It’s been a long while since I write my last article. Somehow my interest is to write on process of how to apply a particular visa from my home ground which is in Malaysia. Please bear in mind that I’m writing based on my experiences and I’m not some sort of specialist in visa application. I understand that it can be a tedious task to do especially if you want to travel to a country that required a visa. It can be easy for some countries you want to travel to and you can apply through some travel agencies, but to some countries you may need to apply it yourself and attend an interview personally. In particularly, countries like UK and US are the 2 example countries that you need to submit your visa personally. If you are willing to pay an agent, I guess your headache will be less in preparing the necessary documentation.
I recently decided to quit my full time job and follow my passion to study for a 9 months patisserie course in London. That explain why I write this article, in hope that I could document the process and help someone else who are going through the painful visa application process.
In most immigration websites, the long explanation can look complicated and confused. In this article, I’m going to summarise all that you need and process to apply for a UK Tier 4 (General) student visa. However, information provided is only for guidance and is updated as of 25 Mar 2015. The immigration might change the rules and process, hence I would suggest you to do a cross reference.
To be eligible:
You must:
- have been offered a place on a course with a qualified education provider
- have a CAS (Confirmation of acceptance of studies)
- can speak, read, write and understand English
- have enough money to support yourself and and pay for your course
- have good health and clear from TB (Tuberculosis)
How do I apply?
You can apply for your visa up to 3 months before your course start date.
Documents preparation:
- VAF9 application form.
- Register online at https://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk.
- Fill up the form online and print out.
- If online application is not your option, you will have to print and fill up the Appendix 8 form. You just need either one of the form.
- Visa fee USD 484 / £310. (This fee change from time to time. Do check the current fees here)
- Payment can be made online after you fill up the online application form.
- Alternatively, you can also pay via
- Cash at Alliance Bank branches
- Online transfer via Alliance Bank only to VFS (M) S/B for UK Visa fee, Account number 14185-0-01-001313-7
- Bankers draft purchased from any bank payable to VFS (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. which is payable in KL only (no surcharge)
- A current passport or other valid travel documentation
- Previous passports (up to 10 years)
- 2 passport size photographs (passport photo requirement)
- 1 photo for visa application form
- 1 photo for TB (Tuberculosis) test certificate
- CAS (Confirmation of acceptance of studies) number
- Your education provider will give you the details once you meet their requirements and paid full or first year of course fee.
- Education supporting documents:
- Original IELTS result certificate.
- Original academic certificates/ transcripts that are stated in your CAS statement.
- ATAS certificate (not required by everyone. Check if you need it here)
- Photocopies of all certificates and transcripts.
- All original certificates will be return to you together with your passport.
- You will also need to proof other evidence stated in your CAS. (eg. Curriculum vitae, statement of motivation or any other documents used to obtain offer from your education provider)
- Financial supporting documents:
- You need to show that you have paid your course fee for the first year or a full course fee. (Stated in your CAS)
- You need to show that you have enough money to support yourself for maximum 9 months.
- If you will be studying in inner London you will need £1,020 for each month of your course. (Total £9180)
- If you will be studying elsewhere in the UK, you will need to have £820 for each month of your course. (Total £7380)
- Ways to proof your financial:
- Bank account in your own name:
- This can be a bank statement or a letter from your bank showing/ stating that the funds required has been held for 28 consecutive days and can be withdrawn at any time ie. its a saving or current account.
- The document must have bank letterhead with logo, your name, account number, type of account, date of statement and opening and closing balance for the last 28 days.
- All pages in the bank statement must be stamped and signed by a bank personnel.
- Sponsorship:
- Evidence of an official financial sponsor or government sponsor.
- In any other circumstances you must provide an official headed letter of confirmation bearing the organisation’s official stamp. It must show your name, the official financial sponsor’s name and contact details, the date of the letter, the length of the sponsorship and the amount of money that the official financial sponsor is giving to you or a statement that it will cover all of your course fees and living costs.
- Money held by your parent(s) or legal guardian(s).
- Student relying on money held by parents(s)/legal guardian must show that you are related to your parent(s)/legal guardian by providing an original legal document or a notarised copy of one of the following documents:
- Birth certificate showing names of your parent(s).
- Certificate of adoption showing names of both parent(s) or legal guardian.
- A Court document naming your legal guardian.
- You must also show that your parent(s)/legal guardian has given their permission for you to use this money by providing:
- A letter from your parent(s) or legal guardian.
- The letter must confirm the relationship between the student and his/her parent(s) or legal guardian; and that the parent(s) or legal guardian have given their consent to you for using their funds to study in the UK.
- Letter of undertaking template
- Student relying on money held by parents(s)/legal guardian must show that you are related to your parent(s)/legal guardian by providing an original legal document or a notarised copy of one of the following documents:
- Bank account in your own name:
- All bank statement must be no older than 1 month before the date of your application.
- TB (Tuberculosis) test result
- Malaysian must be tested for TB
- Do make sure that you go for the test in approved test clinics. Else your application will be rejected.
- For the test, bring along 1 passport size photo, passport and TB test fee.
- Fee is around RM100-RM200.
- Do call in to make appointment as the queue can be long (depend on clinics). Some take up to 2 weeks before you can attend to the test.
Once you have gather all documentation needed, pay your visa fee and book your appointment online. I personally encourage you to submit your application online and pay by credit card as it’s much easier.
On visa submission day:
VFS is an agency who process your visa application. All appointment and payment should be arranged with them.
There are only a few visa application centre in Malaysia. For the list, please refer to this website.
Do arrived at the visa application centre 15 mins before your appointment time and bring all related documents along. The x-ray you obtain from the TB test is not necessary to bring along.
Premium lounge service and priority visa service is available if you urgently need your visa. More details can be found here.
The visa submission is easy and it takes only 15 mins to get things done including submitting your biometric procedure.
You can choose to self collect your passport or pay a fee of RM40 to get it courier to you at the counter.
You will receive an email when the decision have been made to your visa application. At this point, you will not know if your visa have been approved or rejected. The only way to know the result is to get your passport back. You have to be patience with this.
There’s no way you could call the VFS for status update. They won’t entertain this kind of request. All you can do is to wait until you get your passport back. At this point of time, try not to book any flight ticket until you get your passport else you will have to change your flight if your passport doesn’t get back to you on time. You should be getting back all your original documents and passports back in 15 days time (including Saturday and Sunday). If they take longer than this, you can however contact them using the online email form.
That’s more or less about it. Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions regarding this topic. Again, I need to stress that I’m not an agent nor specialist in visa application. I can only answer what’s related to this topic.
Till then.. best of luck to those who are applying.
Cheers..
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Wendy Ng
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