From Tennessee to Newcastle.

Hello all. My name is Michelle and I was just offered a place at university in Newcastle. I will be moving in September this year if all goes as planned.

But I am losing my mind! Haha. I have no friends or anyone who's made such a big move before so I'm feeling a little isolated with no one who genuinely understands the emotional rollercoaster going on in my head right now. So this is me reaching out to you because I'm realizing I need support of some kind.

Let's see... A little about me. I'm turning 24 this month, so I've had a late start to returning to higher education... I'm a dog lover and I have 2 of my own. Living with my family right now and they are dog people as well. Altogether we have 7 dogs. It's quite hectic in this house, but never a dull moment. I am moving by myself, though, so don't worry - no crazy dog people in Newcastle from me yet.

I'd like to hear all about your success stories, and I'm looking to make some friends. Thanks for reading! Looking forward to meeting you.

Welcome to UKY! What will you be studying at uni?

I haven't decided what I'm going to study yet. I was offered 2 places. One for Graphic Design and another for Computer Animation. Both are loves of mine, so it's going to be a difficult decision.

But I'll do it! I'm really excited about it. What is your story?

I haven't decided what I'm going to study yet. I was offered 2 places. One for Graphic Design and another for Computer Animation. Both are loves of mine, so it's going to be a difficult decision.

But I'll do it! I'm really excited about it. What is your story?

Oooh, those sound like fun. I really want to go back to school for interior design (among many other things).

I think I'm in the majority around these parts - I met and fell in love with a British man and I'm moving to Sheffield in May.

Oooh, those sound like fun. I really want to go back to school for interior design (among many other things).

I think I'm in the majority around these parts - I met and fell in love with a British man and I'm moving to Sheffield in May.

Oh yes. There's a British man involved for me too. However, if I wasn't looking to go back to school anyway, I never would've given it a chance, unfortunately. Glad it's worked out so far.

How did you meet?

Oh yes. There's a British man involved for me too. However, if I wasn't looking to go back to school anyway, I never would've given it a chance, unfortunately. Glad it's worked out so far.

How did you meet?

We met on Facebook via an application called SocialMe. How about you and your Brit?

We met on Facebook via an application called SocialMe. How about you and your Brit?

We met on a game called Second Life. Has the moving process been very difficult for you so far? Did you go through the emotional rollercoaster too?

I've heard of Second Life. Isn't it like a virtual world? Sounds interesting and if it's what I'm thinking of, it reminds me of the Sims (which I love btw!)

I haven't moved yet, but I think the visa process was more of an emotional roller coaster than the moving process will be. I've only been back in the States for 7 months as I spent the previous 9 months traveling, so I'm used to saying goodbye to family and friends. Plus, I know I'll be back at some point - Christmas, for sure. I think knowing that this move is best for DH and I at this point makes it easier.

I think I'm having the biggest problem with what to bring and what to leave behind. 

Have you visited the UK often?

I've heard of Second Life. Isn't it like a virtual world? Sounds interesting and if it's what I'm thinking of, it reminds me of the Sims (which I love btw!)

I haven't moved yet, but I think the visa process was more of an emotional roller coaster than the moving process will be. I've only been back in the States for 7 months as I spent the previous 9 months traveling, so I'm used to saying goodbye to family and friends. Plus, I know I'll be back at some point - Christmas, for sure. I think knowing that this move is best for DH and I at this point makes it easier.

I think I'm having the biggest problem with what to bring and what to leave behind. 

Have you visited the UK often?

It is a virtual world, yes. Not too similar to the Sims, but a bit of the same concept. Character designing and such. It's more of a social thing. I love the Sims too. Was just playing it before I decided to do a bit of forum research.

I visited the UK recently back in February to tour the university and such. I fell in love. Mostly stayed in Newcastle, but I got to visit York once too. I haven't started the visa process yet. I'm getting quite nervous about it. It all kind of hit home when I was offered a place at uni. Lol.

We just bought DB plane tickets to come visit me this summer and help me get some things organized so I'm not doing so much by myself. I'm waiting for that relief. Haha.

When you applied for your visa and such, did you have to visit the nearest consulate often?

When you applied for your visa and such, did you have to visit the nearest consulate often?

Nope. Only went there for my biometrics. I learned everything about the visa process from this forum and the UKBA website.

Nope. Only went there for my biometrics. I learned everything about the visa process from this forum and the UKBA website.

Oh ok. That makes me feel a bit better. My nearest is Nashville, and I dislike Nashville with a passion. Hahaha. I've been reading everything on the UKBA website religiously, so I hope I have a good idea of what I'm supposed to be doing next.

Oh ok. That makes me feel a bit better. My nearest is Nashville, and I dislike Nashville with a passion. Hahaha. I've been reading everything on the UKBA website religiously, so I hope I have a good idea of what I'm supposed to be doing next.

You're on the right track then. I'd suggest checking out the meet up boards on this forum, there might be something happening in Newcastle! Great way to meet people 

Welcome to the forum and good luck with your studies .

When you applied for your visa and such, did you have to visit the nearest consulate often?

Actually, you don't need to visit any consulate at all .

The only UK consulate in the US that processes visas is the one in New York City, so you won't have to go anywhere near the consulate in Nashville (they wouldn't be able to help you anyway, because they don't deal with UK visa applications).

The way the visa application works is that you acquire all the supporting paperwork for the visa (the university in the UK will need to issue you with a Certificate of Sponsorship and then you fill out the online visa application.

Once you have completed the application, you submit it online and pay for it, and then you will be prompted to make a biometrics appointment to have your fingerprints and photo taken digitally (a 5-10 minute appointment).

The biometrics are done at one of the 129 USCIS application support centers across the US (you can choose which one), run by US immigration... so you will be visiting a US immigration office, not a UK consulate, to have your biometrics taken.

Once you've attended the appointment, you then mail all your application documents to the NYC consulate and then wait for a decision on your visa.

If you want the visa processed within 48 hours, you can pay $150 for Priority Processing on the day you mail your documents to NYC.

Or alternatively, Tier 4 student visa applicants have the option to pay $100 for an in-person premium appointment, which gives a same-day decision... however, you would need to travel to NYC for the appointment at the UK consulate there, so if you don't live near NYC, that might not be practical/cost-effective for you.

Welcome to the forum and good luck with your studies .

Actually, you don't need to visit any consulate at all .

The only UK consulate in the US that processes visas is the one in New York City, so you won't have to go anywhere near the consulate in Nashville (they wouldn't be able to help you anyway, because they don't deal with UK visa applications).

The way the visa application works is that you acquire all the supporting paperwork for the visa (the university in the UK will need to issue you with a Certificate of Sponsorship and then you fill out the online visa application.

Once you have completed the application, you submit it online and pay for it, and then you will be prompted to make a biometrics appointment to have your fingerprints and photo taken digitally (a 5-10 minute appointment).

The biometrics are done at one of the 129 USCIS application support centers across the US (you can choose which one), run by US immigration... so you will be visiting a US immigration office, not a UK consulate, to have your biometrics taken.

Once you've attended the appointment, you then mail all your application documents to the NYC consulate and then wait for a decision on your visa.

If you want the visa processed within 48 hours, you can pay $150 for Priority Processing on the day you mail your documents to NYC.

Or alternatively, Tier 4 student visa applicants have the option to pay $100 for an in-person premium appointment, which gives a same-day decision... however, you would need to travel to NYC for the appointment at the UK consulate there, so if you don't live near NYC, that might not be practical/cost-effective for you.

Wow! Thanks for all the info. Definitely puts things into a better perspective for me. About how long does it take to get the visa processed without paying any priority processing or anything? I know the UKBA website would have an estimate but I'm wondering how long it took for you? Like when I applied for my passport it was a 6-8 week estimate, and I got it in 4.

About how long does it take to get the visa processed without paying any priority processing or anything? I know the UKBA website would have an estimate but I'm wondering how long it took for you? Like when I applied for my passport it was a 6-8 week estimate, and I got it in 4.

I'm a British citizen, so have not actually applied for a UK visa for myself (I have applied for two US student visas, but that's not really gonna help you here ).

I don't think anyone here has applied for a Tier 4 visa recently, because most Tier 4 applications are made in the summer months, ready for school to start in September (in which case, the processing times are likely to increase anyway, as the total number of visas processed in June, July and August just about doubles due to student visa applications).

If you are applying for a Tier 4 student visa, then the current processing times are as followed: 56% processed in 2 working days, 64% in 3 working days, 80% in 5 working days, 93% in 10 working days and 100% in 15 working days. This is only based on the 75 student visa applications made in February 2012... but in the summer, the NYC consulate processes at least 1,000 student visas a month, probably more.