LONDON VISA FAQs
Submitting Online Application
Complete Appendix 8: Tier 4 (General) Student Self-Assessment Form
Supporting documents, and Maintenance Funds
Visa Sponsorship Letter from FIE
Mail application materials to British Consulate
Receive visa in mail
SubmittingOnline Application
I’m not a US citizen, do I still need to apply?
If you have a passport of an EU country you will not need to apply. All other nationalities should follow the same procedure.
There is a section on the form that does not apply to me but I can’t skip past it.
If there is a section which says it needs to be: “…completed by dependants wishing to accompany those entering, or already in the UK as students,” then you are filling out the wrong online form. Make sure you have selected “PBS Tier 4” at the beginning of the process.
Back to top of FAQs
Complete Appendix 8: Tier 4 (General) Student Self-Assessment Form
What is the address I will be living at?
Some students ask for this information in order to complete Qu. 2.9:“Give the full address of where you will be residing in the UK.” However, Section 2 is only for students who are 16 or 17 years old, therefore FIE students do not need to answer this question.
Can I put down my travel dates for the start and end dates of my course? I want to travel before and after thecourse.
When answering Qu. 4.2:“Give start and end dates for your course of study,” students should put in their programme dates as listed on the FIE letter. Visas will be issued to start 7 days before the programme, and will give a week
I’ve completed Appendix 8 – what is the personal details form it mentions on part 7?
This is the online form which you completed at the same time as scheduling your biometrics appointment.
For question 6.7, am I inside the inner London boroughs?
Yes. Your borough is within inner London.
I applied more than 3 months before the start of my programme, is this a problem?
You should not have applied more than 3 months before arrival to the UK. If you do so, Worldbridge Services who run the visa application website say the following:
“You should submit a fresh entry clearance application. This means new form, new photograph, and new fee. The start date of entry clearances may be post-dated by a maximum of 3 months. For example if you wish to travel on the 1st of December, do not submit your application until the 1st of September.”
If you have already submitted your supporting documents in the mail you can cancel the application in order to have the documents sent back to you within a few days.
Back to top of FAQs
Supporting documents, and Maintenance Funds
The list of documents asks for: “Documents used to obtain your visa letter.” What is this?
You would need to provide a copy of your transcript or something similar to give official record of your studies in the US. This would need to come from your home institution.
My money is in an investment account, will this be okay as proof of funds?
The money should be in a checking account or instantly accessible savings account.
Is my financial aid proof of maintenance funds?
You can use official financial sponsorship as proof of funds. Please refer to page 13, section 41, for the definition of a financial sponsor, and page 41, section 170 onwards for details of what your document should show:
The money hasn’t been in my account for 28 days, is this a problem?
There is a temporary waiver in place so if you are applying before 1 October 2009 you will only need to show proof that you have the money needed, on the day that you apply. You must still provide the correct documents to support your application.
Can I use financial aid as proof of funds?
This should be possible if you have a letter from the Financial Aid Office. Please take a look at the “Official financial sponsorship or government sponsor” section of the policy guidance on page 41 where it lists what needs to be contained in the letter:
Back to top of FAQs
Visa Sponsorship Letter from FIE
I’ve lost my copy of the immigration/acceptance letter from FIE. Can I have another mailed to me?
Students need to use the original of the letter for the application, and therefore will need the letter sent again by FedEx.
If you have already applied for the visa and just want a copy of the letter for your records then we will send you a scanned copy.
Back to top of FAQs
Mail application materials to British Consulate
I left more than 15 days between my biometrics appointment & submitting my documents, is this a problem?
Worldbridge Services who run the visa application website say the following:
“Please be advised that all applicants have 14 days after their biometrics appointment to submit their documents to the consulate before the application becomes invalid.
If you cannot submit your documents before the 15th then it will then be necessary to submit and pay for a new application and attend another biometrics appointment.”
If you have already submitted your supporting documents in the mail you can cancel the application in order to have the documents sent back to you within a few days.
Is there any way of processing my visa application faster?
There are a number of courier services which you can use who are able to get a decision for you within a matter of days. None of these can be vouched for as reliable etc but here are some options:
I have already sent my passport and application off but I don’t think it will come back in time. Can the courier companies help?
Once an application has been made via mail it can still be pulled and then re-submitted with expedited service via courier agency. A Briggs seem to do this a lot. However it will mean cancelling it and starting again, which includes paying again and having more biometrics. Students should contact the courier companies to find out further details.
I sent my application off a few days ago but haven’t heard anything. Should I be worried?
You will get an e-mail when they start the application and a second e-mail once they've made a decision.
For processing times follow this link:
visas.gov.uk/resources/en/docs/10368946/processingtimescustomers
Back to top of FAQs
Receive visa in mail
My visa application has been denied because I failed to submit some of the supporting documents. Can Iappeal?
There is no right to appeal as you failed to submit the necessary documentation. You will need to start the process from scratch, including paying again.
Back to top of FAQs