Official UK Visa Application Website Nepal

      LATEST NEWS

• 22 February 2010: Changes to Tier 4 student visa applications from 3 March 2010. A new set of measures will be introduced in a phased approach to tighten the criteria on student Tier 4 visa applications. Before you make your visa application, please check the updates on the Tier 4 General and Child Student guidance on the UK Border Agency website for full details of the changes. The following changes will come into effect on 3 March 2010:
  
  
  • The minimum level of English language course has been raised to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Students will need a higher level of English at a minimum level of B1 of the Common European Framework of References for Languages to come and study an English language course in the UK. Exceptions apply to Government sponsored students and specific pre-sessional English courses.
    
  • If you are coming to study below degree level (excluding foundation degree students) you will only be able to work 10 hours a week (this has been reduced from 20 hours).
    
  • If you are studying for a course under Tier 4 for 6 months or less, you will no longer be able to bring your dependants.
    
  • Dependants of anyone studying a course lower than degree level (excluding those on foundation degree courses) will no longer be able to work (unless they qualify in their own right under Tier 1 (General) as a highly skilled migrant or as a skilled worker under Tier 2 General, sportsperson or minister of religion).
    

  
  If you have submitted and paid for your application prior to 3 March 2010, you will be considered against the rules in force at the time. Further changes will be introduced from April 2010.

• 10 February 2010: New rules for student points-based system applications. Students who require a Tier 4 points-based system visa to study in the UK will be required to meet stricter criteria. The new regulations will ensure that students studying below degree level will have limited ability to work in the UK, and their dependants will not be able to work at all. There will also be a requirement on students to demonstrate their English language ability. For more information on the new rules, please see the full news report on the UK Border Agency website.
  
  
• 10 February 2010: Visa application fees for 2010-11. The visa application fees for 2010-11, set by the British Government, were completed today. The visa application fees are shown in pounds sterling but are paid for in local currency. The new fees will come into effect on 6 April and they attract the same equivalent cost where ever you apply in the world. Please see the UK Border Agency website for more information on the 2010-11 visa application fees.
  
  
• 31 January 2010: Temporary suspension of Tier 4 student visa applications in Nepal: From Monday 1 February 2010, the UK Border Agency will temporarily stop accepting any new student visa applications under Tier 4 of the Points Based System at the visa application centre in Kathmandu.
  
  The UK Border Agency has taken this decision in response to an unexpectedly high number of student visa applications at this time of year. This means that no further applications will be accepted until further notice. In addition, any scheduled appointments from 1 February onwards will also be suspended until the UK Border Agency begins to accept Tier 4 applications again, and then these applicants will be given priority.
  
  Applicants who have already submitted Tier 4 student visa applications before 1 February will have their applications processed.
  
  Customers who are making applications in other visa categories are not affected by this announcement.
  
  
• 27 January 2010: Changes to student visa applications from next month. From 22 February 2010 all students who apply to study in the UK under Tier 4 of the points-based system must possess a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from their sponsor. You will not be able to apply under Tier 4 using a visa letter from that date, even if the visa letter was issued before 22 February 2010. Until 21 February 2010, you can continue to apply under Tier 4 using a visa letter, even if your course of study will start after 22 February 2010. Please see the UK Border Agency website about studying in the UK for more information.
  
  
• 22 January 2010: Closure of visa application centre in Kathmandu on 9, 10, 11 and 12 February 2010. The visa application centre will be closing temporarily to enable the installation of a new IT system at the British High Commission in New Delhi (which includes the UK's visa operation) as part of a global programme affecting all British Embassies and High Commissions.
  
  The last day on which VFS will accept new applications will be Monday 8 February. The visa application centre will re-open on Monday 15 February. Please note that during the closure, customers will be able to collect their passports from the visa application centre between 0900 and 1000 am only.
  
  Customers who intend to travel to the UK in February and March are advised to submit their visa applications as soon as possible.
  
  Please note that the UK Border Agency offices in New Delhi and the customer enquiry email address will also be closed between 11 and 15 February, after which we aim to resume a normal visa service as quickly as possible.
  
  Any further updates will be placed on the VFS website: www.vfs-uk-np.com. The VFS helpline will be open for general enquiries. Please telephone +977-14412311.
  
  The UK Border Agency apologises in advance for any inconvenience the closure may cause.
  
  
• 7 January 2010: Changes to the child visitor immigration rules from 1 January 2010. The changes apply to exchange or educational visits to a school in the UK for up to 6 months. For more information about the changes please visit the UK Border Agency website.
  
  
• 21 December 2009: Visa Application Centre in Kathmandu temporarily closed. Please note that due to reasons beyond our control the application centre in Kathmandu had to be closed today and will remain closed tomorrow. Customers who have had an appointment on the 21 and 22 December 2009, will be rescheduled. The next available date for a new appointment will be on the 4 January 2010.
  
  

• 21 December 2009: Appointment email service will be temporarily closed. Please note that due to the Christmas holiday, the appointment email service will be closed from 24th December 2009 to 28th December 2009. We will not be able to reply to any emails sent during this period. We request you to resend your email on 29th December 2009 from 08:00. Please ensure to provide your visa category, name and passport number in the subject line.
  

• 30 November 2009: Fingerprint checks at the UK border. From 30 November 2009 the UK Border Agency is introducing fingerprint checks at the border for passengers with biometric UK visas. On arrival in the UK, passengers will have their fingerprints scanned at border control in addition to the normal checks that take place. The fingerprints provided will be checked to verify that the individual entering the UK is the same person who gave their biometric data when they applied for their visa. In the majority of cases the passenger’s right hand thumb and first finger will be used for the check. For more information about fingerprint checks and exemptions please visit the UK Border Agency website.
  
  
• 17 November 2009: Please email ukappointmentnepal@vfshelpline.com only if your course begins on or before 15 February 2010 and you hold a valid Visa Letter. You need to send your scanned Visa Letter with your request for an appointment.
  
  At the moment, please do not request an appointment if your course starts after 15 February 2010. We will announce when further appointments are available. Appointments are being allocated according to the start date of the course.