extending your tier 4 visa september / october 2013 student services international student advice...
TRANSCRIPT
Extending your Tier 4 visa
September / October 2013
Student Services
International Student Advice Team
The International Student Advice TeamStudent Services, 4 West
• Nicola Peacock • Jessica Scott• Tracey Tillotson• Rebecca Bruce
WorkshopsDrop-in adviceAppointments
Student Services
Drop-in adviceStudent Services, 4 West
Summer vacation: Mondays & Thursdays: 10.00 – 12.00
Wednesdays: 13.30 – 15.30
23 – 27 September: Every day: 10.00 – 12.00
From 30 September: Mondays & Thursdays: 10.00 – 12.45Wednesdays: 13.30 – 15.30
http://www.bath.ac.uk/international/advice/indexvisa.html
https://www.facebook.com/uobinternational2013
Student Services
Today’s presentation
Tier 4 student visas
• University responsibilities• Student responsibilities • How to extend your visa
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Tier 4 – UK Home Office requirements
1. University’s responsibilities (as your educational sponsor)• Monitoring attendance and engagement• Recording passport and visa data for all Tier 4 students• Informing Home Office of major changes to course• Ensuring students meet English language requirements• Ensuring students make academic progress
2. Student’s responsibilities • Attend and engage with your course • Providing passport and visa data when requested• Not breaking conditions of their visa• Reporting major changes to ISAT• Keeping up-to-date with requirements• Apply for new visa and any relevant documents required in good
time
Student Services
Tier 4 Time limits
• Time limits for time spent in Tier 4 at degree level:
5 years (excluding some subjects such as architecture)
6 years for those studying for a Master’s degree where the UG degree was 4 or 5 years
Exceptions only for “compelling and compassionate” reason: You must have EVIDENCE
8 years for those who have completed a PhD
Please let us know about any changes to your course – eg repeats, resits, suspensions
Student Services
How to extend your visa
Check and Send Visa Service – International Student Advice Team (Tier 4 visas only)
AVOID: Sending in the UK yourself or via an agent - more likely to be refused.
Going home at the end of the summer?
Student Services
Check and send visa service
1. Visa application presentation - collect appointment ticket2. Make an appointment to see an International Student Adviser at the
Helpdesk (from Wednesday 28 August)3. Come to drop in session if:
1. Using an overseas bank statement2. Using any overseas document3. Wishing to apply in person (different process)
4. Complete online form - DO NOT SUBMIT! 5. Print form for ISAT checking 6. Remember your login and password as they will be needed in your
appointment
Student Services
Check and send visa service
1. Visa application presentation - collect appointment ticket2. Make an appointment to see an International Student Adviser at the
Helpdesk (from Wednesday 28 August)3. Come to drop in session if:
1. Using an overseas bank statement2. Using any overseas document3. Wishing to apply in person (different process)
4. Complete online form - DO NOT SUBMIT! 5. Print form for ISAT checking 6. Remember your login and password as they will be needed in your
appointment
Student Services
Check and send visa service
7. You will have your CAS before your appointment (don’t worry – we know that there is a quick turnaround)
8. Make sure you have all your supporting documents, photocopies and photos before your appointment
9. Attend your appointment – do not be late
10.Bring credit or debit card to pay for your application
11.We will check your application
12.We will submit your application and send your documents
Student Services
Check and send visa service (continued)
• After your application has been made you will receive a letter asking you to go to a Post Office to have your biometric information taken (finger prints / photo) – you must do this within 15 working days
• We let you know when your visa has been returned
It is your responsibility to make a good application
Please note that as you have a visa for study at Bath you can start your degree course. The conditions of
your visa will remain the same until your new visa has been granted
Student Services
Important Information• You MUST apply before your visa expires – check your expiry date
• Please remember bank statements must meet requirements at the time of application
• If you do not have your CAS 2 days before your appointment please inform the Helpdesk staff
• You must have filled in the online form and must bring your CAS and all your documents to your appointment – if you do not your appointment may be cancelled
• If you are having problems getting your documents, please come to a drop in before your appointment
• Applications can take 8 – 16 weeks – please do not book flights until your visa has been returned.
Student Services
DO NOT BOOK TRAVEL FOR THE CHRISTMAS VACATION UNTIL YOU
HAVE YOUR VISA!
Do not book a vacation during term time.
If exams are cancelled they may be re-scheduled for the inter-semester
break.
Preparing for your appointment
• 1 appointment per student
• Your application must be complete when you come to the appointment
• Please complete the online form BUT DO NOT SUBMIT• You must have all original documents with you• You must have a credit card or debit card ready for
payment• You must have photos as per the guidance• Come to a drop-in if you have a question about
your documents
• Do not be late – you must prioritise your visa application over course commitments
Student Services
Key documents 1. Printed copy of online application form (don’t forget login and
password)2. Application Fee - £406 by post (plus £305 per dependant if applying at
the same time) or £781 in person (plus £680 per dependant if applying at the same time).
3. Your current passport 4. Your current visa (if not in your passport)5. Two passport sized photographs (meeting requirements). 6. A Certificate of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the University. 7. Original certificates for all qualifications mentioned on your CAS
statement 8. Financial Proof9. Your Police Registration Certificate if you have one. 10. Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Certificate if
required11. Translations and original documents12. Photocopies of all documents
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Payment-
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With a credit or debit card - American Express, MasterCard, Visa (including Electron), Delta or Maestro (including Solo). For postal and courier payments, the Home Office accept only Maestro cards issued in the UK.
Photos
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2 RECENT photos taken in UK
Not a white background – light grey or cream
DO NOT use photos used in previous application
Check the photo guidance carefully: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/flr/photoguidance0409.pdf
Name on the back
Your CAS statement
Applicants
1. Accept unconditional offer2. Respond to email confirming CAS details and uploading passport scan
3. CAS sent to you by email
Current students
1. Request a CAS through SAMIS online 2. You will receive a reply within 3 working days and your CAS summary will be provided before your appointment (inform Helpdesk staff if you do not have your CAS 3 days before your appointment)
Student Services
Financial Proof You must have:• £7,200 if you have just completed a course which was less
than 6 months, and this was the first course you have done in the UK, PLUS your first year of fees.
• £1,600 if you have a valid visa and have been studying here for 6 months or more PLUS your first year of fees (or remaining fees if you are extending for less than a year).
• You will need more if you have dependants. • The required money must have been in the bank account
for a consecutive 28 day period. • Original bank statements covering 28 days – see the
policy guidance for exact details• Must be dated within 31 days of the application being
submitted
Student Services
Financial proof - your parents’ finances
• We strongly recommend that you open a UK bank statement in YOUR name
With parents’ bank statements: • You must provide an ORIGINAL birth certificate• original signed and dated letter • You can use overseas statements, but if they are not in
English, you must also send a fully certified translation by a professional translator.
• Write the closing balance in pounds sterling on the statement. Use the official exchange rate on the OANDA website www.oanda.com
Student Services
Financial Proof - Your Accommodation, changes from April 2012
You can show a receipt for University accommodation payments up to a maximum of £1,000 and take this off the amount in your bank account. You can obtain receipts from Accommodation Services.
http://www.bath.ac.uk/accommodation/contactus/index.html
IMPORTANT: Do not pay more than £1,000 University accommodation fees if you need this money to show living costs for your visa application
Student Services
Financial Proof - Sponsorship
• If you receive official financial sponsorship by a government, government agency, an international organisation, international company or university, you will need a letter from your sponsor with full details of the amount you will receive.
• If your fees and maintenance are paid in full by your sponsor, they must also consent to you extending your time in the UK. The letter must be stamped and on headed paper.
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Financial Proof - Tuition Fee Payments
You can show a receipt for fee payments and take this off the amount in your bank account. You can obtain receipts from Student Finance (WH Level 3)
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ATAS Certificate
Student Services
You should be told by Admissions if you need an ATAS
Postgraduate students and students whose courses lead to postgraduate degrees :
Research: Science, Engineering and Design, School for Health
Taught: Mechanical EngineeringGo to www.fco.gov.uk/atas for more
information and to apply for certificate
If you have not got one already ORDER THIS TODAY!!!
What is a Biometric Appointment?
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1. Biometric appointment letter – fingerprints and photos;
2. You will need to pay £19.20 at the Post Office, list of Post Offices included in biometric letter
3. The Biometric Residence Permit is your visa
Key 5 Reasons for Refusal
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• Financial documents do not show enough money
• Bank documents do not clearly show the money has been in your account for a consecutive 28 days
• Financial documents do not meet UKBA requirements
• Original qualifications / certificates listed on the CAS are not provided
• Translations of documents that are not in English are not provided and/or not meeting requirements
http://www.bath.ac.uk/study/pdf/visaFlowchart.pdf
Bank Statements – Flow Chart
Student Services
Preparing for your Tier 4 Student Visa Extension
Low risk country? You must still prepare the documents and bring them to your appointment – we will keep them on record
Student Services
If you are refused your visa
• May affect future visa applications• E.g. Tier 2
• You may have to suspend your studies until you have a valid visa
• Always keep in contact with International Student Advice Team
Student Services
Key messages 1. Open a UK bank account now and ensure you have the correct amount of money2.Only pay up to £1,000 towards University accommodation fees 3.Collect a ticket and book an appointment from Wednesday 28 August4.Please check your bank statements in a drop-in if you have any questions5.Apply for ATAS if you need it6.When you get your results, please be patient when waiting for your CAS7.Remember it is your responsibility to meet the UKBA requirements.
Student Services
The International Student Advice TeamStudent Services, 4 West • Nicola Peacock • Jessica Scott• Tracey Tillotson• Rebecca Bruce
Drop-in adviceSummer vacation:Mondays & Thursdays: 10.00 – 12.00
Wednesdays: 13.30 – 15.30
23 – 27 September: Every day: 10.00 – 12.00
From 30 September: Mondays & Thursdays: 10.00 – 12.45Wednesdays: 13.30 – 15.30
http://www.bath.ac.uk/international/advice/indexvisa.html
https://www.facebook.com/uobinternational2013
Student Services