Visa Process for UK Abroad Studies

Apply for a UK student visa two to three months in advance of your intended departure date. Make sure you apply well in advance because the visa office is often busy from September to January.

Collect the Necessary Paperwork: Gather the information and documents you will need for your visa application, such as:

  • a valid passport
  • student visa application from.
  • CAS declaration
  • Proof of finances to pay for living expenses and education
  • Test results of tuberculosis (TB)
  • Academic credentials and transcripts
  • Evidence of fluency in the English language
  • Details on your financial sponsor, if any
  • Any further paperwork required by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)

 

Apply on GOV.UK

To begin the process, please access the online application form on the official GOV.UK website at. It is important to submit your visa application well in advance of your intended travel dates.

Pay Immigration Health Surcharge: If you are staying in the UK for more than 6 months as a part of your application, you will be required to pay an Immigration Health Surcharge. The Surcharge for a student visa costs £776 per annum for each complete year in the UK. For partial years in the UK, you would pay £388 for periods of 1-6 months and £776 for periods of 6-12 months.

1. Complete the online visa application.
2. Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge as requested.
3. After payment, you will get an IHS reference number.
4. Include this reference number in your visa application form.

Register with VFS Global to schedule an appointment and select services

  • After you have successfully filled out the online form and made the necessary payment for the visa fee, you will be directed to register on the VFS Global website. Where, you will have the option to either upload your documents electronically or choose from a variety of convenient and optional visa services. Additionally, you will need to book an appointment at a VFS Global Visa Application Centre. Once you have scheduled your appointment, you will be prompted to review and confirm your choices. You will also need to make payment for any selected services.
  • Visit the VFS Global Visa Application Centre to provide biometrics
  • Be at the Visa Application Centre 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. Remember to bring the following documents with you:
    • Appointment confirmation letter
    • Document checklist
    • Travel and supporting documents (if not uploaded online)
  • You are now ready to proceed with the enrolment of your biometrics and complete the application process.
  • Submit Application: After completing the biometrics appointment, submit your visa application along with all required documents to the Visa Application Centre. Ensure that you have included all necessary forms and supporting documentation according to the checklist provided by the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
  • Pay Visa Application Fee: If you haven’t already paid the visa application fee online, you may need to pay it at the Visa Application Centre. Be prepared to make the payment as required.

Wait for Processing: After submitting your application, you will need to wait for it to be processed by the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). Processing times can vary depending on various factors such as the time of year and the complexity of your application. You can check the current processing times on the UKVI website or through the application tracking system provided by the Visa Application Centre.

Once your application has been processed, you will receive a decision on your visa application.

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