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As an
Indian Student, you must apply for a visa before travelling
to the UK. You cannot enter the UK without a visa. Student
Visas: In order to enter the United Kingdom as an international
student from India, a student visa is required. Acceptance
into an approved course of study in the UK does not automatically
mean that a student visa will be granted.
Applying
for a student visa is a very important part of the process
and you need to ensure sufficient tme for processing the visa
application. You should aim to lodge the visa application
at least two to three weeks (but not more than six months)
before the date of commencement of your course. Generally
decisions on Visa applications are taken in two working days,
and if an interview is required, appointment is given in the
next working day, although during the busy periods it may
take a little longer. Generally Visa interviews are not required
for students who have travelled to the UK in the last 10 years
(should have evidence of this travel) or who have travelled
to the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or Schengen countries
in the last 5 years (should have evidence of this travel).
The British
Embassies issue student visas only to genuine students. You
should satisfy the authorities that your intention is to study
in the UK, as student visas are issued for the purpose of
studying in the UK and for no other reason.
Immigration
requirements: Under the immigration rules a person may
be admitted to the UK as a student if:
- 1.
he/she has been accepted for a course of study at:
- a)
a publicly funded institution of further or higher education.
b)
a bonafide private institution which maintains a satisfactory
records of enrollment and attendance. c)
an independent fee payable school outside the maintained
sector and
- 2.
is able and intends to follow either a) a recognized full
time degree course at a publicly funded institute of further
or higher education. or b) a weekday full time course involving
attendance at a single institution for a minimum of 15 hours
organized daytime per week of single subject or directly
related subjects. or c) if under the age of 16 years is
enrolled at an independent fee paying school on a full time
course of studies which meets the requirements of the Education
act 1994 and
- 3.
intends to leave the United Kingdom at the end of the studies
and
- 4.
does not intend to engage in business or take employment
except part time or vocation work undertaken with the consent
of the secretary of state for employment and
- 5.
able to meet the cost of his/her course and accommodation
and the maintenance of himself and any dependents without
taking employment or engaging in business or having resources
to public funds.
Applying
for Visa: The British High Commission in India has introduced
new facilities and procedures to facilitate the visa application
process. Students should lodge their visa application at one
of the eleven application centres, operated by Visa Facilitation
Services (VFS). For addresses, see below. VFS charge a small
service charge of Rs.300. However, in case of emergency, applications
can be lodged at the High Commission or the Deputy High Commission.
All applications
lodged at VFS are then immediately forwarded to the High Commission
or the relevant Deputy High Commission. The assessment of
the visa application and the final decision on whether you
would require an interview or not will be taken by an Entry
Clearance Officer at the British High Commission or the relevant
Deputy High Commission and those who still require an interview
can fix an appointment at a suitable time. The appointment
is arranged by VFS.
If your
application is successful without an interview, your passport
endorsed with appropriate UK visa is returned to the VFS office
by courier & you may be asked to come and collect it or it
is couriered to your home or office address.
When
applying for a visa, the student is required to produce the
following:
- a completed
Entry clearance form VAF1: The application for the student
visa, form VAF1, is available free of charge.
- a valid
passport (must be valid for at least next 6 months and must
have enough pages for Visa stamping)
- two
recent passport size photographs
Visa
fees: the current visa fees for multiple entry to the
UK is £--------. It can be paid in equivalent Indian Rupees
in the form of Demand Draft and is non-refundable
evidence
of educational qualifications (relevant diplomas or educational
certificates)
evidence
of English language qualifications
evidence
of current employment (letter from your employer)
an unconditional
offer letter from the University, college or school confirming
the student's acceptance for the course of study in the UK
and a statement of charges for the course
By immigration
rules, the letter from the institution should state: start
date and duration of the course nature of the course level
of English language proficiency require full cost of the course
including refundable deposits, if any receipt for any fees
paid details of accommodation and how much it cost receipt
for any deposit or prepayment of tuition fees paid to the
institution if applicable proof of accommodation in the UK
(a letter from the institution confirming your place in the
Halls of residence or a letter from your UK sponsor willing
to accommodate you at home evidences of fund to pay for the
tuition fees and living expenses in the UK.
(i) If
sponsored by your parents in India: signed declaration from
your parents bank statements (statement from the bank manager
and passbooks showing entries for at least past 6 months)
fixed deposit receipts, share certificates, bonds, securities
IT returns for 3 years and salary certificates deeds & assessment
certificates of any property or land owned sanction letter
from the bank, if you are taking a bank loan chartered accountant"s
report summarizing the bank savings, fixed deposits, properties,
bank loan, scholarships, etc
(ii) If
sponsored by your relatives in India: a letter of sponsorship,
confirming the relationship with you, the reason & the extent
of sponsorship ) bank statements (statement from the bank
manager and passbooks showing entries for at least past 6
months) fixed deposit receipts, share certificates, bonds,
securities IT returns for 3 years and salary certificates
deeds & assessment certificates of any property or land owned
sanction letter from the bank, if you are taking a bank loan
chartered accountant"s report summarizing the bank savings,
fixed deposits, properties, bank loan, scholarships, etc
(iii)
If sponsored by your relative or friends in the UK or abroad
a letter of sponsorship, confirming the relationship with
you, the reason & the extent of sponsorship and if sponsoring
for your accommodation, available type of accommodation in
the UK for your stay photocopies of their passports showing
their immigration status evidence of financial status, through
bank statements (statement from the bank manager and passbooks
showing entries for at least past 6 months), fixed deposit
receipts, share certificates, bonds, securities, IT returns
for 3 years and salary certificates, deeds & assessment certificates
of any property or land owned etc a letter from the employer
confirming the job contract and salary particulars
(iv) If
sponsored by a company in India: a letter of sponsorship,
confirming the your position in the company, the reason &
the extent of sponsorship from the highest authority of the
company (President/Chairman/Chief Executive officer) profile
of the company, balance sheets, profit & loss A/Cs, bank statements
and income tax returns for two years If sponsored by Government/
Institution/ British Council/ Other trusted source: evidence
of such sponsorships
At
Worldwide Education, we are committed to maintaining our highest
business ethics, that we will give a thorough visa
counseling, which includes guidance on systematic and good
preparation of evidence and documentary proof, If you are
called for an interview, which is common for all first-time
travellers to the UK, we will conduct a mock interview with
regular visa questions, so that you can promptly and confidently
answers questions at the visa interview.
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