Official UK Visa Application Website in India

The visa application centres in India accept UK visa applications from customers in India, Bhutan and Afghanistan

     LATEST NEWS

• 26 August 2010: Tier 4 student visas - financial maintenance requirements - important reminder. Tier 4 student visa applicants are reminded that their visa application must fully meet the financial maintenance evidence requirements otherwise it will be refused. Read our guide to financial maintenance requirements for Tier 4 students and visit the UK Border Agency website for more details.
  
  
• 20 August 2010: Call centre number to change. With effect from 23 August 2010 the VFS telephone enquiry number will change to (040) 66305600. Customers may also use the existing number: (080) 40084008 until 31 August 2010.
  
  
• 19 August 2010: British council online survey. Interested in studying for an international qualification? Join the largest global student survey and you will have a chance to win exciting prizes! Student decision making survey is a global online survey which targets students interested in studying abroad or pursuing a foreign qualification in their home country. The survey captures information such as why students want to study overseas, what they are looking for in an institution, location and course, where they look for information. The survey should take about 15 minutes to complete. It gives international education organisations insights into what their customers are interested so they can provide better services for their customers. Good luck with your future studies and many thanks for taking part in this survey.
  
  
• 17 August 2010: List of approved providers published for English language testing for partners. The UK government announced plans In June 2010 to introduce compulsory English language tests for all non-European migrants applying to come to the UK to join or marry their settled partner. Today the UK Border Agency has published a list of approved test providers. For further information on these changes and to view the list of approved providers please see the question and answers document on the UK Border Agency website.
  
  
• 12 August 2010: Secure English Language Tests and further lifting of Tier 4 suspension: From today, the UK Border Agency is lifting the the remaining suspensions in North India, Nepal and Bangladesh on Tier 4 student visa applications, with the exception of English language courses.
  
  In addition, from today all Tier 4 General (adult) students who are using a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) issued from this date must be assessed to English language level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference by passing a UK Border Agency-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) before applying for a Tier 4 visa. The exceptions to this requirement are:
  
  - Students from a majority English language speaking country
  - Government sponsored students
  - Students studying a Foundation Degree, Scottish HND or any course at NQF level 6 and above or SCQF level 10 and   above.
  
  For further information please visit the UK Border Agency website.
  
  Important: In North India, Nepal and Bangladesh there is a continuing suspension on students applying for Tier 4 visas to study English language courses; this includes any pre-sessional course that includes English language. A pre-sessional course is one that precedes and prepares a student for a main course of study. A pre-sessional English language course must be at a minimum of B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), unless it is followed by a course at NQF level 6 or SCQF level 10 or above and where the CAS is issued by the same institution or a partner institution named on the licence of the institution offering the main course (in (i) below), when the English language course can be at any level.
  
  However, there are three exceptions to the suspension on pre-sessional English language courses. Students may apply for a pre-sessional English Language if they have:
  
  (i) an unconditional offer to study a pre-sessional English language course followed by an offer (unconditional or conditional) for a course at NQF (National Qualification Framework) level 6 or above, SCQF (Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework) level 10 or above, a Foundation Degree or Scottish HND where the CAS is issued by the same institution or a partner institution named on the licence of the institution offering the main course.
  
  If the main course is unconditional, it must be referred to on the CAS.  If the main course is conditional, the applicant must submit a copy of their conditional offer letter with their application. A Secure English Language Test is not required.
  
  Or
  
  (ii) an unconditional offer to study a pre-sessional English language course followed by a conditional offer for a course at NQF level 6 or above, SCQF level 10 or above, a Foundation Degree or Scottish HND, where the pre-sessional course is being taken at a separate institution. 
  
  The applicant must submit a copy of their conditional offer letter for the main course with their visa application. A Secure English Language Test is not required.
  
  Or
  
  

  (iii) an unconditional offer to study a pre-sessional English language course followed an unconditional offer for a course at NQF level 3, 4 or 5. The CAS must be issued for both the pre-sessional and main courses. A Secure English Language Test is required. 

  Students in North India, Bangladesh and Nepal may not currently apply for Tier 4 visas to study pre-sessional English language courses and other pre-sessional courses which include English as part of the course and which progress conditionally to courses below NQF level 6 (excluding Foundation Degrees and Scottish HNDs).  This suspension will be kept under review.

• 2 August 2010: Student visa appointment information. Customers who need to book student visa appointments at the visa application centres in India are advised that appointments may now be booked for courses starting on or before 31 October 2010.
  
  
• 30 July 2010: Payment by Demand Draft in South India. With effect from 1^st August 2010 customers who wish to pay the visa fees by demand draft in Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Cochin visa application centres are requested to make the demand draft in favour of "The British High Commission" payable at Chennai. For the latest information on payment by demand draft, please visit the visa application fees page on the website.
  
  
• 22 July 2010: Secure English language testing and partial lift of Tier 4 suspension announced. The UK Border Agency announced today that it will be introducing mandatory secure English language testing for adult (Tier 4 General) students studying below degree level under Tier 4 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. The UK Border Agency also announced that, with immediate effect, it is lifting the suspension on Tier 4 visa applications in North India for Child Students. On 12 August, the suspension in North India will be lifted for courses below degree, with the exception of English language courses. The submission of all Tier 4 applications at the visa application centres in India is by appointment only. Please see schedule an appointment page for guidance on how to request an appointment.
  
  
• 30 June 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. You can apply for your visa within 3 months of your intended date of travel and we are able to post-date visas by a maximum of 3 months from the date of the decision on your visa application. You can enter the UK anytime after the "valid from" date on your visa, but not before. 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.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 31 May 2010 - Change to passport collection times at the visa application centre in New Delhi. With effect from 1 June, customers can collect their passports between the new times of 09.00 and 17.00, Monday to Friday, from the VFS office on S1 level.
  
  
• 27 May 2010: Closure of the visa application centres on 28 May. Customers are reminded that all visa application centres in India, except Kolkata, are closed on Friday 28 May. They re-open for business as usual on Monday 31 May. Please see the public holidays listed on the contact us page
  
  
• 26 April 2010: Closure of the Visa Application Centre in Kolkata. The visa application centre will be closed on Tuesday 27 April as a result of a Bandh.
  
  
• 23 April 2010: Closure of the Visa Application Centre in Cochin on 27 April 2010. The Visa Application Centre in Cochin will be closed on 27 April 2010 due to the state wide bandh declared by the political parties.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 30 March 2010: Visa application centre opening times over Easter. All visa application centres in India will be closed on Friday 2 April. On Monday 5 April all visa application centres will be closed except Mumbai (North and South), Pune and Ahmedabad. All application centres will re-open for business as usual on Tuesday 6 April 2010.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 4 March 2010: Temporary closure of the Visa Application Centres in South India - The Visa Application Centres in Hyderabad, Cochin and Bangalore will be closed from 31 March to 5 April 2010. The visa application centre in Chennai will also be closed from 1 April to 5 April 2010. The closures are due to the installation of a new IT system at the UK Border Agency in Chennai, as part of a global programme affecting all UK Border Agencies. All visa application centres will re open on Tuesday 6 April. The last date that VFS will accept new applications in Hyderabad, Cochin and Bangalore will be Tuesday 30 March. In Chennai, the last date for applications is Wednesday 31 March. During this closure, customers will be able to collect their passports from the visa application centres from 09:00 to 10:00 only. Customers who intend to travel to the UK in April are advised to submit their visa applications as soon as possible. The UK Border Agency in Chennai and the customer enquiry email address will also be closed from the 2 April to the 6 April, after which the aim is to resume a normal visa service as quickly as possible. Any further updates will be placed on this website.
  
  The UK Border Agency apologises in advance for any inconvenience these closures may cause.
  
  
• 26 February 2010: partial lifting of the suspension of Tier 4 visa applications in North India - with effect from Tuesday 2 March 2010, customers may submit Tier 4 visa applications at the visa application centres in Chandigarh, Jalandhar and New Delhi for the following courses only:
  
  - foundation degree
  - degree
  - postgraduate
  
  Customers are required to make an appointment to attend the visa application centres. Currently applicants may make an appointment if their courses begin on or before 30 April 2010. Full guidance on how to schedule an appointment is available at www.vfs-uk-in.com. In order to show that an application qualifies for the course levels outlined above, Customers applying in North India are advised to hold a CAS statement and to bring this to the appointment at the visa application centre. The CAS statement contains information held on the CAS and you will need to request this from your UK education sponsor. The suspension continues for all other courses and the UK Border Agency is keeping this under review.
  
  
• 26 February 2010: Reminder - Student visa appointment information. Customers who need to book student visa appointments at the visa application centres in India are reminded to look at the revised guidance on the "schedule an appointment" page. Appointments may be booked for courses starting on or before 30 April 2010.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 30 January 2010: Temporary suspension of Tier 4 student visa applications in North India: From Monday 1 February 2010, the UK Border Agency will temporarily stop accepting any new student visa applications under Tier 4 of the points-based system at the following visa application centres: New Delhi, Jalandhar and Chandigarh. The UK Border Agency has taken this decision in response to unexpectedly high numbers of student visa applications in these areas at this time of year. This means that no further applications will be accepted until further notice. In addition, any scheduled appointments from 1 February onwards will also be suspended until the UK Border Agency begins to accept Tier 4 applications again, and then these applicants will be given priority.
  
  Applicants who have already submitted applications before 1 February will have their applications processed. Visa application centres in other parts of India will remain open for Tier 4 visa applications and it will be necessary to make an appointment before attending these visa centres to submit a student visa application from 1 February. Customers who are making applications in other visa categories are not affected by this announcement.
  
  
• 30 January 2010: New arrangements for Tier 4 student visa appointments at the visa application centres: from Monday 1 February, customers must schedule an appointment before attending visa application centres in India to submit a Tier 4 student visa application. These new arrangements apply to all visa application centres except centres in North India in which there is a temporary suspension on Tier 4 student visa applications. Please note that applicants currently require a valid visa letter and their course must start on or before 15 March 2010 in order to make an appointment. The appointment must be requested by email and cannot be made by attending the visa application centre. Please see schedule an appointment for detailed guidance on how to make an appointment and the information that needs to be provided.
  
  
• 27 January 2010: Changes to student visa applications from next month. From 22 February 2010 all students who apply to study in the UK under Tier 4 of the points-based system must possess a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from their sponsor. You will not be able to apply under Tier 4 using a visa letter from that date, even if the visa letter was issued before 22 February 2010. Until 21 February 2010, you can continue to apply under Tier 4 using a visa letter, even if your course of study will start after 22 February 2010. Please see the UK Border Agency website about studying in the UK for more information.
  
  
• 18 January 2010: Reminder- Student visa appointment information. Customers who need to book student visa appointments at the visa application centres in North India are reminded to look at the updated guidance on the "schedule an appointment" page.
  
  
• 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.