Visa Process

You have selected a course or a reason for you to stay in UK for long term and now you are wondering on best practices to apply for UK Visa. Here is some information on the same

If you are not of British Nationality you will require a UK General Student Visa to join the course. A visa is an official document that allows the bearer to legally enter a foreign country. The visa is usually stamped or glued into the bearer's passport. 

UK VISA Process: 

This process is also available here and will give you the most recent info and accurate information. We have tried to simplify the same for you

STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO APPLY VISA:

1. Choose the right visa: Identify the type of visa that suits your purpose of visit (e.g., tourist, work, study) each visa type has specific requirements, so make sure you select the correct one. Visa processing times can take approximately one month

Different types of Visas

1. Standard Visitor: visa is used for tourism, visiting family or friends, attending business meetings, or participating in short-term courses to study that lasts no longer than 6 months.
2. Short-term study visa: lets you come to the UK to study an English language course that is over 6 months and up to 11 months.
3. Student visa: is usually for a longer course. You must be sponsored by a licensed college or university and have a confirmed place. You may be able to do some work on this visa.
4. Priority Visa – If you need your visa in a hurry, you can use UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)’s Priority Visa service for your visit, work or study application.

This will ensure the visa decision-makers give priority to your application at every stage of the process. UK Visas and Immigration aims to make a decision on your Priority Visa application and contact you to let you know that your passport is ready to be collected within 5-7 working days from when you submit your biometric information.

 Visa For education purposes 

• EOOW/OOW  – Short term study Visa
• Chief mate/Class 2 COC – Standard/Tourist Visa

For UK COC, we should apply for Standard, Short term or Tourist Visa

2.Prepare your application: Most UK visa applications are submitted online. You will need to create an account on the official visa application website 

3. Pay your fees: Pay the required visa application fee. The amount depends on the type of visa you are applying for. To complete your application on GOV.UK, you will need to pay for your visa, and for the healthcare surcharge, if applicable. Once you have paid your visa fees, you will be given a reference number that starts with GWF. Please make a note of this, as it will be helpful should you need to make any amendments to your visa application or appointment. 

4. Book an appointment: Depending on the visa type, you may need to book an appointment at a visa application center (you can choose your application center) to submit your visa application, documents and provide biometric information. Once you have completed and paid for your visa application on GOV.UK, you will be directed to the VFS Global website to book an appointment at a Visa Application Centre, so your biometric data (fingerprints and photograph) can be captured. You will also have the opportunity to select additional, optional services from VFS Global, designed to make your application process faster, easier or simply more relaxed.

5.You can submit all the documents required to support your application online, from the comfort of your home, school or office; meaning you can keep valuable documents with you. Read our guidelines for supporting documents.

1. Passport (with validity beyond your intended stay and your valid passport or travel document with at least one page that is blank on both sides).
2. Passport-sized photos.
3. a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider
4. Proof of travel arrangements.
5. Proof of accommodation.
6. Proof of financial means to support yourself during the stay, accommodation, food
7. Written consent for your application from your financial sponsor if you’ve received sponsorship for your course fees and living costs in the last 12 months.  We suggest the amount required to show should in one account
8. Please do not staple the documents – only the use of paper clips is permitted.
9. You’ll need to have a tuberculosis (TB) test if you’re coming to the UK for 6 months or more

You may also need to provide additional documents (for some cases):

1. A valid ATAS certificate if your course and nationality require it
2. Proof of parental or other legal guardian consent if you’re under 18
3. Proof of your relationship to your parent or guardian if you’re under 18
4. UKVI ILETS English Language Test (English language test is a requirement before you can apply for the UK student visa)
5. Any additional documents specific to the visa type.
6. Travel itinerary

6.Visit the Visa Application Centre: One should attend the appointment to provide biometric data, including fingerprints and a digital photograph.

1. What happens at the Visa Application Centre
2. Please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment time.
3. You must attend the appointment for your visa application. You cannot send someone in your place. At the Visa Application Centre, you will need to submit your fingerprints and photograph. This is known as biometric information. A digital finger scanner collects images of all 10 fingerprints, and you will have a digital photo taken. The digital fingerprint scanner uses no inks, liquids or chemicals and will not mark your skin.
4. Your digital photograph must be taken with full face and without sunglasses or tinted spectacles, or head covering unless it is worn for religious or medical reasons.
5. Your face should be clearly visible with no hair across the eyes.
6. Ensure your fingertips are free from any forms of decoration, cuts, abrasions or other markings as these may affect your ability to provide acceptable finger scans.
7. If you are applying for a visa on behalf of a child under 5 years old, they must also attend an appointment and have their digital photograph taken, but they don’t have to provide their fingerprint information.
8. Children under 16 years old need to be accompanied by an adult (18+) and this cannot be a member of VFS Global staff.
9. Without biometric information, your visa application will not be processed.
10. You can upload your documents yourself after booking your appointment, or bring your supporting documents and use our Document Scanning Assistance service at the Visa Application Centre (fee applies).
11. If you have purchased, or plan to use our Document Scanning Assistance service, bring the originals or good-quality copies of your supporting documents to the Visa Application Centre.

7.Processing Time: The processing time for a UK visa varies based on the type of visa. Check the official website for estimated processing times.

8.Track your application: You’ll receive an email update when your decision has been returned to the Visa Application Centre. If you can’t access email easily, or would like more detailed tracking information, you can also choose to get updates by SMS directly to your phone. You’ll have to check whether this service is available at the Visa Application Centre you are visiting. You’ll need to pay a fee for this service.

9.Decision and Passport Collection. You will be notified of the visa decision after a visa application decision has been made, you will be contacted by us when you can pick up your documents/ passport from the Visa Application Centre or have your documents returned to you by courier for an additional fee. Collecting your documents in person; bring the receipt issued by the Visa Application Centre and a form of Government identification. If denied, you will receive information and email about the reason for the refusal of your visa.