS usually takes one month to be delivered, so be sure to apply in advance. Do not hesitate to google how to fill in certain fields efficiently or you will be rejected, and your visa application will be delayed.
Certificate of Sponsorship: usually given by the employer.
A certified IELTS English test (because well, you must be able to express yourself otherwise, where are you going 🥲 ?)
The other documents can be found on the website, as mentioned above.
The hardest step, if you don't have family or friends to stay with, is always budget for Airbnb to start. Accommodation is hard to find if you can't pay at least 1 year's rent directly. However, three weeks of Airbnb will let you enough time to look for something.
Two weeks in an Airbnb costs about 450£.
In addition to the platforms mentioned in the Cambridge section, you can also have:
- https://manchesterstudenthomes.com/
- https://www.homestay.com/
These platforms offer shared accommodation. Prices vary depending on the area: 500£~600£ per month is more than enough for a said foreign place (an area dominated by foreigners). If you want to live in areas closer to the city center, consider a higher budget between £1000 and £1400 (for rich people 😜, I'm not rich 😆). Take into account the deposit.
Honestly, anyone can get away with it. A little tour on kayak or on any other site will give you an idea of prices and flight paths. But in general, you land at Manchester airport. From there, many buses can lead you everywhere in the city.
Knowing that the train station is in the airport, you can take a train ticket (£5) that takes you directly to the city center (Manchester Piccardilly) in 25min max, and then bus routes to your destination are often direct and easier.
I used a mobile app (moovit), which allows you to have all the bus itineraries wherever in the city you are. A kind of alternative to TCL (for Lyon) and CityMapper (for Paris).
And after all, someone who can speak and walk can't get lost 😉.
In conclusion, all the info can be found on the net, but I chose to put here all things that can be hard to evaluate, and that is really important, and I hope this will allow you, who are reading, not to waste time or make the same mistakes as me. Hope I have helped 🙂