Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Applying from OUTSIDE the UK (Entry Clearance)
Online Application Form Guide
This guide provides step-by-step guidance for students aged 16 or over completing the Tier 4 Student visa online application form to apply for a visa from outside the
UK.
Page 2
Contents Contents ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 2
Getting started .............................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Getting started continued ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
1. Start: Register your email ........................................................................................................................................................... 6
2. Application ................................................................................................................................................................................ 7
Study as a Tier 4 (Child) student .............................................................................................................................................................................. 8
English language assessment ................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
Where you will stay in the UK ................................................................................................................................................................................ 10
UK travel history .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
Travel to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, USA, Switzerland or the European Economic Area ........................................................................... 12
Your planned travel information ........................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Immigration history ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Breach of UK immigration law ............................................................................................................................................................................... 15
Convictions, war crimes and terrorism .................................................................................................................................................................. 16
Person of good character and employment history .............................................................................................................................................. 17
Sponsor license number, address and details ....................................................................................................................................................... 18
Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) ................................................................................................................................................... 19
Future official financial sponsor ............................................................................................................................................................................ 19
Course information ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 20
Accommodation payments .................................................................................................................................................................................... 21
Course fees ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 22
Student Loan .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 22
Page 3
Maintenance funds ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 23
Additional information about your application ..................................................................................................................................................... 24
3. Documents .............................................................................................................................................................................. 25
4. Conditions and declaration ...................................................................................................................................................... 25
5. Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) ......................................................................................................................................... 26
Biometric Residence Permit collection location ............................................................................................................................ 27
6. Download and print ................................................................................................................................................................. 28
Questions? .................................................................................................................................................................................. 28
Page 4
Getting started
How long it takes you to complete the application will depend on your particular situation. You will be able to save your application and come back to it at another time if you need to (click ‘Return to this application later’). If you are inactive for 25 minutes you will be automatically logged out.
Answer each question fully and truthfully. Failure to declare something on your form will be seen by UKVI as deception, and will result in this application (and possibly future applications) being refused. Providing the correct information will not automatically lead to a refusal.
Not every question is covered in this guide. If you can’t find an answer, contact us on [email protected]
The online application form is accessed here: https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/apply-visa-type/tier4
This form is for Tier 4 (General) visa application. For adding dependants, see this guide.
Page 5
Getting started continued
• Choose your visa type: • Short-term student visa • Tier 4 (General) student visa • Tier 4 student visa (for Chevening,
Marshall and Commonwealth scholars)
• Select your location by typing the country in the box. Select the correct country from the list and click ‘Next’.
• Confirm you can attend an appointment at the visa application centres shown. You can select which one later. If you cannot attend one of these locations, on the next screen you will see a list of alternative countries to select. You will need to provide evidence of your permission to be in that country.
• Read the ‘Before you apply’ information and click ‘Apply now’ to begin the form.
Apply in your home country, where you are lawfully living (not short-term), or a country where
you are a national.
Page 6
1. Start: Register your email
• Enter a valid email address and
create a secure but memorable password.
• You will be emailed a link to log back into your account. Keep this email safe to avoid having to start your form all over again!
Page 7
2. Application
• Answer the questions about your
name(s), exactly as they appear on your passport or travel document.
• Enter your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number.
• Answer the next questions about your home address, contact details, gender, nationality and so on in full. You can add details for multiple nationalities and passports that you hold. National ID card: Enter details of your national identity card which you should be able to present if requested. If don’t have one, click ‘No’.
Do not apply before you are issued with a CAS number.
Your application will be refused.
Page 8
Study as a Tier 4 (Child) student
• If you have previously held a Tier 4 (Child) visa, select yes. If you have never studied in the UK before, the answer is no.
Page 9
English language assessment
• If your nationality indicates you are not applying from an exempted country, you will be asked about your English language assessment.
Answer ‘Yes’ to studying at an HEI. Answer ‘Yes’ to your CAS confirming your English language has been assessed by your institution.
• Answer the questions about those
who rely on you financially for support. Include those who will not be travelling to the UK. Remember any dependants joining you in the UK must apply for their visa separately.
• Answer any questions about your parents and any family in the UK, and your travel plans.
Page 10
Where you will stay in the UK
Do you know where you will be staying in the UK? No It’s ok if you don’t know exactly where you will be staying, but you will still need to give an indication of where you plan to stay (e.g. university halls of residence, private accommodation etc). Yes If you do know where you will be staying, answer the questions giving the address you plan to stay at. You can add multiple places.
Page 11
UK travel history
If you indicate you have been to the UK before, you will be asked further questions including: Purpose & duration of your visit - why you came, for how long and when (month and years). Medical treatment in the UK – If you answer ‘Yes’ to receiving medical treatment, you will be asked to provide further details. UK leave to remain – Answer the questions regarding any previous visa extension applications you have made from inside the UK, whether they were successful or not. National Insurance number – If you worked in the UK previously, provide your National Insurance number, and the reason why you got this number. Driving licence – If you hold a UK driving licence, you will be asked to provide details. Public funds – If you have received public funds, you will be asked to provide details.
Page 12
Travel to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, USA, Switzerland or the European Economic Area
• If you indicate you have been to the listed
countries before, you will be asked further questions including: Which country visited – you can only select one country at a time. If you have visited multiple countries, select ‘2 to 5 times’ or ‘6 or more times’. Purpose & duration of your visit - why you came, for how long and when (month and years). There appears to be an error with the form here, as you can only list 2 countries you have visited. You can add further detail of other international travel in the ‘Additional information about your application’ section at the end of the form.
• World travel history – You will then be
asked a further question about travel to other countries in the past 10 years. Selecting ‘yes’ brings up further questions including: • Which country you visited • Reason for visit • Date of visit You can add multiple visits to this section.
Page 13
Your planned travel information
• Enter the date you plan to arrive in
the UK. This will help determine the dates on your entry clearance vignette (visa sticker in your passport). For courses longer than 6 months, your visa will be valid from 7 days before your intended travel date, up to a maximum of 1 month before your course start date.
Page 14
Immigration history
• Answer the questions in this section
truthfully.
Selecting ‘Yes’ will allow you to explain more details of what happened, including a free-text box. You can add multiple immigration problems.
Listing details of an immigration problem will not automatically mean your application is refused. However, failing to list a refusal will likely mean
you are refused. Be truthful.
Page 15
Breach of UK immigration law
• Answer the questions in this section
truthfully.
Selecting ‘Yes’ will allow you to explain more details of what happened, including a free-text box.
You can add multiple breaches of UK immigration law.
Listing details of an immigration problem will not automatically mean your application is refused. However, failing to list a refusal will likely mean
you are refused. Be truthful.
Page 16
Convictions, war crimes and terrorism
• Answer the questions truthfully,
including information for ANY country (not just those from within the UK). Selecting an option from the list directs you to another page or free text box where you can add further details.
Page 17
Person of good character and employment history
• Answer the questions in this section truthfully.
If you are unsure about any of these questions, get in touch with us on [email protected]
Page 18
Sponsor license number, address and details
• Tier 4 Sponsor license number:
3FMMCWWY2
• Address of sponsor (use the same address for all campuses): University of Exeter Northcote House Queens Drive Exeter EX4 4QJ
• Place of Study: Higher education institution
• Primary site of study: Streatham campus: leave as default St Lukes, Penryn or Truro campus: check the details on your CAS Statement and edit if necessary.
• UCAS details: Click ‘Yes’ for undergraduate courses and provide your UCAS number, otherwise click ‘No’.
Page 19
Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)
Future official financial sponsor
• Check to see if your course requires
an ATAS certificate (it will say so on your offer letter). You will already have applied to get your CAS if so. Enter your ATAS reference number in the box.
• If you are sponsored by your
government, an international company or university, you can tick ‘Yes’, and select how this will be shown. You will need to select ‘Letter of official financial sponsorship’ unless you are sponsored by the University of Exeter and this is detailed on your CAS. Your parents do not count as official financial sponsors.
Page 20
Course information
Use your CAS to help you answer the following questions:
• Name of sponsor institution: University of Exeter
• Course name: Enter your course name as it appears on your CAS
• Qualification you will get: This is the RQF level listed on your CAS.
• Sabbatical officer: Answer ‘no’ unless you are an elected Guild, or Student Union, Officer
• Enter your course start and end dates as shown on your CAS
Page 21
Accommodation payments
Only payments to the University of Exeter can be included here. Externally managed accommodation cannot be included. • Choosing ‘Yes’ brings up further
options to say how much you have paid, and if this is confirmed on your CAS, or if you will show receipts.
Remember to ensure your CAS is up-to-date if you have recently paid money towards your accommodation. You can deduct a maximum of £1,265 of any money you have paid for University accommodation from the total living expenses money you need to show. If you have paid more than this amount, still enter the full amount you have paid into this box.
Page 22
Course fees
Student Loan
The course fees must match the amount written on your CAS. • If you have made a tuition fee
payment, choose ‘Yes’. This brings up more options to confirm how much has been paid, and if this is confirmed on your CAS, or by receipt.
Remember to ensure your CAS is up-to-date if you have recently paid money towards your tuition fees.
• Confirm if your funds are in the form of a student loan. If you choose ‘Yes’ you will be asked if you have already received this loan.
Page 23
Maintenance funds
• You can find out about the
maintenance requirement here.
Sponsored students should answer ‘Yes’ to this question.
• If the funds are not held in your name, these must be held under your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) name. The form will then prompt you to confirm that you have permission and proof of your relationship.
Page 24
Additional information about your application
• Use this free text box to add anything
additional you would like to be considered as part of your application. Click ‘Save and continue’ and review your answers.
Carefully check your answers provided. You can go back and edit anything you
need to at this stage. It is important you provide a truthful
and comprehensive application.
Page 25
3. Documents You may be asked to clarify which financial documents you plan to use to show the required maintenance funds. You can add multiple financial institutions and types of document. Gather your documents as listed. Tick each box to confirm you have this document. Don’t forget that not every document you will need to present at your visa appointment is listed here. See our checklist here to ensure you have everything.
4. Conditions and declaration Carefully read and confirm you accept conditions of the visa and the declaration.
This is the last point at which you can edit your answers. Please carefully review your responses before you move on to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge
(IHS)
Page 26
5. Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) Much of this form will be pre-populated, but some sections will require you to edit the information.
• Add where you are planning to stay – answer ‘No’ to staying on the Isle of Man, Jersey or Guernsey
• Add your title
• Enter your course start and end date as it appears on your CAS
• Answer the additional questions about the course: o Check your course level on your CAS (RQF level) o Check your course length on your CAS to see if this is less than 13 months.
Read and agree to the declaration. The payment summary screen should present the amount due in your local currency. Pay this to complete your application.
Page 27
Biometric Residence Permit collection location There will be a section asking where you would like to have your Biometric Residence Permit delivered in the UK. This ensures we can safely store your card ready for collection at International Student Clearance. You can do this by entering the correct address and checking the generated ‘Alternative collection location’ (ACL) code for your campus: Exeter based courses (Streatham and St Luke’s campuses) enter: University of Exeter Streatham campus Immigration Compliance Unit Innovation Centre Reception Rennes Drive Exeter EX4 4RN Alternative Collection Location code: 2HE342 Cornwall based courses (Penryn and Truro campuses): Penryn Campus University of Exeter Admissions Peter Lanyon Building Penryn Campus Penryn Cornwall TR10 9FE Alternative Collection Location code: 2HE347
We strongly advise you chose to have your BRP delivered to the University.
Page 28
6. Download and print Once you have paid the IHS, and you have selected your appointment time, date and location, your application form is complete, and you will be returned to the ‘Download and print’ screen. You should download and print the ‘Supporting Documents’ list and the application form to take with you to your appointment. We would also recommend that you save pdf copies for future reference as you not be able to access these at a later date.
Questions? If after following the advice in this document you still have questions, first try our Tier 4 Guide on our website. We also have guides for applying for visas for your dependants. If you still do not know the answer, please contact the International Student Support Office on [email protected], or for Cornwall students contact [email protected].
Carefully prepare all your documents. The most common reason for a visa refusal is due to the finance evidence submitted.
Check our website carefully to ensure your documents meet ALL the
requirements.
If in doubt, ask for help. Do NOT risk submitting an incorrect application.
