filmalife

geez, that is really frustrating. why not try to go to the consulate and speak with someone...you have a name!

which colle, if don't mind saying is asking for 72 hour acceptance..what does that mean exactly? Ihaven't read that anywhere.

I feel bad for you. I hope you haven't paid the college anything. It sounds like they who have potentially done this more than enough times to know how it works, shoul be assisting you, no?

DDrhl

The Consulate in NYC takes Labor Day off!
The college's Vice-Chancellor or Registrar gets a special electronic address to ask for visa acceptance for the student within 72 hours when the other procedures have not resulted in timeliness and/or satisfaction. Here's the link:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/si...ges-to-pbs.pdf

muff

The UK Tier 4 student visa application process is such a pain! The proof of finances is the toughest part to get out of the way. It's terrible what you had to go through, DDrhl. I've heard that the rejection rate for a visa is quite high and that lots of people are having last minute issues. I would hope that the consulate would at least be considerate enough to approve the visa before your daughter has to leave.

I lucked out with my visa application. My proof of funds was a bit sketchy (I didn't have time to do anything about it, since you have to apply within a certain amount of time from the biometric), but they approved it anyway (although I think it took a bit longer to process than other applications). I was convinced it would be rejected and that I wouldn't have enough time to reapply, so I'm quite happy. So, if you're in a last minute pickle, don't panic! There are at least some understanding people at the consulate, at least based on my experience.

okoko

Hello, I am studying in the UK beginning in early October and here is my Tier 4 General Student situation:
I completed my Biometrics on August 21st, 2009. I sent my completed application on August 22nd, and it was signed for (by us mail) on August 24. The application was sent to the British Consulate General in LA. I head to England, October 2nd.
As of today (September 9), I have received no email confirmation regarding my application's status.
Today, I called Travisa (an expedited VISA application service in LA), and asked around for some advice. According to them, once my application has been entered
into the British Consulate system in LA, I cannot inquire, retrieve, or intervene in the process. In fact, I cannot do anything until the Consulate contacts me. This of course makes perfect sense.
However, according to the man I spoke to at Travisa, I needed (and I may have forgotten) to include a diploma/educational certificate and proof of departure (computer generated flight itinerary).
Their VISA info website is: United Kingdom Visa Instructions

Before applying, I followed various application guidelines regarding what to include.
If I remember correctly, my application consisted of:

1) My current US passport
2) Stamped VISA letter from College in UK
3) Original Unconditional Letter Offer from College in UK
4) Immunization Report from Physician
5) Bank Statement/letter: for proof of finances
6) Biometrics Appointment Proof with stamp
7) VISA application, with VISA # and one attached passport sized photo.

Does anyone have any similar experiences, advice, ideas or thoughts about this?
thanks.

Spriteling

You need your transcripts. Your visa will almost certainly be rejected without them.

Try using Allstar Visa and Passports. If your application has not been opened, they should be able to pull it out of the queue and resubmit it so that yours gets looked at immediately.

okoko

well, my school study abroad fumbled the football on that one.
No one told me to send that....I am not alone BTW.
So, I was advised by Allstar not to send anything to them until they contact me.
This worries me because I have not received a confirmation email, and I sent my application in on August 24.
Any ideas?

Spriteling

All of the visa documents tell you that you must submit the "original qualifications" that are listed on your visa letter with which your university evaluated you and based your offer. It should have been in the email you got after submitting your online application, in the checklist, and in the guidelines online; you shouldn't have relied on your university to tell you to include it.

In any case, if that is what Allstar told you, wait until they contact you, and then tell them you have not included your transcripts. Have you possibly included your degree certificate (if you have already completed your undergraduate) or high school diploma (if you have not)? Either of these would also work, if that is what your university based your offer on.

katball

Hi Muff....

i am in the process of applying for my visa.
if you don't mind me asking how were you documents sketchy? I am in the same situation, and i am trying to figure out if my application will get passed or not when I have my walk in appointment.

any advice and insight at all would be helpful, since the funding has proven to be the hardest part for me.

thanks!

muff

Hello, Katball ---

The proof of funds was also what I struggled with the most with. The official instructions said that if you use an online bank statement, it must be stamped by the bank. However, I used an online bank statement that was NOT stamped by the bank. Instead, I included a fax from my account manager confirming that I had the specified amount. There was no way I could obtain a stamp on time, so it was the only thing we thought would suffice.

Also, okoko, I never heard that you needed proof of departure. I got my visa approved without it, although they did ask for the date I was planning on leaving.

filmalife

ok. help please. My son has now been accepted. He is going for his 11, 12th grade year so he will be UK post 16..I am guessing the visa we will apply for will be an adult?

as to the money...applying from NYC
-is it true that the bank account can be more than a month old?
-can be in a parent's name with no child's name?
-what documents then do we need from the bank?
-we will make the online application in days
does the very fact that the process was started before Oct. 1st mean
the money requirements remain pre Oct. 1 requirements?
-if we pay for the Autumn term courses and accommodations, how do we verify this and then we just show a bank account with the monies for the remaining year?

somemom

One note, if you are applying for any student loans, you could simplify the VISA process by using an approval for loans for the full COA. The once your student is enroled that can take as much or little of the loans as they want.

somemom

Regarding needing transcripts, you need whatever documents are noted as 'qualifications' on the letter issued by the school. The school stated the qualifier they used to determine eligibility for admissions.

lutefiske

Hi! The British Council has a website that may be of some help:
Visa and Immigration - Study in the UK - Education - British Council USA

Good luck!

loluna

Another factor is whether your daughter will be studying in or outside of London:

In London- course of more than 9 months: first year of fees and £7200 to cover living costs for 9 months.

Outside London- course of more than 9 months: course fees plus £5400 to cover living costs for 9 months.

But funds only need to be available at the time of application only.

DDrhl

Well...it's official...her visa was refused. The Consulate refused to look for the document it requested even though we gave them the FedEx tracking number and who had signed for it at the Consulate and when. Classes started. She's at home. Thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours for total devastation. Our next move is to contact EVERYONE with any power to get her passport cleared (having it refused results in your passport being stamped which may prevent even visiting the UK!) and register our complaint with the official complaint department (which has another 4 weeks to reply).
If you're applying for a student VISA to the UK...the rules changed 8/21. The money need only be in the parent's account and a letter stating the parent is paying the bill need be included with the bank statement. Get the money in there well before you apply for the visa so you have the bank's complete statement. How an innocent, funded, phenomenal student is not allowed to pay for and receive a UK education is beyond my capability to understand. I wish you better luck...the system is not on your side.