The Visa Department of the British Embassy in Moscow has prepared a simple survival guide for the future students of UK institutions. Here is the list of tips that will help to ease the visa process for you:

- Do not forget to check if your institution is registered in the Department For Education and Science (DFES) register www.dfes.gov.uk/providersregister

- The institution has to send you an original valid offer letter showing the type of course, course duration, start and end dates of the course and course fees

- You must be able to meet the costs of the course and maintain and accommodate yourself without taking employment, engaging in business or having recourse to public funds

The visa officer uses the British Council estimates for these costs: London: Ј7,300 per year, outside London: Ј5,936 per year

- Your chosen course should be at least 15 hours of daytime study per week

- In case if you intend to study in the UK for less than 6 months, you should normally apply for a student visitor visa.

- If you are under 18 years old and you wish to study for a period of less than 6 months, you should apply for the ?child visitor? visa cannot be considered as student visitors

Since the 1st April 2008 if any applicant submits the false documents, it may affect his future applications for up to 10 years.
Once you are totally ready, you should do the following:

- Apply online through www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk

- Then make an online appointment

- When you attend your appointment at the Visa Application Centre, you will pay the fee, submit supporting documents and have your biometrics taken

- The application is then sent to the visa section at the British Embassy to be determined. The VAC plays no part in the consideration process.

Please mind that the usually applications are being processed during 3 weeks, therefore please leave sufficient time to get your visa before your plane takes off!

Best regards,
Education UK team
www.educationuk.ru