Official UK visa application website in Philippines

     LATEST NEWS

• 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.
  

• 22 February 2010: Student visa application centre appointments in the Philippines. Students are required to make an appointment to visit the visa application centre to submit their application, supporting documents and biometric data. Please see the 'Schedule an Appointment' page on this website for more information.
  
  

• 22 February 2010: Paying visa application fees in the Philippines. With immediate effect your visa application fees must be paid with a manager's cheque (bank draft). All other payment modes are temporarily suspended until further notice.
  

• 17 February 2010: Possible delays to visa processing in February. The UK Border Agency at the British Embassy in Manila will not be able to process visa applications on 22-23 February due to an IT upgrade. As a result applicants may experience a delay in visa processing. Visa applications can still be submitted at the VFS UK visa application centre on these dates. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 1 February 2010: Visa application centre in the Philippines moves to a new location on 1 February 2010. The VFS UK visa application centre in the Philippines has moved to a new location. Please see the 'Contact Us' page on this website for the full address, map and contact details.
  
  
• 07 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.