How to apply a Tier 4 Student UK Visa in Singapore?

This post is for Singaporeans students who will be studying in the UK but it might also help International students who will be applying in SG. If it helps in any way, I am glad to share this with you.

I am completing my studies in the UK and as an international student, I need to apply for Tier 4 General Student Visa. You need to prepare some documents. It is best to have it in PDF file and a printed version. So basically after getting your Confirmation of Statement(CAS) of studies letter from your University, you can start applying online for the General Student Visa Tier 4 in GOV.UK. Read through everything and do take note that you have to pay for the Immigration Health Surcharge(IHS) too, so remember: there is two payment in total. IHS allows me to use the NHS (National Health Service) in the UK. It cost me SGD$660 for the Visa and SGD$557 for IHS.

TIER 4 General Student Visa

Answer everything truthfully and provide full details, you can skip and come back to it to edit. A link will be sent to your email so you can continue your application. If you're a Newcastle University student, use these guidelines. Only after payment, you are able to book an appointment for your biometrics in Singapore VFS's office.

VFS Global

After your Visa and IHS payment, you will receive a GWF number and it will direct you to the VFS site for your biometrics appointment. You will have to reset your password and log in again with your email and GWF number. This is where you select which services for your Visa application, upload required documents(if you opt for self-upload) and booked your appointment. I took a screenshot of some services available while I was applying for my Tier 4 VISA.

Services

All of these services are optional. The difference between the packages can be seen under 'details'. Select 'ADD' if you are purchasing the package and you can choose to 'REMOVE' it if you changed your mind later. But do take note, if you are not able to buy the services or book an appointment in VFS due to no available appointment dates, do not panic. Read below for further details. You can come back to this page, by logging back to VFS.

If you decide to self-upload, please read carefully. You are able to upload multiple files in each category, by selecting all at once and upload it as an attachment. Self - upload documents are for free or pay an additional $25 for Document Scanning Assistance services at VFS. I personally did the self-upload as I do have all the documents in PDF.

Gold and Silver Premium Package - Walk In Without Appointment

This service can be found in Singapore VFS Global office, Cecil street. You can purchase these services online after you upload your documents, just logged in back to VFS and make your selection.

For some cases, if you are not able to purchase these services online, or book an appointment in VFS due to no availability dates, do not panic. On the day when you to head down for your Biometrics at VFS, do get a 'walk-in without appointment' queue number(tell the security as they are the one that will assist you in that) and you can buy the Gold or Silver Premium Package at the counter(when your number is called). You have to pay the Gold or Silver Premium Package, depends on your choice and there is no free walk in without an appointment. Pay in Cash if it is done in VFS physical counter, they only accept cash at the counter.

Do bring all documents that you have yet to upload online, as they will scan for you and return it back to you after Biometrics. As for me, I was not able to upload my bank statements online so I went to the bank early in the morning before heading off to VFS and submitted it.

I personally bought the Silver Premium Package online as the earliest appointment date given is after my flight date to the UK. For Online purchase, you will receive a receipt in your given email, do print it as you need to present it on the day you visited VFS. I brought the printed receipt and present it to the security and the counter to prove I have paid for the Silver Premium Package online.

The details stated for the packages are straightforward.

I did get a SMS and email updates regarding my Visa Application. Courier services will be sent within a day once the VFS received my passport, they will give you a call. You are able to self collect it from VFS or continue with courier service. This is included in the Gold and Silver Premium Package. I was told it will take a maximum of 15 working days. I received my passport within 8 days. Since I opted for a courier service, they gave me a call to double-check my address and to select a time slot for the delivery. They are efficient in delivering on time and it requires a signature to sign your parcel off, just like a normal registered mail.

Finally, I received my passport with my UK visa printed on my passport. If you were rejected, find a way to appeal. Else, you might need to re-apply again. So, please make sure you checked every detail, provide sufficient information and make payments.

All the best!

Updated September 2020:

As for my Postgraduate Programme Visa Application, I refer to the UCL Tier 4 Visa Guide. it is extremely useful! This time I paid over SGD$2k ( 750pounds Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) + 375pounds).

My 1st term will be conducted via distance/blended learning until we are able to safely transition to face-to-face learning, as per the Covid-19 concessions. Since there is no rush for me to apply for the visa before the start of the school term, I applied at the end of September 2020 and will receive it by November 2020 (predicted date).

There are flights to the UK almost daily from Singapore Changi Airport and I booked a direct flight to Manchester

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