UK VISA UPDATE (RE: APPLY AHEAD - STUDENT AND VISITOR VISAS)

On July 2nd, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) announced significant changes to the locations where students can complete the biometrics requirement. These changes go into effect on July 15, 2025. 

This specifically impacts students who are applying for a UK visa ahead of departure (Student or Visitor Visa) from within the US:

• Student Visa - for students who are doing an internship or studying for more than 6 months, regardless of passport
• Visitor Visa - for non-US passport holders who are required to obtain a visitor visa ahead of departure

This does NOT impact students who are applying for an ETA (US passport holders studying for 6 months or less and not doing an internship - the majority of our students!). 

Currently, students applying for a UK Student or Visitor Visa ahead of departure must complete a biometrics requirement. Students applying from within the US are able to complete that requirement at one of the many Visa Application Centers around the country - many of the current offices (especially those outside of major cities) are operated by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) / US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This update from UKVI states that students will no longer have access to the DHS / USCIS offices. 

Students who schedule their biometrics appointment after July 15 or complete their biometrics appointment after Aug 1 will no longer have access to the DHS / USCIS locations. They will be restricted to 10 free-to-use Visa Application Centers (VACs) and 28 pay-to-use VAC locations across the US, all operated by VFS Global:

Free-to-use VACs:

User-pay VACs (students must pay a fee of £76.50 to utilize the centers below):

Arcadia Abroad is in direct contact with all fall 25 students who are applying for a UK Student or Visitor visa - all students have been instructed to apply ASAP so that they can make use of the DHS offices before they become unavailable (students have been provided our step-by-step visa guide and various support documents needed for their application).

If advisors have questions or concerns about their students, they are welcome to contact Ashley Brookes (brookesa@arcadia.edu).

If students have questions or concerns about their visa applications, they are encouraged to contact our Visa Coordinator, Briana Figueiredo (auabroad@arcadia.edu).