COURSE D STUDENTS

Tier 4 Student Visa

Katrina AbatisWelfare Officer (International)

Email: ka37@le.ac.uk

Student Welfare Service

The University of Leicester provides the following information in good faith but cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Students are reminded that immigration regulations are constantly changing and are strongly advised to use the UKBA guidance policy document when completing the application form for the Tier 4 General Student visa (the link for the policy guidance will be emailed to you).

When sending in your application, it is YOUR responsibility to make sure you provide all the correct documents at the time.

Student Welfare Service

• ‘To claim points, a student must send the required documents listed in this guidance when he/she makes his/her application’ – paragraph 10 of Tier 4 Policy Guidance

MUST SEND DOCUMENTS WITH APPLICATION – CHECK!

Questions

1) Is anyone under 18 years old?

2) Does anyone have dependants?

3) Visa Expiry dates – before end of Course D?

Visa Renewal Process

1. Information Session - today

2. Attend a Visa Renewal Workshop

3. Attend an appointment with an Immigration Adviser

Visa Renewal Process

Visa Workshop • We will email you to give you details of your visa workshop which

will explain how to complete the Tier 4 application form. You will also receive further information and web links – please read this email carefully

• You must enter your details clearly on the sign-up sheet – we need this information to contact you

• Try to arrive on time to the workshop appointment (it will be difficult to help those who arrive late and you may be asked to attend another workshop)

Visa Renewal Process

Visa Workshop

• At the workshop you will need to check your ‘CAS statement’ which has personal information about you that we need to send to the UK Border Agency – check carefully (same details as passport)

• You should come to the workshop, even if you do not want the Welfare Service to send your application, but you will need to bring your own application form(s), or money to buy it/them (£2 each)

• Do not need to come to the workshop if you apply overseas (different application form)

Applying through the Welfare Service – Batch Scheme

• Student Welfare Office run ‘Batch Scheme’ – speak to UKBA staff for you

• Documents returned to the Student Welfare Office

• Current processing time 6-16 weeks (but this may be longer!). Batch Scheme target = 20 working days from biometric appointment – cannot make enquiries until after this time has passed (except for emergencies)

• £25.00 administration fee (pay at workshop)

Other ways of applying

• Can send yourself (address on front of form)

OR

• Go to a Public Enquiry Office (Premium Service) – 2 weeks for visa

• Must make an appointment BEFORE your visa expires

• Please note we cannot speak to the UKBA on your behalf if you choose to do the application yourself

When should I apply?

• When you have an unconditional offer – results 17/09/10 for most students

• Admissions will not be able to process CAS immediately – 1 week after results

• Get application ready to go before results and then we can add CAS details to application

• In person – book an appointment in advance (now) for date week beginning 27/09/10

DO NOT LEAVE IT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE!!!

Biometric Identity Cards – Tier 4 only

• UKBA need ‘biometrics’ (finger-prints and eye-scan for identity cards)

• Replaces the visa sticker in your passport

• You will need both when travelling –

please make sure you keep it safe and take a photocopy when you receive it

Biometric Appointment

• Biometric Letter: within 5 working days of receipt – will be sent to your home address

• You must arrange the appointment by phone or on-line AFTER you receive the Biometric letter

• In-Person application, biometrics at appointment

Biometric Identity Cards

• Your visa application will not be considered until you have attended your appointment – you must do this within 15 working days of the letter date

• Various places to have your biometrics taken – read letter carefully

• All dependants will need to provide their biometrics (children under 6 will need to provide a photo only)

• Your ID card will be sent to the Student Welfare Service in addition to your documents being returned to us

How much will it cost?

Main Applicant (UK)• £357.00 if sending by post • £628.00 if applying in person

Main Applicant (overseas)• £199.00

How much will it cost?

Per dependant it will cost:• £80.00 if sending by post (with main

applicant)• £107.00 if applying in person (with main

applicant)• £199.00 from outside the UK• Each Dependant needs to complete a Points

Based System (PBS) Dependant form (available at the workshop for £2)

How to pay?

• Pay by Postal Order: see e-mail for instructions• Safest way of payment• Buy from any Post Office• Payable to ‘Home Office’

ATAS: Academic Technology Approval Scheme

Only for Ph.D. students, not Masters students

• B2 Pharmacology, Toxicology & Pharmacy

• C1 Biology

• C4 Genetics

• C7 Biochemistry

• F1 Chemistry

• F3 Physics

• F8 Physical Geography & Environmental Sciences

• G1 Maths

• G4 Computer Science

• H1 Engineering

(See e-mail)

CAS: Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies

• Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is needed instead of a visa letter

• Can only be issued for an UNCONDITIONAL offer

• This is an electronic document which will be emailed to you – University email address

• You can request the CAS during the workshop, by checking your details on the ‘CAS statement’ but will not be produced until you have passed Course D

• If you are continuing the same course, will only be issued if you are attending and progressing on your course

• Check your CAS carefully as you will need to provide the qualifications listed on it as well as showing any outstanding course fees

Maintenance Funds needed

• Established Presence: £1,200.00 (+ Tuition Fees)Immigration rules say:“An applicant will have an established presence studying in the United Kingdom if the

applicant has completed a course that was at least six months long within their last period of leave as a Tier 4 migrant, a student or as a Postgraduate Doctor or Dentist, and this course finished within the last four months, or the applicant is applying for continued study on a course where the applicant has completed at least six months of that course and has been studying within the last four months”

If you have studied Course D only this is only 2-3 months long so you are not eligible for established presence. If you started at Course A/B then you are eligible.

• No Established Presence: £600 per month for the remaining months of your course up to maximum of 9 months (maximum = £5,400.00) plus any outstanding tuition fees

Maintenance Funds needed - Dependants

• Established Presence : Lower dependants maintenance fees of £400.00 per month for 2 months = £800.00

• No Established Presence: £400.00 for the remaining months of the course, up to maximum

of 9 months.

NOTE: This is per dependant

Maintenance Funds - documents

• Money needs to be in your account for 28 consecutive days before you apply

Paragraph 150: “A Tier 4 (General) student must show that he/she has held the required money for a consecutive 28 day period (finishing on the date of the closing balance) ending no more than 1 month before

his/her application”

• Original Personal Bank Statements can be used

• Overseas accounts can be used but you must do currency conversion using www.oanda.com/convert/classic

• Sponsored students need Sponsorship Letter

Maintenance Funds - documents

• Must show tuition fees for first year of course (see offer letter)

• If your Government is paying no need to show on CAS as will be mentioned in sponsorship letter

• Can pay now (so CAS can be produced more quickly after results)

• Otherwise can pay after passed course, but will take more time http://www.le.ac.uk/finance/studentfees/studentfeesmethodsofpayment.html

Maintenance Funds - documents

• Bank statements to show- Name- Account number- Date- Name and logo of bank- Amount of money

• Best to use original statements, if not, should get electronic statements with these details and ask bank to stamp every page

Maintenance Funds - documents

•Can use Parent’s bank account but you must show:

1. Birth Certificate or letter of adoption or court document stating names of legal guardians – all docs must state parent’s/legal guardian’s names.

2. A letter from your parent(s) or legal guardian

3. Parent(s) /Guardian Bank Statements

Financial Sponsorship

• Need ‘a letter of confirmation’ on ‘official letter-headed paper…and have the official stamp’

- Name- Name & contact details of financial sponsor- Date (recent)- Length of sponsorship- Amount received OR ‘a statement that the…

sponsor…will cover ALL of his/her fees and living costs’

Other documents that are needed - qualifications

• Qualifications used to gain a place on your current course such as Undergraduate certificate, Course D certificate.

• If your document is not in English this will need translating by a professional translator – have Mandarin translator contact in Student Welfare Office

• Check CAS for further information

Other documents that are needed - translations

• Translations must be given for any document not in English/Welsh –

- By professional translator/translation company- Details of their credentials- Confirmation it is an accurate translation- Translator/company contact details- Dated- Original signature of translator

Other documents that are needed - Photos

• Two identical passport photos with your application

• The photos need to be taken within the last month

• Separate photo guidance available online (see e-mail): http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/flr/photoguidance0409.pdf

• Jacobs, near the train station on London Road/Jessops on Granby Street

Other documents that are needed – Police Registration

• If you have a Police Registration Certificate you are required to submit this with your application.

• Needs to be up to date with your current course, and address.

Checklist

• Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)• Qualifications in English if stated on CAS• Translations (if there are any documents not in English)• ATAS certificate (if relevant)• Bank Statements covering a 28 day period• Sponsorship Letter (if relevant)• 2 x passport photos per applicant/dependant• Passport(s)/ICFN(s)• Postal Orders covering application fee(s)• Police Registration certificate (s) if needed• £25.00 administration fee if applying through the Student

Welfare Service

Tier 4 (General) Student Application

Points

Total = 40 points needed

Points What you get points for Proof and documents

30 Doing a course with an approved education provider (also known as sponsorship)

CAS from your education provider

10 Having enough money to cover your course fees and monthly living costs (also known as maintenance funds)

Bank Statement or letter confirming that you have enough money available to cover your course fees and monthly living costs as we specify, at the time you submit your application.

How long will my visa be valid for?

• Courses of 12 months or more:- 27/09/10 – 26/09/11 = course length plus 4

months (26/01/11)

• Pre-sessional courses of less than 6 months:- 12/07/10 – 17/09/10 = course length plus one

month (17/10/10)

Travel

• You will not be able to travel until you receive your passport and ID card back, so do not book any tickets!

• If travel has already been booked, please tell us at the adviser appointment

• We can request that your passport is returned more quickly with a copy of travel tickets but no guarantees! Remember biometrics MUST be taken before application is even considered

Important new rules

• As you will already have the University of Leicester number on your visa (JTV8BV799) or you applied for your previous visa BEFORE 5/10/09 you will not need to renew your visa before you register for next course

• Applying overseas – policy guidance (under students who applied on or after 5th October 2009) states:“If a student has entered the United Kingdom using his/her Tier 4 Visa, and the student wants to study with a new Tier 4 sponsor before that permission to stay has either expired or been curtailed, he/she must always make his/her new application from inside of the United Kingdom. If a student makes a new application from outside of the United Kingdom it will be refused”.

Important new rules

• If you use a University of Leicester CAS you will be ‘tied’ to this University. The University will have to monitor your registration and attendance by law. The University also has to report any ‘unexplained’ absences to the Home Office. The University has not yet decided how you will be monitored – just try to attend everything and if you can’t you must let someone know (Department).

• The University also will report if you withdraw from the course or don’t enrol

• UK Immigration Rules are constantly changing, if you ever have any questions please feel free to contact us. Please do not advise your friends on visas as your situation may be different.

Personal Changes

Once you have your Biometric Card, if your circumstances change at all, for example if your name changes, you need apply for a new biometric card.

Must also update records with Registry e.g. changes of address as we need current contact details by law.