The International Office contacted us asking if we would post some information on visa applications as they get loads of questions about that this time of year. I can certainly remember the headaches I went through trying to get my visa info sorted....
First and foremost, you will need a CAS Statement which is issued by the university. Btw, CAS stands for Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies. In order to get your CAS issued there are three things that you will need to do:
- If you hold a conditional offer you will need to upload evidence that you have met your conditions on the myLearning tab of your myEssex. So, if you have an IELTS 6.5 condition, you should upload your IELTS certificate, or if you have an academic condition, upload your transcript to prove that you have met it. Once these are uploaded and have been verified, your offer will become unconditional :)
- Once you have an unconditional offer you need to accept that offer in the myLearning tab of your myEssex.
- Then, if you are a postgrad student, you must pay a tuition fee deposit - which is 1/3 of your yearly tuition fee. You can do this on the myAdmin tab of your myEssex portal.
The University website has in depth info on the process of applying here. It is alot to take in, but you really need to look through it as there are many points that may affect you depending on your situation (for example, if you are from India, Iran, Pakistan, Cameroon, Ghana or the Philippines you need to make sure your maintenance fees are in an account at a finanacial institution accepted by the UKBA) : http://www.essex.ac.uk/immigration/apply_for_a_visa/default.aspx
I'll just give you a quick overview:
- The documents you need to submit must all be ORIGINALS, they are generally
- 2 recent passport size photographs, see details here: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/studying/adult-students/evidence/photographs-and-passport/
- Original passport
- CAS plus the following documents that you used to get your CAS
- original degree certificate or official final transcript
- IELTS of TOEFL certificate (if you needed one)
- NOTE: If you are considered low-risk, you only have to send your CAS, for info see: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/studying/adult-students/evidence/
- Financial evidence (http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/studying/adult-students/evidence/money/
- Evidence of any fees already paid to Essex. This is on your CAS.
- Evidence of money available to you (could be bank accounts, sponsorship letters, loan agreements - see the link above for info)
- NOTE: You don't need these documents if you are considered low-risk.... see above!
- If you can apply online (most countries can), use this link: http://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/
- You also need to fill out Appendix 8, which you can find links to on the right side of this page: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/studying/adult-students/apply-outside-uk/
- You will also need to make an appointment at a visa application centre in your country to enrol your biometrics information (This is where my biggest headache was!) Basically, you will submit your application and documents and have your picture and fingerprints recorded. Don't forget to bring the receipt of your visa fee application fee (I did...)!!!All the information for these appointments is on your country page at the link above. If there is not a visa application centre in your area, there might be a mobile one that is sometimes open closer to you. I had to do this, there was one in my city for one day a month - which means it is really important to know where the clinics are around you and how often they are open!)
It is run by the International Office, if they are not there when you click on the link, just leave your question and they will post a personalized answer!
Good Luck :)
Emily
