Tips for Students on Visa Procedures

Chennai: Eager students and anxious parents got an opportunity to raise concerns regarding UK student visa procedures directly with the British High Commission on Tuesday.

Chris Perry, Entry Clearance Officer (UK Visas), British Deputy High Commission in Chennai, had to conduct his lecture at the British Council twice over to accommodate more than a hundred people who were present to hear him speak.

Close ties

We want students from the world and India to apply [to UK institutions]," said Mr. Perry, adding that it helps to build close ties between the UK and India and also has cultural benefits for both countries.

Mr. Perry meticulously took the audience through the requisites of a smooth student visa application process. The main requirements, as outlined by him were, that one of the educational institutions endorsed by the Department of Education and Skills should accept the student, and the candidates should secure funds for the duration of the course.

He also stressed the need to apply as early as possible, "as soon as you receive the offer letter. Most of the questions that Mr. Perry fielded following his speech were regarding finances. He reiterated the non-negotiable need to show liquid funds that would cover costs of the entire course plus living expenses at the time of applying for the visa.

According to L. Dhanasekaran, Head Education UK (South India), British Council there has been a steady increase in the number of applicants from India, For the academic year 2006-07, there were 23,000 applicants from all over India. "A total of 6,300 were from South India and Tamil Nadu made up 32 per cent of this number. There has been a 22 per cent increase in the number of people who applied in comparison to the previous year/ he said.

Tips for Students on Visa Procedures

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