vizazista.info

Because there will be (I am assuming) a healthy number of people applying for some sort of study in the UK this year or in the coming years, I'm here to tell you exactly what you need to do and where you need to go to do it. Mind you, some details like where to get the TB screenings from are related to Islamabad, only since I don't know about the other three cities (Lahore, Karachi and Mirpur), but it's a start.

I had to go twice and I know that there are at least 3 others who had to come back because they weren't apprised of the adequate information beforehand. The second time instead of having to wait 3-4 hours only to be told my documentation wasn't accurate, I booked a stay at the Premium Lounge where everything was taken care of personally and within an hour. Worth the extra 3k I had to pay.

Alright, so let's get down to basics. Here's all you need to have with you before you call Gerry's Express (0900 10411) to make an appointment:

• Completed VAF 9 PBS Tier 4 form and PBS Appendix 8 General Student Assessment form.
• CAS Letter (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies): this is the letter (usually email) sent to you by your university affirming that you are indeed enrolled where you say you are, providing other necessary details like passport number, program start and end dates, sponsor licence number, any paid fees etc. You'll also need to use this letter to fill out your PBS Tier 4 VAF 9 form, available here.
• 2 photocopies of the above.
• Undergraduate / O & A-Level (Matric & FSc) / TOEFL / IELTS / any Graduate transcripts. Everything from O-level/Matric onwards you need to include in the documentation of your application, be it you're applying for an undergraduate or graduate degree. All official and original copies.
• 2 photocopies of the above.
• Bank Statements (3 official copies of a single statement...if you're providing multiple statements, then 3 official copies of each bank's statement).
• University Offer Letter (plus 2 copies)
• 1 complete copy of your most recent passport (all pages).
• All passports attached to your latest passport.
• 3 photographs. Details for these are available here.
• TB Screening Medical Certificate (dial 111 466 472 for an appointment)
• 2 copies of your ID card where front and back are copied on the same side of the page.

UK Immigration has confirmed that the permanent limit on Tier 1 (General) applications under the points based system will start in April 2011. The interim limit on Tier 1 (General) visas will start on 19 July 2010.
Following are the major changes to the Tier 1 visa system:

* The passmark for the Tier 1 visa (General) will increase from 95 to 100 points from 19 July 2010 for many applicants. This will mean that fewer people will qualify for the Tier 1 (General) visa from 19 July 2010. Further details of people who do not have to come under the higher passmark can be found below.

* There will be a monthly interim limit on Tier 1 (General) visas from 19 July 2010. If in any one month your application is received after the limit is reached you will have to wait and your application will then be considered under the limit for the following month. The good news is that many people are excluded from this limit. Please see further details below.

* If you are already in the UK under the Tier 1 (General) visa and are applying for an extension or you are in the UK under another immigration category and wish to switch to Tier 1 (General) you will not come under the interim limit.

* If you are in the UK in any of the following categories and wish to extend your stay or switch to Tier 1 (General), you will only need to gain the lower points score of 95 points:
- Tier 1 (General)
- Highly Skilled Migrant Programme
- Writers, Composers and Artists
- Self-Employed Lawyers
* If you wish to come under the Investor, Entrepreneur and Post-study work categories of Tier 1 you will not come under the interim limit. There will be no limit on the number of applications that can be made.

* If you are in the UK in an immigration category not mentioned above for example Tier 1 (Post-study work) or Tier 2 visa then you will have to gain the higher 100 points to be able to switch into Tier 1 (General).

* If you are applying for entry at a British Embassy or Consulate from outside the UK you will have to gain the higher 100 points to come under Tier 1 (General).

Hence, if you are affected by the changes in the Tier 1 (General) points system and new Tier 1 limit you should consider applying before 19 July 2010.