Well, the U.S. is still my base for now. The date for departure is September 10th-30 days from today- and it seems as if time has flown by since the beginning of the summer. There is still a lot to do until my plane takes off, such as receiving my Visa (all fingers crossed on this one).
One interesting thing I discovered about applying for a visa; you don't really need a middle man to accomplish all the paper work. When I was filling in my forms for my visa, at first I thought I would need some MAJOR help. But, after reading the laws about a million times and carefully going over them one by one, I discovered that the most difficult thing about the forms was reading the bureaucratic garbly-gook. However, after conquering that task, I can now break down the Tier 4 General Student Visa (adult) for study abroad for 6 months or more. This is the most complicated of the forms, but is necessary if you are planning to be in the U.K. for over six months. It is also the Student Visa that allows you to either work or volunteer for pay for a maximum of twenty hours per week. Other student visas do not allow you to do this.
When I applied, this visa had just incorporated a "points system" for eligebility, and understanding the visa at first was, and the memory of it still is, a nightmare. However, here are some helpful hints about applying for your visa:
1. Research how much money you need for you study abroad location and get the money into your bank AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Reason: You will see down at number 5.
2. DO NOT apply for your visa until you recieve your Visa Letter from the school with which you will be studying abroad.
Reason: Being an overly prepared person, I applied (before reading all the rules) three months before I received my Visa Letter. Visa applications expire in one month. This is the stickiest situation to be in. What if your Visa letter doesn't arrive in time?!
Since I applied RIGHT AFTER they changed the laws, there was a delay in my recieving my visa letter. However, since then, I'm sure they've caught up, so you probably have nothing to worry about. However, I encourage you to keep checking in with your study abroad provider, or your host institution about your Visa letter (better safe than sorry, right?)
Plus, there is a TON of information on your visa letter that is needed to complete the supplemental form to claim all of your points. The Visa letter from your host institution is worth 30 of the 40 points needed.
3. Apply online
Reason: It is very easy. You can pay online, and if they have the option, set up your biometrics appointment online. This kills two birds with one stone, so to speak.
4. You have two weeks after your biometrics have been done to send in all forms and applications to your visa processing center.
Reason: I have no idea. Kind of annoying, though.
5. Keep all your bank statements. And have patience.
Reason: You have to prove you have enough money for your studying as indicated on the forms. For more than six months, but less than nine months, you must have the equivalent of a monthly fee (listed in the supplemental Tier 4 Points System form) for however many months you will be living in England, plus any unpaid tuition fees. These monthly fees are different depending on your location of study. Studying in the "Inner London Burrows" requires more money that studying in the "Outer London Burrows" or other England locations. For anyone studying in the U.K. for nine months or MORE pays a flat room and board fee plus any tuition. The flat fees vary depending on location of study, the "Inner London Burrows" or the "Outer London Burrows".
According to the laws, there must be proof that the proper amount of money has remained in your account for at least 28 days, but you can not have a bank statement older than 28 days from the time you applied for you Visa. Fun no?
In other words, if you applied for your Visa in, say May 2009, you can not send in a bank statement, with the correct funds if the bank statement is dated from back in March.
To show you have had the correct amount of funds in your account, include two bank statements. One from the month previous, and one for the month you have applied (or relatively close). Unless you are applying before Ocotober of 2009, the 28 day minimum requirement must be met (two bank statements proving it), otherwise, you just need one bank statement to prove that you had the money when you applied for your Visa.
Don't you just love all of this?
So, basically, everything has to happen within one month of everything else, except for the Biomedics, which is two weeks.
6. Keep everything and make copies of EVERYTHING!
Reason: You never know when something may be lost. And having a copy as proof is a heck of a lot better than... well, not having it.
7. Oh, and you need a passport. Duh.
Reason: You just do.
For more information about your visa, go to: www.ukvisas.gov.uk
You can also e-mail me if you have any other questions. I can do the best I can.
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