UK VFS Application Centres in India

North India	Delhi	Chandigarh	Jalandhar
	Upper Ground Floor, S-2 Level, Internation Trade Tower, Nehru Place, New Delhi 110019	SCO 62 63, Sector 8 C, Madhya Marg, Chandigarh 160018	Jalandhar Lower Ground Floor, MIDAS Corporate Park, Plot No. 37, G.T. Road, Jalandhar
	Monday - Friday 8:00am - 12:00 am 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm	Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 12:00 am 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm	Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 12:00 am 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
West India	Mumbai South	Mumbai North	Pune	Ahmedabad
	1st Floor Stadium House, Above Kaysons Sarees, Churchgate, Mumbai 400 020	National House, 13,14,15 Sahar Road, Ville Parle East, Mumbai 400057	Office No. 305, Gera 77, Near Bishops School, Kalyani Nagar, Pune -411014	Unit No. FF ( 1 & 2 ), Upper Level, Bhikhubhai Chambers, Ashram Road, Paldi, Ahmedabad 380009
	Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 1:00 pm 2 :00 pm - 4:00 pm	Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 1:00 pm 2 :00 pm - 4:00 pm	Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 2 :00 pm	Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 2 :00 pm
South India	Chennai	Bangalore	Hyderabad	Cochin
	Symphony Palace, Door No 744/450 Poonamallee High Road, Kilpauk, Chennai 600 010	Scotts Annexe No. 30 Infantry Road Bangalore 1	Sunil Chambers, 8-2-542/A Road No. 7 Banjara Hills, Hyderabad 500 034	Saliah Arcade, Door No 40/8193, College P. O, Convent Road, Cochin 682035
	8:00 am - 12:00 am 1 :00 pm - 4:00 pm	Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 12:00 am 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm	Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 12:00 am 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm	Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 12:00 am 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
East India	Kolkata
	ABHILASHA-II, Ground Floor, 6, Royd Street, Kolkata-700 016
	Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 12:00 am 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

West India: Email us vfsuk.west@vfs-uk-in.com
East India: Email us vfsuk.east@vfs-uk-in.com
North India: Email us vfsuk.north@vfs-uk-in.com
South India: Email us vfsuk.south@vfs-uk-in.com

• For Enquiry details call us on (080) 40084008. Applicants from Bhutan can also call on this number or send an email to any of the email ids mentioned below
  
  Calls are charged at local or STD rates depending on your location.
  
  This service will be available Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm.
  
  Trained staff will provide all the information you need about UKBorder Agency requirements and application procedures. You can also track the status of your application. There is no charge for information.
  
  All the information provided is supplied and approved by UKvisas and is available in the following languages: English, Hindi, Gujarathi, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil, Telegu, Kannada, Malayalam and Bengali.
  
  You can also send your enquiry by email to any of the following
  
  vfsuk.north@vfs-uk-in.com
  
  vfsuk.east@vfs-uk-in.com
  
  vfsuk.south@vfs-uk-in.com
  
  vfsuk.west@vfs-uk-in.com
  
  Please note that all the existing Visa Application Centre Helpline numbers will be withdrawn from 10 March

Customers with Disabilitie

• All Visa Application Centres have a wheelchair and access ramp for wheelchairs. Lifts are also available where necessary. VFS staff will be able to assist any applicant with special needs

UK Education System

British Education has long concerned and welcomed high quality students of different nationalities and backgrounds, and today builds on hundreds of years of experience in providing excellence education to international students. To ensure that the quality is maintained, Britain has implemented unrivalled quality assurance and academic audit systems. The university departments are obliged to meet stringent standards by professional bodies. Standards are high not just in teaching but in other facilities as well : Libraries, computers, research tools and living accommodation.

British higher and further education offer value for money by offering shorter, more rigorous courses than are available in many other countries, thereby reducing living expenses and time spent away from home. Closely supervised study in an intellectually and culturally stimulating environment, together with an emphasis on student welfare and close contact between staff and students also ensures that individual students get maximum support and, as a result, pass rates are high and the drop-out rate for international students is very low.

Britain has long been a popular destination for Indian students. With more than 150 institutes of higher education to choose from, all equipped with wide facilities, Britain is able to offer a broad spectrum of subjects from the highly academic to the purely practical in anything from architecture to zoology.

For more details of the costs of education and living in UK and comparisons of costs of education in UK with other countries, check out the Expenses & Fees for International Students section.

Information about various Qualifications offered by UK Colleges and Universities:

1 First Degree Courses in Arts and Sciences (Bachelor’s degree) are normally of three or four years’ duration and are largely taught courses, sometimes including the preparation of a short written thesis.

2. Sandwich Courses are where the coursework is accompanied by practical work. A student could either complete 2 years of college, then a year of commercial training before returning for a final year in college. Or, he/she could do a 4-year course with 3-6 months’ training interspersed each year. The main advantage is that the student gets real experience while in the learning mode. Most universities offer this type of education.

3. Vocational Courses offer an opportunity to enter the university system slowly. Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC), General Vocational Qualifications (GNVQ), General Scottish Vocational Qualifications (GSVQ) offer recognized courses in a range of disciplines. Most students opt to take 1-2 years of, for example, BTEC courses before being transferred to a degree programmed. BTEC national certificates/diplomas are usually accepted as an alternative to A-Levels.

4. Higher National Diploma (HND) is awarded by Vocational and Technical Educational Councils. They offer a 2-year course in a vocational subject like scientific and technical business subjects. Great emphasis is placed on work experience. It is often seen as the first step towards a degree course as the credits can be transferred.

5. Postgraduate study may take the form of an independent piece of research under supervision or a taught course, and leads to a variety of degrees and awards. The taught courses normally last for one or sometimes two years. Conclusion of a doctorate normally takes a minimum of three years. Many post-experience courses are also available, either leading to a qualification or providing a refresher course for graduates wishing to update or extend their knowledge. Occasional students are confessing by some institutions in limited numbers. They attend courses or undertake research, possibly for a period of one or two years. These courses do not lead to any formal qualification or ‘credit’ although certificate of satisfactory attendance may be given.

Student Life in UK - financial plan your Money

How much will it cost you to be a student in the UK?

There are two major economic elements to consider when planning to study in the UK: course fees and living costs. You will have little control over the first of these items because course fees are fixed amounts determined by the universities and colleges, ranging from £6,000-7,000 a year for an undergraduate classroom-based course to £16,000-17,000 a year for an undergraduate clinical course.

Accommodation

if you are lucky sufficient to be offered free accommodation with friends or relations, you will find that getting a top over your head will make the greatest demands on your non-fee finances, usually taking away at least half and sometimes as much as three-quarters of your income.

It is necessary to find a suitable place to live, especially during the first twelve months. Everything else revolves around your feeling secure and comfortable at home - your attitude to living in Britain, your ability to focus on studying successfully, your opportunities to make new friendships and so on. Can you, for example, walk to your study centre or will you have to make a long and possibly expensive journey every day? Do you want to be surrounded by other students or do you crave peace and quiet?

Before you accept a place, contact the accommodation office at your chosen university or college to check out the service on offer. Is there official accommodation in a hall of residence? Will you get a priority place because you have travelled such a long way to start your course? Are meals provided? Would you be expected to share a room? Can you inspect the accommodation before you sign any agreement? Does the accommodation office have a list of approved premises in the private sector?

Here are some key factors to consider:

(A) Room. How big are the rooms? Do you have to share? Is there an en-suite bathroom?

(B) Transport and travel. Will you be on-campus or many miles away? What sort of transport is available and how much does it cost?

(C) Local services. Would you have easy access to a bank, shops and leisure facilities?

(D) Cost. Ask especially how many weeks you have to pay for. Is it term-time only (in which case you would have to find somewhere else to live during the vacations) or do you have to take out a full ten- or twelve-month rental agreement?

(E) Catering. How many meals are supplied a day, if any? Are meals provided at weekends or Monday to Friday only? Do you have access to a kitchen to prepare your own meals?

(F) Insurance. Is there a comprehensive policy covering all students in a hall of residence? How secure are the doors and windows? Is crime a serious problem?

(G) Cost. Ask especially how many weeks you have to pay for. Is it term-time only (in which case you would have to find somewhere else to live during the vacations) or do you have to take out a full ten- or twelve-month rental agreement?

London is far more expensive than anywhere else in the UK! Other pricey areas include south east England, Oxford and Cambridge. The cheapest part of the country for renting student accommodation is generally the north of England. Bearing in mind the huge variations in price linked to the issues and facilities listed above, average student rents in London are around £85 per week compared with around £45 to £50 in the north of England.

Food & Travel

Unless it’s already included in your accommodation costs, food will be your second major expense. Unlike property rents, the cost of food is fairly similar all over the UK. London students tend, however, to spend more on food, perhaps because there are so many tempting restaurants and other places to eat!

Expect to spend at least £35 each week making sure that you are reasonably well fed.

You may live on campus and walk everywhere but you could find yourself spending a small fortune if, say, you are living in a London suburb and have to commute every day to lectures in the centre of town.

It is generally not a good idea to drive your own car and we make no allowance for this in our calculations.

Going out

You may intend to devote all of your time to your studies but most students feel that socializing is an important part of their life at university or college. This is a serious lifestyle decision for each individual and it could cost you anything from nothing to over £100 per week, depending on how gregarious you are, whether you have a taste for expensive concerts or theatres and how determined you are generally to have a good time.

Books, photocopying and stationery

Books can be exceptionally expensive but you don’t necessarily have to buy a new copy of every book mentioned by your tutors. Check to see how well stocked the library is in your subject area and find out whether there is a good second-hand bookshop. You will almost certainly have to photocopy some material and you will have to make sure that you have adequate supplies of paper.

You may need to allow around £5 a week to cover these items.

Computer and other tools

You may already own a computer and decide to bring it with you. If not, you could easily spend £1,000 on a new machine! Do you really need it or does your university or college offer 24-hour IT facilities?

You may be required to purchase materials and equipment for some courses, especially in areas such as science and design.

Clothing

Even if you don’t rush out every week to buy the latest fashions, you will need to allow a certain amount of money for new clothes. The average ranges from £5 to £10 per week but some students spend a great deal more.

Basics

You’ll need to put some cash aside to wash your clothes and to keep yourself clean. You’ll also have to pay for electricity and gas unless you are paying a fully inclusive charge in a hall of residence.

Telephone

It seems that no student can live in the 21st century without a mobile phone! How much it costs depends entirely on how long you chat, but a typical student spends around £10 a week on phone bills. (That’s about twice as much as they spend on books!)

Plan your own budget!

Item Cost per week Cost per year Your weekly estimate Your yearly estimate

Rent £60 £3120,

Food £45 £2340 &

Travel £5 £260,

Electricity/Gas £4 £208

Clothes £6 £312,

Telephone £10 £520,

Basics - laundry and toiletries £6 £312

Going out £8 £416

Books, equipment and so on £6 £312

Total £150 £7800

Remember that our figures don’t allow for other expenditure such as buying presents for friends and family, treating yourself to an occasional CD or other luxury or taking a weekend or more away from your studies from time to time. And we certainly haven’t reckoned on any flights back to India!

Put everything together and you’ll quickly see why you need to be budgeting for non-fee expenses of just under £10,000 a year outside London and around £12,00 to £15,000 in London. Please let us know if your own calculations are very different from ours.

Be ready!

The key message is to plan your finances carefully in advance. If you have thought about your financial plan and worked out how to cover the predictable expense of eating and sleeping, you can focus on your studies without worry too much about money.

How to Prepare for the UK Student Visa Interview?

Studying abroad echo like a great idea, and now it’s about a month before you’ll be traveling to the U.K. You’ve got all your paperwork sent in to the British High Commission in your home state, and you’re worried about the interview for the student visa. First of all, don’t be anxious too much because you may be granted a visa with no an interview if you have traveled to the UK in the past 10 years, and if you have paid 100% of your tuition and have the receipt to show it. However, if you are called for an interview, here are some of the questions they might ask you to assist you get ready your answers.

(1). Be ready to give details how this course is relevant to your previous studies. Why did you decide this institute in the U.K.? How did you find out about it?

(2). Be prepared to give the location of the university, and give details why you picked this university and not one in your home country.

(3). Be methodically knowledgeable about the course you will be studying: what it is, why you’re studying it, the structure of the course, its contents, the benefit of going to this school and the money (dollar amount) you hope to create after you graduate.

(4). Explain your potential vocation path. They may want to know if you plan to work in the UK after graduating, and if you have researched career prospects in whatever country you’re planning to reside in afterwards.

(5). Come prepared with information about your sponsor. They may ask who is sponsoring you, where you will hang about, proof that your back can support you, the income source of the sponsor, their relation to you, how many other dependents the sponsor has and how many brothers and sisters you have.

(6). Give them and draw round of financial commitment and era of study. They will want to know when the course begins, and the total cost per year.

(7). Have a list of any friends or family you have in the U.K. They may ask about that and where/how you will spend your semester breaks.

Forward From the Director of UK visas

UK visas is the overseas arm of Britain’s integrated border management. We have visa offices in 160 locations throughout the world. The largest handles 150,000 applications a year; the smallest less than 10. We issue visas to 80% of those who apply, and stop only those who are a significant immigration risk to the UK. We process over 90% of straightforward applications within 24 hours. This is a record of which we are proud, but we aim to do even better.

Our new Mission Statement explains how UK visas will deliver the broader objectives set by our parent departments, the Home Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to achieve a balance between managing travel and migration and preventing illegal immigration.

Our goals are:

• to bring communities together
• to improve Britain’s competitiveness as a destination for travel,trade, migration and investment
• to prevent immigration abuse
• to deliver value for money
• to earn public confidence

We have already introduced new initiatives such as working with commercial partners to enable us to handle sharply increasing demand while also improving customer service. We are reviewing the whole customer visa experience as we introduce new measures to ensure that we achieve our goals of supporting community cohesion and improving the UK’s competitiveness as a destination. We are also working on better ways of deterring fraudulent applications which are a major problem in some countries. Biometric visas, to be rolled out world-wide over the next 18 months, will make a big difference. We will also work with other governments and their law enforcement authorities too.

How to apply for your UK Visa?

Step 1. Decide the kind of UK Visa or Permit, if any, for which you are qualified to apply. This is an important step and you can find information to help you with this question on the British Government’s official visa and work permit information sites. If you do not seem to be qualified for any of the UK Visas, Certificates or Passports listed, or the consulate or embassy tells you that you need to be sponsored by a UK employer - you will likely need a UK Work Permit.

Step 2. Once you know for what you are eligible to apply, you will need to contact your nearest British High Commission, Consulate or Embassy and ask to have the suitable application forms sent to you, or you can often download these forms quickly and easily from their websites.

Step 3. Read through the forms cautiously to make certain you qualify and to see what documents you will need to supply. Fill out the forms completely and return to the British High Commission or Consulate in your country with all of the information and supporting documentation they have requested. If you have questions about filling out the forms, you should contact the British High Commission or Consulate on the number provided on your UK visa application forms.

Step 4. Wait for receipt of written confirmation of your successful UK Visa application from the British High Commission or Consulate to which you applied. If there are any problems they will contact you, usually by phone.

Step 5. If you are preparation to work in the UK and have not already created a UK file online with WORK gateways – you can do so now! Apply for jobs and to agencies to start your UK job search. Be sure to upload your resume and keep your file updated as your travel plans become clear. Have a great time in the UK! If you are just “thinking about going” you can donate to to our e-newsletter.

Timing: When to apply for your visa

With regards the timing of your application, you should check with the individual UK High Commission or Embassy as they all have different processing times. However in general, be careful not to apply too early (a year ahead) for your UK Visa as they often have a ‘use before’ date. However don’t leave it too late either! Most UK Visa applications (Ancestry, Working Holiday, Right to Abode, Spouse etc) will be processed within six weeks in most Commonwealth countries, but that is not a guarantee. If you are applying for the Highly Skilled Migrant Program this may take much longer and you should give yourself several months. It is not in general recommended to purchase your airline tickets until you have received your UK visa if this is something that will effect whether you go to the UK or not.

This information should be used as a principle only. For official information on work visa and permit processing times please contact your nearest British Embassy or Consulate.

Beware of Job agents for UK?

On the pursue for UK jobs? Beware of bogus job agents

An rising number of students and jobseekers deficient to travel to the UK have fallen victim to scams by so-called recruitment agencies prompting them to complain to the Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau and the British High Commission. The British High Commission during the past three months received as many as 20-30 complaints prompting them to issue a public warning this week to be wary of bogus recruitment agencies offering jobs and visas.

In one such complaint a person seeking a job had been required to pay Rs. 5,500,000 only to be taken for a ride. In another incident, a jobseeker from Homagama said after he paid the money to the staffing agent, he lost all contact with it. He had then lodged a complaint at the Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau. However, later he approached another recruitment agency and eventually received a work visa. Officials at the Fraud Investigation Bureau explained that that the so-called recruitment agencies approach the public via advertisements offering advice and help on getting visas, gaining admittance to educational institutions, employment opportunities and sponsorships.

Once a possible student or jobseeker contacts the agencies they are told to pay large sums of money often ranging from Rs. 2,000,000 – Rs 5,000,000 or even some times more, officials at the Fraud Bureau said.

In some cases fraudulent documents such as bank statements and educational documents are prepared by the agents. SSP Pinidiya said that there were a considerable number of such illegitimate or unregistered agencies operating in the country and warned the people to be cautious when approaching recruitment agencies. He went on to explain that the most vulnerable group of people were the low-income earners and those who lacked proper education. “These people then find themselves in a worse economic condition than before,” he said said adding that investigations relating to these cases were being carried out.

A British High Commission spokesperson said many visas had been rejected due to forged documents being forwarded. He warned people not to hand in money or their passports to recruitment agents and to be vigilant and check that the agents are registered with the ‘Recruitment and Employment Confederation’, which could be accessed via their website www.rec.uk.com

With regard to student visas, he added that a list of state schools, further education colleges, universities and independent schools which are registered can be accessed at www.edubase.gov.uk or. Institutions can be searched by using the name, address, postcode or telephone number of the particular college. Furthermore, the public could also search ‘The Register of Education and Training Providers’, which contain information relating to registered institutions in the UK. All colleges that want to recruit overseas students (excluding those which do not recruit students from outside the EU) would appear on this list. If a particular institution is not displayed on the list, it is probably not a registered college, in which case the candidate would be refused a visa to the UK.

Information for Sponser in UK Visa

This leaflet give details what the Immigration Rules say about how you may sponsor someone, what you can do to support the application, and how the visa application process works in Africa.

What do the Immigration Rules say?

The Visa Officer must be happy that the person applying for the visa meets certain criterion. The legal standard of proof that the Visa Officer has to work to is the balance of prospect. This means that the Officer does not have to be 100% certain that the applicant meets the criteria, but s/he has to be satisfied, on balance, that they do.

The Immigration Rules make it clear that it is the applicant’s intentions and circumstances which are the most important aspect of the application, although sponsorship is always taken into account.

How should the interviewee and I prepare the interviewee?

Visa Officers intense to make decisions without interviewing applicants, and so it is vital that applications are properly documented when they are submitted. If the appropriate documents are not submitted, the application may be refused without an interview. Please make sure that all supporting papers are included with the application, and are not sent, or faxed, to us separately. If you, or the applicant, want to submit documents which are not in English, we strongly advise you to get them translated before making the application, as this helps the Visa Officer to make his choice. It is important for the Visa Officer to have all the relevant information before he or she reaches a decision. Whilst the evidence that sponsors provide in support of an application is important, it is not necessary for you to accompany the applicant to the High Commission, if they are invited for an interview. If you do go to the Visa Department, the Visa Officer may not ask to speak to you, unless he or she needs to clarify certain points.

Please note that you do not need to have any letters, or supporting documents, attested before a solicitor or Commissioner for Oaths.

How are applications processed?

Entry permission Officers, who are posted for 3 years from Foreign Office and Home Office departments in the UK make decisions on applications. They are professional and highly trained, and work alongside locally engaged South Africa-based) staff who have extensive experience of the UK’s immigration requirements; local cultures; and local languages. Only Visa Officers are authorised to make a decision on a visa application, and they do this by assessing the papers carefully, and often by interviewing applicants, using an interpreter where required. If a Visa Officer refuses an application, this decision is generally reviewed by an Entry Clearance Manager on the same day, before the papers are returned to the applicant.

How long does it take?

We advise that you allow at least 3 months for settlement visas (if you are applying to live in the UK) or a month for non-settlement visas (all other types of applications). We aim to process straightforward applications within 5-10 working days of receipt at the High Commission, but we cannot guarantee to do this.

What if the visa is refused?

Visas can be reject because the applicant has not provided sufficient evidence; does not meet the requirements of the Rules or because – for whatever reason - has not been honest. Remember that the Visa Officer has to be satisfied, on a balance of probabilities that the applicant qualifies for a visa. It is simply a waste of money to apply without providing enough, or correct, evidence. Don’t assume that the Visa Officer knows anything of your circumstances – it is up to you, and your visitor, to provide as much evidence as you can to support the application. If the application is refused, your visitor will be given a written notice of refusal, which will explain the reasons for the Visa Officer’s decision. Certain types of visa refusal attract a right of appeal, and information about this will be included with the refusal notice if appropriate. If there is a right of appeal, then the visitor has the right to lodge a formal appeal against the Visa Officer’s decision within 28 days. Where there are exceptional or compassionate circumstances they will be fully considered by the appeal authorities. If the appeal is dismissed under the requirements of the Immigration Rules, but the Immigration Judge makes a special recommendation that entry clearance be granted, you may ask for the case to be looked at again.

Process for Marriage Visa To The UK

Spouses of UK citizens or permanent residents (mostly those with indefinite leave to stay) may come to the UK under marriage visa category, and are able to work as soon as a visa is granted.

You will require to meet the following marriage visa requirements:

1 If you have been jointly for less than four years you are granted a marriage visa for a trial period of two years. If you are still married and living together at the end of two years in the UK permanent residence (properly known as indefinite leave to remain) will usually be granted.

2. If you have been together for four years or more outside the UK you will be granted imprecise leave to remain (permanent residence) in the UK without having to live in the UK for two years.

3 The UK citizen or permanent resident must have actually met their non-UK spouse. This is to prevent a circumstances that occurs sometimes in arranged marriages where the husband and wife have never met.

4 You must intend to live together permanently with your spouse in order to obtain a spouse visa.

5 Accommodation for the couple, and any dependants, must be suitable and available.

6 Spouses seeking to come to the UK on the basis of marriage to a UK national should apply for entry clearance before entering the UK.

7 You must possess sufficient funds to pay you and your spouse’s living expenses and those of any dependants without claiming public funds. Public funds cover various benefits paid by the Government if you are currently looking for work, if you are on a low income and if you are in various other situations

8 If you have a visa valid for six months or less in the UK you cannot change status to a spouse visa.

9 Children of the marriage who are under 18 years old are allowed entry to the UK as dependants, and can make their application at the same time as the main applicant.

10 Following a total period of three years in the UK if you meet the residence requirements you may then apply for UK citizenship.

How To Get Work Permit Visa To The UK?

Highly Skilled Migrant Programmed Visa - An alternative to the work permit scheme

The following classes of people can take up any legal employment in the UK and does not need a work permit:

A. Nationals of EEA (European Economic Area) countries (the EEA comprises the 25 EU member states - Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic*, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia*, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary*, Ireland, Italy, Latvia*, Lithuania*, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland*, Portugal, Slovakia*, Slovenia*, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom – and also Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland)

B. Those with Indefinite Leave To Remain in the UK (Permanent Residence)

C. Those in the UK as the spouse of an EEA national

D. Those in the UK as the spouse of a work permit holder, Training Permit Holder, Sole Representative, Investor, Student, ancestry visa holder

E. Those in the UK on a visa as the ‘partner’ of an EEA national, Work Permit holder, Training Permit Holder Sole Representative, Investor, Student, Ancestry visa holder. These visas are issued in cases where the partners are not legally allowed to marry (for example because they are of the same sex, or because one or both of them are married to someone else) and have been co-habiting for at least two years prior to the visa application

F Commonwealth citizens with ancestry visas (sometimes called patriality) – these visas are available to Commonwealth citizens with a grandparent born in the UK. They should be applied for by the candidate at the British High Commission in their home country. They are usually issued for a period of four years; after four years in the UK the candidate is generally eligible for permanent residence.

G. Those with pending claims for Asylum in the UK (NB workpermit.com does NOT handle asylum applications)

As well to these categories of people, nationals of European Community Association Agreement countries (Bulgaria and Romania) may come to the UK to set up in business and are exempt from the usual investment requirements. There is a very high refusal rate for this type of visa, however. Go to our guide to freelance work in the UK for EC Association Agreement nationals.

What is a UK study permit?

Visa Counselling ( UK )

STUDENT VISA

UK Student Visa application should be made at the nearest VFS Application center. Photocopies of all financial and academic documents should be submitted at the time of Visa application. The student will be called for personal interview at the British Deputy High Commission, only if required. During the personal interview, remember to carry all original documents.

DOCUMENTS THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR A STUDENT VISA

• Student Visa Application form.
• Photograph - size 2 inches x 2 inches
• Offer Letter from the Institution
• TOEFL / IELTS score, if applicable
• Valid Passport
• Visa fee in cash or Bank Draft
• Copies of Academic Mark sheets and Certificates
• Work Experience Certificates, if applicable.
• Proof of payment of fees, if applicable
• Proof of Funds - Applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient liquid assets to pay the tuition fees, living expenses and travelling cost without engaging in employment in UK. Even Bank Loans are accepted.
• Letter from the sponsor
• Income Tax Papers of the sponsor

INTERVIEW

The student may be called for an Interview, if required. If this is the case, you will be advised the date and time for the interview.

SOME OF THE COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• Why are you going to the UK for studies?
• Is this course not available in India?
• Why have you selected this particular institution?
• What are your Parents doing?
• What is your Father’s annual income?
• What are your plans after completing the course?
• What is your TOEFL / IELTS Score?

Visa Application Form

To download Visa Application Form, kindly visit: http://www.fco.gov.uk/

What should be do after applying for a visa?

To check the progress on an request, if you have not heard within the current 5-10 working days processing time, please track your application through the VFS website. You will have been given these details and a location number when you submitted your application. If after 10 working days your application is still listed as being at the High Commission then please emails us. We should pressure that candidate should only email after 10 working days have beyond. The only email address What happens next?Once a visa officer has assessed your application, they will choose to:Issue your visa refuse your visa or invite you for an interview. This process is the same whether you are applying for a settlement visa or a non-settlement visa. If an interview is required you will be contact by a member of UK visas staff in Pretoria and you will be given a date and time for your interview.

Where are interviews held?

At the British High Commission in Pretoria

What to take to the interview

Take the interview letter and any original documents (as well as photocopies of these) which you did not send with your application.

After the interview

At the end of the interview, we will tell you whether your visa will be issued, or whether your application has been refused. If we issue the visa You will receive your passport and visa back soon after your interview.

If we refuse the visa

Your passport and other documents will be handed over to you at the British High Commission after the interview or they will be returned to you by VFS with reasons for refusal clearly provided. General information We cannot refund visa fees once you have paid them.