Applying for a visa to study in the UK Applying for a visa to study in the UK

The UK’s global visa service 2

92% of student (Tier 4) applications are successful

7% increase in the number of Tier 4 applications received in the last year

96% of all visa applications issued within 15 working days

Student visa routes

There are three visa routes that potential students can use to study in the UK. They are: Tier 4 (General) Tier 4 (Child) Student visitor Visa nationals are required to apply for their Tier 4 visa and student visitor before they travel to the UK. Non-visa nationals are required to apply for a Tier 4 visa before they travel to the UK but do not need to obtain a student visitor visa before arrival. You will be stamped in as a student visitor by the border official.

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Tier 4 (General) visa • The Tier 4 (General) category is suitable if

you want to come to the UK to study as an adult student or for your post-16 education.

• Applicants will need to apply for a course

with a Tier 4 sponsor (a full list can be found on our website) and be issued with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

• Applicants may need to provide all the supporting documentation when they make a Tier 4 (General) application.

• The duration of your granted stay will

depend on the length of the chosen course of study.

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Tier 4 (General) visa holders are not allowed to: X Work more hours than stated in the guidance

X Change institutions without first notifying UKVI

and applying for a fresh visa

X Cease studying without notifying UKVI

Always check the conditions attached to your visa!

Tier 4 (Child) visa

• The Tier 4 (Child) category is for children coming to the UK to be educated between the ages of 4 and 17 years old.

• Applicants will need to apply for a course

with a Tier 4 sponsor and be issued with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

• Children between 4 and 15 years old must

be studying at an institution which is an independent fee-paying school if aged between four and 15 years old.

• You must have suitable arrangements in place for your travel, reception and care in the UK.

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Tier 4 (Child) visa holders are not allowed to:

X Study at an institution which is not viewed as independent fee-paying

X Change institutions without first informing UKVI

X Alter the care arrangement put in place as a condition of the visa without informing UKVI

SELT REQUIRED at

B1 level

T4 (Child) Student

T4 (General) student

Course ABOVE NQF6

Course BELOW NQF6

Study at HEI Study NOT at HEI

SELT NOT REQUIRED

HEI may guarantee language level B2

SELT REQUIRED at

B2 level

Knowledge of English - Secure English Language Test (SELT)

Knowledge of English (SELTS)

To be granted a Tier 4 visa in most cases you will need to have a good knowledge of English. From April 6th 2015 only IELTS tests taken at IELTS test centre are acceptable www.ielts.org

SELTS Tests taken before April 5th are still acceptable until November 5th 2015

Higher Education Institutions (HEI) can still self assess using their choice of exam

Test dates available within 28 days of booking and results available within 7 days of the test.

Can I re-take the IELTS test if I fail? YES

Pre-sessional and Conditional Offer courses

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Differentiated Nationals

• If you are a national of a low risk country, and your sponsor is a Tier 4 Sponsor, you will not normally have to provide bank statements or education qualifications with your application.

• You must still meet the requirements, and if exceptionally requested, you must be able

to provide all the original supporting documents.

• This concession only applies if you are making an application in the UK or from your country of nationality meaning that Singapore Nationals applying in Singapore will qualify for differentiation.

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Tier 4 (General) Maintenance Fees

Length of course less than 12 months In London Course fees + £1,020 for each month of the course up to nine months Outside London Course fees + £820 for each month of the course up to nine months Length of course more than 12 months In London First year of fees + £9,180 to cover the first year in the UK Outside London First year of fees + £7,380 to cover the first year in the UK

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Tier 4 - Supporting documents

You will need to provide a number of documents when you make your application. Here are some of the documents you may need: A current and valid travel document as well as your previous passports A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) Evidence of your qualifications as specified in the CAS and evidence of English language ability Evidence of your finances as detailed in the Tier 4 (General) guidance An Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate (if applicable) A Tuberculosis certificate (if applicable) Birth Certificate (if applicable) For a more information please visit our website www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa

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Work options after you complete your studies in the UK

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The UK welcomes the brightest and the best, and this includes extending employment opportunities to the most promising students who are finishing their studies in the UK. The following work options are available to you:

The Doctorate Extension Scheme Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) To find out more visit www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa

Common mistakes for Tier 4 Students

Common mistakes include: No IHS reference number

No TB Certificate

Differentiated students providing unnecessary documentation

Bank statements showing funds not held for consecutive 28-day period prior

to application

No space in passport

No parental consent / birth certificates for child students or 16 & 17 year old

Tier 4 (General) students living independently

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Dependants Dependants may apply for a visa if : the main applicant has been granted entry clearance or leave to remain in order to undertake a course of study at post-graduate level for 12 months or longer the main applicant is a government sponsored student who is applying for, or who has been granted, entry clearance or leave to remain to undertake a course of study longer than six months Documents required to support dependants visa application : Financial support – an application will need to be made for each dependant (monthly figures: £615 inner London, £460 outer London, up to nine months) Marriage Certificate, Family Register certificates, evidence of co-habitation

Birth Certificate for children

For further detailed information please refer to the PBS Policy Dependant Guidance on GOV.UK

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Visas for Parents 14

• General Visit visa

• We encourage regular travellers to apply for Long-Term Visas

•“Parent of a Child at School” visa for parents of children under 12 years old who are attending an independent fee-paying day school under Tier 4 (Child) student category

Health Surcharge

• Non EEA national to study/work in the UK for more than 6

months • £150 per year for students • Australian and New Zealand nationals are exempt (must

provide evidence if applying under alternative nationality) • Integrated into the online visa application process • https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application

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Health Surcharge

Pay the Health Surcharge • Finish your application form and pay your visa application fee. • Answer questions to see if you need to pay the Health

Surcharge. • Pay online if you are not exempt. • All applicants will be sent an email with an Immigration Health

Surcharge (IHS) reference number. • Payment is not accepted at the Visa Application Centre.

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Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) 17

Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)

Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)

• A proof of the holder’s right to stay, work or study in the UK • A form of identification • Holder is not required to carry their permit at all times • Holder must show it at the UK border, together with their

passport, when travelling in and out of the UK • Holder should bring BRP with them when accessing health

care in the UK

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Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)

• At application stage, applicant will supply a postcode and select a Post Office for collection

• Applicant granted a multiple entry 30-day visa on passport / travel document – granted one week before stated travel date on application form, up to one month before course start date.

• A decision letter will be sent out with your passport showing collection details

• Collect BRP within 10 days of arrival in the UK • If you do not collect your BRP, you may suffer:

– a financial penalty, or – cancellation of your leave

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Biometric Residence Permit

• List of post office locations http://www.postoffice.co.uk/

• Alternative Collection Location (ACL) - please consult your school

• Child under 18 must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian, or a responsible adult approved by the Home Office

• You can only nominate someone to collect your BRP if you are seriously ill or disabled or under 18 and can’t collect your BRP at the same time as your parent or guardian

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Biometric Residence Permit

You must contact us if, • Decision letter lost before collection • Passport lost in the UK before BRP collection • BRP has been lost or stolen • BRP is damaged • There is an error in BRP • There is a change in your circumstances • You change your course or education provider

https://www.gov.uk/biometric-residence-permits

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Studying whilst on a student visit visa

Student visitor visa holders Suitable if you want to study in the UK for a short time:

On a short course – no more than 6 months (or 11 months or less if doing English Language). You must study with an institution accredited by a recognised body (BAC, Accreditation UK, ABLS, ASIC)

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Student visit visa holders are not allowed to:

X work in the UK

X extend their stay

Visa application process 23

Application made online Biometrics details enrolled at

visa application centre, documents submitted

Documents sent to visa section – further checks

conducted - entry clearance officer makes decision

Biometric and biographical

details checked in UK

Visa granted Visa added to passport and returned to applicant

Visa refused Passport and documents returned to applicant

How and Where to Apply 24

For more information about the Tier 4 policy guidance, log on to: www.gov.uk • Apply online: www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk

• Attend appointment at Visa Application Centre 135 CECIL STREET, #08-01 MYP Plaza SINGAPORE 069536 Opening hours for application submission (with prior appointment): Monday-Friday, 8:00am – 2:00pm

Any questions? 25