new students immigration guide 2011-12

New Students Immigration Guide 2011-12

New Students Immigration Guide 2011-12 1

Contents

Do I Need A Visa?...............................2

• EU / EEA / Swiss Passport Holders................................2

• Dual nationals with an EU / EEA / Swiss passport.............................................2

• Non-EU / EEA / Swiss Nationals ..................................2

Which Visa Should I Apply For?.......3

• Tier 4 General or Student Visitor? .........................3

• Visiting Undergraduate / Study Abroad Students ...........................................3

Student Visitor Visa..........................4

• If you are a visa national.............................................4

• If you are a non-visa national......................................4

• Entering the UK through the Republic of Ireland...............................4

• Travel outside of the UK as a student visitor...........5

• Visiting undergraduate/Study Abroad students.......5

• Students coming to the UK to study English language only ..........................................................5

Tier 4 General Student Visa..............6

• UK Border Agency Tier 4 Guidance...........................6

• “Low Risk” Nationalities............................................6

• Scoring the points................................................6-7

30 Points - ‘CAS’ numberand other documents.......................8

• When will we send you the CAS?........................8

• How do I use my CAS to apply for the visa?............8

• Other documents required in addition to the CAS.............................................9

• How to apply for ATAS...............................................9

10 Points - Maintenance(Funds) Requirement.......................10

• Course Fees..............................................................10

• Living Costs.............................................................10

• Paid All or Part of your Course and Accommodation Fees.......................................10

• Official Financial Sponsorship...............................11

• Cash Funds ............................................................11

• Student Loans.......................................................11

Making A Tier 4 Application.........12

• When should I apply?............................................12

• How do I apply?.....................................................12

• How long does it take to get a visa?...................13

• When can I travel to the UK?..............................13

Dependants................................14

• General points........................................................14

Future Changes to Tier 4 ...............14

• General points........................................................14

Refusals...........................................16

• Do Tier 4 visa applications get refused?...............16

• What do I do if my visa is refused?.....................16

• Can the University contact an embassy on my behalf?...................................16

Links and Contacts..........................17

• Tier guidance from UKBA......................................17

• ATAS Certification information..............................17

• UKVisas information on applying for the Tier 4 General student visa................................17

• UKVisas information to find out where to apply in your country.........................17

• UKCISA Information................................................17


Do I Need A Visa?

EU/EEA/Swiss Nationals

You do not need a visa or entry clearance and are not subject to immigration control for the UK. You should enter the UK through the EU/EEA channel at Immigration on arrival.

Dual nationals with an EU/EEA/Swiss passport

If you have EU/EEA/Swiss nationality in addition to another, you should enter the UK using your EU/EEA/Swiss passport. In doing so, you would not need a visa to be in the UK.

A visa is a certificate (sometimes referred to as ‘Entry Clearance’) which gives you permission to enter the UK. The visa is put into your passport or travel document by an Entry Clearance Officer at a British mission overseas.

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss Nationals

There are two categories of Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationalities for immigration purposes: visa nationals and non-visa nationals.

To find out whether you are a visa national or non-visa national, please check the “visa national” list for the UK: www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/doineedvisa/visadatvnationals

My country is on the list

You are a visa national:

If you intend to travel to the UK to enrol on a course of studies which lasts 6 months (or more), you must obtain a Tier 4 General student visa before travelling to the UK.

If your course of studies is less than 6 months, you can apply to enter the UK as a student visitor. You must obtain this visa before you leave your home country.

My country is not on the list

You are a non-visa national:

If you intend to travel to the UK to enrol on a course of studies which lasts 6 months (or more), you must obtain a Tier 4 General student visa before travelling to the UK.

If your course of studies is less than 6 months, you can apply for entry to the UK as a student visitor either prior to leaving your home country, or on arrival at UK immigration at the port of entry.

Check your category

Immigration requirements for the UK are determined by nationality and whether you are an EU/EEA/Swiss national or a Non EU/EEA/Swiss national:


There are three visa routes available for students. The type of visa you should obtain is determined by the length and type of course you are coming to study:

Which Visa Should I Apply For?

Visa option Examples

Course lasting 6 months or more Tier 4 General

• Full degree programme students: undergraduate, or postgraduate taught or research degrees• Full year exchange programme• Visiting postgraduate research towards an overseas degree

Course lasting less than 6 months

Tier 4 General or Student visitor

• Visiting undergraduate (semester long programme)• Study Abroad programme of less that 6 months• English language programme lower than B2 level

Any course which includes work based learning (paid or unpaid)

ONLY Tier 4

• Any short course of study that includes work based learning, regardless of whether it is paid or not, will require a Tier 4 visa. • This includes: Medical Electives, the Parliamentary Programme, Veterinary Observations and similar.

English language course ONLY, lasting up to 11 months

Extended Student Visitor visa

• Students attending exclusively English language courses lasting up to a maximum of 11 months

New Students Immigration Guide 2011-12

Student Visitor Visa

4

Student visitor visa/entry-clearance is for those who wish to come to the UK for up to six months in order to study on a course of studies which runs for 6 months or less.

Note that if you enter UK as a student visitor, you cannot:

• Work – paid or unpaid, • Extend your visa in the UK for more studies, or apply for other visas from within the UK,• Undertake a paid or unpaid work placement, even if this is part of your studies,• Bring dependants.

If you wish to be able to do any of these activities, then you must obtain a Tier 4 (General) student visa.

If you are a visa national

You will need to apply through the British Embassy in your country. You will require an application form, either completed on-line or in hard copy format. Details on how to apply can be found at:www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf2visitors

The application form is called VAF1D and it contains a checklist of the documents you need when applying:www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/vafs/

If you are a non-visa national

You can apply on arrival at UK Immigration as long as you arrive directly into the UK from outside of the UK/Republic of Ireland common travel area.

You should bring your joining letter; original bank statements demonstrating how you intend to fund your studies and evidence of your intention to return to your home country such as a return air ticket, in your hand luggage.

The Immigration Officer should write a handwritten observation in your passport to show that it is “student visitor” entry. This is usually the letters “S.V” written next to the entry stamp, though there are variations.

Entering the UK through the Republic of Ireland

If you are a visa national and/or have arranged your student visitor visa or Tier 4 (General) visa prior to entry to the UK, you can enter through the Republic of Ireland. However, it is best to avoid this route as your visa will not be activated on arrival into the UK. If you do choose to enter the UK via the Republic of Ireland, retain your boarding card stubs which demonstrate the date you entered the UK, as you may be asked to prove these at a future date.

If you are a non visa national and you expect to arrange student visitor entry to the UK on arrival, you must not enter through the Republic of Ireland. This is because passengers arriving from Ireland into the UK do not pass through immigration control. It is not possible to arrive through domestic arrivals and request access to the immigration counter at international arrivals afterwards.

If you do enter the UK through Ireland, you will be stamped on entry there as a tourist (general visitor) for 90 days. While this stamp permits travel to the UK, it does not permit you to study. The University would be unable to enrol you if this was the stamp with which entered the UK. You would have to leave the UK and re-enter to get the correct status.

www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/info_sheets/immigration_student_visitor.php

New Students Immigration Guide 2011-12 �

Travel outside of the UK as a student visitor

If you have applied for a student visitor visa before you leave your home country, then it is normally a multiple entry visa. This means that you can travel in and out of the UK during the validity of the visa, provided that you are still entering the UK each time for the same purpose (studies).

If you have applied on entry to the UK, your visa is an entry stamp in your passport. It does not have multiple entry conditions. You will therefore need to demonstrate to an immigration officer that you fulfil the student visitor rules each time you re-enter the UK after travel. You should therefore carry up-to-date documentation with you in your hand luggage which demonstrates that you continue to fulfil the student visitor rules.

The decision to re-admit you to the UK is for the immigration officer on arrival and should not be taken for granted. Being prepared with documentation which demonstrates that you are still a student and taking a reasonable approach to the amount of travel you undertake will minimise the risks.

Students coming to the UK to study English language only

The Extended Student Visitor visa is for students wishing to attend exclusively English language courses lasting up to 11 months. You can only apply for the Extended Student Visitor visa from outside of the UK. It does not matter if you are a visa national or a non-visa national.

The requirements, restrictions and entitlements of the Extended Student Visitor visa are the same as those for the student visitor visa. If you enter the UK on an Extended Student Visitor visa you cannot:

• Work – paid or unpaid, • Extend your visa in the UK for more studies, or apply for other visas from within the UK,• Undertake a paid or unpaid work placement, even if this is part of your studies,• Bring dependants.

Visiting Undergraduate / Study Abroad Students

If you are travelling to Edinburgh to undertake short-term exchange studies of less than 6 months, you may wish to consider doing so under the ‘student visitor’ category.

Should you wish to have the opportunity to work part-time during your studies or extend your time at Edinburgh for more studies - which is not permissible under the student visitor category - you should make an application for the Tier 4 General Student visa.


If you are coming to the UK for a full degree course (Undergraduate, Masters or PhD) or a course of study lasting 6 or more months you must obtain a Tier 4 General visa.

A Tier 4 General visa allows you to study and permits part-time employment up to a maximum of 20 hours per week during term time. Periods of full-time employment are also permitted during vacation periods on your course.

UK Border Agency Tier 4 Guidance

The UK Border Agency’s Tier 4 Guidance covers the full requirements of Tier 4 General visas, including the exact requirements for the original documents you must use to apply:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/pbs/tier4-policy-guidanceIn order to make a successful application, you should follow the detail in the guidance, specifically in relation to the documents you need to provide. This guidance should be your primary point of information throughout the process.

“Low Risk” Nationalities

The UK Border Agency considers the following nationalities as “low risk” nationalities:

Argentina Chile Singapore

Australia Croatia South Korea

BNO(British Nationals

Overseas)

Hong Kong (HKSAR blue passport

holders)Taiwan*

Brunei Japan Trinidad and Tobago

Canada New Zealand USA

*Those who hold a passport issued by Taiwan that includes their number of the identification card.

Tier 4 applicants of the above nationalities do not need to send official original points-scoring evidence (degree certificates, bank statements etc) in with their visa application to come to the UK, if applying in their home country.

However, you may still need to provide the required evidence if requested by the UK visa office considering your application. If you are applying outside of your home country (for example, you have residency in a different country from the country of your nationality), you will need to provide all the evidence as required with your application.

Scoring the points

The UK immigration system is points’ based, meaning that your application is considered according to a set number of points that you score by sending the required evidence with the application. To successfully apply for a Tier 4 (General) visa, you must score 40 out of 40 points by providing the required evidence:

Tier 4 General Visa

www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/adult-students/


It is essential that you get the application right first time. If you do not fulfil the points by sending in all the original documents required at the time of applying, the UKBA will not be able to approve the application. If you miss anything out, the visa officer will not contact you to ask for it and will refuse your application.

PointsWhat you get points for:

Evidence required:

30

A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

A CAS number issued by the University of Edinburgh.

Original documents listed on your CAS

If you are applying for a visa for a course for the first time: your CAS will be issued on the basis that the University used a previous qualification to assess that you are suitable to take the course. This qualification will be noted on your CAS file. You must include any such ORIGINAL degree certificate, qualification or transcript. If documents are not in English, they must also be translated by an official translator.

English Language

In most circumstances students will need to have knowledge of English which is equivalent to at least level B2 of the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework for Language Learning in all four components (reading, writing, speaking and listening).

If you are applying for a visa for a course for the first time the relevant English Language qualification will be noted in your CAS file. You must include any such ORIGINAL qualification in your visa application.

You will be exempt from this requirement if you are a national of one of the following countries:

Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; The Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Canada; Dominica; Grenada; Guyana; Jamaica; New Zealand; St Kitts and Nevis; St Lucia; St Vincent and the Grenadines; Trinidad and Tobago; United States of America and can provide the specified documents; or

If you have obtained a recognised academic qualification which is equivalent to a Bachelor’s, Masters or PhD degree from one of the following countries:

Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; The Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Dominica; Grenada; Guyana; Ireland; Jamaica; New Zealand; St Kitts and Nevis; St Lucia; St Vincent and The Grenadines; Trinidad and Tobago; the UK; the USA and can provide the specified documents.

For further information and to check whether or not you meet the requirements for English Language please check the Tier 4 Guidance.

ATAS Certification

If your course requires you to have ATAS clearance, you must provide a print out of this certificate.

10Maintenance (Funds) Requirement

You will need to demonstrate you are able to fund your tuition fees for the academic year plus a set amount for your living costs.

All documents you send for consideration with the application must be ORIGINAL. This includes your passport.


A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is a 14 digit reference number which is essential to your Tier 4 visa application. Without it - and any original documents listed in it - you will not be able to make a successful application for the visa.

The number is generated by the University creating a file on an immigration database called the Sponsor Management System (SMS). The details on this system are shared between the University and the UK Border Agency. Once the number is generated, you can use it to make a visa application. It is valid for use in one application for up to 6 months from the date of issue. In addition, you cannot use it in an application for a visa more than three months before the start date of the course. It can only be used once so if your visa application is refused, you will need to arrange a new CAS.

The University provides mandatory information about you and your studies to set up the CAS. The information must be completely accurate and you should ensure that the University has the correct spelling of your name as it appears in your passport as well as your correct passport number.

When will we send you the CAS?

When you have accepted an unconditional offer and provided a scan or copy of your passport, we will apply for a CAS from the UKBA.

Once the CAS has been set up, we will email you with the details we have noted on the system in your name. If there are any mistakes in the information, it is your responsibility to notify us of these, so that your CAS can be changed before you apply.

As the CAS remains valid for only six months, we will set it up no earlier than six months before the start of your studies with us. In addition, you cannot use it in an application for a visa more than three months before the start date of the course. It can only be used once so if your visa application is refused, you will need to arrange a new CAS.

Please note: if you have applied to more than one institution, you may be given a CAS number for each unconditional offer. You must only use the CAS number relevant to the institution and course of studies that you wish to attend when you apply for the visa.

How do I use my CAS to apply for the visa?

When you apply for the visa, write down the correct CAS number at the required section of the Appendix 8 application form.

The immigration officer who considers your application will use the CAS number you write on your application form to access your file on the system – it does not need to be on a letter from the University. All the details about your studies and information detailing the original documents they will expect to see in relation to your CAS number will be available to them.

30 Points - ‘CAS’ number and other documents

New Students Immigration Guide 2011-12 �

Other documents required in addition to the CAS

Previous Qualifications

Your CAS will give details of the qualification that the University used to assess your suitability to take the course. The email which confirms your CAS will detail which document has been used. You must therefore include only the ORIGINAL degree or educational certificate of the qualifications noted on the CAS.

Proof of English Language

Your CAS will give details of how the University assessed your English language ability. You must therefore include the ORIGINAL document of the English language qualification if one is noted on the CAS.

ATAS Certificate

www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/what-we-do/services-we-deliver/atas/

The UK Government’s Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) was introduced in November 2007 as a measure to stop the spread of knowledge and skills that could be used in the proliferation of ”weapons of mass destruction”.

Your unconditional offer and your CAS email will confirm whether you require an ATAS certificate or not. If you do need one, you must apply for it as early as possible as it is required in the visa application.

How to apply for ATAS

www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/what-we-do/services-we-deliver/atas/apply-online/

ATAS is applied for by a free, online application process. Follow the instructions carefully before you make the application as the information requested in the process is detailed and specific.

If approved, you will receive an email from the ATAS team which includes a PDF attachment. This attachment is your ATAS certificate - print it out and enclose it with your application.

The application process from online submission of your ATAS application to receiving the email with the certificate attached normally takes around 20 working days. At peak times of year, it can take longer however you can apply for an ATAS certificate up to 12 months in advance of the beginning of your course. You should allow for the ATAS application process timing when considering when to make your visa application. Your visa application will be automatically refused if you need an ATAS certificate and cannot provide one at the time you apply.


In addition to the 30 points required for CAS and associated documents, you must score 10 points for your Maintenance (Funds).

In advance of preparing your financial documents, please read the section in the Tier 4 Guidance entitled “What Money Does a General Student Need”.

The money you must demonstrate you have access to covers your course fees for the year + living costs as follows:

Length of Course Maintenance (Funds) needed

� months or moreCourse fees for the year as stated on CASplus600GBP per month of studies to a maximum of 9 months (5,400GBP)

Less than � monthsCourse fees for the programme of studies as stated on CASplus600GBP per month of studies

10 Points: Maintenance (Funds) Requirement

www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/adult-students/can-you-apply/money/

Course Fees

Your CAS will contain information about your tuition fees for the first year of the course or, in the case that you will be studying on a course lasting a year or less, the course fee. The amount includes any additional programme costs as required by your particular course, such as laboratory/bench fees. The level of fees stated in your CAS is the course fees you must show that you have access to, in addition to your living costs.

Living Costs

In addition to your course fees, you must demonstrate that you have access to living costs. These are 600GBP per month of the course, up to a maximum of 9 months (5,400GBP). Even if your course is longer than 9 months, the maximum remains 5,400GBP.

If you apply with dependants, there are additional maintenance funds to be aware of. Please refer to the information on “Dependants”.

Money That Can Be Used

Please refer to the Tier 4 Guidance, the section entitled: “Money that can be used”. To claim 10 points for your Maintenance (funds) you must provide ORIGINAL evidence that you have:

• paid all or part of your course and University accommodation fees and/or• are receiving official financial sponsorship and/or• hold enough money in cash funds or a student loan to cover your maintenance (funds).

Paid All or Part of your Course and Accommodation Fees

If you pay tuition and/or University-provided accommodation fees before making your visa application, the amount of money you pay can be deducted from the money you need to show the UK Border Agency for your maintenance (funds).

Payments towards course fees are deducted from the course fee aspect of your maintenance funds. Payments for University provided accommodation are deducted from the living costs.

The amount you need to show can either be demonstrated in UK Sterling (GBP) or in a different currency. However, it is useful for your reference to calculate into sterling by using www.oanda.com/convert/classic and enclose a print out of it with your application.


How do I inform you of payments?

Make ensure that any payments are made before you apply for the visa and that they are noted on your CAS. You can advise us of payments (or any other changes to your CAS) by replying to your CAS email with the subject line: “CAS for visa – UPDATE”, with a message giving your student number, your CAS number and information about what was paid, how much was paid and when the payment was made. If you have received an e-receipt following your payment, it is useful if you include it with the email.

Official Financial Sponsorship

Sponsored Students

If you receive sponsorship from an official financial sponsor – such as the UK government, your home government, an international scholarship organisation, University outside of the UK or international company – you must provide an original letter which details your funding. Full information on what the letter must include is contained in the Tier 4 (Guidance).

Edinburgh University Sponsored Students

If you receive sponsorship from the University of Edinburgh, your CAS must indicate this at the time you apply. When you request your CAS, please discuss this with your College to ensure it is included.

Cash Funds and/or Student Loans

Parental Sponsorship

You can use funds held by your parents or legal guardians as evidence. You must ensure that these funds are available in relevant cash funds. In addition, you must provide your original birth certificate (professionally translated, if required) or an adoption certificate or official court document confirming legal guardian status. You must also include a letter from your parents to state that the funds can be used for your UK education.

With your application, you must provide one month (at least 28 days) of original bank statements in one or both of your parents’/guardians’ names. The statement must demonstrate that the amount of money you need for your maintenance (funds) has consistently been the minimum balance available throughout the month. The bank statement must be dated within 1 month of applying.

Note: only parents or official legal guardians are eligible to be considered for parental sponsorship.

Your own cash funds

If you have any money outstanding over and above any scholarship you have or you self funded, you must provide original bank statements or other documents as detailed in the Tier 4 guidance.

The statements must clearly demonstrate that you have held the required level of funds for your application in cash in a bank account in your name (or joint name) for a minimum of 28 days.

The balance must not fall below the required amount during the 28 day period otherwise your application will be refused.

The best evidence you can provide are the original bank statements. Alternative evidence is accepted and covered in depth in the Tier 4 Guidance.


Making A Tier 4 Application

When should I apply?

Under UK immigration rules, the earliest you can apply for a Tier 4 (General) visa to begin studies in the UK is 3 months before the start date of the course. If you apply earlier than this, your application is likely to be rejected.

How do I Apply?

You can only apply for a Tier 4 (General) student from your home country or in a country where you have official residency status. To begin the process, visit www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/wheretoapply and select your country. You will then be take through a series of links to how to apply.

Tier 4 General student visa applications require the following steps:

Application

1. Complete the initial general visa application form online or on paper (application form VAF9) as required in your country.

2. Print out and complete Appendix 8 on paper (all countries):

www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/vafs/We have a guide on how to complete this form at:

www.ed.ac.uk

3. Pay the application fee (255GBP). This is either paid online at the end of the online application form or in countries where applications are made on paper, is paid when you hand the completed application to the visa application centre.

Biometrics

As part of the visa process, you will need to give your biometrics. This involves a scan of all 10 fingers and a full-facial digital photograph. More information about biometrics is available at:

www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/biometricvisa/

Documents

Details on how and where to submit your application are given at the “Where to Apply” site:

www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/wheretoapply/

When you hand/send your application to the British authorities, you must ensure that you enclose all the required and relevant documentation with your application.

USE ONLY ORIGINAL DOCUMENTATION WITH YOUR APPLICATION - INCLUDING YOUR ORIGINAL PASSPORT.

Low risk nationalities need only send in their original passport with their application. Note: you may be need to provide original documentation should the embassy request it.

Decision The visa section at the embassy will consider your application.

Return Depending upon where you apply, the documents are sent back to you by secure mail or you are contacted to collect them.


How long does it take to get a visa?

UKVisas have published the following continuously updated information advising on processing times in your country:

www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/processingtimes/

You should allow around 28 working days total turnaround for the visa to be issued. At certain times of year, it can take longer.

How long will I get?

If you make a successful application for Tier 4 General your visa will be issued along the following time-scales:

When can I travel to the UK?

If you are coming to the UK to study a course lasting 6 or more months or a pre-sessional course, your visa will be valid for travel for 1 month before the start date of the course.

If you are coming to the UK to study a course lasting less than 6 months, your visa will be valid for travel for up to 7 days before the start date of the course.

Length of course Length of stay

12 months or more The length of the course plus four months following the end date on CAS.

6 – 11 months The length of the course plus two months following the end date on CAS.

Less than 6 monthsThe full length of the course plus 7 days after the end date on CAS.

Students on a pre-sessional English course will be given the length of the pre-sessional course plus 1 month after the end date.


Dependants

Only students studying on postgraduate courses of 12 or more months or students sponsored by Government sponsorship can bring dependants to the UK.

The link above contains comprehensive information prepared by the United Kingdom Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA). It details how to apply for a dependant’s visa, including the application process, documents needed and financial requirements. It is advisable to read it in preparation for making an application for your dependants to join you in the UK.

Similar to the Tier 4 Guidance, the PBS Dependant’s Guidance provides information on the rules and requirements for applying for a dependant’s category visa. In addition to the UKCISA information which provides substantial background information, you should also consult the Dependant’s Policy Guidance which is available at:

www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/pbs/pbsdependantspolicy1.pdf

Dependants considered under UK immigration rules are: married partners, civil partners, same-sex or unmarried partners in a relationship akin to marriage (for at least 2 years) and children under the age of 18. Details on the documents required can be found in the PBS Dependants’ Guidance.

The immigration rules are restrictive with regard to bringing dependants with you to the UK whilst you are a student and not all students will be permitted to have their dependants accompany them during their studies.

More information about dependants is also available in the pre-arrival guide which contains sections on arranging childcare and applying for education for children.

More information about dependants is also available in the pre-arrival guide which contains sections on immigration, arranging childcare and applying for education for children:

www.ed.ac.uk/staff-students/students/new-students

www.ukcisa.org.uk/files/pdf/info_sheets/your_family_print.pdf

New Students Immigration Guide 2011-12 1�

Do Tier 4 visa applications get refused?

Yes. Applications for Tier 4 visas do get refused, normally because of the lack of documents or evidence required.

To avoid a refusal, we advise you to:

• Ensure your documents contain all the details required in the Tier 4 Guidance

• Only apply when you are actually ready to apply - there is no point applying until you are certain you have all the documents you require.

• Only use original documents

• Only send in the documents you actually need to score the points

• And, one of the most frequent reasons…don’t forget to send in your original passport!!

What do I do if my visa is refused?

If your visa is refused you should read the refusal notice carefully. This will set out why the Entry Clearance Officer has refused your application.

Then, check whether the documents you used comply with the Tier 4 Guidance. This includes checking that they are in the required format, cover the required amount of time, are original and genuine documents and are set out with the information as required in the Guidance.

If you are refused outside of the UK, you normally have a right to an administrative review. Return the documents as directed in your refusal notice and an Entry Clearance Manager from a different embassy to the one you applied to, will reconsider your application. They may overturn, uphold or vary the grounds of the refusal as appropriate. Only follow this course of action if you are certain that a mistake has been made and that your documents were exactly as required in the rules.

If you accept the reasons for which you have been refused and they are correct as according to the Tier 4 Guidance, you will need to make a fresh application. This will mean new documentation, paying the fee again, giving your biometrics and the same consideration process.

If you have been refused for the visa and the decision is correct, you will need a new CAS to apply – contact [email protected] for further guidance.

Can the University contact an Embassy on my behalf?

The International Office maintains contact with various British diplomatic missions. These are only used for information sharing purposes. We are not in the position to instruct visa offices to issue visas or to speed up decision making and are not able to intervene in an application made outside of the UK.

Refusals


Published by The University of Edinburgh, The International Office, 57 George Square - EH8 9JU, Edinburgh

Links And Contacts

• Tier 4 guidance from UKBA: The Tier 4 Guidance should be your primary source of information when preparing to make a visa application. It contains the rules, the requirements for documents and information about the visa application process. www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/pbs/tier4-policy-guidance

• ATAS Certification information: If you require an ATAS Certificate, you can find out more about the process and begin an application through: www.fco.gov.uk/atas

• UKVisas information on applying for the Tier 4 (General) Student visa: Though not as detailed or as essential as the Tier 4 Guidance, UKVisas provide information on how to apply for the Tier 4 (General) Visa. www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf29pbsstudent

• UKVisas information to find out where to apply in your country: Details on how to apply in any country in the world can be found at the UK Visas “Where to apply” section: www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/wheretoapply/

• UKCISA Information: The United Kingdom Council for International Student Affairs produces guidance and information to students on how to apply for the Tier 4 (General) visa. This can be found at: www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/immigration.php

Further contact:

If after reading this information and the Tier 4 Guidance, you have any questions about the application process, please contact us at: [email protected]