How long does it take to get a US Student Visa?

How long does it take to get a UK student visa?

• My American nephew was accepted to a school in the UK and needs a T4 General student visa. The classes start in Sept, how soon should he begin the application process? He has an American passport, and the starting point appears to be with filling out a UK visa application at the UK website. How soon before his classes start can he complete the application, and how long will it take to get a Biometrics appointment? I appreciate any help with this. Thanks.

• Answer:

  He can start the visa application process up to 3 months in advance of his planned travel date. The UK Border Agency advises to start the visa application process at least 5-10 weeks prior to the planned travel date. This should allow him enough time to complete his online application form, submit his biometric data to USCIS, prepare his supporting documents and for the UK Border Agency to process his visa application. 98% of the Tier 4 visa applications were processed within 10 working days in the month of April 2011, the processing time starts once the application package has been received by the UK Border Agency staff in New York and it finishes once the decision has been made and the passport and supporting documents are forwarded to the courier service..