u/SergeiGo99

Just thought I’d share my experience in case anyone needs clarity and/or reassurance.

Application and documents submitted online: 11/08/2026 (through self-upload on TLSContact)

Biometrics: 12/08/2026 (yesterday) at TLSContact UKVCAS in London

Decision email: 13/08/2026 (today) early in the morning saying my application has been successful.

I was switching from a Student Visa and opted in for priority processing (5 working days), but got my decision literally less than 24 hours after my biometrics. There was a super priority option available for £1,000.

I was only asked to submit a scan of my passport.

Hope this helps.

I often visit my mates in that area and tend to hang out at theirs quite a lot, especially at weekends. Every now and then I end up bumping into actors or singers.

Was leaving Dominique’s with a big takeaway a little while ago. The guy who was also leaving held the door open for me as he saw that my hands were full. I said, ‘Cheers mate, appreciate that.’ He basically said, ‘Careful with all that!’ Only then did I realise it was Benedict Cumberbatch.

I’ve also seen Tom Hiddleston and Helena Bonham-Carter wander about, as well as Ricky Gervais. Haven’t really had a chance to chat to any of them, but still. Turns out the area is heavily populated by celebs.

Hi all,

Quick question — do I need to upload/submit a full scan of my passport as part of the Skilled Worker Visa application, or just the bio page (applying from the UK)?

Thanks

Hi all,

Quick question — do I need to upload/submit a full scan of my passport as part of the Skilled Worker Visa application, or just the bio page (applying from the UK)?

Thanks

Would a Master’s Degree from a UK university count if it was studied fully online (remotely), and the person was outside the UK throughout the duration of the course? please advise.

I know that those applying for entry clearance (from outside the UK) do need it, but nothing seems to be said about those within the UK, so I wonder if the same rule still applies to them. Work in education. Please advise.

The applicant has been in the UK on a visa for nearly a year, and the employer has seen their police checks from overseas (obtained prior to moving to the UK).

Hi all. Moved to Basingstoke (from Lancaster) just over a week ago. Even though I’ve explored most of the town, I wouldn’t mind going out for drinks/walks occasionally.

M27, happy to have friends my age and older.

The applicant has been in the UK on a visa for nearly a year, and the employer has seen their police checks from overseas (obtained prior to moving to the UK).

Would a Master’s Degree from a UK university count if it was studied fully online (remotely), and the person was outside the UK throughout the duration of the course? please advise.

Would a Master’s Degree from a UK university count if it was studied fully online (remotely), and the person was outside the UK throughout the duration of the course? please advise.

Just finished my very last day of the course. I’m a campus-based trainee, and our cohort has both campus-based and school-based trainees (SCITT).

Back in September the lecture theatre was absolutely full, and people coming 5 minutes before the start of the lecture were struggling to find seats, and as a result many had to sit on the floor. 9 months later everything looks totally different.

Throughout the course many have dropped out. However, I was not expecting to see THAT few people today. Only around 15% of seats were taken, and I came in a bit late! Also, not everyone who was there passed and got QTS… as it turns out, some people (were) failed, others got an additional placement (starting this September), and a couple of people got their current placements extended till the end of the school year (late July).

Is that actually common? I did know that the pass rate wasn’t the highest, but still…