LATEST NEWS

• 01 July 2009: The UK Border Agency online points-based system tools will be unavailable on Sunday 5 July between 17:00 and 18:05 British Summer Time. The self-assessment tool, sponsorship management system and sponsor application will be offline so that essential maintenance work can be carried out. You will not be able to use the online points-based system tools during this time.
  
  
• 29 June 2009: From 5 July 2009 the contact centre telephone number for the UK Visa Application Centres in United Arab Emirates will change to 00971 4 3572300.
  
  
• 29 June 2009: Submission of visa applications at the UK Visa Application Centre in Abu Dhabi can only be made by prior appointment from 01 July 2009. Please use the 'Schedule an Appointment' link on this website. You may also book an appointment through our call centre at 02 6342530. Please note the following information is required when you make an appointment: Name, Passport Number, Contact Number & Email address.
  
  
• 03 June 2009: Customer satisfaction survey. We would like to hear your views on the visa application process. This online survey will give us valuable information on how you found the visa application process and areas for improvement. The survey will take less than 5 minutes to complete and your answers and comments are confidential. It will not affect the outcome of your visa application in any way. Thank you for taking part.
  
  
• 02 June 2009: Problems accessing the online visa application system Visa4UK.
  Some applicants may be experiencing problems in accessing the online application system following maintenance on 27-29 May. If users are still experiencing problems then they should either:
  • Press 'Ctrl' and F5 to refresh the page
  • Or access the online application system using the following web address - www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/ApplyNow.aspx
  
  
• 08 May 2009: Due to an IT problem, the UK Border Agency is experiencing delays processing some visa applications. We process around 200,000 visa applications per month and most applications have not been affected by the current problem. The UK Border Agency apologises for any inconvenience and is working hard to fix the problem. We continue to monitor the situation very closely. Should anyone require urgent travel (for instance medical emergencies) to the UK; they should contact their local visa application centre/ call centre/ UK Border Agency at a British mission.
  
  
• 5th May 2009: Submission of visa applications at the UK Visa Application Centre in Dubai will be only by prior appointment until further notice. Please use the 'Schedule an Appointment' link on this website to book an appointment. You may also book an appointment through our call centre at 02 6342530. Please note the following information is required when you make an appointment: - Name, Passport Number, Contact Number & Email ID.
  
  
• 30 April 2009: The VFS UK Visa Application Centre in Burjuman will close permanently on 1 May 2009. The new visa application centre will open on Tuesday 5 May at our new premises - please see the address on the 'Contact Us' section of this website. Applicants in Dubai will not be able to lodge visa applications or collect their passports on 3-4 May. Applications made between 5-7 May will be by prior appointment only at our new address. Please use the 'Schedule an Appointment' section on this website to book an appointment.
  
  
• 06 April 2009: If you want to study in the UK from 31 March 2009 you must make your application using the Points Based System Tier 4 (General) student or Tier 4 (Child) student. Please make sure that you complete the correct application form and points scoring appendix. If you are making an on-line application you must select the correct visa category and pay the correct fee. You are advised to carefully read the Tier 4 points based system guidance. Failure to provide the correct information may lead to your application being refused.
  
  
• 01 April 2009: Dates for implementation of visa regimes in Bolivia, Lesotho, South Africa, Swaziland and Venezuela announced. Please visit the UK Border Agency Visa Services website for more information.