VISA AND IMMIGRATION WEBCHAT
Question; Answer
Wura: I want to know if i can apply for my visa from within the UK.
* International Student Adviser - David: Hello Wura,
If you are currently in the UK with a Tier 4 visa and your course start date at The University of Sheffield is
either before your current visa expires or is within 28 days after the visa expiry - you can apply for your visa
inside the UK.
Sudeshna Sarkar: Hi.. I am Sudeshna. I want to know if I can apply for student Visa from other than my
home country, as currently I am staying in Oman and I am from India.
* International Student Adviser - Mark: Hi Sundesha - you can apply in your home country or the country
in which you are usually resident
Amna: Hi. Can u please brief me about the visa application process and steps after we accept an
unconditional offer
* International Student Adviser - David: Hello Amna,
Once you have an unconditional offer you will receive instructions from our Admissions Team in order to
apply for your CAS which you will need to follow. Once your CAS is issued you can use it to apply for your
visa. Please see http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/international/immigration/overseas for more information on
what you will need to do.
lyn: Hi team. I am an American student and I have been given a scholarship to study at UoS. The
scholarship is from the UoS itself. What I need to know is what type of visa I should apply for.
* International Student Adviser - Mark: Hi Lyn - if you are studying for a period of longer than 6 months
you should apply for a Tier 4 General visa. This link will tell you everything you need to know
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/international/immigration/overseas
Wura: I just finished my course in another UK university; can I apply for my new student visa from within
the UK?
* International Student Adviser - Mark: yes, that's fine so long as there isn't a gap of more than 28 days
between the end of your current visa and the start date of your new course. You will need to demonstrate
that you have made the application before you can register with the University of Sheffield. This webpage
will help with the application - very helpful videos on how to complete the form :)
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/international/immigration/uk
Ashhad Khan: Hi, I wanted to ask that my passport expires in 2018 which is one year before my
graduation. Should I renew my passport for visa purposes?
* International Student Adviser - Mark: @ashhad - there is no need to extend your passport for the visa
application. You will be able to do that later. Your visa will be in the form of an ID card which you collect
when you arrive in Sheffield so it doesn't matter if your passport expires just so long as you get a new one
before you need to travel anywhere
Wura: Is the application process online?
* International Student Adviser - Mark: yes - it is an online application. You can find the form on the page
I posted to your last question
Pandu Waskito: Hi, I think I made mistake once I did my registration. I put my past qualification as BEng
where it's supposed to be S.T(Sarjana Teknik). Is there anything I can do to change it? As I tried to access
my pre-registration page under the confirm qualification section, but it can no longer accessible. I am afraid
this will be a problem to my CAS and Visa, as it needs to be exactly the same with my supporting
document
* International Student Adviser - David: @ Pandu Waskito - I would advise you to contact our
Admissions Service @ shefapply@sheffeild.ac.uk. They should be able to advise you on what to do next to
correct this.
Sudeshna Sarkar: ok. Thank you. Can you please tell me if I can show the money for 28 days in a bank
account which is in this other country where i am living in a family joining visa right now?
* International Student Adviser - Mark: @sudeshna - it doesn't matter which country the bank account is
in so long as the bank statements meet the Tier 4 requirements. You can find these on this link
http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/International-Students/Preparing--planning/Visas-and-immigration/Applying-for-aTier-4-General-visa/Requirements-and-evidence/Evidence-needed/
Nanik: Hello, I'd like to ask, whether I can start my visa application on June 28 (3 months before my course
starts on 28 September), or on June 21 (based on my course start stated in CAS) ?
* International Student Adviser - David: @ Nanik - The date UKVI will consider the course start date on
the CAS. You must not submit your Tier 4 visa application more than 3 months before the start date listed
on the CAS.
timini: How often do they want candidate from a low risk country to provide financial prove?
* International Student Adviser - David: @ timini - Each individual case is at the discretion of the
caseworker that is considering the application. Unfortunately we cannot advise on the likelihood of being
requested to provide your financial documents. It is important to make sure you have the documents that
meet the requirements safe with you just in case they are requested.
Darshini: Hi. I am from Malaysia. I am of the understanding that while applying for a student visa we are
required to provide a proof of funding. Does this require us to show the full tuition fee amount or just first
year tuition fee?
* International Student Adviser - Mark: @Darshini - just the fee amount that is shown on your CAS
which is for the first year of study. If you have paid a fee deposit you can deduct this from the amount you
need to show in your bank account.
Rahim: Hi, my name is Abdul. I have been awarded a commonwealth scholarship to commence studies
this September. The tuition fee on my CAS is slightly higher than what is stated on my scholarship award
letter. will this pose problems during the visa application? i need to state that the scholarship is for full fees
plus monthly stipend
* International Student Adviser - Mark: @Rahim - hmmmm! I'm not sure. Is there a reason why the
amounts differ? To be safe, I think you should contact pbsapply@sheffield.ac.uk giving your applicant
number, CAS number and ask whether the fees are correct on your CAS. If they are correct, you would
need to demonstrate that you hold money in your bank account to cover the difference
Radmir Sarsenov: I have a question about VISA process: during my application for Student visitor VISA
last year I was asked to show the statement of my bank account which was showing I can live in the UK for
the whole period of time of my Visa. If I apply for Tier 4 now, what amount of money I should show? May it
be lower because I have already spent some time in the UK?
* International Student Adviser - David: @ Radmir Sarsenov - Please see the flowchart @
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/polopoly_fs/1.361074!/file/MaintenanceRequirementsforTier4visaapplication.pdf
to calculate how much maintenance you will need to show in addition to tuition fees. You will not qualify for
reduced maintenance if you spent time last year as a Student Visitor. You need to have a current valid Tier
4 visa to meet the criteria for this.
Mars: • I am an Indian National working and living in Qatar since last 4 years. Do I have to provide
Tuberculosis Test report with my application for Tier4 General Student. My last visits to India was in Feb
2015 (for 2 weeks) and Oct 2014 (for 3 weeks)
* International Student Adviser - Mark: @Mars - this link will take you to more information about TB
screening. You only need to provide a TB test if you have been resident in one of the countries listed for
the 6 months prior to your application http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/international/immigration/overseas/tb
Amna: Can u plz tell me what sort of questions are asked in the interview?
* International Student Adviser - David: @ Amna - We cannot guarantee exactly what they will ask you
but you might find http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/international/immigration/overseas/credibility useful in
helping you prepare for the interview
Pandu Waskito: Hi, I am sponsored by my government, should I apply for visa tier 4 (general) student or
tier 4 sponsored student?
* International Student Adviser - Mark: @Pandu - you should apply for tier 4 general sponsored students.
More information is on this link. http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/international/immigration/overseas
Letícia Campello: Hi, I'm Letícia from Brazil; I'm waiting for my CAS number to apply for a visa. I would
like to know about the NHS that we have to pay, my doubt is Will I pay for this at the time I'm doing my
VISA? and what about health insurance? Do you guys advice any?
* International Student Adviser - David: @ Letitia Campbello - Please see
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/international/immigration/nhs. You will be required to submit the NHS
payment and have the reference number beforre you submit your Tier 4 application. You may be able to
find more information in terms of health insurance at http://www.shef.ac.uk/ssid/international/living/health
Wura: If i apply from within the UK, do i still get a 1 month temporary visa or will i be given the full visa for
the duration of my course?
* International Student Adviser - Mark: @Wura - if you make the application before the expiry date of
your current visa your permission to stay in the UK is extended whilst the application is being decided. You
will be given a visa for the duration of your course + an additional 4 months at the end
Meruert: I'd like to ask you about changing of my passport. I'm going to register with my current passport
for visa for this academic year, but my passport will expire next year in November, and I don't have time to
go back home and get a new one. Could you tell me, please, if I can change the passport in the UK and do
I need to proceed a visa process again for a new passport?
* International Student Adviser - Mark: @Meruert - this situation happens to a lot of students. It should
be possible to get a new passport at your country's embassy in the UK. There will be no need to put your
visa into your new passport when you get it.
Nanik: What is the difference between Tier 4 General visa, Tier 4 General sponsored visa, and Tier 4
government sponsored visa? If I am under the Indonesian government scholarship (finance ministry of
Indonesia) which type of visa should I apply?
* International Student Adviser - David: @ Nanik - If you receive sponsorship from your government you
should complete the Tier 4 General Sponsored Student application form.
Rahim: @Mark, per the scholarship award letter, the University of Sheffield committed itself to paying part
of the tuition fees in a form of a discount. However, i don’t know why it didn’t appear on the CAS. I emailed
pbsapply@sheffield.ac.uk last week and attached a copy of the award letter. Haven’t heard from them
since
* International Student Adviser - Mark: @Rahim - our Admissions Office is very busy issuing CAS
numbers at the moment. They maybe haven't got to your email yet. If you haven't heard by the beginning of
next week, I would email them again
timini: thank you for answering. One last question, just to clarify, we can only submit the visa application
from 21st June onward, am i right? or should we submit the application now, and will be interviewed from
21st June onwards?
* International Student Adviser - David: @ timini - the "date of application" must not be more than 3
months before the course start date on your CAS. Please see page 9 of
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/422731/2015-0417_T4_Migrant_Guidance_April_15_f.pdf for how UKVI define this
Wura: who do i email if i have more questions on visa later on?
* International Student Adviser - Mark: http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/international/email
Amna: what is the maximum length of time we can stay in the UK when coming for a postgraduate course?
* International Student Adviser - Mark: @Amna - this webpage will help you understand the time limits
on study in the UK http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/international/immigration/responsibilities/time-limits
Mars: I have asked the bank to provide me a letter stating my savings in the bank. The bank is asking the
addressee name. Please tell me whether I have to specify the UK Border Agency address in UK or should
it be general like “ To whom it may concern” ?
* International Student Adviser - Mark: @Mars - 'To Whom it May Concern' will be fine.
Shuja: Hi, I wanted to know more about the Health Surcharge thing, do we need to pay for it before the
visa application or during it? Also, how much do I need to pay? I was working on its application and it was
asking me for my course start and end date which I do not know, any idea how I would get to know these
dates?
* International Student Adviser - David: @Shuja - You should submit the NHS payment and have the
reference number before submitting the visa application. You will get your course start and end dates from
your CAS so you should wait for that to be issued before doing the NHS surcharge application and the visa
application
Nanik: I am a little bit confused between NHS that we should pay before visa application and University
Health Service that we should register before coming to the University. Are they in the same system or
should we pay again to the university regarding the University Health Service?
* International Student Adviser - David: @ Nanik - These are 2 different things. The NHS surcharge is a
system that UKVI have brought for the visa application. More information about the University Health
Service can be found at http://www.shef.ac.uk/ssid/international/living/health/doctor
Dipsetu Dey: I have a conditional offer and i would get the requisite documents required to make the offer
unconditional by the middle of July. This has really been a concern to me as of late. Will everything be
quick enough so that I can get some breather before finally leaving?
* International Student Adviser - Mark: @Dipsetu - don't panic. Middle of July is still enough time to apply
for a visa. Just make sure you do as much preparation as you can beforehand - e.g. making sure money is
in the bank; getting translations of documents if necessary etc. Then when your offer is made unconditional
and you get your CAS, you'll be ready to go with a visa application straightaway
International Student Adviser - Mark: Hi everyone - we have REALLY useful resources on our website to
help with the visa application process. David has prepared some videos to show you how to complete the
forms and there are links to lots of other useful sites too
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/international/immigration/overseas
. kay: Hi.in the visa application we are required to enter our previous passports details but since my last
passport has the same number as the present one (as I got a new passport issued due my given name
being misspelled)do I need to include it? Though I did travel twice on that passport. Thanks
* International Student Adviser - Mark: @Kay - I think it is safer to include it.
Shuja: Thanks a lot David, one more question. What is the exact amount I would need to pay?
* International Student Adviser - David: @ shuja http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/international/immigration/nhs has further information about what level of
NHS surcharge you will need to pay.
Meruert: I have an account in the Barclays, could you tell me, please, what is better: to show the statement
on British or my country's bank account?
* International Student Adviser - Mark: @Meruert - it really doesn't matter which bank account you use
so long as the money has been in there for the required amount of time and the bank statement meets all
of the requirements set out in the Tier 4 guidance http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/InternationalStudents/Preparing--planning/Visas-and-immigration/Applying-for-a-Tier-4-General-visa/Requirementsand-evidence/Evidence-needed/
Wura: My offer letter is still conditional as i am yet to receive my certificate from my University. However I
will not receive my transcripts nor certificates until after August. Will this affect my CAS and visa application?
If not, what documents would i need to show as evidence of my certificate?
* International Student Adviser - David: @ Wura - If these documents are the ones that you need to
make your offer unconditional Admissions will not be able to issue your CAS until you have provided these.
International Student Adviser - Mark: We only have 15 more mins left for questions. In the meantime,
who is planning to come on Orientation Week? There will be a webchat on Orientation later in the summer.
For now, you can find out more on this link and sign up to our mailing list
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/newstudents/orientation-week
* International Student Adviser - Mark: and don't forget to like our facebook page
www.facebook.com/sheffieldglobalcampus and / or follow us on Twiter @sheffglobal :)
* International Student Adviser - David: Thank you for yor questions. As there is only just over 10
minutes left I would like to remind you all that if you have any questions that you think of after the Webchat
has finished you can still contact us using the webform at:
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/international/email
yatha sharma: hii... I will get my degree certificate by July end or august so can I provide my provisional
degree instead to get my offer converted from conditional to unconditional??
* International Student Adviser - David: @yatha sharma - You will need to ask our Admissions Service
about whether this can be accepted. You can contact them @ shefapply@sheffield.ac.uk
Mars: I have a previous Tier4 Visa Refusal History, do I need to provide any evidence of that and write a
letter describing it to visa officer or just previous application number will be fine?
* International Student Adviser - Mark: @Mars - there will be a question on the application form about
previous refusals which you will need to answer. If you include the previous application number, they'll be
able to check your records
Wura: what is the contact email for admissions?
* Jessica Bream: Hi Wura - it is shefapply@sheffield.ac.uk
kim song ran: Hello. I got a conditional offer. I have to take the IELTS test. Should I apply for a visa after
getting the IELTS score? Is there any deadline for a visa application?
* International Student Adviser - Mark: @Kim - yes, you need to sit your ILETS and achieve the right
score to remove the condition on your offer. Once you have done that, we will issue you with a CAS which
you need for your visa application. You can't get a CAS without an unconditional offer and you can't apply
for a visa without a CAS. Make sure you do your IELTS at an approved centre - more information on this
link http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/admissions/selts
Radmir Sarsenov: What if I want to pay the first year in 2 or 4 instalments (depending on my budget)?
Should I show the whole amount of money for tuition fee to apply for Tier 4?
* International Student Adviser - David: @ Radmir Sarsenov - If you have paid some of your tuition fee
before you apply for your visa, the fee payment should be stated on your CAS. If so, you only have to show
the remaining tuition fee that has been unpaid plus the maintenance in your bank account
helenaplatonova: I was informed that it is not a University scholarship and it will not be mentioned in the
CAS. Where can I get additional information on my scholarship? It was confirmed by the Department of
Slavonics
* International Student Adviser - David: @ helenaplatonova - If your scholarship is not from The
University of Sheffield it cannot be mentioned on your CAS. However, if it is from one of the sources listed
in paragraph https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/422731/201504-17_T4_Migrant_Guidance_April_15_f.pdf it can still be considered for your visa application, and you can
provide a letter as long as it meets the criteria in paragraph 180
Mars: I am a bit confused about documents submitted to get my CAS application number. How do I get a
complete list of that? Do I have to submit academic references as well along with Tier4 application form?
* International Student Adviser - Mark: @Mars - I'm not sure I understand your question...... Do you
mean you are confused about how to get your CAS? Or you're confused about which documents to include
with your visa application? If it is the first, you should contact pbsapply@sheffield.ac.uk If it is the second,
this webpage will help http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/International-Students/Preparing--planning/Visas-andimmigration/Applying-for-a-Tier-4-General-visa/Requirements-and-evidence/Evidence-needed/
Shuja: Hi, one last question. I've previously sat an IELTS Academic exam and my conditional offer is
entirely based on my A-Level results. I heard there was some change in rules regarding IELTS for student
visa applications. Though this is not a requirement on my offer, I was wondering if this is something I need
to worry about.
* International Student Adviser - Mark: @Shuja - there has been a change regarding IELTS which this
webpage explains http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/admissions/selts If the University made an assessment of
your English without using IELTS then you don't need to worry. Your CAS should say that we've made the
assessment.
Mars: @Mark : the documents submitted to get my CAS :)
* International Student Adviser - Mark: @Mars - these documents should be evidence of your previous
qualifications and evidence of your English language ability (if required).......
yatha sharma: I had given my IELTS exam on 25th of April and I am really confused with the new UKVI
changes. But I am afraid if it will be a problem for my visa application? can u help me with that?
* International Student Adviser - David: @yatha sharma - please see
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/admissions/selts for information on what English Language qualifications our
Admissions Service will continue to accept. Please remember that you will only need to submit an English
Language Test certificate with your visa application if it is listed on your CAS. Some CASs will have an
exemption to having to do this if it states "HEI has made assessment"
Didi Adisaputro: Hi, I had temporary injury when my finger print was being scanned for registering IELTS
because IDP officer told me that the scanned finger print would only be used for IELTS test purposes. In
addition, I had no problem at all for my Biometric photo. Is this affect my visa application? What should I
need to do for figuring out this situation? Many thanks.
* International Student Adviser - Mark: @Didi - the reason they take fingerprints at IELTS test centres is
to ensure that there is no fraudulent activity taking place. If there was no problem at the IELTS Centre or
when making our visa application then there is nothing to worry about
Nanik: Do I have to show some amount of money in my bank account if I'm under government scholarship,
and in my Letter of Guarantee (LOG) it has been stated that the scholarship will cover all fees including
tuition fee and my monthly living allowance?
* International Student Adviser - David: @ Nanik - If your sponsor is providing you with the full tuition fee
and giving you more than £820 per month for living allowance you will not need to submit any further
financial documents. You will need to ensure your sponsor's letter meets all the criteria in paragraph 180 of
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/422731/2015-0417_T4_Migrant_Guidance_April_15_f.pdf
Jessica Bream: We will be wrapping up now. The transcript to this chat will be available within a couple of
days here: http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/international/help/international-online-chats
* Jessica Bream: If you have any questions in the more questions regarding visas please use the email
web form here: http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/international/email