UK VFS experience

Before going to the VFS

1. Check your documents

You will submit these original documents:

• Passport (s)
• Printed Visa Application Form
• Graduation Certificate, Academic Records (both might need to be translated)
• Birth Certificate, Family Records (both might need to be translated)
• CAS (number)
• IHS (number)
• Financial Guarantee Statement
• IELTS /& TOEFL
• UK Visa Photos (x2)
• TBC-free Certificate
• << above documents' copy >>

Others:

• Appointment confirmation
• Any special service receipt(s)
• Unconditional offer

All documents that you will submit must be copied, then separate the originals and copies.

You need to put your IHS number on the cover page of your printed Visa Application form. You also need to sign the form and put the date in two places within the form.

If you do not currently have UK Visa/Passport standard photos, you can make them in the VFS photo booth for IDR 45000 (as of June 2015).

2. Rehearse your interview

There are many videos online that will give you some idea what a UK Visa Tier 4 interview will look like. Learn the questions, prepare your answers, and rehearse them.

Generally, you will be asked:

• Your name
• Your date of birth
• Your nationality
• Your reason for choosing the programme/course, the university, and the UK
• How the programme will help your career or whatever you do
• Where you will live in the UK, and why you chose the place
• What you will do after finishing your studies

3. Prepare your travel

The VFS Jakarta is located in one of the most crowded location in Jakarta, so expect traffic jams or late trains/buses, and depart early.

Also, check your documents one more time.

When you are there

The UK Visa VFS centre is located in the 3^rd floor. Take the elevator to access it quickly. Alternatively, you can also take the escalator, but then you will realize that it is actually the 5^th floor.

You will be allowed to enter the VFS centre 10 minutes before your actual appointment schedule.

VFS sketch

Upon entering the centre, you will need to show your passport and appointment receipt where your GWF number is written. Once inside, you need to turn your cellphone off.

There are several other Visa centres located there (Australia, New Zealand, and others). The UK Visa centre is located at the end of the aisle. Before entering you will be asked to show your GWF number once again.

If you paid the VIP Premium Lounge Service, tell the officer that you are applying with for “VL Student” and show them the receipt. You will be taken to the Premium Lounge, and the officer will assist your Visa application submission.

After your documents are taken, you will have to wait for biometric recording (photo and fingerprints).

You will be given a document submission receipt (red small paper). You must bring this receipt when you are going to retrieve your documents later. So do not lose it.

Then you will have to wait for quite sometime before they call you for the interview. The interview is conducted online, that is you will be sitting in front of a computer, wear a headset, and look at both the computer screen and the web camera.

In my case, a woman did the interview. She asked me questions while typing something (possibly my answers). She talked quite fast with heavy accent, but I was able to hear her questions quite clearly. Maybe because I had expected the questions.

The interview itself lasted only 15 minutes top, but waiting for it was a major waste of time. And while I was waiting in the lounge and had a friend to converse, it was cold and I was worried that I might forget my interview rehearseal.

My appointment was at 11.30. I entered the centre at 11.20, and did the interview at around 1.30 pm.

After the interview, I was allowed to go home. But I begged to differ and went back to work instead ಠ_ಠ

Ciao'