With effect on 15 July 2008 Students are required to complete their application online using the following link http://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk. The standard VAF 3 paper application will not be accepted at the VFS Visa Application Centre from 15 July onwards.

NOTE: Students intending to undertake postgraduate studies or research in certain designated subjects are required to have an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) clearance prior to making an application for entry clearance. Please refer to www.fco.gov.uk/atas for subjects that require prior approval before submitting your student visa application. For further information and guidance please scroll down this page.

Student Visa

Please provide photocopies of all the documents you will be submitting:

1. A completed visa application form: Student Form (VAF3 OCT 2007)
2. Your current passport with recommended validity of at least 6 months and any old passports.
3. One recent coloured and unframed passport sized photos taken with a light background approximately 45mm X 35mm in size and glued not stapled onto the designated space for the picture in the application form. For photo specifications please go to the following link http://www.vfs-uk-ph.com/photo.aspx
4. Visa fee in pesos. Payable across the Bank counter or Manager’s Check (only from BPI, Banco de Oro, Metrobank & Standard Chartered bank), made payable to the British Embassy Manila. And thru Online & ATM BancNet. For applicable visa fee please go to the following link http://www.vfs-uk-ph.com/visafees.aspx
5. Any secondary university or other qualifications or certificates you presently hold.
6. A letter of acceptance from the college or university showing:
   a. Cost of course and evidence of any deposit/fee made.
   b. Accommodation available.
   c. How many hours study per week.
   d. Dates and duration of course.
7. Evidence of funds available for the course. We would recommend you supply up-to-date detailed bank statements and other savings covering a period of 6 months prior to the date of application.
8. If your sponsor is in the UK a copy of his passport including the personal details page and all the stamped pages. If your UK sponsor is funding your accommodation course fees and maintaining you in the UK we also require evidence of their income and finances such as pay slips and bank savings accounts held.
9. If you have studied English before please provide evidence in the form of certificates.
10. If you are a student visa dependants.
    a. Evidence that your sponsor can support you financially. We would recommend you supply your sponsor's up-to-date detailed bank statements and other savings. You may also submit evidence of bank funds held in the Philippines and remittance slips if applicable.
    b. If you are joining your spouse we require your marriage contract on National Statistics Office (NSO) security paper.
    c. If you are a child under 18 we require your birth certificate on NSO security paper.
    d. A full copy of your sponsors passport including the personal details page blank pages all stamped pages and pages with UK visas or Home Office extensions of stay.
    e. Evidence that your sponsor has adequate accommodation. If they live in a rented property written evidence is required from the UK landlord or estate agent. This should detail how many people are presently renting the property approval for you to live there the number of bedrooms in the property and how many rooms are available for the exclusive use of you and your sponsor. If your sponsor owns a property in the UK then copies of mortgage documents are required.
11. If you are applying as an unmarried or same sex dependant of a student visa holder:
    a. Evidence of any previous cohabitation. We would suggest the following as examples: joint commitments (such as joint bank accounts investments rent agreements, mortgage etc) or
    b. If there are children of the relationship a record of their birth entry or
    c. correspondence which links you and your sponsor to the same address; or
    d. any official records of you sharing the same address (e.g. Doctors records etc);or
    e. Any other evidence that adequately demonstrates your commitment to each other.
12. If you are applying at the same time as your sponsor is applying for their student visa.
    a. A full copy of your sponsor's passport.
    b. Evidence of accommodation in the UK.
    c. However you should provide details of any accommodation arranged in the UK.
    
13. 14. A signed Visa Application Checklist (please click on the corresponding link of your computer screen).
    
    

• A completed visa application form: Student Visa Form (VAF1 OCT 2007).
• Your current passport with recommended validity of at least 6 months and any old passports.
• One recent coloured and unframed passport sized photos taken with a light background approximately 45mm X 35mm in size and glued not stapled onto the designated space for the picture in the application form. For photo specifications please go to the following link http://www.vfs-uk-ph.com/photo.aspx
• Visa fee in pesos. Payable across the Bank counter or Manager’s Check (only from BPI, Banco de Oro, Metrobank & Standard Chartered bank), made payable to the British Embassy Manila. And thru Online & ATM BancNet. For applicable visa fee please go to the following link http://www.vfs-uk-ph.com/visafees.aspx

• The category allows for short term students to undertake a short period of study during their visit to the UK
• The student visitor is required to meet the requirements of the rules relating to visitors.
• In addition he/she will also have to demonstrate that he/she has been accepted on a course of study provided by an organisation which is included on the DfES’ Register of Education and Training Providers
• The maximum period of leave allowed in this category is six months.
• There are no provisions for student visitors to extend their leave in the UK nor switch in-country to any other category. If they wish to follow a further course of study they must return to their home country to make an application as a student.
• Any leave granted in this new category will be counted as a period spent as a visitor for the purposes of considering an application for visitor leave.
• Only those over the age of 18 may apply in this category
  
  

• are genuinely seeking entry as a student visitor for a limited period as stated by them, not exceeding six months
• have been accepted on a course of study which is to be provided by an organisation which is included on the Department for Education and Skills Register of Education and Training Providers; and
• intend to leave the United Kingdom at the end of their visit as stated by them; and
• do not intend to take employment in the United Kingdom; and
• do not intend to engage in business, to produce goods or provide services within the United Kingdom, including the selling of goods or services direct to members of the public; and
• do not intend to study at a maintained school; and
• will maintain and accommodate themselves and any dependants adequately out of resources available to them, without recourse to public funds or taking employment; or will, with any dependants, be maintained and accommodated adequately by relatives or friends; and
• can meet the cost of the return or onward journey; and
• are not under the age of 18.
  
  

The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

A change to the Immigration Rules has been approved and will take effect on 30 November.

The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS), replacing the previous Voluntary Vetting Scheme, was launched on 1 November 2007. The Scheme requires students intending to undertake postgraduate studies or research in certain designated subjects, to have ATAS clearance prior to making an application for entry clearance.

The website www.fco.gov.uk/atas has details of the list of the designated subjects and further details of the scheme. This will make it mandatory for students covered by the Scheme to submit their ATAS certificate with their visa application. Students can submit as many applications as they wish and can hold an unlimited number of ATAS certificates.  The ATAS will also apply to students enrolled on an overseas course similar in subject matter to those covered by the ATAS, where that student applies to come to the UK for more than 6 months to undertake a period of study/research as part of their overseas course.

Any queries from applicants should be directed to www.fco.gov.uk/atass or the ATAS team at atas@fco.gov.uk.