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GUIDE TO COMPLETING

THE TIER 4 APPLICATION

FORM

(Applications made in the UK only)

Updated August 2020

This booklet should not be used as a stand-alone guide. Before beginning your visa

application you must ensure that you read the UKVI Tier 4 Policy Guidance and the

information on the RCM’s Visas and Immigration website.

UKVI regularly makes updates to the Tier 4 Policy Guidance, so it is essential that you check the latest information before

applying. Whilst the information in this guide is provided in good faith, and every effort is made to keep it up to date,

the RCM accepts no legal responsibility for its accuracy.

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IMMIGRATION ADVICE AT THE RCM

The RCM’s international support staff aim to provide free, impartial, high quality immigration advice to RCM

students, including offer holders. We can advise on Tier 4 (General) Student visa applications, Short Term

Student visas, visa conditions during study and settlement applications for EU/EEA students. We also provide

information on visas for family members, Schengen visas and options to remain in the UK after graduation. In

addition, we offer more general support with welfare-related matters, such as opening bank accounts and

accessing healthcare in the UK. You can find full details of what we offer in our Statement of Service.

You should only obtain immigration advice from a qualified immigration advisor. It can be tempting to ask

friends, family or online forums, but remember that everyone’s circumstances are different and what was

correct advice for your friend may not be correct for you. You can contact our immigration advisors about

any visa questions on international@rcm.ac.uk.

The information below describes the standard visa application process. Please note that due to the

ongoing COVID-19 outbreak there may be disruption to the availability of services at Visa Application

Centres in some locations, and processes and timelines may be subject to change. You are advised to

check latest Home Office guidance before applying.

You can check the availability of UK Visa and Citizenship Application Centres local to you at

https://www.gov.uk/ukvcas

If you do experience some delays, please be reassured that our International Team will do everything they

can to help you complete your application and start your course.

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A FEW IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTE BEFORE STARTING

Ensure that you read the RCM’s guidance on applying for a Tier 4 visa thoroughly. This is available at

http://www.rcm.ac.uk/international/visas/

Have your passport and other immigration documents to hand, as well as your CAS Statement, as you will

need to copy information from them.

Our immigration advisors will be very happy to check your application for you, and we encourage you to

request this. Please e-mail a pdf of your application to international@rcm.ac.uk. Once you progress to the

“Declaration” stage of the form, you will not be able to make any further changes, so make sure you check

your answers thoroughly before you pass that point.

The date that you submit and pay for your application online is considered to be your “date of application”.

Your evidence documents (e.g. bank statements) must be dated on or before this date, or your application

will be refused.

Once you complete your online application, you will need to book an appointment at a UKVCAS centre to

submit your biometrics. There is no longer the option to send your documents by post. These centres offer

additional charged services, but you should not need to pay for these. You can get your application checked

free of charge by the RCM’s immigration advisors.

When you apply in the UK you can retain your passport during the application process. However, once you

submit your online application, you cannot travel overseas until your application is decided and you receive

your new Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). If you do so, you will be considered to have withdrawn your visa

application and your application fee will not be refunded. If you need to travel in the near future, you may

wish to consider using one of UKVI’s priority visa services for a faster decision.

Applicants under the age of 18

UKVI will calculate your age on the date of application. If you will be under 18 on this date, you must

include a letter from your parents or legal guardians confirming they give permission for you to live and study

independently in the UK, along with proof of your relationship (e.g. your birth certificate).

Dependents Only applicants on courses lasting 9 months or longer at RQF Level 7 (Masters) or above are eligible to

bring dependents. You can find more information at https://www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa/family-

members

If you have problems answering any of the questions on the online application form, and cannot find

the answers in these guidance notes, contact international@rcm.ac.uk for assistance. An incorrect or

missing answer could result in your application being refused, so if in doubt please do not guess, ask

us. We are here to help!

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GETTING STARTED

Go to https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/product/tier-4-student and click the green Apply Now button

at the bottom of the page.

Please note that UKVI sometimes make minor adjustments to the online form, and the exact questions

you see will change based on the answers you give. You may, therefore, see slight differences

between the images in this guide and your application.

You will be asked some basic questions to check you are using the correct form:

If you are applying from outside the UK you cannot use this application form.

Go to https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/apply-visa-type/tier4 to apply.

Create an account and password. You will be sent a link to verify the e-mail address.

If you have a

Chinese qq.com e-

mail address, you

may wish to use an

alternative. There

have been

problems reported

with automated e-

mail notifications

regarding visa

appointments

getting blocked by

these addresses.

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You can save, amend and return to your Tier 4 application at any time before you submit. You can also print

your application as a pdf to check it.

Now you can begin your application. Enter your personal details, ensuring they match your passport.

Make sure you

spell your name

exactly as it is

shown in your

passport.

UKVI provides

help text to guide

you through the

form.

Go to the

Application

menu to save

your form for

later, or print a

pdf of your

work so far.

Only select “yes”

if an immigration

lawyer is

completing your

application for

you.

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Enter your UK

contact details

carefully.

Answer “yes” if you have ever changed your name (e.g. if you were married or adopted) or if you ever use another name for official purposes.

You will be

asked to confirm

the e-mail

address you

want to use for

correspondence.

Reminder: if you

are likely to move

house in the near

future, make sure

that you give the

address where you

will be able to

receive

correspondence

about your

application

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If your place of

birth is not

shown on your

passport, give

your city/town

of birth.

TOP TIP!

You can view

and change the

answers you

have given so far

by clicking this

link.

If you have more

than one

nationality, this

should be the

nationality shown

on the passport

you are using for

your application.

You will be

asked to

provide some

further personal

details.

You will need

your original,

valid passport for

the application

process – a

photocopy is not

acceptable.

Copy the

information from

your passport

carefully and

ensure it also

matches your

CAS.

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“Leave to remain”

just means a visa

issued in the UK

Most RCM

applicants will hold

either a Tier 4

(General) or Tier 4

(Child) visa. There is

no option for “leave

to enter” so select

“leave to remain”

even if you applied

for your last visa

outside the UK. If

you have another

type of visa, you

need to check that

you can apply to

switch to a Tier 4

visa in the UK before

continuing.

This refers to a visa

that was cancelled

after it was issued.

You must declare this

if it has happened to

you, or your current

application could be

refused. This may

have happened if

you interrupted your

studies in the past.

This does not include

any visa applications

that were refused.

Copy this

information from

your most recent

visa / BRP

If you have

another

nationality (or

previously held

one) you should

provide details

here.

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Select this option if

your current visa is

a sticker (vignette)

in your passport.

This is the number in

the top right corner of

your plastic BRP card.

If you were

previously in

the UK on a

Tier 4 visa,

answer “yes”

Only certain nationalities

are required to register

with the police. If you

were, make sure that you

have your police

registration certificate

(PRC) and that you have

updated it with your most

recent address, as you

will need to submit it with

this application. If you

need to update your PRC,

you can find details of

what to do on the

Overseas Visitors Records

Office website.

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If you have previously studied on a Tier 4 (Child) visa, you will not see the second set of questions about

English language assessment.

This is a special Tier 4

visa for under-18s.

You may have had

one if you recently

finished A Levels at a

UK independent

school and are

starting the BMus.

You will probably

only have an NI

number if you

have worked in

the UK. This is not

the same as your

NHS number.

You can find your

NI number

printed on one of

your payslips.

The RCM is a higher

education institution,

so answer “yes” to

this question. You

will not be asked

further questions

about how you were

assessed, and if you

submitted a Secure

English Language

Test (e.g. IELTS) you

will not be required

to submit it with your

visa application.

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You will then be asked some further questions about whether you have ever broken the law, committed war

crimes or terrorist activities, or belonged to an extremist organisation. You will also be asked to make a

declaration that you are a person of good character.

You must be honest and

declare any convictions,

including driving offences

or cautions, as these can

be checked against police

records. Your application

will be refused if you are

found to have withheld

information. You must

include “spent” convictions

(i.e. convictions which can

normally effectively be

ignored after a specified

period under the

Rehabilitation of Offenders

Act 1974).

It is important to

declare any visa

refusals (inside or

outside the UK) or

other immigration

problems, even if the

decision was

subsequently

overturned. You will

have the opportunity to

provide an explanation

on the next page. You

will also be asked the

same question for any

other countries.

Tier 4 students should

not be claiming

public funds. This

does not include

using the NHS. If

you think you have,

contact us.

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The next section asks you about your course.

Copy this

information from

your CAS

Statement.

The RCM only

has one site.

The RCM is a

higher education

institution.

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The answer is “no”

for all the RCM’s

courses.

Answer “yes” if

you applied

through UCAS

Conservatoires.

Answer “no” if you

are taking the

Doctoral

Programme,

applying for the

Doctoral Extension

Scheme, or

coming to the

RCM on an

exchange.

Select “yes” if you

received a scholarship

from the RCM or from

another “official

sponsor” for the

course you have just

completed (or for your

current course if you

are extending your

visa to complete it). If

you were fully

sponsored (for all your

fees AND living

costs), you will need a

letter from your

previous sponsor to

confirm there are no

restrictions attached.

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All the information

you need to fill out

this section is shown

on your CAS

Statement. Make sure

that all your answers

match exactly.

Select “yes” if you

have been given an

RCM Scholarship

towards your tuition

fees for your new

course. Details of any

RCM scholarship will

be confirmed on your

CAS Statement.

If you are receiving

sponsorship from

another official

sponsor, also select

“yes”. You must

provide a letter from

the sponsor

confirming your

award as this cannot

be shown on your

CAS.

Most students will need to select the bottom option. Only state that you are being

“wholly sponsored” if your sponsor is paying for all of your tuition fees and all of

your maintenance funds.

Make sure you look

at the RQF number

and not the SCQF

number. E.g. the

Bachelor of Music is

at RQF6.

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The answer will be

“no” in most cases. The

Doctorate Extension

Scheme is a special

visa for graduates who

have completed a PhD

or equivalent. It does

not apply to current

DMus/PhD students

extending their visa to

complete their current

course.

Select “no”. Any

payments to

Prince Consort

Village cannot be

counted here, as

they are paid to

Campus Living

Villages and not

to the RCM.

Copy this information

from your CAS.

If you are a current

student continuing on

the same course,

please put the start

date on your CAS

(which will be the start

date of your next visa

period), not the date

you actually began

your course.

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This is the fee for

the first year of

your course only,

not the whole

course (if it lasts

more than one

year). If you are

extending a visa

to complete your

current course,

write the fees for

the next year.

Only answer yes if

you are using an

official student loan

(e.g. US Federal

Loans)

You should also

include any RCM

scholarship that has

already been

deducted from your

tuition fees here. If

you make a

payment towards

your tuition fees

before applying,

make sure you

include the

information in your

CAS Request so

that our

International staff

can confirm it on

your CAS

Statement.

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Copy this

information

carefully from

your CAS

Statement.

If you are using a

bank account in your

own name, select

“yes”.

If you are using an

account in your

parent(s)’ name,

select “no”. The

account holder(s)

must provide a letter

confirming their

permission to use the

money, as well as

official proof of your

relationship.

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Low risk nationals

Certain countries have been classified by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) as ‘low risk’, which means

applicants from these countries are subject to different documentary requirements when applying for a Tier 4

visa. This classification is sometimes referred to as the ‘differentiation arrangements’. If you are a national of

one of these countries, you will be asked at this point whether you wish to apply under the differentiation

arrangements and we recommend that you say “yes”.

Students from low risk countries are required to submit less documentary evidence than students from other

countries. If this applies to you, you will not have to supply bank statements or academic certificates at the

time of application. However, you must ensure that you still have the original documents in your possession at

the point you make the application, as UKVI carries out spot checks and may ask to see them.

You should now

check your

answers so far.

You can amend

your responses

by clicking the

“change” or

“add” links.

If a dependent

family member is

applying with

you, you can

now add their

details. You can

find out more

about whether

your family

members are

eligible to apply

at

https://www.go

v.uk/tier-4-

general-

visa/family-

members

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If you are using

more than one

form of financial

evidence, you can

add the details

here.

You must indicate the

name of the bank where

your funds for living costs

are held. If you are using

accounts from more than

one bank, you can add

another institution on the

next page.

If you are funding your

studies with a US

Stafford Loan, put this as

the financial institution

and select the third

option.

If you have a scholarship

that covers ALL of your

tuition fees AND all your

maintenance, write

“N/A fully sponsored”

and select the third

option.

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Do not continue past this point until you have thoroughly checked your answers and

documents! You will not be able to make any further changes.

We encourage you to get your application checked by one of our international team.

The easiest

way to check

your form is to

download a

pdf. Please

send this to our

advisors you if

you want us to

check your

application.

The form will generate a

list of the documents you

must send in. Check this

carefully. If something is

not listed that you were

expecting, there may be

an error in that section of

the application, so

contact us to check.

You still can make

changes by clicking the

“show and edit answers”

at the bottom of the

page.

Click each box to

confirm you have the

documents.

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DOCUMENT CHECKLIST

You must provide your original passport. For other documents, you can upload scanned copies to the

UKVCAS website when booking your biometric appointment, and will not normally need to send original

documents to UKVI. However, you must have them available, in case you are asked to provide them.

Have you prepared:

Passport

Current BRP card (or vignette in your passport if you have an “old-style” visa)

Police Registration Certificate (if you were required to register when you arrived in the UK)

Academic qualification used for admission to your course (with certified translation if the document is

not in English)

Financial evidence

Letter of permission from your parents if you are under 18 and evidence of your relationship (e.g.

birth certificate)

Check your financial evidence

If you are using a bank statement as your financial evidence, check that:

The account holds cash funds and there are no restrictions on withdrawing the money (shares,

bonds, credit cards and pension funds are not permitted)

If you are using electronic printouts, they are stamped on every page by the bank OR accompanied

by a letter from the bank confirming they are genuine

The statement shows the account holder(s) legal name(s)

The statement is printed on the bank’s headed paper and shows the account number and the

financial institution’s name and logo

The statement is no more than 31 days old

The statement shows you have held the required amount of funds for at least 28 consecutive days

You enclose a certified translation if your statement is not in English

If you are using a bank letter, check that:

The account holds cash funds and there are no restrictions on withdrawing the money (shares,

bonds, credit cards and pension funds are not permitted)

The letter is printed on the bank’s headed paper and shows the account number and the financial

institution’s name and logo

The letter shows the account holder(s) legal name(s)

The letter is no more than 31 days old

The letter shows you have held the required amount of funds for at least 28 consecutive days (the

letter must state that the funds have been held from DD/MM/YYYY to DD/MM/YYYY: it is NOT

sufficient to simply state the amount of funds in the account)

You enclose a certified translation if your letter is not in English

If you are using a bank account in your parent(s) or guardian(s)’ name, ensure you enclose:

Evidence of your relationship (e.g. birth or adoption certificate), with a certified translation if the

document is not in English

Letter from your parents confirming they give you permission to use the money for your studies

If you are using an official student loan or letter from an official sponsor, check the Tier 4 Guidance to ensure

your evidence is in the required format.

Keep all the documentation related to your application somewhere safe while your application is being processed, in case there are any problems or queries.

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This is the last opportunity to make changes. After this point your answers will be locked.

This is a legal

declaration that all the

information in this form

is correct to the best of

your knowledge, and

that you hold all the

required documents

(even if you are a “low-

risk national”). If

anything is

subsequently proved to

be false, you could be

accused of deception

and your application

could be refused.

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PAYING THE IMMIGRATION HEALTH SURCHARGE

SUBMITTING AND PAYING FOR YOUR VISA APPLICATION

You will now be redirected to the visa application payment section. Your application will only be considered

as having been submitted once your have paid. Make sure you that you select the correct service so that you

are charged the correct fee. Unfortunately it is not currently possible to view the availability of appointments

at service centres before choosing which service you wish to use.

For all services your BRP should be posted to you within 7 to 10 working days of your application

being decided. Don’t forget to factor this into any travel plans!

Standard Service

Decision received within 8 weeks of biometrics appointment.

Priority Service

Decision received within 10 days of biometrics appointment.

Super Priority Service

Decision received within one working day of biometrics appointment (in most cases).

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, UKVI may not be able to meet their normal service standards and

processing times may be longer than the usual service standard. Make sure you consider this before

making any travel arrangements.

You will now be taken through to the webpage to pay the IHS. You can use the UKVI calculator to check how much you need to pay: https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/how-much-pay Note that the charge is

calculated on the length

of leave you will be

granted, not the course

duration. The charge is

due to increase from 1

October 2020. You

can find more

information at

https://www.gov.uk/h

ealthcare-immigration-

application

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MAKING AN APPOINTMENT AT A UKVCAS SERVICE CENTRE

From August 2020 UKVCAS is introducing an app which will enable students applying in the UK to

submit their documents and verify their biometrics without attending a UKVCAS Service Centre.

This will reduce the numbers of people needing to attend in person during the coronavirus outbreak.

If you are eligible to use the app you will be informed when you submit your application, so read the

instructions you are sent carefully.

UKVCAS expects around 85% of people who have provided biometrics for a previous application

within the last 5 years to be eligible for the service. There is no charge to download or use the app,

which will be available on Apple and Android phones.

If you are not offered the option of use the app, follow the standard guidance below.

Appointments are available at no extra charge at 6 core service centres located in Croydon (closest to the

RCM), Belfast, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Cardiff. It is likely that during the peak visa

application season (July to October) these appointments may get booked up some way in advance. If you

are considering using one of the priority services to get a quicker decision, please bear in mind that you may

still need to wait some time to get an appointment.

Alternatively, you can choose to pay a supplement to attend an enhanced service centre at one of 50

locations around the UK, including in Kensington. The additional fee will depend on the centre and the time

of day you choose. You will need to pay the supplement even if you have already selected and paid for one

of the priority services.

Some enhanced service centres offer additional charged services, such as checking and scanning your

documents. Don’t select anything you don’t really need or want, as you will be charged. You can save

yourself some money by asking RCM’s trained advisors to help you check your documents free of charge

and uploading them yourself before your appointment!

Next steps

Scan all your supporting documents and save them to your computer ready to upload. Make sure

your scans are clear and good quality.

Once you have selected your service and paid for your application, you will receive an e-mail from

Sopra Steria (who operate the UKVCAS service centres) with a link to their appointment website and

a unique access code. If the e-mail does not arrive, check your junk mail folder.

Log into the website and create a new password. Make sure that you click to accept cookies, or

you will not be able to proceed.

Select your preferred location for your appointment. If there are no free appointments available for a

long time, you may need to pay extra to attend an enhanced service centre. Enter your postcode

and you will see a list of locations and a map. Appointment times will be listed by date and price.

Select whether you wish to use any of the additional charged services.

If you have chosen to attend an enhanced service centre or to use any additional services, you will

be asked to pay the supplement at this point. Sopra Steria’s system currently does not accept non-UK

bank cards or American Express.

Upload the scans of your documents. If the list you are presented with differs from the list generated

in your visa application, always follow the information in your visa application and not in the Sopra

Steria portal. In addition to the mandatory (compulsory) documents, you can select from various

optional documents. Make sure that you submit good quality scans of your documents and not just

photos taken with your phone. Use the photocopiers at the RCM!

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You will receive an e-mail with a QR code, which you need to print off and bring to the

appointment. You must also take your current passport and visa/BRP, and your police registration

certificate (if applicable). You should also take the originals of all your documents to the appointment

with you, just in case they need to be checked or there are any queries.

At the appointment you will give your “biometrics”, which means that a photograph and your

fingerprints will be taken.

IMPORTANT: Don’t forget that once you have submitted your application and booked your

appointment, you cannot travel outside the Common Travel Area (the UK and the Republic of Ireland)

until you receive your new visa. If you do, you will be considered to have withdrawn your application

and it will be cancelled.

TAKING CARE OF YOUR BRP

Your new BRP will be delivered to you by post at the address you gave in your application. Make sure you

keep your BRP somewhere safe and don’t carry it around in your wallet. It is your proof of your right to live,

study and work in the UK. Remember how much work you had to do to apply for it – you don’t want to have

to do that again if you lose it!

If any of your circumstances change during your course, you may need to report this to UKVI. You can check

the latest information on what you need to report at https://www.gov.uk/change-circumstances-visa-brp

Examples include if you change address, change nationality, or if you change your name when you get

married.