23 February 2010: UK visa application centre and the UK Border
Agency in Kuwait closure from 25-28 February. The UK visa
application centre and the UK Border Agency in Kuwait will be
closed from Thursday 25 February until Sunday 28 February for
National Day and In Lieu of the Prophet’s birthday. Normal operations
will resume from Monday 1 March.
22 February 2010: Changes to Tier 4 student visa applications
from 3 March 2010. A new set of measures will be introduced
in a phased approach to tighten the criteria on student Tier 4
visa applications. Before you make your visa application, please
check the updates on the Tier
4 General and Child Student guidance on the UK Border Agency
website for full details of the changes. The following changes
will come into effect on 3 March 2010:
The minimum level of English language course has been raised
to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference
for Languages (CEFR). Students will need a higher level of
English at a minimum level of B1 of the Common European Framework
of References for Languages to come and study an English language
course in the UK. Exceptions apply to Government sponsored
students and specific pre-sessional English courses.
If you are coming to study below degree level (excluding
foundation degree students) you will only be able to work
10 hours a week (this has been reduced from 20 hours).
If you are studying for a course under Tier 4 for 6 months
or less, you will no longer be able to bring your dependants.
Dependants of anyone studying a course lower than degree
level (excluding those on foundation degree courses) will
no longer be able to work (unless they qualify in their own
right under Tier 1 (General) as a highly skilled migrant or
as a skilled worker under Tier 2 General, sportsperson or
minister of religion).
If you have submitted and paid for your application prior to
3 March 2010, you will be considered against the rules in force
at the time. Further changes will be introduced from April 2010.
11 February 2010: New trial visitor visa application form
for Kuwaiti customers. Kuwaiti customers can now take advantage
of a new shorter visa application form. The new 3-page visa application
form can be used if you are Kuwaiti, over 18 years of age and
applying for a UK visitor visa for tourism. The UK Border Agency
is trialing this new short visa application form for 3 months
in Kuwait starting from 15 February 2010. Please see the 'Shorter
Visa Application Form' page on this website for more information.
10 February 2010: New rules for student points-based system
applications. Students who require a Tier 4 points-based system
visa to study in the UK will be required to meet stricter criteria.
The new regulations will ensure that students studying below degree
level will have limited ability to work in the UK, and their dependants
will not be able to work at all. There will also be a requirement
on students to demonstrate their English language ability. For
more information on the new rules, please see the full
news report on the UK
Border Agency website.
10 February 2010: Visa application fees for 2010-11.
The visa application fees for 2010-11, set by the British Government,
were completed today. The visa application fees are shown in pounds
sterling but are paid for in local currency. The new fees will
come into effect on 6 April and they attract the same equivalent
cost where ever you apply in the world. Please see the UK
Border Agency website for more information on the 2010-11
visa application fees.
5 February 2010: Changes to student points-based system
applications from 22 February 2010. From 22 February 2010,
any visa applicant who applies to study in the UK under Tier 4
of the points-based system must have a Confirmation of Acceptance
for Studies (CAS) from their sponsor (who is an education
provider in the UK and who is on the sponsor
register). The UK Border Agency will accept applications that
are supported by a visa letter that have been submitted and paid
for on or before 21 February 2010. Any visa applications that
are paid for on or after 22 February 2010 and are not supported
by a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies will be refused.
The date of application is the date that the fee associated with
the application is paid. This will be the date shown on the official
payment receipt, whether the fee has been paid online, at a visa
application centre or at an approved bank. Applicants wishing
to apply with a visa letter must ensure that an appointment to
make a payment is made before 22 February 2010. For more information
about applying to study under Tier 4 of the points-based system,
see the Studying
in the UK section of the UK Border Agency website.
7 January 2010: Changes to the child visitor immigration
rules from 1 January 2010. The changes apply to exchange or
educational visits to a school in the UK for up to 6 months. For
more information about the changes please visit the UK
Border Agency website.
30 November 2009: Fingerprint checks at the UK border.
From 30 November 2009 the UK Border Agency is introducing fingerprint
checks at the border for passengers with biometric UK visas. On
arrival in the UK, passengers will have their fingerprints scanned
at border control in addition to the normal checks that take place.
The fingerprints provided will be checked to verify that the individual
entering the UK is the same person who gave their biometric data
when they applied for their visa. In the majority of cases the
passenger’s right hand thumb and first finger will be used for
the check. For more information about fingerprint checks and exemptions
please visit the UK
Border Agency website.
