The visa application centre in Sri Lanka
accepts UK visa applications from customers in Sri Lanka and the
Maldives.
LATEST
NEWS
4 March 2010: 4 day closure of the Visa Application Centre in Colombo. The Visa Application Centre in Colombo will be closed from 31 March to 5 April 2010 due to the installation of a new IT system at the UK Border Agency in Chennai, where most of the visa applications submitted in Sri Lanka are processed. This is part of a global programme affecting all UK Border Agencies. The last date that VFS will accept new applications will be Tuesday 30 March. The visa application centre will re open on Tuesday 6 April. During this closure, customers will be able to collect their passports from the visa application centres from 09:00 to 10:00 only. Customers who intend to travel to the UK in April are advised to submit their visa applications as soon as possible. Please note that the UK Border Agency in Chennai and the customer enquiry email address will also be closed from 2 to 6 April, after which the aim is to resume a normal visa service as quickly as possible. Any further updates will be placed on this website.
The UK Border Agency apologises in advance for any inconvenience these closures may cause.
25 February 2010: Reminder- Student visa appointment information.
Customers who need to book student visa appointments at the visa
application centres in Colombo are reminded to look at the updated
guidance on the "Schedule an Appointment"
page. Appointments may be booked for courses starting on or before
30 April 2010.
25 February 2010: Student Tier 4 visa appointments.
Students applying under Tier 4 must book an appointment to visit
the visa application centre in Colombo to submit their visa application
form, supporting documents and biometric data. Students should
read the information on the Schedule
an Appointment page on this website. Appointments may be
booked for courses starting on or before 30 April 2010.
Applicants for other visa categories do not require an appointment.
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.
5 February 2010: Tier 4 student visa appointments: Customers
are reminded that they need to schedule an appointment before
attending the visa application centre in Colombo to submit a Tier
4 student visa application. Please note that applicants currently
require a valid visa letter and their course must start on or
before 15 March 2010 in order to make an appointment. The
appointment must be requested by email and cannot be made by attending
the visa application centre. Please see schedule
an appointment for detailed guidance on how to make an appointment
and the information that needs to be provided.
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.
18 January 2010: Reminder- Student visa appointment information.
Customers who need to book student visa appointments at the visa
application centres in Colombo are reminded to look at the updated
guidance on the "schedule an appointment"
page.
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.
17 December 2009: New student visa appointment email addresses
in Sri Lanka. From Monday 21 December 2009 customers who wish
to submit student visa applications at the visa application centre
in Colombo are required to make a prior appointment. If
you would like to make an appointment please send your request
between 08:00 and 15:00 Monday to Friday to: ukstudentcolombo@vfshelpline.com
You should only email requesting an appointment if you hold a
valid visa letter. You should include the following:-
Your full name, passport number and contact details. The appointment
must be made in the name of the applicant who will attend the
visa application centre. It is not possible for appointment details
to be changed once made or for another person to attend the visa
application centre. You must make 1 request for an appointment
only (multiple requests are likely to result in you not receiving
an appointment).
Please note: It is not possible to obtain an appointment
by visiting or telephoning the visa application centres.
You will receive a response to your request within 3 working days.
You will be allocated the first available appointment. These arrangements
have been introduced to improve the visa service and reduce waiting
times for all customers.
