Student - extend your visa at the cost of your FINGERPRINT

Note: Please do not hesitate to ask questions here, you can ask questions by commenting this blog.
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This is the time when we have to really think, are we coming here to study or we are ..... so lets come to the point.

Some changes has been made in student visa extension and some changes are coming in future. In this post i will discuss what are the current changes.

A new section has been added in student visa extension form. If you are extending your stay in united kingdom you will have to fill this section and in future it will be compulsory for all students coming to uk, but currently its just for students. Student are the weakest people, and UK Immigration agency is using them to enforce a law which is not accepted by British people (Biometric Identity Cards).

If you are a student who already has leave to study here, you can apply to extend your stay if:

• you last entered the United Kingdom with a valid student or prospective student entry clearance;
  • to re-sit an examination;
    • as a student union sabbatical officer;
    • as a work permit holder;
    • under the science and engineering graduates scheme or as it is now known the international graduates scheme;
    • under the fresh talent: working in Scotland scheme; or
  • you have valid leave as a student.

To apply for an extension to stay in the United Kingdom to study you will need to apply using the FLR(S) application form. You should read the guidance notes before completing the application form.

In the new application form there is New Section No. 7 which is compulsory and its all about bio metrics and finger prints. Border and immigration agency (BIA) is calling this form as Biometric immigration document. Biometric immigration document is the legal term for identity cards for foreign nationals.

At present, you will only need to complete section 7 if you are aged 18 or over and will not be including any dependants in your application.

Postal applications

If you are applying by post you will only need to apply for a biometric immigration document if you live at an address within the London postcode area:

• E1 - 18
• EC1 - 4
• N1 - 22
• NW1 - 11
• SE1 - 28
• SW1 - 20
• W1 - 14
• WC1 - 2.

Once your postal application for your extension has been received, we will send you a letter asking you to make an appointment at our public enquiry office in Croydon to have your fingerprints recorded and photograph taken. If you do not book an appointment, we may not accept your application as valid and we will return any fee you have paid. If you book an appointment and fail to attend or refuse to provide your biometrics, your application may be refused.

You will not have to pay an additional fee when you attend the appointment. If your application to extend your stay is successful, you will still receive a vignette (sticker) in your passport, rather than an identity card.

Applications at Croydon public enquiry office

If you are applying in person at our public enquiry office in Croydon, you will also need to apply for a biometric immigration document regardless of your postcode. Your fingerprints will be recorded and photograph taken as part of the application process on the day you attend the public enquiry office.

You will not have to pay an additional fee when you attend the appointment. If your application to extend your stay is successful, you will still receive a vignette (sticker) in your passport, rather than an identity card.

Applications at other public enquiry offices

If you are applying in person at another public enquiry office, you will not need to apply for a biometric immigration document at the moment. We will update the information on this page when this requirement changes.

Further information

For further details about the biometric immigration document and questions you may have when attending your appointment, you should read the FLR(S) guidance notes and identity cards for foreign nationals. These can be downloaded from the right side of this page.

Student visitor

You will not be able to extend your stay in the United Kingdom as a student visitor. There are no provisions in the student visitor rules for extensions to be granted. Leave as a student visitor can only be obtained by applying for a student visitor visa at a British Diplomatic post abroad or by seeking leave from an Immigration Officer of the UK Border Agency on arrival in the United Kingdom.

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Personal Advice: Personally i have finished my studies and i dont need to extend my visa, but if i am in the start of my process of coming to United Kingdom............i will think three time.... and will think for other options................

In Future: For more information on International Graduate Scheme (IGS) i will write next post, be aware you might be able to stay here for one more year, on the cost of your fingerprint.