In the earlier part of this Study Abroad series, Suchitra Surve, counsellor, Global Education Counsel, offered insight into British education programmes and student life in Britain. Today she provides advice on how to apply for a student visa to the UK and answers commonly asked questions.
Who can apply for a student visa?
Any student who wishes to study at a university in the United Kingdom and has acquired an offer letter accepting the application can apply for a UK student visa.
Why does a student need a visa?
Once a student gets an offer from a university or a desired educational institute, the next important step is to secure a visa which will allow him/her to enter and reside within that country for the duration of the course.
A visa is a certificate or stamp of authority that is put on your passport or travel document by an Entry Clearance Officer at a British mission in your country of residence.
The visa gives students authorisation to enter the UK and study in their desired university or college. If the student does not receive a visa, then s/he cannot expect to follow through with academic plans abroad.
How does one apply for a student visa?
Students must log on to the official site of the British High Commission, New Delhi at http://ukinindia.fco.gov.uk/en/visiting-uk/visas or visit http://www.vfs-uk-in.com to apply for a visa online.
They will have to submit their applications and biometric data at one of the 12 Visa Application Centres (VACs) in India managed by VFS Global.
The VACs are located in the Indian cities of Delhi, Jalandhar, Chandigarh, Mumbai north, Mumbai south, Pune, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Cochin and Kolkata.
What is the right time to apply for a visa?
They can apply for a visa up to three months before the date of travel to the UK.
Illustrations: Uttam Ghosh
Also read: Applying for a student visa to Australia? Read this!
Visa-related documents you will need
In what circumstances is a student denied a visa?
Students normally receive a UK visa, unless their circumstances have changed (eg expired validity of offer letter of admission), or they provided false information to the authorities at the time of application.
A student can be denied a visa if s/he fails to inform or provide detailed and appropriate information to the British High Commission at the application stage.
When students arrive in the UK, an immigration officer may ask them some questions, so it is necessary to carry important documents in their hand baggage -- that makes it easy to produce the required documents immediately.
What are the documents that need to be submitted along with a visa application?
Before applying for a visa, students should arrange for the list of documents required by the visa officers as follows:
- VAF 9 + Appendix 8 Form (Tier 4-Student) and Guidance Notes
- Passport (valid for at least one year)
- One passport size photo (2x2 inches, in colour with white background, front face (note: photo should not be less than six months old)
- Biometric details
- Visa fees (equivalent in Indian Rupees, in DD form)
- CAS letter from university -- ORIGINAL and photocopy (of all documents)
- Letters of acceptance and/or visa letter from a recognised education institution confirming tuition fees, living and travel expenses for the duration of the course.
- ATAS certificate (if necessary)
- Original bank statements -- for the last 28 days from all sponsors
- Transcripts (mark sheets from Class 10 till the last degree obtained)
- Affidavit of support to be given by the sponsor on Rs 20 stamp paper (non-judicial)
- Work experience certificate (if necessary)
- Bank loan sanction letter (if necessary)
- Proof of funds to support yourself including: Bank statements (final balance in the account should be a minimum of six months old, any large deposits in the account have to be substantiated); fixed deposit receipts; shares in your demat account; loan sanction letter; Indira Vikas Patra/ Kisan Vikas Patra; national savings certificate; bonds/debentures; income tax returns for the past three years; any other liquid investments.
- Proof of any tuition fees you've paid, if any.
- All academic records including TOEFL/IELTS score sheets.
- Any other document showing that you are a serious student and plan to return home after completing your education -- for example, a job offer letter
Note: Property/insurance policies or jewellery are exempted from the list of official documents.
Visa applications may be submitted personally at the VFS UK local office, after obtaining an appointment by e-mail from them. If the authenticity of the documents is confirmed, issue of the visa will not take more than seven to 15 days.
In case the visa officials consider that an interview may be required, there will be a personal visa interview before a visa can be granted or denied.
Presently, the visa application fee is 255 pounds, which when converted at an approximate rate of Rs 75 to a pound, comes to 19,150 INR (note that the application fee may vary every year).
This may be paid in the form of a bankers' cheque only at Standard Chartered Bank branches at no extra fee (applicant with original passport has to visit the bank for this purpose).
The student can request for delivery of his/her passport by courier, with an additional payment of Rs 170. S/he can also take photographs (for visa application purposes) for Rs 100 (four copies) at the VFS office.
It is best to apply for a visa at least three months before the start of the semester in the UK. Students can reach the UK up to one month before their semester commences.
The visa process is subject to change, so it is very important for students to log on to the official UK visa website to check the updated information and accordingly prepare for the same.
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