The British Embassy has urged all students planning to study in the UK in 2009-10 academic year to apply for their student visas early and to make sure they provide all the right documents. UK Border Agency Regional Director Bharat Joshi said: “We are delighted that so many Qataris choose the UK as their location for both undergraduate and postgraduate study. In order to make sure that students are able to travel to begin their courses on time, we encourage all students to make sure they fully understand the requirements of the new ‘points-based’ system which has been in place since April.” The new system is designed to offer students a simpler, more secure and more transparent visa process, but as with all new systems there will be an inevitable process of bedding down. Under the system, which applies to students worldwide, applicants must provide the Embassy in Doha with an original copy of a “visa letter” from the educational institution that they are going to study at. All education providers in the UK are now required to register with the UK Border Agency and be licensed as a sponsor before they can recruit international students. Applicants also need to provide evidence that they have sufficient funds to cover the cost of the course and monthly living costs for the first year of studies. Full details of the requirements for student visas can be found at the UK Border Agency Website: ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk. For more information about applying for visas in Doha, see the website of the UK Visa Application Centre: www.vfs-uk.com.qa. http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&subsection=Qatar+News&month=July2009&file=Local_News2009072814324.xml

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