LATEST NEWS

• 01 July 2009: The online visa application system, Visa4UK, will be unavailable on Friday 3 July at 08:00 to 11:00 British Summer Time. During this time you will not be able to apply online or check existing applications. The is due to essential testing of the online World-Pay system. The UK Border Agency apologises for any inconvenience this may cause.
  
  
• 01 July 2009: The UK Border Agency online points-based system tools will be unavailable on Sunday 5 July between 17:00 and 18:05 British Summer Time. The self-assessment tool, sponsorship management system and sponsor application will be offline so that essential maintenance work can be carried out. You will not be able to use the online points-based system tools during this time.
  
  
• 03 June 2009: Customer satisfaction survey. We would like to hear your views on the visa application process. This online survey will give us valuable information on how you found the visa application process and areas for improvement. The survey will take less than 5 minutes to complete and your answers and comments are confidential. It will not affect the outcome of your visa application in any way. Thank you for taking part.
  
  
• 02 June 2009: Problems accessing the online visa application system Visa4UK.
  Some applicants may be experiencing problems in accessing the online application system following maintenance on 27-29 May. If users are still experiencing problems then they should either:
  • Press 'Ctrl' and F5 to refresh the page
  • Or access the online application system using the following web address - www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/ApplyNow.aspx
  
  
• 28 May 2009: Operating hours. As of 15 June 2009 - the visa application centre operating hours will be between 08:00 - 14:00.
  
  
• 20 May 2009: Visa letters. Important information for students
  The UK Border Agency has issued a reminder to foreign nationals who are applying to study in the United Kingdom under tier 4 of the points-based system. If you are applying under tier 4, please make sure that the visa letter issued to you by your approved education provider contains all of the required information as described in the tier 4 guidance. If you submit an application with a visa letter that does not contain all the required information, your application will be refused. It is your responsibility to make sure that the information you submit with your application is correct and complete. If your visa letter does not contain the required information, please contact your approved education provider.
  
  If you want to know what the visa letter must contain, you can find checklists at the following links:
    • adult students (postgraduate students and others)
    • child students
  
  
• 08 May 2009: Due to an IT problem, the UK Border Agency is experiencing delays processing some visa applications. We process around 200,000 visa applications per month and most applications have not been affected by the current problem. The UK Border Agency apologises for any inconvenience and is working hard to fix the problem. We continue to monitor the situation very closely. Should anyone require urgent travel to the UK they should contact their local visa application centre/ call centre/ UK Border Agency at a British mission.
  
  
• 06 April 2009: If you want to study in the UK from 31 March 2009 you must make your application using the Points Based System Tier 4 (General) student or Tier 4 (Child) student. Please make sure that you complete the correct application form and points scoring appendix. If you are making an on-line application you must select the correct visa category and pay the correct fee. You are advised to carefully read the Tier 4 points based system guidance. Failure to provide the correct information may lead to your application being refused.
  
  
• 10 March 2009: New student immigration system set to launch in the UK on 31 March 2009
  

IMPORTANT NOTICES

FOR ALL APPLICANTS FOR A UNITED KINGDOM VISA

All student applications should be completed online, using the Visa4UK online application service

From 1 April 2008 visa cheats who try to gain entry into the UK by using false documents or deception will face a ten year ban. Applicants who have previously breached UK immigration laws by staying in the UK illegally or working without permission will also be banned from coming to the UK.

All United Kingdom visa applications will be processed by the UK Border Agency at the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur. This will not change the application process for customers in Singapore who should continue to apply at the VFS visa application centre at Robinson Road. Processing time for straightforward applications will be 15 working days.

Applicants in Singapore will still be able to either lodge their applications on-line
(using the Visa4UK online application service) or in person at:

VFS Visa Application Centre
138 Robinson Road
# 07-01/02
The Corporate Office
Singapore 068906.

Documents and passports will then be forwarded by commercial courier to the UK Border Agency at the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, where the application will be processed and a decision taken. In most cases, passports and documents will be returned and ready for collection in Singapore in 5 working days. Should an interview be needed, this will take place at the UK Border Agency at the British High Commission in Singapore. Applicants will not be required to travel to Kuala Lumpur.

Key Points:

• There is no change to the application process.
  
• An application can be accepted up to 3 months in advance of the proposed date of travel.
  
• Regular visitors to the UK can apply for a long-term, multiple entry, premium visit visa allowing unlimited entries to the UK for up to 6 months at any one time.
  
• Frequent travellers may also apply to enrol in the automatic iris recognition system at UK ports, which facilitates 'fast track' admission by the use of automatic booths, thereby avoiding queues at peak periods.