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The visa application
centres in Pakistan accept UK visa applications from customers in
Pakistan and Afghanistan
LATEST NEWS
22 July 2010: Secure English language testing announced for student Tier 4 (General) applicants. The British Government announced today that it will be introducing mandatory secure English language testing for adult students studying below degree level under Tier 4 (General) of the points-based system. The new requirement will come into effect on 12 August 2010. For further details of these changes please visit the UK Border Agency website.
19 July 2010: Corrections to the Student Tier 4 policy guidance. On 13 July 2010 we published a new version of the Tier 4 guidance setting out a number of policy changes. The document contained a number of draft paragraphs relating to the introduction of secure English language testing for Tier 4 (General) students. These paragraphs were included in error. We have not introduced secure English language testing for Tier 4 (General) students. Should we do so, we will publish full guidance at the time.
The incorrect version of the policy guidance was withdrawn and replaced with the correct document on 14 July 2010. Please ensure you are using the most recent version of the Tier 4 policy guidance.
19 July 2010: Important changes to Tier 1 (General) visa applications from 19 July 2010. Following an earlier announcement by the UK Government, 2 important changes have come into effect for Tier 1 (General) visa applicants today, 19 July 2010.
- An interim limit on the number of visas that will be issued to Tier 1 (General) applicants between 19 July 2010 and 31 March 2011.
- The number of points required for a Tier 1 (General) applicant has been increased from 95 to 100.
For further information please visit the UK Border Agency website.
The interim limit will also apply to some Tier 2 applications, please see the information on the UK Border Agency website.
13 July 2010: Changes to Tier 4 guidance on student loans and students with International Baccalaureate qualifications. On 12 July an addition to the policy guidance was introduced for students applying under the Tier 4 point-based system. This applies to students making visa applications using a loan letter and students making visa applications using an International Baccalaureate qualifications awarded on 5 July 2010. Please see the latest Tier 4 Policy Guidance found on the UK border Agency website for more information.
12 July 2010. Beware of bogus UK visa websites. We have recently been made aware of a number of websites who are using similar names to official websites operated by the UK Border Agency and its commercial partners, VFS Global and WorldBridge. These websites have been making inappropriate claims about processing UK visa applications. The UK Border Agency operates through the following official websites:
We would advise you to avoid all other websites claiming to be in partnership with the UK Border Agency as they may be operating on a purely commercial basis and are not authorised to provide information on behalf of the Home Office or the UK Border Agency. Please let us know if you come across such websites.
2 July 2010: Student Tier 4 visa applications - apply early. During our busy summer period, it is important that you submit your Tier 4 points-based system visa application in good time. This will allow us enough time to process your visa application and for you to attend the start of your course. To enable you to do this you can apply for your visa within 3 months of the start date of your intended course. For courses longer than 6 months your visa will be valid for travel from 1 month prior to the start date of the course. If your course is less than 6 months you will only be allowed to travel up to 7 days before the start of your course. To find out about our most recent visa application processing times, please see the 'Guide to Processing Times' page on this website.
28 June 2010: The UK Government will introduce a limit on non- European immigration. The number of workers entering the UK from outside Europe will be controlled by a new limit, the UK Home Secretary, Theresa May, announced today. Details of how the final limit will be delivered will be agreed following a 12-week consultation with businesses and other interested parties. In the meantime an interim limit will be introduced to ensure there is no rush of visa applications being submitted and the number of work visas issued stays below levels from 2009. For further information please visit the UK Border Agency website.
28 June 2010: The online visa application system will not be available from 05 July until 06 July. The UK Border Agency online visa application system will be unavailable between 06:00 GMT on Monday 05 July 2010 until 11:00 GMT on Tuesday 06 July 2010 for maintenance work. You will not be able to apply online, or access your application, during this time. If you have booked an appointment using the online application system for the 05 or 06 July, you will need to print off your appointment confirmation and a copy of your visa application form before this date. We apologise for any inconvenience.
16 June 2010: New English language requirement for partners. The UK Border Agency has produced further guidance on the English language testing for:
- nationals of a country outside the European Economic Area and Switzerland; and
- nationals in a relationship with a British citizen or a person settled here; and
- nationals who want to apply to enter or remain in the UK as their husband, wife, civil partner, fiancé(e), proposed civil partner, unmarried partner or same-sex partner.
Please see the UK Border Agency website for the latest up-to-date information and the latest news dated 9 June 2010 on this website.
09 June 2010: Migrants marrying UK citizens must now learn English. Compulsory English language tests will be introduced for non-European migrants applying to come to the UK to join or marry their settled partner. The new rules will apply from autumn 2010 to anyone applying as the husband, wife, civil partner, unmarried partner, same-sex partner, fiance(e) or prospective civil partner of a UK citizen or a person settled in this country. The compulsory English language test will be with a UK Border Agency approved test provider and will apply to visa applications from overseas as well as people applying from within UK. The full news report can be found on the UK Border Agency website.
21 April 2010: Possible delivery delays to settlement visa applications. Although The UK Airspace has now been opened for commercial traffic, there may be some delays in the delivery of settlement visa applications to the UK Border Agency as flights are still subject to delays or cancellations. This is due to backlogs of passengers and shipment caused by the recent flight disruptions. We are currently aiming to ensure the impact on customers is minimal and to resume a normal service as soon as possible if there are no further flight disruptions. Please continue to monitor this website for any changes. We apologise for the inconvenience.
31 March 2010: Important visa application fees changes on 6
April 2010. The visa application fees given on this website
will be updated on 6 April 2010 as part of the annual visa fee review.
Some visa application fees will change and you should bear this
in mind if you want to submit your visa application on or after
6 April. Payments made after 00:01 GMT on 6 April, either
online or by using any other acceptable payment method, should be
paid according to the fees given on this website.
31 March 2010: New visa customer service standards. From
1 April 2010 the UK Border Agency is changing the customer
service standards for processing visa applications. The changes
are to complete 90 per cent of visa applications (except settlement
categories), in not more than 3 weeks, 98 per cent in 6 weeks, and
100 per cent in 12 weeks. There are also new standards for biometric
appointments and processing appeals that have been allowed by an
immigration judge. Please see the UK
Border Agency website for more information about the customer
service standards.
23 March 2010: UK Immigration Rule changes effecting Tier 1 and
2 and other changes. On the 6 and 7 April 2010 the UK Government
will make significant changes to Immigration Rules. The changes
to Tiers 1 and 2 of the points-based system include new points criteria
for both tiers, a simpler route for very highly skilled workers
without a Master’s degree, greater flexibility for short-term
transfers by multinational companies, and more protection against
transfers to fill long-term vacancies that should go to resident
workers. Other changes to the Rules cover asylum seekers, English
language qualifications and marriage visas for members of the armed
forces. Please see the UK
Border Agency website for more information on the Immigration
Rule changes.
23 March 2010: Launch of new Highly Trusted Sponsor Scheme for
Tier 4 sponsors. The UK Border Agency has launched the 'Highly
Trusted Sponsor Scheme' for education providers under Tier 4 of
the points-based system. Tier 4 sponsors can now apply for a Highly
Trusted Sponsor licence, and the register of highly trusted sponsors
will go live on Tuesday 6 April 2010. Please see the UK
Border Agency website for more information on the Highly Trusted
Sponsor Scheme.
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.
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.
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