applying for a tier 4 visa outside of the uk · the application form is completed online, paid for...
TRANSCRIPT
Applying for a Tier 4 Visa outside of the UK
Before you apply for a visa:
How to get a CAS: First you must accept your course offer and in most cases pay a tuition fee deposit. If you will be attending the pre-sessional course you must pay the full fee for that course. Exceptions apply for students awarded a full University of Westminster scholarship or who have a US study loan.
Check that your documents meet the Tier 4 requirements, take a TB test if you are required to have one and get a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies). A CAS is issued by the University.
Next, apply for your CAS via the Applicant Portal. You will need to submit your passport details, qualifications, details of any previous UK visas or UK study and your financial documents.
Your financial documents must prove you meet the Tier 4 financial requirements to make a successful visa application.
A CAS will only be issued if your financial documents, previous UK study and visas (if relevant) all meet the Tier 4 requirements. The CAS is issued by email and confirms the University’s sponsorship of your studies and your unique CAS reference number. You can apply for your visa once you have your CAS and are within three months of your course start date. You need the CAS number for your visa application and the course information provided is essential for the completion of the visa application form. Remember other documents will be required for your visa application too e.g. proof of finances and qualifications.
This guide is for students coming to study a full-time course at the University of Westminster who are funding their own studies, being funded by their parents, using a US study loan, have Official Financial Sponsorship or using a combination of any of these.
The Guide explains how to set up a Home Office online account and gives tips about completing the Tier 4 visa application form. It does not cover all the Tier 4 rules, requirements, list all the documents needed and does not explain how to complete the application if you are applying to bring dependants.
If you are a “Study Abroad Student” (this is a particular group of students who usually come to the UK to study for a semester or a year as part of their course in their home country) please contact the Education Abroad Team for a guide specific to your needs:
E: [email protected] or T: +44 (0)207 911 5166.
We believe this information to be correct at the time of writing in May 2019.
Starting your visa application form
The visa process can take several weeks so allow enough time for your visa application to be processed and issued in time to start your course. For visa processing times, visit https://www.gov.uk/visa-processing-times.
You must make sure you have read and understood all the Tier 4 requirements and have all the correct documents in the correct format before you complete your visa application and have taken a TB test if required. Read our visa pages for information about this, visit: www.westminster.ac.uk/tier-4-visas and also read the Tier 4 Policy Guidance: www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-application-for-uk-visa-as-tier-4-student.
General information about Tier 4 visas can be found here: www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa/overview.
Important:
The application form is completed online, paid for online, and submitted electronically. The date of your application is the date you pay the application fee. You must meet the Tier 4 requirements on this date. This means your accompanying documentation must also meet the Tier 4 visa requirements on this date. Bank statements used to prove funds must show the required amount of money has been maintained in the account continuously for at least 28 consecutive days before the application fee is paid. Please make sure that the documents you showed to the University to obtain your CAS have not become too old (out of date) to use for your visa application. They must be dated within the last 31 days and the closing balance should fall within the last 31 days too. If you are unsure, please contact: [email protected].
You will need to go to the GOV.UK website: https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/apply-visa-type/tier4 to access the visa application form. The visa application fee is £348. There will be additional costs for priority applications. If you are applying with dependants, you will need to complete a separate form for each dependant.
REGISTERING AN ACCOUNT
You will start by selecting the visa application type and visa application location.
Select ‘Tier 4 (General) Student visa’ and click ‘Next’. If you are in receipt of a Chevening scholarship, please select the appropriate box.
You can apply for your visa in a country where you are a national or a country where you are living lawfully for a reason other than a short-term visit.
You will need to enter the name of the country where you live. You will then be provided with a list of appointment locations in that country. You will need to confirm whether you can attend one of the visa application centres in the list provided. If you are unable to attend one of the appointment locations listed, please contact Student Advice.
Some countries will not have their own visa application centres. This means that you will have to submit your application in your home country but attend an appointment in a neighbouring country. You will be given a list of those countries.
You will then be taken to a screen where you will be able to see the biometric enrolment locations within that country. If you have entered a country where no biometric enrolment locations are available, then you will be redirected to another country.
Next, you will be taken to this page. Read the information and select ‘Apply now’. Just note that you will need to complete separate forms for dependants if you have any. For more information about bringing dependants with you have a look at the UKCISA website: https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Visas-and-Immigration/Dependants
REGISTER YOUR EMAIL
You will need to complete some basic personal details to create your account. Remember to keep a record of your password.
You will be sent an automated email to your email address with the link to sign in to your visa application form.
Remember to use an email address that you check as you may be sent emails about your visa application.
Include all that are listed on your passport/CAS, including middle names. Make sure your CAS lists your correct names. Given names: First name and any middle names you have Family name: Surname If you do not have a given or family name, you can click on ‘I do not have both a given and family name’ which will provide you with a separate box to enter your name.
If yes, you will need to provide details. This is if you have officially changed your name e.g. after marriage.
SOME IMPORTANT POINTS ABOUT THE FORM
You can select the ‘Show and edit answers’ option to show and make changes to your previous answers.
You will be logged out of your visa application form if you are inactive for more than 25 minutes. If you will wish to complete your application at a later date, select ‘Return to this application later’. You will be given the option to email yourself the link to your application form. You will then be able to access the form via your email.
If you click on the tab in the top right-hand corner you will be given the option to, download your application, return to your application later and sign out.
SPONSOR
Your visa application will be refused if you do not have a CAS. Once you answer ‘Yes’ to this question, you will be prompted to provide your CAS reference number. You can find your CAS reference number on your CAS. It will usually begin with E4G…. You must check your CAS very carefully and ensure there are no errors or emissions. If you notice that there is an error on your CAS contact [email protected]
PERSONAL INFORMATION This section has questions about your current residency, previous travel and visa applications to the UK, and any other international travel outside of your home country. If you answer ‘yes’ to any of these questions, you will be asked to provide specific details.
Enter the address where you currently live. Postal code often known as zip code in other countries.
Insert your phone number that the UKV&I can contact you on. You can add an additional telephone number if you wish. On occasion, the UKVI may call you so it is important that you give a number that you will have access to.
Enter the required information and click on ‘Save and Continue’ If you select ‘other’ you will need to explain your living situation e.g. you are living with friends or you are in care.
Enter your gender as written in your passport. If you select that you have a spouse/partner, you will be asked to answer questions about them, later in the form. Unmarried partner is someone you have been living with for at least two years. If you are in a relationship but are not living with your partner, select ‘single’.
If you are a Chinese national you will also be asked for your province of birth.
Enter the information as shown in your passport. You must declare all of the nationalities you hold. Click on (+Add another nationality) to insert information about the other nationalities you hold. The nationality that you wish to enter the UK on should be entered first. The UKVI will only process your application according to your main nationality, this will be the nationality you enter first. If you are making your visa application from a country where you are not a national, you will be asked about what immigration permission your immigration status in the country where you are applying. Make sure your CAS lists your correct date of birth. Enter your country and place of birth as it appears in your passport – for example, this may read ‘Pennsylvania, USA’, or may be a city such as ‘Sao Paulo’, or it may be a country name.
PASSPORT DETAILS
You will need your passport for this part of the form. Your passport number is the number at the top right corner of your passport photo page. Make sure your CAS lists the correct number too. If you have changed your passport since your CAS was issued you will need to email [email protected] The place of issue is usually your home country, though this information will be on your passport. If your passport does not have a place of birth, you can enter your country as your place of birth.
You must declare all passports that you hold. If you answer ‘Yes’ to this question, you will be asked to provide information about the additional passports you hold.
If you answer ‘Yes’ to this question, you will be asked to provide your National identity card number. This question is country specific, if you are not required to have a National Identity Card in your country, select ‘No’. Although you are asked for this information, you are not required to submit your National Identity Card with your visa application.
If you are applying in a country where you are not a national e.g. if you are a Chinese national studying in the USA, this question will appear. Select the appropriate answer and select ‘Save and Continue’. You will need to take evidence of your residency to your visa appointment.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
Some important points to think about:
If your visa start or end dates are incorrect, we advise you ask for them to be amended before you travel.
You can check the standard visa processing times for each country here: https://www.gov.uk/visa-processing-times If you feel that you do not have enough time to use the Standard service, you may have to make a Priority visa application.
If your visa is granted after the latest date to enrol onto your course, you must contact Student Advice before you travel to the UK.
Check the course start and end date on your CAS are correct. You cannot apply for a Tier 4 visa more than 3 months before your course start date. Date you plan to arrive in the UK: • If you are applying for a visa to attend the
pre-sessional course, your visa (on a vignette) will start 30 days before the start of your course or 7 days before the date of your intended travel, whichever is later. Your visa should end one month after the course completion date.
• If you are applying for a course that lasts
six months or more, your temporary visa (on a vignette*) will start 30 days before the start of your course or 7 days before the date of your intended travel, whichever is later. You must travel to the UK within 30 days of your temporary visa issue date as it is only valid for this 30 day period. If the 30 days have ended before you travel, you must apply for a replacement vignette and a fee is charged for this. Once in the UK, you must collect your BRP card containing your full visa within 10 days of arriving in the UK. You must collect this from a location of your choice. This is explained later in this guide
If you are applying for a visa to resume a
course following a period of absence please contact Student Advice. How long do you intend to stay in the UK? We suggest you match the length of your course as stated on your CAS.
You should be mindful of your latest date to enrol onto your course. If you do not think you will be able to come to the UK by your latest date to enrol, please contact [email protected] *sticker in passport
We advise you choose English as the interview will be used to assess your English language ability as well as your credibility as a student. If you are a national from a majority English speaking country, you will not be asked this question.
If you answer ‘Yes’ to this question, you will be asked additional information about your visas.
If you answered ‘No’ to the previous question, you will be asked ‘Are you coming to the UK to study at a higher education institution? You should answer ‘Yes’ to this question. Does your CAS statement indicate that your English language ability was assessed by your institution…? You should answer ‘Yes’ to this question if your CAS states:
If your CAS states: Then select ‘No’ to this question.
SPOUSE / PARTNER’S DETAILS
If you previously stated that you are married, in a civil partnership or have an unmarried partner then you will be asked questions about your spouse or partner now. You will need your spouse/partner’s passport information for this part of the form.
If you answer ‘Yes’ you will be asked to provide further information. You can check whether you can bring dependents with you here: https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Visas-and-Immigration/Dependants Any dependents applying with you must make a separate visa application.
You will be now be asked questions about your parents, these questions are basic so we do not go into details in this guide.
FAMILY IN THE UK
If you answer ‘Yes’ you will be asked to provide further information.
You will then be asked about other relatives you have in the UK and will need to provide information about these relatives including what permission they have to be in the UK.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
If you answer ‘Yes’ to this question, you will be asked additional information.
If you answer ‘Yes’ to this question, you will be asked additional information.
STAYING WITH FAMILY You will only be asked this question if you previously stated that you have family in the UK.
ACCOMMODATION DETAILS
If you answer ‘Yes’ to this question, you will be asked questions about where you are planning to stay in the UK. If you have arranged accommodation in the UK, even if this is temporary (e.g a hotel or a family/friend’s home), provide these details. If your accommodation changes once in the UK you should inform the Home Office using their Change of Circumstance form: www.gov.uk/change-circumstances-visa-brp You should do this if any other personal details change during your course too. If you have not booked accommodation yet, select ‘No’. You will then be asked about your accommodation plans in the UK instead. If you will be staying in halls of residence and are waiting to be allocated your place, you can state the following: ‘I have applied for University accommodation at the University of Westminster and am awaiting confirmation of my room’.
TRAVEL HISTORY (UK)
This section has questions about your, previous travel and visa applications to the UK, and any other international travel outside of your home country. You will be asked to provide specific details about your travel. You must be honest and accurate when answering these questions as it can harm your visa application if you are later found to have withheld information, you could also be given a ban from entering the UK You can contact Student Advice if you want to discuss your situation before submitting your visa application.
You will be asked to provide information about your visits to the UK, including:
• The reason for your visit • Dates of your visit • Length of your visit
Unpaid medical bills can lead to a visa refusal. If you are unsure about whether you had any unpaid medical bills, please contact [email protected].
If you have been to the UK before you will then be asked the following questions. If you have never been to the UK before you will be taken directly to the question the UK visa applications section. You should answer this question honestly. If you select ‘Yes’ you will be asked additional information about the treatment you have received. You will be asked: • Where you received the treatment • Name of the hospital or Doctor’s surgery • Address (of the place where you
received the treatment) • Date of medical treatment Were you told you have to pay for your medical treatment? If you answer yes, then you will be asked for an amount. It appears that this question wants you to list every occasion that you have received medical treatment. We understand that this may not be possible. Answer this question as well as you can and if you are uncertain about specific dates, put an approximate date. You can then explain this further in the ‘Additional information’ section of the form. Please contact Student Advice if you are unsure about this question. It appears that this question wants you to list every occasion that you have received medical treatment. We understand that this may not be possible. Answer this question as well as you can and if you are uncertain about specific dates, put an approximate date. You can then explain this further in the ‘Additional information’ section of the form. Please contact Student Advice if you are unsure about this question.
If you answer ‘yes’ to this question, you will be asked to enter the date of issue of your visa. You will then be asked about medical treatment in the UK, UK leave to remain and national insurance number (see below). If you answer ‘No’ to this question you will be asked about your international travel hisotry.
You will be asked to provide information about your travels, including:
• Which country you visited • The reason for your visit • Dates of your visit • Length of your visit
The next question asks whether you have visited any other countries in the last 10 years. You will then be asked to provide information about your travels.
If you answer ‘Yes’ to this question, you will be asked additional information. You will then be asked about whether you have any ‘problems with immigration to countries other than the UK’.
The next series of questions are about any criminal convictions (including traffic offences), war crimes, terrorist activities, and other offences. If you answer ‘yes’ to any of these questions, you will be asked to provide details of the incident(s). You will then be asked whether you have worked for specific types of organisations such as the army. Answer appropriately and click on ‘Save and continue’.
If you have ever made a visa application from inside of the UK, answer ‘Yes’ to this question. You will then be asked about the date of the application and also the outcome of the application – whether it was approved or refused.
You will only have this number if you have previously lived in the UK and you applied for this number because you wanted to work in the UK. This number links you to the UK working tax system. If you answer ‘Yes’ to this question, you will be asked to provide your National Insurance number as well as give an explanation as to why you needed a National Insurance number.
SPONSOR INFORMATION
In this section, your “Sponsor” is the University of Westminster. The information needed for this section is in your CAS email. The address, contact details and Sponsor Licence Number are the same for all students – see how to complete this information in the left hand column.
Select Higher education institution.
This is the address where your course is actually held. This could be at Marylebone, Cavendish, Harrow or Regent Street address. If you are studying at Regent Street, select ‘Yes’ as your primary site of study will be the same as stated earlier. If you are studying at one of the other sites, select ‘No’ and insert the address as stated on your CAS. It is listed on your CAS as the “Main Place of Study”.
This should only be ‘Yes’ if you are going to study an Undergraduate course. You can find your UCAS number on your CAS.
Your CAS may state that you require an ATAS certificate. If your CAS confirms this, you will need this certificate for your visa application. You must have this certificate BEFORE you apply for your visa. If you are required to have an ATAS certificate, answer ‘Yes’. You will then be prompted to provide your ATAS reference number, which can be found on your ATAS certificate. If you are not required to have an ATAS certificate, select ‘No’.
You are ‘wholly sponsored’ if your Official Financial Sponsor is covering ALL of your tuition fees and living costs whilst you are studying on your course. The Tier 4 visa rules require you to show that you have the money for any unpaid tuition fees as shown on your CAS plus your living costs of £1,265 for each month of your course (for a maximum of 9 months). You can read about this requirement on the University website: https://www.westminster.ac.uk/international/visas-and-advice/visas/tier-4-visa/maintenance-and-fees-and-the-28-day-rule Where the course is for less than 9 months, you should calculate from the start date on the CAS to the end date on the CAS, rounding any part months up to a full month’s living cost (e.g. 31 July to 5 December will be 6 months.
The Tier 4 rules state that an Official Financial Sponsor must be one of the following:
Her Majesty’s Government, your home government, the British Council, an international organisation, an international company or a university. Answer No if you or your parents are funding your study. Also answer No if you are using an American Federal Loan to fund your studies. If you are a sponsored student then select, ‘Yes’. The next question asks about the documentary evidence that you will be submitting in support of your application if you are being ‘wholly sponsored’.
If you are being ‘wholly sponsored’ and you are in receipt of a University scholarship, you should select ‘My Tier 4 sponsor has confirmed this on my CAS’. Your scholarship must be confirmed on your CAS. If your CAS does not confirm your scholarship, email [email protected] to have your CAS updated.
If you are being ‘wholly sponsored’ and are in receipt of any other official financial sponsorship you should select ‘Letter of official financial sponsorship’. Refer to the University website for the requirements of the letter: https://www.westminster.ac.uk/international/visas-and-advice/visas/tier-4-visa/official-finance-sponsorship If your OFS letter only shows part sponsorship and does not cover all your fees and/or maintenance costs you will need to prove that you have the additional
funds in your own or your parent’s bank account. Remember you must be able to prove you have held the required amount in your own or your parents’ bank account for a minimum of 28 consecutive days before you make your visa application (the date you pay your visa application fee).
Course levels: RQF 6 – Undergrdatuate RQF 7 – Masters RQF 8 – PHD
You should complete this section using your CAS and copy the information exactly as it appears on your CAS. Name of sponsor institution: University of Westminster. Course name: Copy this exactly as it appears on your CAS, for example, Business Management (Accounting) BA Honours Qualification you will get: This question is asking you about the level of your course. Check the course level on your CAS. It’s called the “academic level” and usually looks something like RQF followed by a number. Please note that the online form lists the academic level as RQF/SCQF. It is the RQF number that is important. So if you are studying an Undergraduate course you are looking for RQF 6. Are you going to be a student union sabbatical officer?: Answer ‘No’ and select Save and Continue. If you are applying to be a sabbatical officer, please contact Student Advice at [email protected] for more information.
Course Start date: Copy this information as it appears on your CAS. Course end date: Copy this information as it appears on your CAS.
This question is asking if you have paid any money to the University for your accommodation. Only choose “yes” if you have already paid money to the University towards accommodation for one of the following: Harrow Hall or Marylebone Hall AND your CAS confirms the payment. Answer “NO” for any other accommodation even if this was obtained through the University.
If you answer Yes, the next question asks you to enter the amount paid for your accommodation. This should be confirmed on your CAS. However only £1,265 can be deducted from the total money you need to prove for your maintenance. This is the maximum that can be deducted, even if you have you have paid more e.g. £11,385 - £1,265 = £10,120. Therefore if you decide to pay more than £1,265 towards your accommodation ensure you still have sufficient funds in your bank account to prove you have £10,120 for your maintenance before you make your visa application.
What are your course fees for your first year? Enter the amount stated on your CAS. Have you or your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) already paid any of your course fees? You should answer ‘Yes’ to this question. You will then be asked ‘How much has been paid?’ If you are applying for a visa to attend a pre-sessional course, you should have paid the full pre-sessional course tuition fee and should confirm this amount. Otherwise you will have paid a minimum of £4,000 towards your course tuition fee for your CAS to be issued, although you could have paid more. You should ensure that all of the tuition fees you have paid are shown on your CAS. The next question is ‘How can you prove this amount has been paid?’ You should select that ‘My sponsor has confirmed this information on my CAS’. We do not advise that you present receipts as evidence of your payments. If the CAS details are not correct, e.g. you have paid more than is stated on your CAS, contact [email protected] to get your CAS amended BEFORE you continue further with your visa application.
If you answer ‘Yes’ to this question, you will be asked ‘Have you already received your student loan?’ You can only rely on a loan letter if your loan is from:
• Your national government • Your state/ regional government • A government sponsored student
loan company • Part of an academic or
educational loan scheme
If you do not know exactly how much money you need to show contact Student Advice at [email protected]. Please read the section on Official Financial Sponsorship which discusses the maintenance requirements in more detail. Answer ‘Yes’ if you are using a bank statement which is in your name or you are in receipt of a US Federal Loan. If you are using one of your parents’ bank statements, select ‘No’.
All students remember:
You can only use parent’s or legal guardian’s financial evidence. You cannot use financial evidence of any other family member. There is an exception for Official Legal Guardians. Please check the Tier 4 Policy Guidance for further information about this. If any documents are not in English or Welsh you must provide an official translation. We suggest you list any translations in this section too. Bank statements, birth certificates, parent sponsor letter and translations must all meet the Tier 4 visa requirements. Visit our visa page for further information: www.westminster.ac.uk/tier-4-visas
You do not need to include these documents with your visa application if you meet the Tier 4 Differentiation Arrangements and you are applying for your Tier 4 visa in your country of nationality. You can check whether your country is part of the Differentiation Arrangement on the GOV.UK website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-h-tier-4-documentary-requirements
If you answer ‘No’ and your maintenance funds are in one of your parent’s accounts: You will be asked whether you ‘have permission from your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) to use this money?’ You should answer ‘Yes’ to this question. You will then be asked how you can prove your relationship with your parent(s). Answer appropriately and select ‘Save and Continue’. If you intend to use an adoption certificate or court document, contact Student Advice at [email protected] to check that your document will be accepted by the UKVI. Scholarship students: There does not seem to be a question about scholarships on the online form. If you are in receipt of a scholarship we suggest that you mention your scholarship in the “additional information” section of the form. If you are in receipt of a partial scholarship, you will need to show that you have the maintenance funds available in your account or your parent’s account. Select the appropriate answers above and then explain your scholarship in the additional information section.
Use this space to explain anything unusual about your application or anything you felt you were unable to explain fully throughout the application, or which you feel was not covered in the application but which may be relevant to a decision. For example:
• if you have had previous immigration problems or refusals explain what happened, or
• if you have ever been known by another name you should include these details and provide evidence or,
• if you did not successfully complete your last course, briefly explain why.
Some of the questions in the form are mandatory and you have to answer these in order to proceed or complete your application but your answer may not give a true picture. For example it is mandatory to state your Mother and Fathers details. However if you never knew your Mother or Father and therefore provided incorrect details in order to be able to continue and complete your application, make sure you explain this here.
DOCUMENTS
This question asks about the financial documents that you will be submitting in support of your visa application. You will be given the opportunity to additional documents if you are relying on more than financial document. You may not need to send your financial documents if you are a national from a country that is part of the Differentiation Arrangement. You can check whether your country is part of the differentiation arrangement here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-h-tier-4-documentary-requirements You can read about the requirements for financial documents on the University website: https://www.westminster.ac.uk/international/visas-and-advice/visas/tier-4-visa/maintenance-and-fees-and-the-28-day-rule If you are using a Bank statement from Cameroon, India, Ghana, Pakistan, Iran, Philippines, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka check that your bank satisfactory verifies bank statements. You can check this here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-p-lists-of-financial-institutions
Mandatory documents: • Your passport You must provide your passport in support of your visa application. Other documents: Check the University website to see what other documents you may be asked to submit in support of your visa application: https://www.westminster.ac.uk/international/visas-and-advice/visas/tier-4-visa/documents-required-for-a-tier-4-general-visa If you are a national of a country that is part of the differentiation arrangement you may not need to send evidence of your qualifications or financial documents. This only applies if you are making your visa application in your country of nationality.
Read the information on this page carefully. Only select ‘I accept the above’ if:
• You are satisfied that you answered the questions correctly
• You meet the financial requirements and your financial documents are in the manner specified by the Immigration Rules
• Your other documents meet the visa requirements
Once you go passed the Declaration page you cannot go back and change your answers so if you are unsure about any of the questions, save and contact [email protected] before submitting.
IHS, BRP COLLECTION LOCATION AND VISA FEE
Before you are directed to the IHS payment page, you will be asked to confirm some information. This is basic information such as personal information or information you can get from your CAS so we do not go into detail in this guide.
You must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge to proceed with your application. However you should only be asked to pay the IHS fee if your visa covers more than 6 months.
You will not have to pay the IHS fee if you are a pre-sessional student applying for a visa to attend your pre-sessional course only because you visa for this course will last less than 6 months. We advise that pre-sessional students take out private health insurance to cover the time they spend in the UK on a visa for their pre-sessional course because they are not entitled to free UK National Health Service treatment.
The amount of IHS payable is calculated on the length of your visa, including any time granted before the start of your course and after the course end date. The charge is £300 per year plus £150 for any period of 6 months or less.
You will be issued with an IHS reference number. Keep a note of this for future reference. It should be printed on the Summary Sheet that you print out at the end of your visa application. Once you have completed the IHS process, you will be taken back to your Tier 4 visa application to pay the Tier 4 visa application fee.
You will be given two options to collect your BRP:
1. Collect from a UK Post Office 2. Collect from an alternative location
This is the UK address you must visit to collect your BRP visa card. You must collect it within 10 days of arriving in the UK. We do not recommend you collect your BRP from a Post Office. Instead, choose to collect it from the University by selecting the “Collect from an alternative location” option. You will be asked to enter the ACL code. You should enter 2HE447.
If you are applying for a Tier 4 visa to study a course for more than 6 months, your visa will initially be granted as a sticker in your passport. This visa will be valid for 30 days and will allow you to travel to the UK.
You must travel within this time or you may need to apply for another 30 day visa.
Once you arrive in the UK, you will be issued with a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). Your BRP will have the details of your visa as well as your personal information.
*Please note application fees may vary from the above picture.
The standard service usually takes 15 working days. If you are making your visa application in advance, this should be fine. If you are worried that you might miss the latest date to enrol onto your course, you could choose one of the other services.
You will then be prompted to book an appointment to enrol your Biometrics and submit your visa application.
Paying the Tier 4 Visa Application Fee: Now you are ready to pay and submit the application. This is the date of your visa application. You must make sure that you meet the Tier 4 visa requirements on the day you pay this fee and can prove you have held the required funds for a minimum of 28 consecutive days on or before this date. The application fee is £348. All fees will be shown in your local currency.
FINAL STEPS
You have now completed and submitted the online Tier 4 visa application form. However you have not completed the whole application process yet. From here, please follow the instructions provided online as you will need to complete your application by providing your biometrics and original documents.
Once you have paid this fee you must print the form and checklist.
You need to take your checklist and supporting documents to your appointment. You will need to read and sign the declaration page.
Further advice Contact Student Advice if you have questions about your visa application or the documents you need: E: [email protected] T: +44 (0)207 911 5000 ext. 66080
If you need to change any details in your CAS contact: [email protected]
May 2019/JK