If you are Maldivian and planning on studying in the UK this year, you might have seen the high commissioner on TV talking about a changed student visa system a few weeks ago. Of course, anyone serious about studying in the UK in 2009 should have known this way before she decided it was the opportune moment. Regardless of when she told us this, there are a few things that she didn’t. I am gonna share all that I have learned after arriving here (in Colombo) on the 18th of June 2009, that’s 14 days ago!

The British government changed their student visa application system starting March 31, 2009 to something called Tier 4 which has two parts; general and child. I am only familiar with general so that’s what I’ll talk about. This Tier 4 falls under a system of validation called Points Based System (or PBS) where each applicant has to score a certain aggregate score in order to qualify. Thirty (30) points are allocated for the sponsor letter (which most of us refer to as “unconditional offer of acceptance”) and this institute or organization which is issuing the sponsor letter has to be included in a list of approved sponsors. This sponsor letter is very important so make sure your education provider (university or college) follows the guidelines to the dot. The remaining 10 (ten) points are allocated for the finances. I am too tired to list details of this requirement but unless you have an official financial sponsor (such as the government) you need to have a personal bank statement (this account should be in your name; no exceptions it seems) proving that you have had the required finances (that’s 800 pounds x each month of first year in London and 600 pounds x each month of first year elsewhere outside of London). This statement has to be at least 28 days old so hop to it. If you have figured all of that out, then you won’t have any problems filling the Personal details form and PBS Appendix 8 (which are the only two forms you’ll need).

Now its time to plan your trip to Colombo. If you ask friends about the duration of their stay in Colombo to have their British visas processed, they will be quick to tell you its 2-3 days, not more. As I mentioned before, student visas for the UK have changed and part of this change means that your visa WILL NOT be processed in Colombo but sent to Chennai, Madras, India which WILL TAKE AT LEAST 10 WORKING DAYS!!! (Refer to the latest processing times). I tried to convince my financier’s bank this but they sternly (and obliviously) told me that it’ll take only 3 days and sent me on my merry way and here I am suffering, with my funds dipping dangerously low. Note that you will be stuck in Colombo for the duration of this period as your passport is retained at the British High Commission in Colombo (only your supporting documents are sent to the embassy at Chennai, who scrutinize it and then relay a decision to Colombo).

So what do you do if you find yourself in the same predicament I am in? Well, you call the Maldivian High Commission there (+94 11 258 7827) and ask for a very helpful guy called Visham and explain the situation to him. He was kind enough to get me a temporary permit for travel (requiring you to go to the high commission in person and filling out a form. Bring a passport sized photograph) and it took them only 2 days. Incidentally, I just came back from the airport because I missed my flight back home. And no more flights are available until Sunday. Just my luck huh?

Anyway, I’ve spent the last two weeks here and the only thing I’ve done since is to blow up my money for rides and to read about the visa process. I’d be glad to help so if you need any, let me know. Oh, and don’t wait for the last minute. May 2009 alone saw 300+ applicants under Tier 4 at the Colombo High Commission and this is added to the Chennai load. I can only imagine this number is going to keep on growing as September approaches.

You’ll need to go to VFS Global to submit application forms and the required biometric data (and to re-collect your visa once a decision has been made). Their location is somewhere in this region. Their address is 367 R.A. Del Mel Rd (Duplication Rd), Colombo 03. Remember, these guys are just commissioned to collect, send and return your passports so its useless to ask them when your visa will be ready. Don’t forget to leave an authorization letter addressed to VFS Global requesting the handover of your passport(s) and supporting document to a trusted person (mention full name and passport number) if you don’t want to stay there forever.

For a more comprehensive guide, read this.
The all too important bits about the money are in pages 13 and 25. Also check out the neat video below which helpfully explains a lot. Thanks to David for the link. If only had I seen this before reading 300 pages of British immigration laws and guidelines. :P

Update on 23 August 2009

My initial visa application got refused and the reason given to me by the ECO was:
1) My sponsor letter does not mention my qualifications
2) I did not submit any financial documents
My college claimed that they issued a visa letter that was pre-approved by the UKBA and I did submit financial documents which somehow eluded the ECO who assessed my application. I came back to the Maldives completely distraught and thought about applying for what is called an “administrative review” which unfortunately does not accept any new documents other than what I initially submitted as supporting documents. So I was left with only one option and that was to return to Colombo and re-apply. I received my visa 3 weeks after I submitted the second application.

I cannot stress enough on how important the visa letter and the financial documents are to anyone who is planning on studying in the UK. As I have found out at great cost ($700 to be precise, thanks Mom and Dad) neither universities nor the UKBA can be trusted when it comes down to following the British immigration guidelines of entry clearance.