Information for those applying from the United States
Information for students making a visa application from the United States
There are multiple ways to submit a Student visa application from the US and the process can sometimes be confusing to applicants. The following steps take you through what you need to do to apply and provide information about the different options available.
Step 2: Complete and pay for your visa application online
Step 3: Book and attend an appointment at a visa application centre
Once you have completed and paid for your visa application, you will need to select where you want to attend your biometric appointment.
You will need to book an appointment to:
- have your photo taken
- get your fingerprints scanned
Appointments are either free or charged. This will depend on the visa application centre you choose.
You can choose from:
| Type of visa application centre | Location information | Applicable charges |
|---|---|---|
| Application Support Centres (Run by the Department of Homeland Security) | Centre Locator | There is no charge to attend an Application Support Centre |
| VFS Global Centres | List of VFS Premium Centres |
To attend a VFS Global Premium Application Centre, you will need to purchase a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Settlement Premium Package. Information about fees can be found on the VFS website. |
| VFS Temporary Enrolment Locations | List of VFS Temporary Enrolment Locations | Additional fee payment required; click on the relevant centre for further information |
Please note: once you have selected the type of centre to attend for your biometric appointment on GOV.UK, you will not be able to alter your selection without cancelling your application and starting a new one.
Step 4: Submit your supporting documents
Please note that at present priority and super-priority services are only available via VFS Premium Centres.
If you are using an Application Support Centre
Once your appointment confirmation letter is stamped at the ASC, you will have 5 days to mail this, your application form, current passport, UPS return shipping label, and any supporting documents (if you haven’t uploaded them online) to:
VFS Services USA Inc. UKVI Scanning Hub 128 East 32nd St Floor 4 New York NY 10016
All applications must include your current passport with at least one blank visa page on both sides.
The 15 working day standard service for processing your UK visa application will only begin once these documents have been received at the above address.
If you are using a VFS Premium centre
The Document Scanning Assistance Service wil be included as part of your Bronze, Silver or Gold Premium Package, but you can also choose to upload your documents online if you prefer.
If you are using a VFS Temporary Enrolment Location
If you cannot upload your documents online, you will need to purchase Document Scanning Assistance and provide clear copies only (no originals) along with your passport to the officer present.
Return of your documents
If you attend a VFS Premium Application Centre, you will have your passport returned by courier following the decision on your application as part of the Bronze, Silver, Gold or Settlement Package purchased.
If you attend an Application Support Center or a Temporary Enrolment Location, you need to use UPS courier services offered by VFS Global. If you choose not to purchase a Courier service from VFS, you may use a courier company of your choice to send your passport/documents to the VFS Global UKVI Visa Processing Center, but please note you must provide a UPS machine-printed shipping label with your package for passport/document return.