Information for those applying from the United States

Information for students making a visa application from the United States

Important Changes to UK Visa Applications in the US

From 15 July 2025, there are significant changes to how you apply for your UK visa if you're in the United States. VFS Global is opening 38 new UK Visa Application Centres (VACs) across the US, replacing the current system run by the US Department of Homeland Security.

This means you cannot book new appointments at an Application Support Centre (ASC) after 15 July. You can still attend an ASC until 1 August if you have already booked an appointment.

There are multiple ways to submit a Student visa application from the US and the process can sometimes be confusing to applicants. The following steps take you through what you need to do to apply and provide information about the different options available. 

Step 1: Gather your documents

Step 2: Complete and pay for your visa application online 

Step 3: Book and attend an appointment at a visa application centre

Once you have completed and paid for your visa application, you will need to select where you want to attend your biometric appointment. 

You will need to book an appointment to:

  • have your photo taken
  • get your fingerprints scanned

Appointments are either free or charged. This will depend on the visa application centre you choose. 

You can choose from: 

  • VFS free-to-use or user-pay centres

    VFS centres information

  • Application Support Centre (ASC) - only for applications submitted up to 15 July 2025

Please note: once you have selected the type of centre to attend for your biometric appointment on GOV.UK, you will not be able to alter your selection without cancelling your application and starting a new one.

VFS: Information on attending a visa application centre

Step 4: Submit your supporting documents

Please note that at present priority and super-priority services are only available via VFS Premium Centres. 

If you are using an Application Support Centre 

Once your appointment confirmation letter is stamped at the ASC, you will have 5 days to mail this, your application form, current passport, UPS return shipping label, and any supporting documents (if you haven’t uploaded them online) to:

VFS Services USA Inc. UKVI Scanning Hub 128 East 32nd St Floor 4 New York NY 10016

All applications must include your current passport with at least one blank visa page on both sides. 

The 15 working day standard service for processing your UK visa application will only begin once these documents have been received at the above address.

If you are using a VFS  centre

Please see the information VFS provide on their website. 

VFS USA - Supporting documents 

Step 5: Wait for a decision

Step 6: Receive your decision

 
 

Further guidance:

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