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Regulations - Introduction |
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Entry into the UK will be managed by the UK border and Immigration Agency with the introduction of the new points based system (PBS) on 27 November 2008. The regulations for entry into the UK are constantly changing and it is vital that you check the Home Office UK Border Agency website
www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk on a regular basis and liaise with your local British Mission so that you are aware of how UK immigration procedures will affect your international students.
Further information can be located at:
www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/managingourborders/pbsdocs/ |
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Applying after 1st April 2009 |
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Entry clearance and immigration regulations :
International students applying to study from 1 April 2009 – Tier 4
From the end of March 2009 international students coming to study for more than six months (or are already in the UK and want to apply to extend their permission to stay) must pass a points-based assessment and score 40 points before they are able to travel to the United Kingdom.
There will be changes to visa fees, which will come into effect on 31 March 2009 for Tier 4 of the points based system. For all other routes the fee increase will come into effect on 6 April. Full details are available from:
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/news/charges200910wms.pdf
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- adult student
- child student (for children coming to study at independent fee-paying schools or studying at further education colleges*)
*Students and educational providers can agree whether to apply as general or child student if the student is 16 or 17 and studying a course at National Qualifications Framework level 3 or the same or above. For further information see Home Office UK Border Agency Tier 4 of the points based system – Policy Guidance – pages 28–35 and page 40 for additional letter required from parent or guardian.
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You require a total of 40 points to get a student visa. 30 points are derived from having a satisfactory visa letter and 10 point are from being able to show that you have the required fund. (Ref next session on finances for more details)
Thirty points are derived from a satisfactory visa letter from a licensed sponsor and ten points for its ability to show they have enough money to cover course fees and monthly living costs for up to 12 months.
The visa letter will include information about the student, their sponsor (education provider), their course, and their finances. From autumn 2009 (if the student is applying from inside the UK to switch or extend their stay and from February 2010 if they are applying from outside the UK) the visa letter will be replaced by a CAS (confirmation of acceptance for studies) when the new IT system for education providers goes live.
International students will be allowed to study only with a licensed sponsor and as a condition of being a sponsor the education provider will be responsible for the student while they are in the UK. They must tell the UK Border Agency if the student does not arrive for the start of the course, if they leave the course, defer or suspend their studies, or if they are absent for significant periods of time.
It is important that students choose the right course and place of study because they will have to obtain permission to change once in the UK. It will cost £357 and they will not be able to study while they wait for that permission.
For further details about acceptable levels of courses that an adult student can get a visa letter for and for the type of study an adult student can do go to:
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/applyingafter-March/changesforstudents/eligibility/
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The finances a student will need to pass the points based assessment are: |
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Length of course |
Where you will study |
Maintenance (funds) needed |
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9 months or less |
London-based |
Course fees + £800 for each month of the course |
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9 months or less |
Outside London |
Course fees + £600 for each month of the course |
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More than 9 months |
London-based |
First year of fees + £7,200 to cover the first year in the United Kingdom |
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More than 9 months |
Outside London |
First year of fees + £5,400 to cover the first year in the United Kingdom |
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Documents required to apply for a student visa |
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1) You will need to fill in the application form, pay a fee (currently £145) and provide:
- Passport or travel document
- A visa letter from a licensed sponsor
- Documents to show they meet the maintenance requirements such as money in an account held under the student’s name; this includes joint accounts or a loan in their name or government sponsorship*
- Documents required by their sponsors when they accepted them for the course
- Biometric details
- Identity card (if they are applying from inside the UK).
* A bank statement or letter confirming the student has enough money available to cover course fees and monthly costs must be provided. The student must show they have held the money for at least 28 days. At the end of that 28 day period, it must not be more before one month from the date of their application for the visa.
2) If someone else is paying for a student to study, a letter from him or her confirming what the connection to the payee is, how much they are going to receive, how often, and for how long. The student will also need to submit evidence from the payee that he or she will be able to fulfil the promise (for example, bank statements or wage slips, or a letter from an employer confirming salary).
3) If students are being sponsored by a government or scholarship agency, a letter from them confirming how long the scholarship will continue and what costs it will cover.
4) If students are going to pay for their studies with their own savings, original bank statements should be submitted covering at least the last three months.
5) If students already know of an employer in their home country who will want to employ them when they return with their qualification, a letter from the potential employer must be submitted confirming this. Evidence must be submitted if students intend to leave the UK when they finish their studies (for example, evidence that they own their own home; or have a husband/wife/civil partner or children who they are leaving at home while they study in the UK; or advertisement for jobs requiring the qualification that they will be studying for).
6) Certificates for any qualifications students have that are relevant to new courses
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What is an ATAS Certificate?
On 1 November 2007 the UK government introduced the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS). Having an ATAS clearance certificate is a mandatory requirement for some postgraduate students who need entry clearance to study in the UK. It will affect students who:
- plan to undertake postgraduate research in science, engineering or technology disciplines (or)
- plan to apply for a postgraduate taught Masters in Materials Science, Materials Technology, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Physics (including Nuclear Physics
If a student needs an ATAS certificate and they don’t have one their entry clearance application will be refused. Current students already in the UK wishing to extend their visa also need to apply for an ATAS clearance if they are extending in the subject areas listed
For more information on ATAS please look up
www.fco.gov.uk/atas
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About the VISA letter |
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About the CAS
The CAS from the sponsor should include:
- Student’s name, nationality, address in the country they live and passport/travel document number.
- Sponsors licence number, address and contact details, any details of partner institutions or overseas institution (if the course is jointly taught).
- Course details such as title, level, qualifications to be awarded, start and expected end date, hours per week, address of students main place of study or work placement (if applicable).
- Course fees for the first year, and any payments already made. If relevant, any accommodation fees for the first year and any payments already made.
- Documents used to get the offer (used by the sponsor to assess the student’s suitability to complete the course. The letter should give a brief description of each piece such as any previous courses, level studied, qualification, year of graduation or completion of course, who issued the evidence, date of issue and any details of an ATAS clearance certificate if needed for the course
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Pre-sessional courses |
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Can students still come for a pre-sessional course?
A student coming to the UK for an intensive English language course or a course to prepare them for a full time study course can apply under the points based assessment.
If the student has an unconditional offer he or she is likely to be given permission for both courses at the same time (as long as the pre-seasonal course is with the same sponsor as the full time course or with a partner institution named on the sponsor licence).
If the student has a conditional offer to do his or her full time course, he or she will need to apply for the pre-session course first. If the student successfully finishes that course he or she will need to apply for an extension while in the UK to continue studies on a full-time course
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Bringing dependents to the UK |
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General students will still be allowed to bring your dependants, and any adult dependants will be allowed to work in the United Kingdom if the student is given permission to stay for more than 12 months.
If they want to bring their dependants with them, they will need to show that you have a further £533 (in London) or £400 (outside of London) a month for each dependant that they bring with them for up to a maximum of 12 months.
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Application
procedure |
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We assist our clients in filling up the application forma and putting together all the documents. As A TSA we verify all the documents and submit a Check list on your behalf to the Visa office
Visa applications are submitted to the UK border agencies through the VFS (Visa Facilitation Services) . Visa application fees changes from time to time.
VFS Global providing Biometrics service for UK visas at all its posts globally. Under this system, the applicant can visit a UK visa application center and have their finger scanned and digital photograph taken. This is done concurrently in order to link the fingerprints to the face of the visa applicant.
The digital photography and electronic finger scanning procedure is quick, discreet and entirely safe. The entire biometric process takes just five minutes.
The biometric data collected, is stored on a database in the UK and held strictly in accordance with United Kingdom legislation, including the Data Protection Act 1998.
The UK Border Agencies aims to make decisions on visa applications within a few working days. Although, this may take a slightly longer time during busy periods or if an interview is required. It is advisable to apply for your visa at least 1 month prior to your course. If your application is fully prepared, and accompanied by relevant documentary evidence of your circumstances, you may be issued a visa without an interview.
The final decision on whether you would require an interview or not, will be taken by an Entry Clearance Officer at UKBA, no one else can make this decision.
If you are called for an interview, you are likely to get an appointment within the next 2 to 3 working days.
Submission of the visa application and collecting the visa will be at the VFS.
Interviews will be held at the UKBA offices.
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All applications for the Visa Department in Delhi should be lodged at one of the following Visa Application Centers: |
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New Delhi |
Jalandhar |
VFS Global Services Pvt Ltd
UK Visa Application Centre
Upper Ground Floor Block F,
S 2 Lever,
International Trade Tower,
Nehru Place,
New Delhi - 110019.
Tel: (011) 41650497/ 1510
E-mail: vfsuk.north@vfsglobal.com
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VFS Global Services Pvt Ltd
UK Visa Application Centre
37, Lower Ground Floor,
Midas Corporate, Opposite Bus Stand, G.T.Road,
Jalandhar (Punjab)
- 144001.
Tel: (0181) 5095600.
E-mail: vfsuk.north@vfsglobal.com
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Chandigarh |
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VFS Global Services Pvt Ltd
UK Visa Application Centre
SCO 62 - 63, Sector - 8 C,
Madhya Marg,
Chandigarh - 160018.
Tel: (0181) 5095600.
E-mail: vfsuk.north@vfsglobal.com
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All applications for the Visa Department in Kolkata should be lodged at the following Visa Application Centre: |
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Kolkata |
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VFS Global Services Pvt Ltd
UK Visa Application Centre,
3rd Floor, Om Towers,
32, Chowringhee Road,
Kolkata - 700071.
Tel: (033) 22178877.
E-mail: vfsuk.east@vfsglobal.com
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All applications for the Visa Department in Mumbai should be lodged at one of the following Visa Application Centers: |
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Mumbai (South) |
Mumbai (North) |
VFS Global Services Pvt Ltd,
UK Visa Application Centre,
First Floor Stadium House,
Above Kaysons Sarees,
Churchgate,
Mumbai - 400020.
Tel: (022) 66331700 / 66367066 /66364091 / 66364086
E-mail: vfsuk.west@vfsglobal.com
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VFS Global Services Pvt Ltd,
UK Visa Application Centre,
National House,
13,14,15, Sahar Road,
Vile Parle East ,
Mumbai - 400 057.
Tel: (022) 66331700 / 66367066 /66364091 / 66364086
E-mail: vfsuk.west@vfsglobal.com
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All applications for the Visa Department in Chennai should be lodged at one of the following Visa Application Centers: |
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Chennai |
Hyderabad |
VFS Global Services Pvt Ltd
UK Visa Application Centre
Symphony Place, 744/450 P H Road,
Kilpauk,
Chennai 600010.
Helpline:044-42858514 /42858516 /42857788
E-mail: Vfsuk.south@vfsglobal.com
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VFS Global Services Pvt Ltd
UK Visa Application Centre
Sunil Chambers, Door No. 8-2-542/A, Road No. 7, Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad- 500034.
E-mail: Vfsuk.south@vfsglobal.com
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Bangalore |
Cochin |
VFS Global Services Pvt Ltd
Scott Annex, I Floor,
30, Infantry Road,
Bangalore- 560001.
E-mail: Vfsuk.south@vfsglobal.com
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VFS Global Services Pvt Ltd
UK Visa Application Centre,
Saliah Arcade, Door No - 40/8193,
Ground Floor, College P.O.,
Convent Road,
Cochin - 682035.
E-mail: Vfsuk.south@vfsglobal.com
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All Visa enquiries to VFS offices in South India should be made to 044-42857788 / 42858514 / 42858516. |
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British High Commission-New Delhi
Shantipath, Chanakyapuri,
New Delhi-110021.
Phone: (91-11) 26872161,
Fax: (91-11) 26870065,
E-mail: postmaster.nedel@fco.gov.uk
British Deputy High Commission-Kolkata
1A Ho Chi Minh Sarani, Kolkata -700071.
Phone: (91-33) 22885172/22885173-76
Fax: (91-33) 22883435
British Deputy High Commission- Mumbai
Maker Chambers IV,
Second Floor, 222, Jamnalal Bajaj Road,
Nariman Point, Mumbai 400021.
Phone: (91-22) 66502222
Fax: (91-22) 66502324
British Deputy High Commission-Chennai
20, Anderson Road,
Chennai- 600006.
Phone: (91-44) 26872161
Fax: (91-44) 42192322
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SUCCESS STORIES |
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Education Matters really is a fantastic consultancy for educational services to the UK. I applied to UK universities through them. I was extremely happy and satisfied with their service and their approach to help me get me admissions to the universities of my interest. They gave me the best advice and helped me with my visa processing as well. |
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Siva Prashanth |
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