9 March 2010: New Checklists for Tier 4 General and Child
student visas. New checklists are now available for Tier 4
General and Child student visas. Please remember to use the new
Tier 4 checklists when you submit your visa application. For more
detailed information please visit the 'supporting
documents' page
22 February 2010: Changes to Tier 4 student visa applications
from 3 March 2010. A new set of measures will be introduced
in a phased approach to tighten the criteria on student Tier 4
visa applications. Before you make your visa application, please
check the updates on the Tier
4 General and Child Student guidance on the UK Border Agency
website for full details of the changes. The following changes
will come into effect on 3 March 2010:
The minimum level of English language course has been raised
to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference
for Languages (CEFR). Students will need a higher level of
English at a minimum level of B1 of the Common European Framework
of References for Languages to come and study an English language
course in the UK. Exceptions apply to Government sponsored
students and specific pre-sessional English courses.
If you are coming to study below degree level (excluding
foundation degree students) you will only be able to work
10 hours a week (this has been reduced from 20 hours).
If you are studying for a course under Tier 4 for 6 months
or less, you will no longer be able to bring your dependants.
Dependants of anyone studying a course lower than degree
level (excluding those on foundation degree courses) will
no longer be able to work (unless they qualify in their own
right under Tier 1 (General) as a highly skilled migrant or
as a skilled worker under Tier 2 General, sportsperson or
minister of religion).
If you have submitted and paid for your application prior to
3 March 2010, you will be considered against the rules in force
at the time. Further changes will be introduced from April 2010.
10 February 2010: New rules for student points-based system
applications. Students who require a Tier 4 points-based system
visa to study in the UK will be required to meet stricter criteria.
The new regulations will ensure that students studying below degree
level will have limited ability to work in the UK, and their dependants
will not be able to work at all. There will also be a requirement
on students to demonstrate their English language ability. For
more information on the new rules, please see the full
news report on the UK
Border Agency website.
10 February 2010: Visa application fees for 2010-11.
The visa application fees for 2010-11, set by the British Government,
were completed today. The visa application fees are shown in pounds
sterling but are paid for in local currency. The new fees will
come into effect on 6 April and they attract the same equivalent
cost where ever you apply in the world. Please see the UK
Border Agency website for more information on the 2010-11
visa application fees.
5 February 2010: Changes to student points-based system
applications from 22 February 2010. From 22 February 2010,
any visa applicant who applies to study in the UK under Tier 4
of the points-based system must have a Confirmation of Acceptance
for Studies (CAS) from their sponsor (who is an education
provider in the UK and who is on the sponsor
register). The UK Border Agency will accept applications that
are supported by a visa letter that have been submitted and paid
for on or before 21 February 2010. Any visa applications that
are paid for on or after 22 February 2010 and are not supported
by a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies will be refused.
The date of application is the date that the fee associated with
the application is paid. This will be the date shown on the official
payment receipt, whether the fee has been paid online, at a visa
application centre or at an approved bank. Applicants wishing
to apply with a visa letter must ensure that an appointment to
make a payment is made before 22 February 2010. For more information
about applying to study under Tier 4 of the points-based system,
see the Studying
in the UK section of the UK Border Agency website.
7 January 2010: Changes to the child visitor immigration
rules from 1 January 2010. The changes apply to exchange or
educational visits to a school in the UK for up to 6 months. For
more information about the changes please visit the UK
Border Agency website.
VFS is responsible for accepting visa applications from applicants
wishing to travel to the UK. The applications include the applicant's
passport, completed visa form, supporting documentation and the
Biometrics data (finger prints). VFS is responsible for submitting
the application to the British Embassy on behalf of the applicant,
collecting the passport and supporting documents back from the
British Embassy and returning the passport to the applicant by
hand delivery to the applicant on the visa form. Sometimes applicants'
passports and supporting documents will be returned to them directly
by British Embassy staff following an interview.
Decisions on visa applications are always taken by Visa Officers,
who may require additional documentation to enable them to reach
a decision. VFS is not involved in the decision-making process
and has no influence at all on the outcome of an application.
Note: There are circumstances where the British Embassy will hand
over the passport & the supporting documents to the applicants
directly.
VFS is not liable for any delay in processing or rejection of
the visa application. Whilst every precaution is taken while handling
the passport of applicants and important documents submitted in
support thereof, due to unforeseen events and circumstances, the
passport and documents may be lost in transit by accident, theft,
natural calamities (act of god) or any other reason, VFS will
not be liable or responsible in any manner to the applicant for
the same.
In case a passport is lost or damaged in transit, the liability
of VFS is restricted to reimbursement of fees charged by the relevant
passport authority in your country of residence, for the replacement
of lost / damaged passport through the normal application procedure.
VFS shall not be responsible or liable for any consequential loss
or damage caused to the applicant due to loss of his/her passport
and supporting documents.
It is expressly understood that when the applicant or representative
of the applicant submits the passport, the visa form and the supporting
documentation along with the applicable fees, the applicant has
understood the terms, conditions and details here in.
Advertising material may be sent along with the passport and supporting
documents back to the applicant. If the applicant does not wish
to receive any advertising material along with the passport and
supporting documents, the applicant must advise VFS in advance.
Please note that any advertising material sent back with the passport
and supporting documents does not have the endorsement of the
UK Government.
No employee of VFS may change / amend / amplify the conditions
mentioned herein.
For all claims, disputes of whatsoever nature, the law of State
of UAE shall alone have jurisdiction.
