Festive times.
At festive times, such as Christmas and Easter, our mission and that of Manila, our processing centre, will be shut for several days. Applicants are advised to allow an extra week for processing time.


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. The following changes will come into effect on 3 March 2010.

• You will need a good standard of English to come and study to improve your English or to study any course below degree level.
• 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 less than 6 months, you will no longer be able to bring your dependents.
• Dependents of anyone studying a course lower than a degree level 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 againts the rules in force at the time. 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. Further changes will be introduced from April 2010.

Changes to student points-based system applications from 22 February 2010.  
From 22 February 2010, any visa applicant who applies to study in the UK under Tier 4 of the points-based system must have a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from their sponsor (who is an education provider in the UK and who is on the sponsor register). The UK Border Agency will accept applications that are supported by a visa letter that have been submitted and paid for on or before 21 February 2010. Any visa applications that are paid for on or after 22 February 2010 and are not supported by a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies will be refused.

The date of application is the date that the fee associated with the application is paid. This will be the date shown on the official payment receipt.  Applicants wishing to apply with a visa letter must ensure that an appointment to make a payment is made before 22 February 2010.  

For more information about applying to study under Tier 4 of the points-based system, see the Studying in the UK section of the UK Border Agency website.

Read also on the FAQs for CAS.


10 February 2010 - New rules for student Points-Based System application.
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 - 2011.
The visa application fees for 2010 - 2011, 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 2010 and they attract the same equivalent cost where ever you apply in the world. Please the UK Border Agency website for more information on the 2010 - 2011 visa application fees.


UK Border Agency introduces fingerprint checks at UK borders from 30 November 2009.
On arrival in the UK, passengers with biometric UK visas and entry clearances will have their fingerprints scanned at border control. In the majority of cases the passenger's right hand thumb and first finger will be used. These will then be checked against the fingerprints provided in the application process.

The purpose of this check is to verify that the individual entering the UK is the same person who applied for their visa/ entry clearance and using fingerprints enables us to do this with greater certainty.

For more information please see the FAQs page of the UK Border Agency on common questions about fingerprint checks for passengers on arrival in the UK.

UK Border Agency is rolling out the fingerprint checks to ports across the UK by the end of March 2010.  Passengers will be informed about this new check through its website and posters and leaflets displayed at the ports. 

Find out more on this checks.

Visas to take five working days.
With effect from 2 November 2009, the British High Commission will follow other British diplomatic missions in Southeast Asia by sending all visa applications, accompanying paperwork and passports, to a regional hub of expert entry clearance officers in Manila for processing. This will help ensure consistency of UK Border Agency (UKBA) service levels and decision-making across the region. But the process will now take five working days.

There is no change to the system for online applications and we can still receive up to three months ahead of travel nor to the friendly and expert service provided by UKBA staff at the High Commission. We will continue to accept supporting paperwork, passport, biometrics and the relevant fee at the visa counter; from where customers will – as now – collect their passports after issue. What they will need to bear in mind, however, is the time required for transport by secure courier to and from the UKBA hub.

In the past, we have often been able to issue visas more quickly than this five day target – though five working days has actually been the UKBA global standard for some time. From next month, however, it will no longer be possible for us to “beat the target. The travelling public and their sponsors will need to factor this into their travel plans.

For further information on applying log onto visa4UK

Where can I get information?
UK Border Agency and the high commission work in partnership to provide a visa service here in Brunei.

Where can I get advice?
Our visa section staff cannot give you advice on how to complete your application, or what type of visa you should apply for. If you need help with your application or advice about the UK's immigration rules and requirements, you should seek advice from a qualified immigration adviser. In the UK these are immigration advisers regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner or legally qualified professionals regulated by designated professional bodies. Their websites are:

• Law Society of England and Wales
• Law Society of Scotland
• Law Society of Northern Ireland
• Institute of Legal Executives

How do I submit my application?
You can submit your application through our online application service at the visa section of the high commission.

Service standards - complaints and compliments.
UKvisas aims to offer a fair and professional service to all our customers.  We welcome feedback which tells us where we need to improve.

If you have any comments, or are concerned about the standard of service you received, please let us know. We investigate all complaints fully and will send you a reply within 20 working days.

If you wish to complain about the service you received from the UK Border Agency at this high commission, please address your complaint to:

The Entry Clearance Manager
Unit 2.01, Second Floor
Block D
Kompleks Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
Jalan Pretty
Bandar Seri Begawan BS8711
Brunei Darussalam

or by email at: The Visa Section Manager

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VISAS FOR THE UK – AN OVERVIEW

We have included information relating to the most popular types of visa applications we receive in Bandar Seri Begawan; we hope you will find it informative.

For types of applications not listed here and/or more detailed information, please visit the UK Border Agency.

Bruneian nationals need to apply for an entry clearance with us only if they plan to stay in the UK for longer than six months or if applying for certain categories of visas. Bruneian nationals wishing to undertake short holidays in the UK do not require prior entry clearance.

If in doubt, please check through here, UK Border Agency and the FAQs. If you remain unsure, please contact us.

We no longer accept paper visa application forms. All visa applicants should apply on line using the Visa4UK.

The processing time for different categories of visa applications varies. We endeavour to process straightforward visit visa applications within 24 hours. Settlement applications are processed within 8 to 12 weeks depending on the time taken for checks to be completed.

Other applications, including students, are processed as quickly as possible and often within 24 hours at the discretion of the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO). However, applications can be deferred for additional documents; for further enquiries or for an interview. We therefore recommend that flight tickets should not be purchased until you have secured your visa to avoid disappointment.

QUICK START – THE VISA APPLICATION PROCESS

There are four easy steps to applying for a UK visa online:

1. Read the information related to the type of visa that you wish to apply for;
2. Complete, save, print off and submit the online application form at visa4UK. At the end of this process, the system will require you to book an appointment to submit your application to us;
3. We encourage you to use our checklists to help you prepare your applications. Go to our Checklist page to find the checklist for your application; and
4. Come to the Visa Section at the time of your appointment with the following:

• A signed, completed printout of your online application form;
• The printout of the confirmation of your appointment;
• Your passport;
• The correct visa application fee;
• A passport photo on a white background; and
• Your supporting documents – originals plus one photocopied full set and one passport photographs (in colour, with a white background and measuring 45mm X 35mm).

All applicants, irrespective of nationality, will need to come into the High Commission in person to provide their fingerscans and a digital photograph (taken by us) to complete the visa application process. Only children under the age of 5 years of age and a limited number of other categories are ordinarily exempt from biometrics.

Visa application fees are set by the UK Parliament and are converted from Pounds Sterling to Brunei Dollars. Fluctuating exchange rates mean that periodic changes in visa application fees may occur. Please check the current visa application fees before attending the Visa Section.