Student Visa Info

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/Files/kfile/VAF1%20October%202004,0.pdf

VideoJug: Student Visas

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.

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.

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.