Over the last year or so, the UK Border Agency put a lot of effort to restructure the immigration and customs regulations. A part of these changes is the new Tire 4 points based system( UK Student Visa ). The new scheme allows international students to enter the UK and undertake a study course of more than 6 months.
At the very start of the UK tax year (06.04.2009), the UK Border Agency uploaded a video showing the basic steps you need to take in order to obtain a visa. The procedure seems clear enough, however if you have any queries, or problems you can always drop us a line at ask@visafirst.co.uk, or even fill in a UK Student Visa Application Form
Youth Mobility Scheme is the new name of the UK Working Holiday Scheme. Requirements remain nearly the same. A point based system applies. You must score 50 points to be able to apply. You get 30 points if you are a citizen of one of the following countries – Australia, Japan, Canada, or New Zealand. Another 10 points are awarded if you meet the age criteria (18-31). If you cover these requirements you can score another 10 points if you prove that you have at least £1,600, or their equivalent.
One of our customers was a bit confused about the right visa she is after. After 15 minutes of chat with one of our representatives she was able to take the proper actions and begin the process right away.
Karen: Welcome to the Visa First live chat! How can I help you today?
Nadia: I’m wanting to apply for the youth mobility visa. I don’t know if its temporary worker or youth mobility migrant I’m after?
Karen: Hi Nadia, how old are you and when do you intend to travel?
Nadia: I’m 25, leaving on 17th of January.
Karen: OK, and how much funds do you have available?
Nadia: $8000 savings so far.
Karen: Great! Can I take your name and date of birth please?
Nadia: Nadia *****, **/**/****
Karen: And what’s your home address, contact number and email address
Nadia: 15/ 178 ******** Street B******** 0407009313, *******@hotmail.com.
Karen: And can you get a bank statement with 3 months transactions history? Original one?
Nadia: Can I copy from Internet banking?
Karen: If on the bank statement there are the following details:
Karen: Your name
Karen: Account number
Karen: Financial institution name and logo
Karen: Date of the statement
Karen: And the Internet copy should be accompanied with a supporting letter from your bank on company headed paper, confirming the authenticity of the statement provided.
Karen: And also the stamp of the bank should appear on all the pages of the statement
Nadia: Okay, I can get but not right away… Once I get that what next?
Karen: You need to send us the application form with all the required documents by fax or scan and email them back to us.
Nadia: Are you able to email me the new application form?
Karen: We need to make some changes as the requirements were published today. Can I send it to you a little bit later?
Nadia: Yes. How long before I leave should I lodge it? Am I running out of time?
Karen: Well you need to apply as soon as possible as it will take at about 6 weeks. Did you already book a flight?
Nadia: Yes
Karen: OK, and when will you be able to have your bank statement ready?
Nadia: By Wednesday.
Karen: OK, in such case would you please contact me back on Wednesday – you can fax me the documents on our Australian fax number 02 8088 7415 for the attention of Karen Collins.
Nadia: That should be fine. So the only documents needed are the bank statements?
Karen: You also need to send me a copy of your passport with pictures. The picture should be less than 6 months old. I will send you all the information in the email and it will be on the application form. We only need to confirm some details with the Immigration authorities.
Nadia: So, if my passport picture is more than 6 months old I need another pic?
Karen: Yes
Nadia: Do I just fax a copy of passport?
Karen: Yes – we only need copies of the documents to check if everything is OK.
Nadia: Cool
Karen: And then you need to send original documents to the British High Commission
Nadia: Okay
Karen: Talk to you soon Nadia
Nadia: Thank you!
Karen: Have a nice evening!
The Youth Mobility Scheme is new and many people who have applied under the old categories might get worried. If you have applied before 27 November and you still don’t have your visa granted you have nothing to worry about. You should be covered by the transitional agreements. If you have a similar case and don’t know how to proceed, just drop us a line at ask@visafirst.co.uk and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Sometimes people don’t need a visa to travel abroad. There are a number of active agreements between countries, which allow their citizens to travel freely within a certain time frame.
Mike: Welcome to the visa first live chat! How can I help you today?
Emma: Hi, I am traveling to England and I’m getting a UK Working Holiday visa and i was wonderingif i need a multiple entry visa to countries in Europe. I am doing a Contiki Tour and then will also be traveling myself through out these countries.
Mike:Australian passport holders do not need visa for the Schengen space if they intend to stay for less than 3 months.
Emma: So the tour only goes 4-9 days, but we enter France more than once. Is that still alright?
Mike: Yes, it is.
Emma: So I only need my passport and my UK visa and I can stay in any 1 place for up to three months? Is there anywhere I can’t?
Mike: Switzerland has not signed the Schengen contract and you might need a visa for that country.
Emma: So I only need the UK working holiday visa, not the Schengen visa?
Mike: Australian passport holders do not need visa to visit Europe. You will need the UK working holiday visa so you can work and travel across UK.
Emma: So I can travel across Europe, in and out of any country, as long as I have my passport.
Mike: And as long as you do not violate the 3 months condition.
Emma: OK, it just says to visit 1 of the Schengen states that you need to obtain that visa, but I don’t need 1.
Mike: That condition is for the citizens of the countries that are required to have a visa. Australian citizens do not need visa if the intended stay does not exceed 3 months.
Emma: OK, cool. Thank you!
Mike: You are welcome!
It is always best to ask a competent person or a professional, before you take any further actions. It might save you a lot of time and money. If you have a query, you are more than welcome to ask Visa First.
