Your Student Visa
Possibly the single most important task to do before starting school is to obtain a student visa. You will need to visit the UK Visa Application Office at
The Visa Application Centre,
138 Robinson Road, #07-09,
The Corporate Office,
Singapore 068906
Important things to note:
Singaporean visa applicants going to study in the UK will generally not be expected to provide documentary evidence of financial maintenance and education qualifications when they apply for a visa. This will make the application process simpler for these students. Singaporean student applicants will still need to meet the requirements in the immigration rules, and students must be able to provide the appropriate documents if requested at application stage. Hence, it is may be better to play it safe and ensure that you have this document.
Briefly, for your application you will need to do all of the following:
1. Visit http://www.vfs-uk-sg.com/applying.aspx to find out more about the visa application procedure.
2. Keep in mind the recent changes to Tier 4 General Student Visa policy changes. Briefly, UCL and most other University of London components are listed as Highly Trusted under a list of registered sponsors. As UCL students your application process will not be adversely affected. More information can be found at http://ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2010/april/03-t4-changes
3. Then, visit http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/applyonline/ to apply for your Student Visa online.
4. Fill up the online form accordingly, and follow the instructions carefully. The website will then direct you to download, print and fill up the VAF9 PBS and Appendix 8 Self Assessment form in hardcopy. You will need to bring these in hard copy down together with a whole list of supporting documents. Make an appointment time and go down to the centre to complete the application.
5. There are many websites that will tell you what documents you will need for the application. A comprehensive one can be found at http://studyuk.learnhub.com/lesson/13815-uk-student-visa-checklist-for-documents
6. A couple of clarifications on the Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) letter and Financial Evidence:
A Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) Letter will be mailed to you by your education provider, in our present case, UCL. Please ensure that the information they have provided in the letter is accurate. If the information provided is in order, no further action on the letter is required, and your education provider will transmit the information directly to the UK Border Agency on your behalf.
If you are self or family funded, you will need to request a personally signed letter from your bank manager with the bank letterhead, bank account number, your full name (per your passport), date of letter, and available funds writ large on it. This is important because if any of the following are left out your letter and your application will be rejected and you will need to reapply all over again. This will cost you time and another £145.
The bank letter, financial statement, or passbook printout you use will need to be submitted within 28 days after you acquire or update it. For instance, a bank letter dated 1st of August will need to be submitted by 29th of August. As for passbook proof, please remember to update it before getting a certified-true-copy for submission. Similarly, a passbook updated as of 1st August will need to be submitted by 29th August.
Exit Permits
For those disrupting from National Service, make sure to apply for disruption early, and get an exit permit if needed. For NSmen, you can get an exit permit online at http://www.ns.sg.
Call the 24-hour NS Call Centre at 1800 367 6767 and check with CMPB if you are unsure.
N.B. If you come back to Singapore on holiday break for more than 28 days, you will need to renew your exit permit. The procedure will be the same as above.
The Visa Application Centre,
138 Robinson Road, #07-09,
The Corporate Office,
Singapore 068906
Important things to note:
Singaporean visa applicants going to study in the UK will generally not be expected to provide documentary evidence of financial maintenance and education qualifications when they apply for a visa. This will make the application process simpler for these students. Singaporean student applicants will still need to meet the requirements in the immigration rules, and students must be able to provide the appropriate documents if requested at application stage. Hence, it is may be better to play it safe and ensure that you have this document.
Briefly, for your application you will need to do all of the following:
1. Visit http://www.vfs-uk-sg.com/applying.aspx to find out more about the visa application procedure.
2. Keep in mind the recent changes to Tier 4 General Student Visa policy changes. Briefly, UCL and most other University of London components are listed as Highly Trusted under a list of registered sponsors. As UCL students your application process will not be adversely affected. More information can be found at http://ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2010/april/03-t4-changes
3. Then, visit http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/applyonline/ to apply for your Student Visa online.
4. Fill up the online form accordingly, and follow the instructions carefully. The website will then direct you to download, print and fill up the VAF9 PBS and Appendix 8 Self Assessment form in hardcopy. You will need to bring these in hard copy down together with a whole list of supporting documents. Make an appointment time and go down to the centre to complete the application.
5. There are many websites that will tell you what documents you will need for the application. A comprehensive one can be found at http://studyuk.learnhub.com/lesson/13815-uk-student-visa-checklist-for-documents
6. A couple of clarifications on the Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) letter and Financial Evidence:
Exit Permits
For those disrupting from National Service, make sure to apply for disruption early, and get an exit permit if needed. For NSmen, you can get an exit permit online at http://www.ns.sg.
Call the 24-hour NS Call Centre at 1800 367 6767 and check with CMPB if you are unsure.
N.B. If you come back to Singapore on holiday break for more than 28 days, you will need to renew your exit permit. The procedure will be the same as above.
