Student Services
Extending your Tier 4 visa
September / October 2013
International Student Advice Team
Student Services
The International Student Advice Team
Student Services, 4 West
• Nicola Peacock
• Jessica Scott
• Tracey Tillotson
• Rebecca Bruce
Workshops
Drop-in advice
Appointments
Student Services
Drop-in advice
Student Services, 4 West
Summer vacation:
Mondays & Thursdays:
Wednesdays:
10.00 – 12.00
13.30 – 15.30
23 – 27 September:
Every day:
10.00 – 12.00
From 30 September:
Mondays & Thursdays:
Wednesdays:
10.00 – 12.45
13.30 – 15.30
International-student-advice@bath.ac.uk
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
Student Services
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 ticket
2. 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 statement
2. Using any overseas document
3. 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 ticket
2. 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 statement
2. Using any overseas document
3. 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.
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 rescheduled for the inter-semester break.
Student Services
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
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 Proof
9. Your Police Registration Certificate if you have one.
10. Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Certificate if
required
11. Translations and original documents
12. Photocopies of all documents
1.
Student Services
PaymentWith 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.
Student Services
Photos
 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/applicationfor
ms/flr/photoguidance0409.pdf
 Name on the back
Student Services
Your CAS statement
Applicants
1. Accept unconditional offer
2. 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.
Student Services
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)
Student Services
ATAS Certificate
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 Engineering
Go to www.fco.gov.uk/atas for more information
and to apply for certificate
If you have not got one already ORDER THIS
TODAY!!!
Student Services
What is a Biometric
Appointment?
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
Student Services
Key 5 Reasons for Refusal
• 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
Student Services
Bank Statements – Flow Chart
http://www.bath.ac.uk/study/pdf/visaFlowchart.pdf
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 money
2.Only pay up to £1,000 towards University accommodation fees
3.Collect a ticket and book an appointment from Wednesday 28
August
4.Please check your bank statements in a drop-in if you have any
questions
5.Apply for ATAS if you need it
6.When you get your results, please be patient when waiting for your
CAS
7.Remember it is your responsibility to meet the UKBA requirements.
Student Services
The International Student Advice Team
Student Services, 4 West
• Nicola Peacock
• Jessica Scott
• Tracey Tillotson
• Rebecca Bruce
Drop-in advice
Summer vacation:
Mondays & Thursdays:
Wednesdays:
10.00 – 12.00
13.30 – 15.30
23 – 27 September:
Every day:
10.00 – 12.00
From 30 September: Mondays & Thursdays:
Wednesdays:
10.00 – 12.45
13.30 – 15.30
International-student-advice@bath.ac.uk
http://www.bath.ac.uk/international/advice/indexvisa.html
https://www.facebook.com/uobinternational2013