Guide for Tier 4 (General) Visa applications made Overseas

Transcription

1 Guide for Tier 4 (General) Visa applications made Overseas This application guidance is for students applying for Tier 4 Entry Clearance (overseas). If applying with Dependants or as a Lone Dependant joining a student in the UK, please refer to separate guides.

2 Please note The Immigration Service have created these guidance notes to assist with the Tier 4 (General) visa application process for Students applying using screen-shots from the Home Office website and online form. This guidance is not endorsed by UK Visas and Immigration THIS GUIDANCE SHOULD ONLY BE USED BY UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK STUDENTS AND THEIR DEPEDANTS FOR VISA APPLICATIONS MADE OUTSIDE THE UK This guide is best used with the information available on our website and the most recent version of the Home Office Tier 4 Policy Guidance The information shown here is correct at the time of writing but immigration regulations are subject to change at short notice, as can the visa application form - always contact the Immigration Service if you are unsure of something relating to your visa application or if the application form you are using appears different to the version shown here This guide was last updated on The Immigration Service cannot guarantee the successful outcome of any application as this decision is made by the Home Office

3 University of Warwick Immigration Service For more details about applying for your Tier 4 visa and the services available from the Immigration Service, please visit our website: If your CAS will states that you will be making your visa application from overseas, do not attempt to apply from inside the UK as your application may be refused on grounds of academic progression

4 Access the form via Click this link to apply from overseas [Please note, students in North Korea cannot use the online application platform and should follow alternate UKVI instructions for applying using a paper version of the form] Self-funded students or those with University funding should choose the option highlighted here. As you start typing, a drop down list of countries will appear select your home country from the list. You will not normally be permitted to apply from a country where you are not ordinarily resident, or where you hold immigration permission as a visitor only. Click the green next button to continue Do NOT choose Tier 4 (Child) student visas Only students in receipt of Chevening, Marshall or Commonwealth scholarships should select the last Tier 4 option. You will then be asked to confirm that you can attend an appointment at one of the visa centres in your country (a list will be displayed) select your response and click the green next button to continue Click the green next button to continue After reading the information onscreen, click the green apply now button to continue

5 Use an address you can access easily from a computer because a link will be sent that will allow you to get back into a partially completed application form. Create a password that you will remember. It must be 8 characters or longer and include a letter and a number or symbol.you will need this password to access your partially completed application form. Whenever you complete a section, remember to click the green save and continue button. Throughout the application you will have the option to review and change your previous answers, or to log out and return to the form at a later date.

6 You cannot submit your Tier 4 visa application without a valid CAS number. You should only use a CAS number that has been assigned to you for study at Warwick, on the course you intend to join. If you want to change course before enrolling, you should contact your admissions team as you may require a new CAS. If you have ever been known by another name then tick Yes and add in other names known by. ALWAYS copy and paste the CAS number to avoid mistakes. If you have never been known by another name tick No

7 You should provide details of the address in your home country where you ordinarily reside. You can add a second number here. Enter a number which you use all the time. You may be contacted by telephone for additional information as part of the application process so you should ensure that you are accessible. For your information, the Home Office will never demand payment over the phone. This information should match that on your passport. This information must match that in your passport and also your CAS. If you have dual nationality you can enter another nationality here. Select the appropriate timeframe from the dropdown box by clicking the arrow

8 If you live in China then you will be prompted to provide details of your province of birth. Enter the details of the passport number included in your CAS. Your passport does not have to be valid for the duration of your course of study, however, if you know that you will need a new passport you may prefer to obtain one before applying for your UK visa. If you do receive a new passport after receiving your CAS but before submitting your visa application, please contact Admissions to add a sponsor s note to your CAS to update the UKVI with this information. Give details of any additional passport(s), including expired passports which contain travel visas, passports issued for another nationality or in another name. If you have a previous passport containing a travel visa which you have since lost, you may include a photocopy if you have one and covering letter explaining why you do not have the original document. Provide the date that you intend to arrive in the UK, usually before your official course start date. Remember, do not enter a date which is more than 1 month before the course start date on the CAS. The date your visa is valid from will be calculated based on the travel date you provide (7 days before this date entered here, up to 1 months before the course start date on your CAS). You should not intend to stay in the UK longer than the duration of your visa. If you are coming for a Master s degree and are a Tier 4 Pilot student, enter a date which is no later than your course end date + 6 months. Undergraduate and Postgraduate Research (PhD) applicants should be granted a visa which ends 4 months after the course end date stated on their CAS. If there has been a mistake with the end date of your visa we would encourage you to have this corrected before you travel to the UK (if there is enough time). If there is not enough time, you may have it corrected after arriving in the UK.

9 If contacted by the Home Office you will usually be expected to answer questions about your visa application in English. The caseworker will expect you to be able to talk widely about your course of study and how it fits within your career aspirations. You may be asked about your accommodation, how you will pay for your studies or why you chose Warwick. If you have successfully completed a course of study in the UK as a Tier 4 (Child) you will not be asked this question This answer will usually be no If you answer No to the above question then you will be asked this question

10 You are asked to provide information about two of your parents by answering all the questions fully. If you do not have this information then you can tick the box I do not have my parent s details and you will not be asked for any more information. This guidance is for STUDENTS ONLY. Please refer to other guidance notes if applying with Dependant family members or if applying as a Lone Dependant to join the main applicant (student) in the UK. If you do have family members who rely on you financially (such as a spouse or children) then you should answer Yes and provide more details over the next page(s) even if they will not accompany you or join you in the UK. Providing details of Dependant family members are part of your own Tier 4 visa application does not constitute a dependant visa application - there is a different application form for that. If either parent had a different nationality then select No and provide their country or nationality at the time you (the student) were born. Once you have completed the details for your first parent a further screen will ask for information about your second parent.

11 You should answer this question to the best of your ability. Failure to disclose information about a relative in the UK may negatively affect your visa application. Include family members who are studying in the UK. You should answer No to this. Select option from list If someone other than a partner or child will travel to the UK with you, for example a parent, then you will need to give their name and state their relationship to you. You will need to provide more information according to the option you select, such as their passport number or information about their immigration status in the UK. If you have difficulties completing this section or the options do not fit the situation you may provide more details in the free text section towards the end of the application form. If more than one person will travel with you, you only need to give the name of one person. If you will travel to the UK on your own, then answer no to this question. If you cannot contact your UK based relative then you will be asked to explain why not.

12 If you answer yes, you will need to complete the following questions. If you answer no, you will need to complete the following section. It is okay if you have not confirmed the final details of your accommodation yet. Give as many details as you can about: if you are going to stay in a hotel or other paid accommodation Addresses of friends or family you will be staying with towns, cities or areas you plan to visit You can enter more than one address so if you intend to stop in a hotel/with a friends before moving to your term time address, you should provide details of that along with the address you will stay at while at University. If you have applied for University housing but do not yet know the exact address, use the generic campus address: University of Warwick campus Gibbet Hill Road Coventry, CV4 7AL

13 If you answer zero, the following question will appear. If you answer anything other then zero then the following additional questions will appear. If you have previously held any kind of visa issued for the UK (including visit visas) you will need to answer yes and give details. If you have not been issued a visa for the UK before then you can answer no.

14 You will only see this question if you have previously confirmed that you have visited the UK within the last 10 years. If you have had medical treatment in the UK while holding a valid visa which entitled you to free treatment, e.g. a Tier 4 student visa, then answer no and give more details in the free text section towards the end of the application form. You will only see this question if you have previously confirmed that you have visited the UK within the last 10 years. Leave to remain is a visa application made in the UK. If you answer no you will not see these questions. You will only see this question if you have previously confirmed that you have visited the UK within the last 10 years. You may have applied for a National Insurance number if you have previously worked while in the UK.

15 You will only see the following questions if you confirm that you have previously travelled to any of the above countries within the past 10 years. If you answer anything other then zero then additional questions will appear. If you have visited any other countries you will need to answer yes and provide more details. If you have visited any of the listed countries more than once, you will be asked to provide the same details about the second most recent visit.

16 You must answer this question honestly. If you do not your visa application will be refused. Select option from drop down box. Remember, the Home Office UKVI will know if they have refused you a visa in the past and have access to your immigration history If you have visited any other countries you will need to answer yes and provide more details.

17 You must answer this question honestly. If you answer yes to any question you will be required to provide more information on the next page.

18 Read these questions carefully, answer fully and honestly.

19 Enter the details exactly as shown here. If you have worked at any such organisation, you will need to give details, as below. The University of Warwick is an HEI (Higher Education Institution).

20 If you are financially sponsored, meaning some or all of your tuition fees and living costs (maintenance) are being paid, you must provide more details. Read the definition of official financial sponsor below. Answer yes to this question. If you are coming to study an Undergraduate course or MBChB then you should answer yes and provide your UCAS personal identification number. Other students should answer no. If you receive a scholarship from University of Warwick it will usually be stated on your CAS. If your course requires ATAS clearance it will have been a condition of your offer, in which case answer yes and enter your ATAS number. You must submit your ATAS certificate with your visa application. If you are not sponsored, or if your studies are self-funded (meaning your parents will pay for your studies) answer no to this question. Click the link if you are not sure if you need ATAS and it is not clear from your offer or CAS.

21 Even if you are fully sponsored this page will still appear you should answer the first question yes because the scholarship/sponsorship award is in your name. The other questions should then not appear. If you are using bank statements in your own name then you should answer the first question yes. The other questions should then not appear. If you are using bank statements in a parents name then you should answer the first question no. You will then be asked if you are using a parent or legal guardians money and if you have their permission; answer yes to both. When using funds from a parent/legal guardian you will need to provide original evidence of your relationship as per one of the documents listed indicate which you will including with your visa application. Please refer to the UKVI policy guidance and the information on the University of Warwick Immigration Service website for information on how to calculate your maintenance and ensure that your documents meet formatting requirements. All documents submitted with your visa application need to be original. Low Risk nationals: If you are a low risk national you can opt to apply under the differentiation agreement which means that you do not need to submit any academic qualification, financial evidence or English language certificate with your visa application. However, Home Office UKVI may request evidence of your finances so you should ensure that you have the required documents. Tier 4 pilot: If you will be joining a Postgraduate Masters programme of 13 months duration or shorter, starting September 2018 ONLY, you will be part of the UKVI Tier 4 pilot which the University of Warwick has recently joined. This means you will not be required to provide evidence of finances, academic qualifications or English language certificate with your visa application. However, you may still be asked for this information so you should ensure that you have sufficient funds and can provide documentary evidence which meets UKVI guidance if asked. The following are NOT eligible for the Tier 4 pilot and must provide evidence of qualifications and funds which meets UKVI formatting requirements: Foundation, Undergraduate and PhD students Students joining courses before September 2018 (unless you have a combined CAS for a Master s degree with a pre-sessional course) Students issued a CAS for a Pre-sessional English course only Students returning from breaks in study or to sit exams Students applying for an extension of Tier 4 leave for a course started before Sept 2018

22 Copy and past the course name from your CAS . Select the qualification from the drop down list. Your CAS may show NQF and then a number. This is the same as RQF. Pick the RQF number which corresponds to the NQF number on your CAS. Only answer yes if you are staying in on campus or University managed housing AND have paid something towards your accommodation fees. If you are in on campus or University managed housing and have NOT have paid towards your accommodation fees, answer no. If you are in private accommodation, answer no, regardless of whether you have made any housing payments or not. The course start date will be stated on your CAS. If you have a CAS that covers both a pre-sessional English course and your main Masters you should enter the start date of the Masters programme which will be stated in the evidence used to obtain section of your CAS. If you have been issued a CAS just for a pre-sessional English course, enter the start date of your pre-sessional course. All other new and continuing students should enter the course start date as stated in the main section of the CAS. The following questions will only appear if you select yes. Enter the amount you have paid to the University for accommodation - (either on campus of off campus University managed). You can enter a maximum of 1265 even if you have paid more, as this is the maximum amount that you can deduct from your maintenance requirement. Once your accommodation fee payment has cleared, your CAS will be updated to show how much you have paid; you should not make your visa application until you have received confirmation from Student Finance that this has been done, then you should select this option.

23 Your CAS will confirm the fees for your course. If you are a continuing student, the fees due will be stated in your CAS, unless you do not owe anything, in which case the amount will be shown as 0. If you have not paid any of your tuition fees, answer no and there will not be any other questions. If you have paid some or all of your tuition fees (including deposits) then you should answer yes and state how much you have paid. Once your tuition fee payment has cleared, your CAS will be updated to show how much you have paid and you will receive an notification; you will not be issued with a new CAS number. Do not make your visa application until you have received confirmation from Student Finance that this has been done, then you can select this option. If you received hospital treatment while holding a visa which gives you entitlement to free hospital treatment, explain here that I answer No to the question about NHS treatment because I am entitled to hospital treatment whilst holding a valid Tier 4 visa. Further information is available upon request. You can use this free text section to add any additional information which you think might be relevant to your visa application; for example, if you do not require a TB certificate because you have recently resided in the UK for more than 6 months and have not been away for more than 6 months as evidence by immigration stamps on your passport. Continuing students ONLY those returning from a period of temporary withdrawal, or those applying for further leave following an extension to their registration, e.g. after adding a year of study or because they require additional time to complete a course of study should add the following note regarding their original course start date: Please note, the original course start date is [add the date taken from the evidence used section of your most recent CAS - it will be the date which you first enrolled at Warwick]

24 Once you have confirmed all the information you have entered is correct, you will see a list of supporting documents which you should provide as part of your visa application. Please note that the document check list is merely for information and may not reflect all the documents you need to submit in support of your application. The form has not been updated under the Tier 4 Pilot Scheme and so you will still see full documentation in the document checklist. Check carefully to ascertain what supporting documents you must submit with your visa application. If you do not provide the all documents required, your visa application may be delayed, rejected as invalid or refused At the end of the application you will have the option to review your answers and make changes if needed. Make sure that you check your answers carefully as once the application has been submitted online you will not be able to amend any of the information. The application form will prompt you to include your TB results, if needed. If you are ensure whether you need to have a TB test before coming to the UK, click the link to the Home Office website for more information. If you need to provide a TB test and fail to do so, your visa application will be refused.

25 Once you have confirmed that all your answers are correct and ticked the boxes indicating which supporting documents you will be providing, you will need to read and agree to the declaration above. Failure to provide information when asked, or providing false information or documents can result in your visa application being refused. It can also result in future UK visa refusals and a possible time ban. The Immigration Health Surcharge must be paid before you can complete and submit your visa application. You will need to pay online using a credit or debit card. Click the green button, read the instructions carefully and follow the instructions. Some of the information will pull through from the application form but you will need to answer some other, simple questions as well.

26 Tier 4 Pilot students please answer the questions about Tier 4 pilot scheme according to the questions asked (Yes/No according your course duration on CAS to is your course 13 months or less ; Answer No to If studying at Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial & Bath. Pre-sessional students with combined CAS, please make sure that you put the full course dates mentioned on your CAS (Presessional course + the main degree course date)

27 After your payment has been processed, you will be directed to this screen where you will see your IHS payment reference number (this will also be sent to you by ). Keep this information safe. If you are coming to the UK for more than 6 months you will receive a visa sticker (vignette) inside your passport which is valid for 30 days. You will then collect a BRP (biometric residence permit) when you arrive in the UK see the following page for more information.

28 You will have to select the application route you intend to use before paying; the fees and processing times will be displayed. Please ensure that you choose the option which is likely to result in you getting a decision before your course start date. You will need to allow sufficient time to receive your documents back and travel to the UK in time for the start of your course. Information about visa processing times in your country can be found at Once you have selected the type of application you will need to select the application centre you wish to attend and then book a date for your appointment. University of Warwick students ONLY can opt to have their BRP card delivered to our International Student Office where you can collect it after you have arrived. During the main enrolment periods collecting your BRP will form part of your immigration checks. If you wish to have your BRP delivered to the University, select the option highlighted above and enter the code shown here. Click the green button to display the University address. If you do not opt to have your BRP sent to Warwick then you will need to collect it yourself from a specified Post Office within 10 days of your arrival in the UK. We strongly advise that you request your BRP card be delivered to the University as it will be much easier for you and will speed the enrolment process meaning you can start your study immediately.