Extending your student visa in the UK

Azadeh MadanianVisa & Immigration Adviser

English Language Teaching Centre (ELTC)

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Before we start!

Mobile phones Fire alarm

Visa talk

CAS talk

Questions and Answers (Q&A)

Slides

What to expect!

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How we are going to help you! https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/eltc/courses/visa-support Information about the documents you have to prepare.

Tips to help you when completing your form and other useful information.

Useful links

ATAS if your offer letter or CAS shows you need an ATAS.

Support tools• https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/eltc/courses/visa-support

• You will find:

• A PowerPoint presentation about the documents you need (after 16th August).

• FAQ’s.

• Timeline on what to do next

• Information on how to calculate how much money you need.

• Information about Immigration Health Surcharges

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List of supporting documents: Passport (s)

Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) – if you have one

Police Registration Certificate (PRC) - if you have one

ATAS (check your CAS or academic offer letter)

CAS

Bank statement (s)*

Sponsor letter (if applicable)*

Previous Certificate (s)*

Certified translation (s)* if your documents are not in English

English Language Certificate* (Check CAS)

* Submit/upload only if non-low risk nationals and/or non Tier 4 pilot

VERY IMPORTANT!Money you need to show!

Self Funded students only

• You have to show £9,135 plus outstanding tuition fees –sponsored students refer to slide 17.

• Required money must be in the bank account before 1st August 2019.

• Required money must be in the bank account for a minimum of 28 days by the time you submit visa application.

• If you pay tuition fee in full, you only need £9,135

• Make sure you are familiar with the formal requirements of the bank statements – Guidance on applications for UK Tier 4 student visas - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-application-for-uk-visa-as-tier-4-student

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VERY IMPORTANT!Bank statements Part 1

• You can use UK bank accounts – they can be “Current Account” OR a “Saving Account”.

• You can use bank statements from your home country. You can only use bank account (s) that are in your name or parent’s name.

• You can use Certificate of Deposit from Bank of China. Certificate of Bank of China must meet UKVI’s requirements, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-application-for-uk-visa-as-tier-4-student

• See the following link for more information -https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/eltc/courses/visa-support

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VERY IMPORTANT!Bank statements Part 2

You are allowed to use your parent’s bank statement however, it will make it more difficult as you must provide extra documentation. If you wish to do this then you must show ALL the following documents:• Original bank statements showing the required funds were held for 28

consecutive days before applying for visa – MUST show funds clearly kept for 28 days (finishing on the date of the closing balance) ending no morethan 31 days before your application.

• Your parent’s name and account number must be mentioned on the bank statement.

• Date that bank statement is issued is within 30 days from the day you apply for visa.

• Your birth certificate showing parents’ name.

• Letter from parents confirming they will support you financially.

• If any of the above documents are not in English then must be translated preferably using an official translation company.

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VERY IMPORTANT!Bank statements Part 3

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Ad-Hoc bank statements

• You must order this directly from your bank

• Must be on bank’s letter headed paper or shows bank’s logo (clearly)

• Shows your name and account details

• We recommend that bank stamp and date every page of the statement if possible

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Previous qualification(s): Check the “Other Evidence” - Evidence used to obtain offer -

on your CAS

You MUST upload the qualification(s) that are mentioned in that section.

Qualification(s) and translation(s)

In the “Evidence Provided” section of your CAS, if shows “SELT required” then you must upload that document too

If qualification(s) are NOT in English then MUST be translated to English by a professional translator if your University hadn’t provided you with one OR translation given to you by your University is also acceptable

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Tier 4 Pilot! IMPORTANT

• ALL students (including students eligible to apply under Tier 4 pilot AND Low Risk nationals) MUST deposit the required funds in their account for 28 consecutive days.

• UKVI reserves the right to spot check visa applications so failure to meet the financial requirements at the time of visa applied will result in visa being refused.

• Any UK visa refusal will remain on your UK Immigration history forever and you MUST declare it every-time you apply for a UK visa. Failure to declare any refusal shall face serious consequence including another visa refusal and/or possible visa ban.

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Low risk nationals (part 1):• Students from following countries are classed as Low Risk

Nationals: Australia, Bahrain, Barbados, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, The Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, New Zealand, Oman, Peru, Qatar, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United States of America

What does it mean?

Nationals of some countries do not need to submit evidence of their qualifications or their money when they apply for Tier 4 (General). The Home Office calls this the "differentiation arrangement" for "low risk students“.

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Low risk national (part 2):While they may not need to submit/upload certain supporting documents, they must make sure that they have maintained the required level of funds - £9,135 plus tuition fees – in their bank account for 28 days before applying for visa & their previous qualifications are available & meets the UKVI’s requirements. UKVI reserves the right to request those documents at ANY TIME when processing their visa application.

So, it is very important that even as a "low risk" student you obtain the evidence of your qualifications and your money, even though you do not need to submit/upload them. This is because the Home Office/UKVI can request these documents/evidences as part of their decision process & they will refuse your application if you are unable to provide it within a short timeframe.

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Immigration Health Surcharges (IHS)!How much should I pay?Everyone who applies for Tier 4 visa inside the UK MUST pay HIS.

For undergraduate course (3 years long) you must pay = £1050

For MEng course (4 years long) you must pay = £1350

For Postgraduate Taught Master course (1 year long) = £450

For Postgraduate Taught course (2 years long) = £750

For Postgraduate Research course – PhD (3 years long) = £1050

For Postgraduate Research course – PhD (4 years long) = £1350

You must pay £300 per each year of your visa plus £150 if your course is 12 months or longer.

If applying outside the UK, use this link to calculate your HIS -https://www.immigration-health-surcharge.service.gov.uk/checker/type

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Ways to apply for Tier 4 visa inside the UK!As part of your on-line Tier 4 visa, you will pay for IHS and then you will pay for your visa application. You can choose one of the following methods:

The above fees include the biometric enrolment fee

Please check this link - https://www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa/apply

IMPORTANT: you must budget separately for visa application cost, IHS and accommodation fees and DO NOT USE £9135 to pay for the above expenses such as IHS, visa related costs/application and accommodation.

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Application type Time for a decision Cost per person

Standard 8 weeks £494.20

Priority 5 days £994.20

Super priority Same day £1276.20

Sponsored students:

You must provide a sponsor letter confirming all the funds [tuition fees in full and maintenance for yourself and/or any dependant(s) so you don’t need to submit bank statements]

Sponsor letter must be less than 6 months old

If sponsor pays part of tuition fees then you need to show the remainder of fees kept in your bank statements for 28 consecutive days before applying for visa. Bank statements must meet UKVI’s requirements.

If sponsor pays less than £1015 for your maintenance then you are required to show the shortfall times 9 months kept in your bank statements for 28 consecutive days before applying for visa. Bank statements must meet UKVI’s requirements.

If sponsor pays less than £680 for each of your dependants then you are required to show the shortfall times 9 months kept in your bank statements or joint bank statements for 28 consecutive days before applying for visa. Bank statements must meet UKVI’s requirements.

IMPORTANT: please read this link -https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/812143/T4_Migrant_Guidance_JUNE_2019_FINAL_v3.pdf

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PBS dependant visa, applying inside the UK! Who are classed as my dependant?

Husband/wife/civil partner/partner* and children.

*certain conditions apply

Can my dependant apply for PBS dependant visa with me inside the UK?

If your dependant is already in the UK on PBS dependant visa then YES, they can apply with you from inside the UK.

However, if they are in the UK on Standard Visitor Visa then the answer is NO they CANNOT. They must return home and apply for PBS dependant visa ONLY if you are studying a course that is 9 months or longer.

IMPORTANT: please read this link - https://www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa/family-members

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What you need to do next:• Ensure all the necessary funds are in your bank account on or

before 1st August.

• Read all relevant information on the ELTC visa website https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/eltc/courses/visa-support

• Gather all relevant supporting documents.

• Start your on-line visa application form - https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/product/tier-4-student.You will pay for Immigration Health Surcharges (IHS) as part of your on-line visa application.

• Budget for extra costs like, visa application, IHS fees and accommodation fees and DO NOT USE £9135 that kept for maintenance towards these costs.

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Registration – important information

You must do this before you can register: You must either upload a copy of a valid visa for the course you are planning to register on or, if your visa hasn't been issued yet, evidence that you have submitted a visa application for your new course.

So, you MUST upload the UKVI “document checklist” which you can download from your UKVI account. This will show your name, the date you submitted the application and the visa category you applied for. See example:

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Example of UKVI document checklist

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Registration When is Registration?

Tuesday 17th September to Thursday 3rd October

What documents should you bring?

- Check this link for more information -https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/registration/newstudents

All students must attend registration If you are not able to register during registration week then email Student

Administration team - https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/contacts/sas – and inform them that you will register late

Read the following link for essential steps you need to follow in order to register:https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/registration/newstudents

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Useful links! https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/eltc/courses/visa-support http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Visas-and-

Immigration/Making-a-Tier-4-General-application-in-UK

https://www.immigration-health-surcharge.service.gov.uk/checker/type

https://www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa/family-members

Applying outside the UK: http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/international/immigration/overseas

Applying inside the UK: https://www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa/apply

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Quick quiz:• How much money do you need for maintenance?

£9135 (plus tuition fees if unpaid)

• How long do you need to keep the money in your account?

28 consecutive days before applying for visa.

Don’t touch the money until visa is back

• How old can your bank statements be?

Less than one month old!

• What happens if money is kept for 27 days when visa applied?

Visa WILL BE REFUSED!!!!! • Visa refused, can you apply again?

Yes, have only 14 days to apply again but must have minimum total of £9135 plus unpaid fees in bank account for 28 consecutive days before TUoS

can issue you another CAS. Otherwise must stop leave the UK! 14/08/2019 © The University of Sheffield

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Questions?

Email: eltc.cas@sheffield.ac.uk

IMPORTANT: when emailing us, please write “your full name and your University Registration Number”

ANDIn the subject, please write “Visa Related Query”