Self-Processed Visa - Destination UK

Overview

Selecting the Self-Processed Visa option means you agree to follow Adventus’ verification requirements. This includes collection and completion of the following which must be provided to Adventus:

• Accurate, complete and correct documentation - including immigration history and financial metrics

• Evidence of visa lodgement and visa outcome letter

• Acknowledgement of sighted genuine document originals

Refer to https://www.gov.uk/student-visa for information about the online visa process.

Processing Times

For the UK, you are able to apply for a standard or a priority visa. Expected processing times can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/visa-processing-times-applications-outside-the-uk

Note: Priority visa is not applicable for Bangladesh students.

Visa Fee

Please see https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/ for the current fee.

Visa Application Payment

Payment for visa applications is made directly through the UK's visa portal. Only card payments are possible.

A Healthcare surcharge (IHS) is to be paid with the visa payment.

For more information, please see https://www.gov.uk/student-visa.

Gather Documents

You must gather all documents for the visa application including:

• A current passport

• A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider

• Academic documents - certificates & transcripts (and any other documents listed on the CAS should be attached)

• IELTS/PTE results

• Birth certificate may be required

You may also need to provide:

• Proof you have enough money in accordance with United Kingdom Visa and Immigration (UKVI) rules to support yourself and pay for your course - this will vary depending on your circumstances.

• A valid Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if your course and nationality require it

• Proof of parental or other legal guardian consent if you’re under 18

• Proof of your relationship to your parent or guardian if you’re under 18 

• Your tuberculosis test results

• Written consent for your application from your financial sponsor if you’ve received sponsorship for your course fees and living costs in the last 12 months

Students under 18 need to show evidence of accommodation plans in the UK - e.g. staying with sponsor/guardian, living at the institution. If your student is under 18 they’ll need written consent from both parents or legal guardians (or one parent if they have sole responsibility).

This must include their consent for their:

• Visa application

• Living and care arrangements in the UK

• Travel to the UK

• The student will also need to provide a copy of their birth certificate (or another government issued document) that shows the names of their parents

Please ensure that the documents provided as part of the visa application are an exact match to those provided at the application and acceptance stages (i.e. those that were sent to the institution). Discrepancies will not be accepted.

You may require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if the student is studying/researching sensitive topics - this would be mentioned in the CAS letter.

More information: https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/documents-you-must-provide.

Undertake Organised Medical

Generally, once the CAS has been received, it is necessary to undertake the medical. However, for a few universities your student will need to undertake the medical before applying for the CAS.

You must obtain a tuberculosis test result from a UK Home Office approved clinic in your student’s country. Refer to: https://www.gov.uk/tb-test-visa/countries-where-you-need-a-tb-test-to-enter-the-uk .

Medicals are conducted by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in each respective country. Online registration is usually available and you can obtain the forms from the relevant country IOM website.

Create an Online Visa Account

Create UKVI application online at https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/apply.

Note: Bangladesh students can create an online account or scan and print a hard copy of the application to be submitted directly to the Visa Facilitation Service (VFS).

Complete Application Form

Complete the application and pay the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fee which lasts for the duration of study. The IHS fee is required for applicants who intend to be in the UK for more than 6 months and is required even if the student has medical insurance. 

For more information, refer to https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/who-needs-pay.

Submit Documents Online

Submit documents online or bring the printouts to the Visa Facilitation Service (VFS).

Book Biometric Appointment

This involves a collection of the student’s fingerprints and a photograph at Visa Application Centre (Visa Facilitation Service) You will need to:

1. Register for appointment via the VFS https://visa.vfsglobal.com/jpn/en/gbr/login

2. Pay a fee (if required)

3. Book an appointment date and time - the biometric will occur during the visit to the VFS

During the VFS Appointment

Bring a printout of all documents to the appointment.

During the appointment, there will be an interview. At the interview, a review of documents, student intentions, finances, sponsorship and accommodation will be discussed.

Note: An interview is not undertaken for Bangladesh or Sri Lankan students. However, the UKVI will contact you by phone if required. For Vietnamese students, the interview may be in person or over the phone (this is determined case by case).

Await Decision on Visa

After you apply, your student be contacted if their application is complex and will take longer, for example because:

• the student's supporting documents need to be verified

• the student needs to attend an interview

• of the student's personal circumstances (for example if they have a criminal conviction)

If your student needs to change something in your application after it was sent, they can contact UKVI. The student can ask to withdraw their application by contacting UKVI. The application fee will only be refunded if UKVI has not started processing your student's application.

Visa Approved

Your student will receive an email regarding the decision and will need to supply their passport.

Visa Rejected

If the visa is rejected, the IHS fee is refundable, but the rest of the visa application fees paid are not. The refund is sent to the same account from which the payment was made.

If the visa is rejected, your student may be able to apply for an administrative review.

Advise Adventus of Visa Decision

Please Note

The material and information contained in this article is for general information purposes only. Whilst we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, Adventus makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or available with respect to the information contained in this article for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such material is strictly at your own risk. We recommend that you review your relevant country's embassy/consultant website and/or obtain professional advice to understand how the self-processed visa system applies to you.

Need Assistance or Have an Inquiry?

Latin America: admissions.latam@adventus.io
Middle East/Africa: admissions.mea@adventus.io
South East Asia: admissions.sea@adventus.io
India: admissions.india@adventus.io
Nepal: admissions.nepal@adventus.io
Sri Lanka: admissions.srilanka@adventus.io
Bangladesh: admissions.bangladesh@adventus.io
Pakistan: admissions.pakistan@adventus.io