Visa for UK

So you have decided that you want to study in the UK. At this point in time your brain is probably spinning with the amount of things that you need to organize. However, at the top of your 'must do' list' should be your application for entry to the UK. No matter what you have heard, entry into the UK is simply a matter of following a set of straightforward procedures. The Indian Student can asks the British Council for advice on entry into the UK.

Rule 1- Be able to prove that you have been accepted onto a course of study.
•    A publicly funded institution of further or higher education
•    A bona fide private education institution which maintains satisfactory records of enrolment and attendance
•    An independant fee-paying school outside the maintained sector

Rule 2-Be able to show that the course is full-time
•    A recognized full-time degree course at a publicly funded institution of further or higher education
•    A weekday full-time course involving attendance at a single institution for a minimum of fifteen hours' organized daytime study per week of a single subject, or directly related subjects
•    A full-time course at an independent fee-paying school

Rule 3-Show the intent to leave the UK at the end of your studies

Rule 4-Apart from part-time and vacation work, show that you are not intending to take up full-time employment in the UK - unless this part of your course or provided by the university (a letter of confirmation will be need for the latter)

Rule 5-Be able to meet the costs of your course, accommodation and general maintenance of yourself and any dependants without taking employment or engaging in business or having recourse to public funds.

If you have any problems in your entry to the UK or any queries, always remember that the international officer at the university of your choice is there to help you. However, if you would like more information on entry or any other aspect of studying in the UK then contact your local British Council Office or your nearest British Mission or simply use the following useful web addresses:
Home Office Immigration and Nationality Directorate: www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk
Foreign and Commonwealth Office: www.fco.gov.uk
Work Permits (UK): www.workpermits.gov.uk
DFEE site for international students: www.dfee.gov.uk/international-students UKCOSA guidance note: Arriving in the UK:www.ukcosa.org.uk

Documents and Proofs

1.    You must send original documents with your application as we do not accept copies.
2.    If your documents are not in English or Welsh, you must send a fully certified translation by a professional translator.
3.    The documents to prove your availability of your money must be dated no more than one month before you submit your application.
Guidelines for taking the Photographs
You must provide two recent passport photographs of yourself and any partners or children that are applying at the same time as you. All the photographs must have the name of the person in the picture written on the back.

All the photographs should:

-measure 45mm x 35mm; and -be in color; and -be taken against a light grey or cream background; and -be clear and of good quality; and -not be framed or backed; and -not be digitally altered, for example, you cannot use Photoshop to change anything in the image; and -be full face, without sunglasses, hat or head covering unless you wear this for religious reasons. -The photograph you send will be used on your visa (known as vignette) which is fixed in your passport if you are applying from outside the United Kingdom, or in your ID card if you are applying from inside the United Kingdom.

You must send your original passport or travel document and the original passport or travel document of all any partners, children or parents.

Proof of availability of money

1.You can provide bank or building society statements, a building society passbook, a letter from your bank confirming money or a loan, a letter from a regulated financial institution or a letter of official financial sponsorship.

2.You must show that you have held the money for at least 28 days. But there are transitional arrangements in place if you apply before 1 October 2009. See what money do I need? for more information on the transitional arrangements.

Visa Letter

The visa letter must be on your approved education provider's letter-headed paper, and signed and dated by an authorized official.

• 16 or 17 year olds living independently
• 16 and 17 year olds applying as adult students must have the written consent of their parents, saying that they can live and travel independently.
  

Visa Fees

1. The fee you must pay for your student visa application depends on whether you are applying from outside or inside the United Kingdom - and, if you are applying from inside the United Kingdom, on whether you are applying by post or in person.
2. You are charged for each application you make. Once we have received your application, the fee cannot be refunded.
3. If you applying from inside the United Kingdom and are sending applications for your family members (known as dependants) at the same time as your own application, you can pay a reduced fee for your family members' applications if you send all the applications together in one envelope. You will have to pay the full fee for family members' applications sent separately or later, and we will not consider them unless you pay the right fee.
4. Once your application is received, the fee is charged and cannot be refunded.
5. If you are applying from outside the United Kingdom and provide more than one application, you will be charged the same fee for each valid application.
6. We accept cash, cheque, postal orders, credit or debit cards or cash (if applying in person). Payment by any other method is not accepted.
7. You must fill in the payment slip correctly.
   

The fees below are quoted in pounds sterling, but are usually payable in local currency. Please contact your nearest visa application centre to find out what the local fees are and how you can pay for your visa.

• All dependants are charged the same fee as the main applicant. All dependants who are travelling must pay the fee whether or not they are included in the main applicant's passport.
• Fees are subject to periodic review.
• A fee will be refunded only if the application is withdrawn in writing prior to any processing of the application and biometrics have not been taken, or if the applicant refuses to provide biometrics.
• Fees have been listed by categories, which are: visit, study, employment, settlement, points-based system, exempt and others.
  These fees are effective for all visa applications made from 9 April 2009.

Category	Fees(£)
Special visitor - student visitor, up to 6 months	67
Special visitor - prospective student	67
Category: Study (non points-based system)
Dependant of prospective student applicant	67
Dependant of student applicant	145
Category: Points-based system (PBS)
Tier 4 (general) student applicant	145
Dependent of tier 4 (general) student applicant	145
Tier 4 (child) student applicant	145

Conditions of your visa while in UK

• The conditions of your stay mean you cannot claim state benefits and may have to register with the police.
• You are not allowed to apply to stay in the United Kingdom permanently (also known as settlement) after being in a student immigration category.
• Adult students are allowed to bring partners and children with them.
• Changes to a course or education provider
• if you want to do a different course of study with your approved education provider, you do not have to get permission from us.
• If you want to do the same or a different course of study with a new approved education provider, you must get permission from us.
• If your course ends early, your permission to stay (also known as leave to remain) may be limited.
• You should use the Change of circumstances form to tell us of any changes.
• if you are in the United Kingdom, you should use the form to tell us of any changes, like changes to your contact details, your approved education provider or to any details in your application.
• If you were given an identity card with your last permission to stay, and are telling us about changes to your personal details or appearance, you should not use the change of circumstances form, but should instead fill in form ICFN (RC).
  

Bringing partners and children

1. You can bring your partner or children to the United Kingdom while you are studying, as long as they, or you, have enough to cover their monthly living costs, and are able to prove this.
2. The conditions of their stay mean they cannot claim state benefits and may have to register with the police.
3. Your partner and children can work while they are here as long as you have been given more than 12 months permission to stay in the United Kingdom.
4.  If you are already in the United Kingdom and you are sending applications for your family members at the same time as your own application, you can pay a reduced fee for your family members' applications if you send all the applications together in one envelope. You will have to pay the full fee for family members' applications sent separately or later, and we will not consider them unless you pay the right fee.

Important

Successful applicants need to speak intermediate-level English, as opposed to beginner's level now Those enrolled in courses lasting less than 6 months can't take dependents Students in non-degree course can work only 10hrs a week; instead of the present 20hrs. Dependents of students enrolled in courses below degree level cannot work