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UEL international

UEL Guide to Completing the Tier 4 (General) Student Application Form

This guide is for UEL students who are applying for a Tier 4 (General) Student visa from within the UK. It will explain how to:

1. create your online account2. choose the correct form3. customise your application4. complete the application form5. check your application for missing information6. select your supporting documents7. have your completed application checked by ISA8. submit your application to the Home Office

There are two ways in which you can apply for an extension to your Tier 4 (General) Student visa online.

Option 1: Tier 4 Student online application The Tier 4 Online option requires you to complete and pay for your application online and submit it electronically to the Home Office. You are then required to post all your supporting documents and the application coversheet (which you will be instructed to print) to the Home Office within 15 working days. The date you submit your application online will be considered the date of application.

Download the UKCISA applications process flowchart for the Tier 4 Student online application

Option 2: Tier 4 Student ‘Print and Send’ application The Print and Send option requires you to complete and pay for your application online. You then must print your application form and send it with your supporting documents to the Home Office or take it to your appointment. The date you submit the application is the date you post the application, NOT the date you make the payment and submit the form online.

Download the UKCISA applications process flowchart for the Tier 4 Student ‘Print and Send ‘application

Please be aware that the Home Office have proposed to remove the ‘Print and Send’ option in February 2014. With this in mind, we advise you not to begin a ‘Print and Send’ application if applying for your student visa extension after 1 February 2014.

Can my family apply for a visa online? Both online versions of the Tier 4 student visa application can be used for dependants applying at the same time as a Tier 4 student. They can also be used if your dependants are applying separately (for example, babies born in the UK). However, if your dependants are applying separately we advise you to seek advice from ISA first. NB: There are strict requirements for eligibility of dependants.

Application fee and process: The application fees for a Tier 4 (General) student visa are as follows:

Online (including print and send) application - £406

In Person (Premium) application - £781 (inclusive of £100 booking fee) With the Print and Send application, there will be on option to pay by postal orders, cheques and banker's drafts. Most forms of on-line payments will be accepted but will not include Paypal.

Premium (in person) Appointments: The Home Office have an online booking system for Premium (in person) applications. Ann initial payment of £100 towards the application fee is required in order to book an appointment. This fee is non refundable should you fail to attend the appointment. NB: you can only book an appointment once you have completed the application.

ARCHIVE:

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Premium appointments using the Tier 4 Student online method If you are applying using the ‘online’ only method your premium appointment MUST fall with 45 days of submitting your application online. However, for your application to be valid, you MUST have submitted your application online before your visa expiry date. If you are unable to secure a premium appointment within 45 day of submitting your application online, you must submit your application by post within 15 days of your online application. Premium appointments using the Tier 4 Student ‘Print and Send’ method If you are applying using the ‘Print and Send’ method your premium appointment MUST fall before your visa expires. If you are unable to secure an appointment before your visa expires, you must submit your application by post. Before you start - remember! This guide should be used in conjunction with the Tier 4 Policy Guidance and the online guidance provided on the form. You can download the Tier 4 Tier 4 Policy Guidance here: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/pbs/Tier4migrantguidance.pdf When logged in to your online account, if you do not use the system for 30 minutes you will be automatically logged out and your information will not be saved. If you have to leave your computer at any time, save your answers and log out for security reasons. Final note: It is your responsibility to demonstrate that you meet all the rules for the visa you are applying for. You should ensure that you use the correct form, complete your application in full and provide all the necessary documents in original copy. Any application for an extension of your stay in the UK must be made before your current visa expires. It is your responsibility to check when the best time to make your application should be.

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1. Create your online account

Creating your Home Office account is the first thing you should do. Select My Account on the Home Office website and register your details. Download ‘How to Create your Home Office Account’ for further help. When you have successfully logged in, click Apply Online.

2. Choose the correct form

If you are not applying for Tier 4 (General) Student leave, please contact isa@uel.ac.uk for further advice.

Click FIND FORM to

select your form

Complete the following questions accurately as this will determine how your application will look

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Choose this option

Make sure you read

through the

instructions carefully

before you start.

APPLY ONLINE NOW!

Here you will find a breakdown of the answers you have provided. Make

sure you correct any errors before you continue.

If you have you CAS or are

just waiting for your CAS

to come through – you are

ready to go!!

Now

APPLY ONLINE

‘Print and Send’: printed

application and supporting

documents must be

submitted together BEFORE

visa expires. ‘Online’: application must be

submitted online BEFORE visa

expires. Supporting documents

and coversheet must be posted

within 15 working days of

submission.

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3. Customise your application

The online form selects and hides questions based on the answers you provide on the customisation screen. For example, if you are not applying for dependents at the same time as you, these questions will not be included in the form. Any question with a * next to it is required information and you will not be able to complete the form without answering these questions. Once you have completed your details choose Next. Your answers will automatically be saved. However, to be safe, click Save to store your answers after each page and after making an amendment to your answers.

4. Complete the application form There are 11 sections of the form which you are required to complete. If you have previously been issued with a Biometric Residence permit (BRP card) your form will have 12 sections. Please note that you will need to refer to your CAS statement to complete Sections 9 and 10 (Course Details and Maintenance). You can save your form at any time and come back to complete it later. You can also check your application for errors after each section before you continue. The online application is very sensitive. If your application has highlighted an error on your application but you are confident that the answer your have given is correct, it may be that you have a gap, comma or space bar in your answer which you simply need to remove. Don’t panic! - take your time and check your answers thoroughly. You can complete your form in any order and make changes to the answers you have given up to the declaration stage. The answers you give must be complete and accurate. Each question will provide you with useful help text or will prompt you to visit the Tier 4 Policy Guidance. It is important that you use this tool to help you complete the form accurately. If you do not access your form for 48 days you will receive an email informing you that your form will be deleted. You can simply log into your account and reactivate your form.

To find out if your dependants are eligible to be included in this application, read http://www.uel.ac.uk/international/advice/tier4dependantsextension/ and email ISA@uel.ac.uk for advice

This guide is for UEL students applying for Tier 4 leave from within the UK. If you are applying from outside of the UK, please email isa@uel.ac.uk

It is very important that you do not forget to customise your application form. This is because the answers you give in this section will determine the questions you will need to answer. You must make sure that you answer all the questions which are applicable to you and your application otherwise your application may become invalid.

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If you do not access your application for more than 56 days, it will be permanently deleted, all your data will be lost and you will not be able to recover it. Any unfinished applications (without having filled in the payment information) will be deleted after 100 days. You also have the option to ‘Delete Draft’ (get rid of your application) and start again if you feel you need to.

Once you have customised your application, saved your answers and clicked Next you will be taken directly to your Home page (below). The Home page shows each of the sections of the form and how much you have completed. As the picture shows, no sections of the form have been started yet. Now click Next to start section 1 of your application.

If you wish to: - view your application, -delete a draft, or - resume your application click on MY ACCOUNT in the top right hand corner of the Home Office home page.

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Section 1: Personal Details

Section 2: Contact Details

Select option

Your contact details: Although this section is not marked with a *, you must provide details of a telephone number. This is because you are required to state number you prefer to be contacted on.

Enter the following details as they appear in your passport. Your CAS statement and supporting documents must correspond to the name given in your passport. If this is not the case, contact isa@uel.ac.uk for further advice.

Address: This system requires you to

input your address in a very specific

way. Therefore, you may find that the

system tells you that your address in

incorrect. In the notes (which will

appear to the right in this section)

click on ‘More Guidance’ and use the

‘Post Code Finder’ to find the correct

format of your address.

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Section 3: Referance numbers

Section 4: Travel Documents (including BRP Card section if you have been issued one)

If you have had any correspondence with the Home Office/UKBA previously - you may have been issued with reference numbers on the letters. It is important to keep a record of any letters to receive. If you do not have a record of your letters and cannot remember your reference number/s, contact isa@uel.ac.uk for advice.

Enter your BRP card details here

Enter your passport

details accurately

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Section 5: Previous addresses

Section 6: Personal History

It is important that you fully disclose any convictions or judgements against you. Disclosure does not necessarily lead to refusal, especially for minor offences. However, failure to disclose any convictions or judgements, however minor, can lead to refusal and bar from the UK for up to 10 years. If you have answered YES to any question in this section you will be required to provide to details. You may be required to supply further evidence. If you think that this might apply to you, it is very important that you contact us at isa@uel.ac.uk for further advice.

Write here your full current address (where you are living now). This should be your UK address. If you change your home address whilst your application is in process please contact isa@uel.ac.uk for advice.

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Section 7: Immigration History If your visa has already expired before you submit this application, contact ISA immediately for advice.

Police Registration: You are only required to register with the police if this is stated on your visa. If you were required to register with the police, you must include your original Police Registration Certificate with this application. Please ensure that your certificate is up to date. If you are unsure whether you were required to register with the Police or were and have not done so, please contact us at isa@uel.ac.uk for further advice.

If you have answered YES to any question in this section you will be required to provide to details. You may be required to supply further evidence. If you think that this might apply to you, it is very important that you contact us at isa@uel.ac.uk for further advice.

If your current visa has already expired, please contact ISA@uel.ac.uk immediately.

Please note: applicants switching from Tier 1 or Tier 2 to Tier 4 will automatically

be required to show the higher rate of living costs of £9000.

Please enter the VAF number

You must enter your CURRENT visa expiry date here.

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Section 8: Public funds

Section 9: Course Details You will need your CAS in order to complete this section. Check the information on your CAS Statement carefully. If you are a new applicant and the information on your CAS is incorrect you can contact admissions.international@uel.ac.uk to request an amendment. If you are a current you should contact casrequest@uel.ac.uk

If you have answered YES to this question, please contact isa@uel.ac.uk immediately for advice.

For all Docklands students: write: Docklands Campus

University Way London London E16 2RD

For all Stratford students (including

Duncan House) write: Stratford Campus

Water Lane London London E15 4LZ

You will need your CAS to complete Section 9

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The Start date on your CAS may not be the start date of your course. You should write the actual start date of your course. If you are unsure, you can check with your original offer letter. Alternatively, you could check this information with the Student Services helpdesk.

You MUST have a CAS in order to apply for a Tier 4 student visa. See

www.uel.ac.uk/isa Student Visas section for information on how to request a CAS.

This answer to this question should be stated on your CAS. Tick the appropriate box below in line with your CAS. If you are unsure so your CAS is not clear please email isa@uel.ac.uk for advice.

The NQF level of your course will be indicted on your CAS statement.

Give your course of study as it appears on your CAS.

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Section 10 Maintenance

Maintenance is the main area where students make mistakes and so it is very important that you answer this section correctly.

1. How much money are your course fees? You can find the information about your course fees on your CAS. If your fees for the year are £0 because you paid all the fees due in the previous academic year, write £0 here.

2. Have you already paid any of your course fees? Write here how much fees you have paid for this academic year, as stated on your CAS. We advise against using receipts for tuition fee payment – as your fee payments can be shown more clearly on your CAS. If your fee is incorrect you must email casrequest@uel.ac.uk immediately so that your CAS can be amended. Any payments made after requesting a CAS will not be reflected unless you request this prior to submitting your application by emailing casrequest@uel.ac.uk

3. How much have you paid? This will be given on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). If the amount given on your CAS is incorrect, you are advised to have this amended before submitting your application. If the figure on your CAS does not match the answer you have given in your application, this could generate a visa refusal.

4. What evidence are you providing with your application that this amount has been paid? The answer to this question should always be ‘information on the CAS’. We DO NOT advise submitted tuition fee receipts with your visa application.

5. Do you have current leave as a Tier 4 Student, Student or Postgraduate Doctor or Dentist? Please provide a Yes or No answer here.

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You will need your CAS to complete Section 10

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6. Have you, during your current Tier 4 leave: a. Started and completed your course of study: you may have just completed your

undergraduate degree or a Pre-sessional English course. b. Started but are still studying your course of study: you may be extended to complete

some outstanding modules or re-sit exams. c. Not yet started your course of study: you may be returning to study following a period

time of time working in the UK (e.g switching back to Tier 4 (General) from Tier 1 Post Study Work)

If you have ticked YES to option (a) you will be asked to specify how long your previous course was. If you have ticked YES to option (b) you will be asked to specify how much of your current course you have completed to date. The aim of this question is to determine whether or not you will qualify for ‘Established Presence’ and in turn be eligible to show the lower maintenance requirement of £2000. Please note that, whether or not you will qualify to show lower maintenance of £2000, will also be calculated as part of the CAS Request process and before you are issued with the Confirmation of Acceptance for studies (CAS) needed to complete this application.

7. Where are you intending to study? The University of East London is classified as ‘inner London’

8. Have you already paid money towards your accommodation? If you have paid any money to UEL for UEL accommodation for the current academic year you can deduct from the maintenance that you have to show, any rent paid to UEL (up to a maximum of £1,000) for the current academic year. If you have paid more than £1,000, you can still only deduct £1,000 from your maintenance requirement.

9. Are you receiving money from an official financial sponsor? The Official Financial Sponsors are Her Majesty's Government, your home government, the British Council or any international organisation, international company, university or an Independent School.

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10. Are all of the funds in your name?

If you are using your parents’/ legal guardians’ bank account for your application, you should choose no.

Section 11: T4 General Attributes

ATAS Certificate: If you are a non- EU citizen planning to undertake some research based postgraduate study in the UK in certain science, engineering or technology disciplines, then you will need to acquire an ATAS certificate before you can apply for a Visa to come into the UK or renewal of an existing student visa in the UK. For full details on the ATAS certificate and requirements see the Foreign & Commonwealth Office Website.

Dependants If you have dependants applying with you at the same time as this application, see our ‘UEL Dependants Guide to Completing the Tier 4 Student online application for further information.

Only tick YES if your CAS states that you

need an ATAS certificate. This information

is also given to you in advance on your UEL

Offer letter. Please note that a CAS cannot

be assigned to you until your ATAS

certificate has been approved. See

additional notes on ATAS below.

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5. Check your application for missing information

6. Select your supporting documents Once you have corrected your errors, select the check tab and check application. If you have successfully completed each section of the form, click Next. The next screen will list all the documents you must submit to the Home Office with your application form. Low Risk applicants: If the Home Office considers you as a ‘Low Risk’ applicant, your screen will only list your passport/s or travel document and two passport photographs (see below).

To see where the errors have

been made click HOME (third tab

next to Customise). To revisit

each section, click on the title.

Once you have completed all of the screens, click ‘Check Application’. The system will tell you if there are Errors on your form

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The screen will not list financial documents or educational documents. This is because you do not need to send these at the time you apply. However, you must still have the correct funds prepared with the required documents readily to you in case the Home Office request them. Your documents can be requested from you at any point of the applications process. All other applicants: If you are required to submit financial documents and evidence of your educational qualifications, your screen will provide an appropriate list of possible documents based on the answers you have provided in your application. For example: the screen below is for an applicant who is using their parents’/legal guardians’ account as evidence of their finances.

We strongly advise that you have your application checked by the ISA team before you submit your application. After you have ticked to confirm the documents, the next page will confirm how much maintenance you have to show and ask to confirm the declaration. DO NOT agree to the declaration or click next at this point. This is because once you have done this; you will not be able to make any changes to your form.

The form gives you the option to provide a combination of your personal financial documents and your parents’/legal guardians’. You must tick NO against all documents you will not be providing.

Applicants from the following counties are considered to be

‘Low Risk’ applicants: Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Botswana, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Croatia,

Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Trinidad & Tobago, USA

or British National Overseas.

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7. Get your completed application checked by ISA

Complete as much of the form as possible; DO NOT CONFIRM OR AGREE TO DECLARATION Book and attend an appointment or a drop in session with ISA. You will need to bring:

- Your Home Office account log-in details - All your supporting documents

For full details of our drop in and appointment times please visit: http://www.uel.ac.uk/international/advice/how-we-advise/

Confirming your Maintenance funds The declaration screen will calculate the amount of funds that the Home Office requires you to show. You are then required to confirm that you have held the correct amount of money for 28 a consecutive day period ending no more than 1 month before this application and that the money is available to you in the required format outlined in the immigration rules. If you do not have the amount of funds available to you, contact ISA for advice.

8. Sending your application to the Home Office Only once you have:

a. completed your application b. had it checked by ISA c. made the necessary amendments as recommended by the advisor d. collected all your original supporting documents e. read through the Declaration carefully

Tick to say you agree to the application. Then click NEXT.

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***Before continuing, make sure you have access to a printer*** Payment You are now given the option to send your application by post (Standard Service) or book an appointment at a Public Enquiry Office (Premium Service). Postal Application: When you have chosen how you will submit your application, you will need to pay for your application in advance. This reduces the current risks of applications being returned as invalid because the Home Office are unable to take payment for your application from your bank. We advise you to inform your bank that you will be making this payment to ensure that the online transaction is not refused.

Remember: Once you have agreed to the Declaration you will be unable to make any changes to your form.

I AGREE!

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Premium Service: If you have chosen a Premium Service appointment, you will see the next screen.

CAUTION: If you have made your payment and printed your application, but realise you have made a mistake, contact isa@uel.ac.uk for further advice before proceeding with a second application. This is because the payment is directly linked to your application and will be matched by barcodes.

What next? If you have paid for Tier 4 student online application you must:

1. Save a copy of your application to your computer 2. Print your application coversheet 3. Sign your application 4. Scan/save/photocopy your supporting documents, including your passport and BRP card (if

applicable) If you have chosen to post your application:

5. Send your supporting documents and application coversheet by Special Delivery from the Post

Office within 15 working days. The Home Office will provide guidance on the final page of your printed application on how and where to submit your documents. Keep your receipt safe as this will contain a tracking number for your application.

6. Email evidence of your application (postal receipt) to pbs@uel.ac.uk

If you have paid for a Tier 4 Student ‘Print and Send’ application you must:

1. Save a copy of your application to your computer 2. Print your application 3. Sign your application 4. Scan/save/photocopy your application and supporting documents, including your passport and

BRP card (if applicable)

The Public Enquiry Office in Croydon is the nearest to London but also the busiest. It is therefore

sometimes quicker to get an appointment at one of the other

PEO's (in Croydon, Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow,

Liverpool or Sheffield).

If you are offered a PEO appointment on a date which is AFTER your visa expiry date, you MUST not take it. It is vital that you submit your application BEFORE your visa expires.

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If you have chosen to post your application:

5. Send your application by Special Delivery from the Post Office. The Home Office will provide

guidance on the final page of your printed application on how and where to submit your documents. Keep your receipt safe as this will contain a tracking number for your application.

6. Email evidence of your application (postal receipt) to pbs@uel.ac.uk

REMEMBER you must post before your visa expires. If you have applied for your visa in person, you will need to scan evidence that you have attended your appointment to pbs@uel.ac.uk You will also be required to email scanned copies of your Home Office acknowledgment and Biometric enrolment letters to psb@uel.ac.uk When you have received your new visa (Biometric Residence Permit -BRP), you are required to update the UEL International Office with your new visa details in person.

Congratulations on completing your application!

Useful Links

Tier 4 Responsibilities: As a prospective or current Tier 4 student it is important that you understand and comply with the responsibilities of your student visa and co-operate with the University in fulfilling their Tier 4. See http://www.uel.ac.uk/international/advice/tier4responsibilities for information on your legal responsibilities under Tier 4 and UEL legal responsibilities under Tier 4.

UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA): http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/ The UK Council for International Student Affairs offers confidential advice on studying in the UK and related immigration matters. UKCISA have a student advice line 020 7107 9922, open Monday to Friday, 1pm - 4pm. They also have lots of useful information on their website.

Last updated 14/01/2014