This thread is incredible, contributors nothing short of amazing!

Note I read from page 1 of this thread (Part 5). Recent and helpful. Interestingly, I had already made our visa application in June before discovering this thread but not without several research on how to proceed.

Nothing rivals this though. It is one-stop-shop.

Back to my application. So, I am reading through the 200+ page on July 2 only to realize I did not fully grasp the 28day requirement. I mistook application date for biometrics submission date. PANIC!! My 28th day was 4 days short.

Luckily, biometrics was scheduled for the 9th of July, so I had a leeway for a refund from TLS (5 working days before appointment). Had TB test done on the 7th.

Cancelled application and appointment. Made a new application selecting July 13th as new date for biometrics.

Family of 5 visa issued.

MY TWO CENTS:
1. Read, research. It will help with your future study too. This thread would probably be 200 pages if we are calm and read through. Yes, it can be nerve wrecking, but believe in your ability to do it.
2. You do not need an agent, especially paid ones. A good number get you into trouble. A colleague used one that did not declare past visa refusals and visit to Kuwait. She was found out and denied (A visitor visa)
3. Do not rush your application. Check and re-check. Well, this may be easier said because I still forgot to declare my US visitor refusal for the year 2000. Guessing they let it slide because I had declared in previous applications, it was more than 10 years and I had a number of US renewals after that.
4. UK is expensive with everchanging rules. If you do not have the funds to cover your 1-year tuition at least, please defer. Relaying solely on ‘hustle’ for both tuition and maintenance may not work as envisaged. Friends will shock you. You fail on payments; the school will report you because they value their license more. This was a 2-year journey for me.
5. Our circumstances differ. As much as there is a general point-based rule, you may need to provide additional (useful) support for your application. That is why the section for additional information was not taken out and the upload site has a category termed ‘others’.
- I am 43. Last degree 21 years ago (B.Sc. Psychology). 21 years in banking (E-business). Applied for a 2-year program unrelated to
Banking or Business with 16 and 15-year-old sons (dependents) in tow.
- Australian cultural visa refusal in 2019
- I explained my gap years. Explained plans for my 2 children’s university education. I also got letters from the organizations I had
worked with to explain my program choice. No, I was not called for credibility interview.
- Please do not mention or upload what is not useful. Stay within your CAS requirements, POF and SELT (if required)

6. Proof of funds statement
a. A lien shows a variance between total funds and available funds. Do not print
b. PND shows no variance. However, the Home office can provide your consent forms to request if there is any form of restriction on the account. Some banks oblige that information. Have it in mind that see adverts on POF.
c. I used an account where I did not transact at all and it did not count against me. A joint account with my spouse we have run since 2008.
Just thought to share and hope it helps someone else here in a similar bucket.

I kept seeing references to JUSTWISE and had to do a search.
- Immigration topics in service to others as far back as 2007 or so
- Various topics and countries. Wow! Just wow!

What got me rolling was the snippy signature:
Signature: Don't underestimate the power of stupid people in a large group

Thanks a lot, justwise, thank you to everyone that painstakingly help address questions/issues even after receiving their visas

Thanks for reading.