UK Student Visas Require New Forms, Biometrics & Background Checks

Over the next several months new requirements will go into effect for UK student visas.

New Forms for Student Visas Required November 16, 2007

The UK has created new visa application forms (VAFs) for visitor and student visas. From October 29, 2007 all visa applicants will need to use these new, improved forms to make an application. Consular offices will not accept old application forms after November 16, 2007.

The new visa application forms and the guidance notes are now available on the UK Visas Web site.

Read the UK Visas News Announcement on New Student Visa Forms

Fingerprints & Photograph Required after December 3, 2007 

In a change from last week’s announcement, all applications for UK visas needing prior entry clearance, including student visas, submitted on or after December 3, 2007 will require 'biometric' information as part of the visa application process. Visa applications will not be processed until the applicant has provided the necessary biometric information.

Since the online visa application, including the prompt to submit biometric information, is expected to go live on Monday, December 3, 2007, NAFSA recommends that students requiring a visa for the spring semester apply online, or ensure that paper applications are received, on or before this Friday, November 30, 2007.

The required biometric information consists of digital scans of all 10 fingers and a full-face digital photograph. Applicants will be required to submit biometric information at one of 129 Application Support Centers (ASC) located across the United States. While the actual process will take no more than 10 minutes to complete, students will need to plan accordingly for travel to the ASC.

The UK government has contracted with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to collect biometric information at USCIS Application Support Centers (ASC). To find the closest ASC by zip code or state, see the USCIS Service and Office Locator.

If a visa application is submitted online, the applicant will be automatically directed to another Web site to make a biometrics appointment. All applicants must make appointments through the UKVisas online appointment booking system. The applicant should not contact USCIS directly to make a biometrics appointment. If you are not automatically redirected to the online appointment booking system, or if you have submitted a paper application, the online appointment booking system will be available on the UKVisas online system from December 1, 2007.

• For more information, see the following UK government Web sites:
  • Applying For Your UK Visa From Mainland USA
  • Biometrics Frequently Asked Questions

• To apply online for a visa, go to the UKVisas online system

• To apply for a biometrics appointment if you are not automatically redirected to the online appointment booking system, or if you have submitted a paper application, go to the UKVisas online system

• To find the closest application support center by zip code or state, see the USCIS Service and Office Locator

Background Checks for Graduate Students in Certain Fields

The British government has launched the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS), a new system of security background checks for graduate students studying certain fields in the UK. Similar to a system currently in place for students coming to the United States, the goal of the ATAS is to prevent sensitive information in fields such as nuclear physics and microbiology from being used for malicious purposes.

After November 30, 2007, graduate students from outside the European Economic Area and Switzerland who intend to study for more than six months within the named fields must provide a valid ATAS clearance certificate with any application for a student visa or an extension of stay. Failure to provide a valid clearance certificate will result in the application being refused.

The ATAS requirement applies not only to graduate students enrolled in UK institutions, but also to students enrolled in a foreign institution who plan to undertake a period of study or research in the UK within the named fields.

Foreign undergraduate students and graduate students intending to study for less than six months will not be required to apply for an ATAS clearance certificate.

The online application for the ATAS clearance certificate and a list of the designated subjects is available now on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Counter Proliferation Department Web site. NAFSA encourages students to apply now in preparation for the November 30, 2007 deadline.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) aims to respond to applications within three weeks from the date of receipt, but states that most will be resolved within 5-10 working days. There is no charge for the ATAS clearance certificate.

• Read the UK Visas News Announcement: Mandatory Requirement for Students Intending to Enter or Remain in the UK for more than 6 Months (16/11/07)
  
• For the online application and further details, see the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Counter Proliferation Department