Official UK Visa Application Website in Bangladesh

      LATEST NEWS

• 23 February 2010: Temporary closure of visa application centres in Bangladesh - Dhaka, Sylhet and Chittagong will be closed on 14, 15 and 16 March 2010. This is due to the installation of a global IT update programme affecting all High Commissions and Embassies. The last day on which VFS will accept new applications will be Thursday 11 March. The visa application centres will re-open on Wednesday 17 March. During this closure, customers will be able to collect their passports from the visa application centre between 09:00 and 10:00 only. We aim to resume a normal visa service by Wednesday 17 March. Customers who intend to travel to the UK around these dates are advised to submit their visa applications as soon as possible. Please note that the UK Border Agency office and customer enquiry email address will also be closed on 14, 15 and 16 March, after which we aim to resume a normal visa service as quickly as possible. Any further updates will be placed on the websites: www.vfs-uk-bd.com and www.ukinbangladesh.fco.gov.uk. For general enquires customers may also call the VFS Global helpline: (02) 7161736 & 7162247. Calls are charged at local or NWD rates depending on your location. This service will be available Sunday to Thursday between 08:30 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 16:30.
  
  The UK Border Agency apologies in advance for any inconvenience these closures may cause.
  
  
• 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 Bangladesh. 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 centres in Dhaka, Sylhet and Chittagong.
  
  The UK Border Agency has taken this decision in response to unexpectedly high numbers 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.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 05 January 2010: New student visa appointment email address in Bangladesh. From Wednesday 06 January 2010 student applicants who wish to submit student visa applications at the visa application centres in Dhaka, Sylhet and Chittagong are required to make a prior appointment by email only if your course begins on or before 15 February 2010 and you hold a valid visa letter. Please see the 'schedule an appointment' page for more information.
  
  
• 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.