Tier 4 (General) Student Visa

Application Guide

Last Updated: October 2014

Introduction
This guide is for students who will make a visa application from outside the UK.

If you are already in the UK, and you wish to extend your Tier 4 visa, please contact us for further
information at international @uxbridgecollege.ac.uk

Congratulations on your acceptance to Uxbridge College!

Now that you have received your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) you will need to start planning
to make your visa application. The International office at Uxbridge College will be there to help you throughout
the process.

If you are well prepared, with our help you should find the application process straightforward and relatively
quick. This guide will give you all the information you need to make a successful Tier 4 (General) student visa
application. In this guide, you will find out about:

• Tier 4 (General) student visas, and whether you need to apply for one

• How, when and where to make your Tier 4 (General) visa application

• What documents you will need for your Tier 4 (General) visa application

It is important that you read the information carefully and follow the guidance exactly. You will be able to find
everything you need about your visa application in this booklet, but if there is anything that you don’t
understand, please email us at international @uxbridgecollege.ac.uk and we will be happy to help.

Best wishes,

International Office

Uxbridge College

Tier 4 Visa Application guide 2014/15 Page 1

Contents
What is a visa? ......................................................................................….......................................3

• Do I need a visa? ………………..................................................................................................................3

• What type of visa should I apply for ……....................................................................................................3

• Tier 4 (general) visa ...................................................................................................................................4

• Other requirements…................................................................................................................................5

Making a Tier 4 application……………………….....................................................................6

• When should I make my application...........................................................................................................6

• Where should I make my application? .......................................................................................................6

• What documents should I submit with my application? .............................................................................6

• Where can I find the application form? ......................................................................................................6

• Further information ....................................................................................................................................7

• What happens next? .................................................................................................................................7

• “Low risk” nationals ...................................................................................................................................7

30 points - CAS number ……………………………………………………………………….…....8

• When will I get my CAS? ..........................................................................................................................8

• What is Tier 4 sponsorship? .....................................................................................................................8

10 points - Maintenance (financial) requirement ...................................................9

• Tuition fees ...............................................................................................................................................9

• Living costs ...................................................................... ........................................................................9

• How does prepayment of fees/accommodation affect my visa application .............................................10

• How do I ensure payments are on my CAS? ..........................................................................................10

• Showing my funds....................................................................................................................................10

Documents checklist ................................................................................................................12

Top ten tips ......................................................................................................................................13

Contact us ........................................................................................................................................14

Tier 4 Visa Application guide 2014/15 Page 2

What is a visa?
A visa is a certificate (also referred to as ‘Entry Clearance’) which gives you permission to enter the UK. The
application for a visa is assessed by the British diplomatic post in your country of origin or ordinary residence, or
in some cases, is handled by a UK diplomatic post in a regional headquarters. The visa is issued in the form of
a sticker, is placed in the original passport and is evidence of your status and purpose of being in the UK.

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss national. What type of visa should I apply for?

My course is longer than six months.

If you are coming to study a course that will last longer than six months, you must apply for a Tier 4
(General) student visa. This guide will give you all the information you will need to make your Tier 4
(General) student visa application.

My course is six months or less.

Most students who study a course that is six months or less will apply for a Student Visitor visa.
However, if you want to work (including a work placement as part of your course) or you would like
the option to extend your stay in the UK while you are here, you should apply for a Tier 4 (General)
student visa. You can find full information about applying as a Student Visitor here:

www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/visiting/student

Tier 4 Visa Application guide 2014/15 Page 3

Tier 4 (general) visa
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/adult-students

A Tier 4 (General) visa is the study visa for the UK. It is a points-based visa and to successfully apply for it, you
need to score 40 out of 40 points.

Points For Evidence required

Confirmation of A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number issued by

Acceptance Uxbridge College This will be emailed to you when you have accepted
for Studies (CAS) your unconditional offer and paid your fees and or deposits.
Entry qualification This is the academic qualification that the College used to assess your
suitability for the course. The qualification will be noted on your CAS.
We will use only one of your previous qualifications. You do not need to
submit any references you may have used.

You must include your ORIGINAL certificate or transcripts

detailed in the CAS with your visa application.

If you are a low-risk national (see page 7) you do not need to send the
document, but you must have the original document available in case
you are asked for it
English Language Your CAS will state how the College assessed that your English
language ability is to the required standard. You must submit the
30 ORIGINAL certificates, if this is stated on your CAS.
Some students will not need to submit evidence of their English
language ability. If you do not need to submit evidence, your CAS will
state that you:

ii. Are from a majority English speaking country; or

ii. Have completed a degree from a majority English speaking country.

Progression If you have studied in the UK previously, your CAS must confirm how
the new course represents academic progression from the previous
one. For example, an undergraduate degree to a postgraduate degree.
Maintenance (Financial) You will need to prove that you are able to pay your tuition fees for the
Requirement academic year, plus a set amount for your living costs. If you are a low-
risk national (see page 7) you do not need to send financial evidence,
10 but you must have the original document available in case you are
asked for it. Most student visa refusals result from applicants submitting
their financial evidence in the wrong format. Please read our full
guidance about financial evidence on pages 9-11.

Tier 4 Visa Application guide 2014/15 Page 4

Other requirements coming to study at the Uxbridge College have been
assessed by the College, and speak English to a high
standard.
Translations
If any of your documents are not in English, the original
• Immigration history
MUST be accompanied by a full translation that can be
The ECO will check your immigration history to the UK
independently verified by the UK Home Office. This
and other countries, if applicable. They will check if you
original translation must include:
have had any previous visa refusals or if you have
breached your visa conditions in the past – for
• Confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate
example, if you stayed in the UK after your visa had
translation of the original document
expired. If you have had any previous visa refusals, or
if you have breached your visa conditions before, you
• The date of the translation
must be able to explain why.
• The translator’s/an authorised official of the translation
If you are invited to an interview and you have
company’s full name and signature
had previous visa refusals, or if you have previously
breached your visa conditions, please contact us for
• The translator’s/translation company’s contact Details
further advice BEFORE your interview:
Medical Examination
• Education history and intentions
You may be required to undergo a medical examination,
such as a chest x-ray. Ask your nearest British Embassy,
Previous The ECO may ask you about your
High Commission, Consulate or Visa Application Centre
Study previous courses and how they relate
whether you will need a medical examination. For
information on health (TB) screening refer to: to the course you will study at
Uxbridge College. If your previous
https://www.gov.uk/tb-test-visa/overview
studies do not relate to your course at
Interview the Uxbridge College, you should be
able to explain why you have decided
If you are from one of the following countries it is likely
that you will be invited to attend an interview as part of to change to your new field of study.
your visa application:
China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, If you have had a long break in
Afghanistan, Philippines, Thailand, Nigeria, Ghana, studying since your last course, you
Ethiopia, Uganda. should be able to explain why you
have decided to return to studies.
The interview will be carried out by Skype at a Visa
Application Centre. The Home Office will email you about Knowledge You will know a lot about your new
the interview, so it is very important that you check your of new course from researching before you
emails frequently, including your junk mail. If you miss course made your decision to apply to
your interview, your visa application is likely to be Uxbridge College , but it is a good
refused. idea to read about the course again
and be able to talk about it. You will
At the interview an Entry Clearance Officer (ECO –person be expected to know the course units
who assesses your visa application) will determine contained in your course.
whether they believe you to be a ‘genuine student’. If you
are invited to an interview, the ECO may ask you about If you wrote a personal statement for
your English language ability, your immigration history to your application, it is a good idea to
the UK and other countries, your education history and read over it again to remind yourself
intentions, and your financial circumstances and how you why you applied for the course.
intend to fund your studies. ‘Low-risk nationals’ (see page
7) will not be invited to an interview. You should be familiar with similar
courses which are being offered in
If you are invited to an interview, it is a good idea to your home country, and be able to
prepare in advance so you are ready to answer the explain why the course at the
questions they ask you. The information below will help Uxbridge College is more suitable for
you to prepare. you.

• English language ability Intentions You should be able to talk about your
You must be able to hold a conversation in English future career, and how your course at
to the standard expected of your course level, without the Uxbridge College will help you to
help of an interpreter. All students who are achieve your goals.

Tier 4 Visa Application guide 2014/15 Page 5

Making a Tier 4 application
When should I make my Tier 4 fee. If you notice any incorrect information or errors on
your CAS statement, please contact us with full details to
(General) visa application? have the errors corrected prior to submitting your visa
application.
You should make your visa application as early as
possible. However, you cannot apply any more than
three months before the start date of your course, as Note
stated on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies
(CAS). If you submit your application before that, it will You must submit all of the documents that are
be refused. relevant to you. The documents you submit with
your application must be in their original format.
The ’date of application’ outside of the UK is the date on
which you either pay for your visa application in ‘online’
process countries, or in countries where there is no
online process, the date you attend the Visa Application Where can I find the application
Centre to hand in your application. form?
Where should I make my Tier 4 Depending on where you live, you will either submit an
(General) visa application? online application, or you will send a paper application.
You can find out how to make an application in your
You must make your Tier 4 (General) application in your country on the UK Home Office website (see below for
home country or country where you are officially further information).
resident. Most students will apply for their visa at the
British High Commission, Embassy, Visa Application All applicants will have to post their original documents,
Centre (VAC) or Consulate closest to their home. You including their passport, to the British Embassy or Visa
can find the closest visa centre to you at the FCO Application Centre.
website:
https://www.gov.uk/find-a-visa-application-centre All Tier 4 (General) applicants who wish to apply by
application form rather than online will need to complete
Please note that in some countries you can only apply the VAF9 and Appendix 8 forms. In some countries, the
online. VAF9 form is online. The VAF9 will ask for your personal
details, such as your name, date of birth and passport
You will not usually be permitted to make a Tier 4 details. The Appendix 8 form will ask you the details of
(General) application outside of your home country, or your course of study and finances. When you are
country where you are officially resident. If you want to completing the Appendix 8 form, make sure that you
submit a Tier 4 (General) application outside of your have all the details of your Confirmation of Acceptance
home country, we advise you to contact the British for Studies (CAS) available. Your CAS will have all the
Diplomatic Post where you want to submit your answers you need about your course, previous
application to ensure that it will be accepted. qualifications and financial details.

Before you start to fill in your application form, you

What documents should I submit should read the Tier 4 Policy Guidance carefully as well
with my application? as the VAF9 guidance notes.

You will find a full list and explanation of the documents You must ensure that you fully complete each question
you must submit with your application on page 12 of this which is relevant to you. If you need help with any
document. section of the application form please contact:
[email protected]
The UK Border Agency will not accept photocopies,
scans, faxes, emails, etc. If any of your documents do
not match this list exactly then you must not submit
them. If you do not have the correct documents, you
must not apply for your visa until you get them, or your
visa may be refused and you could lose your application

Tier 4 Visa Application guide 2014/15 Page 6

Further information “Low risk” nationals

• Find out how to make an application in your The UK Border Agency considers the following
country: nationalities as “low risk” nationalities, if they are
https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa applying for the visa in their home country:

• Read the Tier 4 Policy Guidance on

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance- Argentina Japan Trinidad &
on-application-for-uk-visa-as-tier-4-student Tobago
Australia Malaysia
• Read the VAF9 Guidance: United States
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application- Barbados New Zealand of America
for-uk-visa-under-tier-4-general-form-vaf9-appendix-8
Botswana Oman British National
• Download the VAF9 and Appendix 8: Overseas*
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application- Brunei Qatar
for-uk-visa-under-the-points-based-system-form-vaf9 Hong Kong*
Canada Singapore
What happens next? Taiwan**
Chile South Korea

Submitting your application

Once you have completed the online application or the *Where the applicant is the rightful holder of a passport that has
VAF9 and Appendix 8, and gathered all of your been issued by the relevant competent authority, and where he
is applying for leave to remain in the UK, or for entry clearance in the
documents, you will need to submit your application to territory related to the passport he holds.
the British Diplomatic Post or Visa Application Centre.
To find out how to submit a Tier 4 (General) application ** Those who hold a passport issued by Taiwan that includes the
in your country, visit the UK Home Office website. number of the identification card issued by the competent authority in
Taiwan)

https://www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa/apply Tier 4 applicants of the above nationalities do not need

to send official original points-scoring evidence (entry
Biometrics appointment qualifications and bank statements) in with their visa
All Tier 4 (General) applicants will have to provide application to come to the UK, if applying in their home
biometric information. This means that you will go to the country. However, please be aware that you may still
Embassy, Visa Application Centre, or other location in need to provide the required evidence in the required
your country, where they will take your photograph, format, if the UK visa office asks for it.
fingerprints and signature. These details are kept on
record by the UK Home Office. You will still have to send your original passport,
photographs and other relevant documents.
Interview
You may be asked to attend an interview with an Entry When you make your application, you need to:
Clearance Officer (ECO), who will decide your visa
application. You can find out further information and • complete the initial form (online or on paper
guidance about these interviews on page 5. VAF9),

Non-visa nationals • complete the Appendix 8 application form if you unable

to make an online application,
Some nationalities can enter the UK without a visa and
be stamped in for up to six months as a visitor. If you • pay the visa fee,
are coming to study a course of more than six months • give biometrics,
duration, you must not enter the UK as a visitor. The
College will not be able to enrol you, the visa cannot be • send/take your application, photographs and original
changed from within the UK and you would have to passport to the British Embassy/Consulate that deals
return home, arrange the correct visa and return to the with application in your country.
UK.
• use the low risk route – do not send documents that
you do not have to, unless requested – it only slows
down the process. If you are not applying in your home
country (for example, you are officially resident in a
different country), you must provide all the evidence as
required and you would not benefit from the ‘low risk
concessions.
.
Tier 4 Visa Application guide 2014/15 Page 7
30 Points - ‘CAS’ number
The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) When you apply for the visa, you need only write
number is a 14 digit alpha-numeric reference down the correct CAS number in the required
number essential to your Tier 4 visa application. section of the application form. No additional
The College provides mandatory information about documents are required as evidence of the CAS.
your studies to the UK Border Agency and in
return, receives a unique CAS reference number We recommend that you print off your CAS
for your visa application. Without it, you will not be email and enclose it with your application.
able to make a successful application for the visa.
The Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) who assesses
When will I get my CAS? your application will use the CAS number you write
When you have accepted an unconditional offer in your application form to access your file on the
and you have paid your course deposit the system. The file will contain all of the details about
International Office will arrange your CAS number your studies and information detailing what original
in sufficient time for you to make a visa application. documents they will expect to see.
Once the CAS has been set up, the International
Office will email you with the details about you and What is Tier 4 sponsorship?
your course that we have noted on the system. If When you apply for your Tier 4 (General) student
there are any mistakes in the information, or your visa, your name is added to the College’s sponsor
situation changes, including new passport number, licence number. If you are a Tier 4 student, you
payments for fees and accommodation, it is your cannot study at Uxbridge College unless you have
responsibility to notify us of these, so that your a Tier 4 (General) visa with the College’s sponsor
CAS can be changed and an updated version licence number on it.
emailed to you before you apply.
As your Tier 4 sponsor, the College has a legal
The CAS remains valid for only six months and can duty to ensure that we - and as far as possible, you
only be used within three months of the start date - comply with UK Visas and Immigration
of your course. A CAS number can only be used requirements. As a Tier 4 (General) Student in the
once - if your visa application is refused, you will UK, it is essential that you comply with the
need a new CAS to reapply. conditions of your Tier 4 (General) student visa.
The College is required to withdraw sponsorship
You cannot use your CAS after the latest start where the requirements are not being met.
date of your course.

Students holding a CAS from

more than one institution
If you have applied to more than one University
or college, you may have been given a CAS
number for each unconditional offer. Only use
the CAS number relevant to the institution that
you wish to attend when you apply for the visa.
You can only be sponsored by one University or
college at one time in the UK and we cannot
enrol students who are sponsored by other
institutions. For more information about Tier 4
sponsorship, please see below (“What is Tier 4
sponsorship?”).

Tier 4 Visa Application guide 2014/15 Page 8

 10 Points - Maintenance (financial)
requirement
Important If your course fees are 6200GBP and you pay
3000GBP in advance, you will need to provide
Most Tier 4 visa refusals are due to applicants evidence for the remaining 3200 GBP in addition to
your living costs. You must ensure that your CAS
submitting their financial documents in the wrong shows any payments you have made for fees.
format. It is very important that you read this section
thoroughly, and follow the advice exactly. Living costs
In addition to your course fees, you must demonstrate
that you have access to living costs.
As well as the 30 points required for the CAS and These are: 7,380 GBP for students coming to study a
associated documents, you must score 10 points for course of nine months duration or more; or 800 GBP
maintenance (funds). You must be able to prove that you per month or part-month of studies if the course is less
have access to enough money to pay for your tuition fees than nine months.
for the coming academic year + living costs as follows:
“Established Presence”
Length of Maintenance (funds) needed
programme If, at the time you apply, you have:
Outstanding tuition fees owed to the
9 months or College for the year as stated your on been studying in the UK on a Tier 4 Student
more CAS visa and your Tier 4 visa is still valid on the
date of application for your new visa; and
+ 7380GBP
Less than 9 Outstanding tuition fees owed to the during this immigration permission you finished
months College for the year as stated your on a single course that was at least six months
CAS long, or
+ 820GBP per month/part-month
you will continue to study on a single course
of studies up to 7380GBP
and you have already completed at least six
months of that course; then
The amount you need to show can either be demonstrated
the amount of money you need to show for
in UK Sterling (GBP) or any recognised world currency. If
living costs is reduced.
you are using a currency other than GBP, you must convert
amounts into GBP and write the equivalent amount on your
This is called having ‘established presence’ and it
application. The UK Home Office use:
reduces your living costs amount for evidence to
http://www.oanda.com/currency/converter/
1640GBP.

Tuition fees
Your CAS contains information about your tuition fees for
the first year of the course or in the case that your course
lasts 12 months or less, the total tuition fee. You must be
able to prove that you have enough money to pay the tuition
fees as stated on your CAS, in addition to your living costs,
in order to score the points for the Tier 4 visa.
If you have already made a payment to the College for fees,
the amount that you have paid will be deducted from the
total amount you must show for maintenance. Any tuition
fees left over will need to be demonstrated in other
evidence.

Tier 4 Visa Application guide 2014/15 Page 9

How does prepayment of fees/ Evidence must be cash funds, either a regular
current/checking account or a savings account.
accommodation affect my visa
application? Salary, stocks, shares portfolios, property value or other
Pre-payment of fees does not make a successful visa non-cash assets such as government pension schemes
outcome more likely. Your visa application will be are not considered as evidence. The most commonly
decided on the evidence you send to show that you accepted evidence is an official bank statement which
have the funds available as required - whether these covers a period of at least 28 days, ending within 31
are paid fees/ accommodation, bank statements, days of the date of application. Alternatively, a purpose-
student loans or an official financial scholarship. Pre- written letter on the letter headed paper of your bank
payment of fees therefore only reduces the amount confirming the amount of money that has been a
you have to show in other evidence. minimum balance in your account over the 28 days is
also accepted. You can find full details of the criteria for
documents in the Tier 4 Policy Guidance.
How do I ensure payments are
included on my CAS? The evidence you provide can be issued from a bank in
Advise us of payments (or any other required your home country or from the UK. There are
changes to your CAS) by replying to your CAS email restrictions on the acceptability of some banks’
with the subject line: “CAS for visa – UPDATE”, with statements. Please refer to the Home Office website for
a message giving CAS number and information detailed lists of which banks you can use to provide
about what was paid how much was paid and when evidence of your funds in these countries:
the payment was made. If you received an e-receipt
following your payment, please include it with the https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigratio
email n-rules-appendix-p

Showing my funds 2. Parental/Legal guardian(s) bank

You can demonstrate access to the funds in one or Statements
more of four ways. The Tier 4 Policy Guidance gives If you are using your parents’/legal guardian’s bank
a full explanation of the documents required to score accounts, you must also send:
the points and what these must confirm. You should
take time to read this carefully before applying for the • Your original birth certificate or an adoption certificate
visa: or official court document confirming legal guardian
status.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidanc • A brief, signed letter from your parents/legal guardian
e-on-application-for-uk-visa-as-tier-4-student which confirms your relationship to them, and their
consent that the funds can be used for your UK
education.
1. Your bank statements
• Official translations of all documents that are not in
If you use your own money, or your parents’/ legal
English or Welsh (for further information please see
guardian’s money, to score 10 points for
page 5).
maintenance, you must provide a bank statement or
letter from your bank which confirms that you have
Only biological parents or legal guardians (through a
held the appropriate amount for one month (at least
court of law or adoption procedures in your country) are
28 days).
eligible to be considered for ‘parental’ sponsorship. You
The statement or letter from the bank must show:
cannot use financial evidence which belongs to other
family relatives, and if you solely rely on this as
• That you have had AT LEAST the required amount
evidence of your maintenance your Tier 4 visa
of money (tuition fees + living costs) in your bank
application will be refused.
account for every day of a 28 day period. The
balance must not fall below the required amount
3. Official financial sponsorship
during the 28 day period, otherwise your application
will be refused;
Sponsored Students
• The date of the statement or letter. This date must If you receive sponsorship from an official financial
be no more than 31 days before the date of your sponsor – such as the UK government, your national
application; government, an international scholarship organisation,
an international University or international company –
• Your name/your parents’/legal guardian’s name(s); you must provide an original letter which details:

• The account number; • Your name;

• The name and contact details of your official
• The financial institution’s name and logo. financial sponsor;
• The date of the letter (this must be less than six
months old on the date of your application);
Tier 4 Visa Application guide 2014/15 Page 10
• The length of your sponsorship; and

• The amount of money the sponsor is giving to you, or

a statement that your official financial sponsor will
cover all of your fees and living costs.

4. Student loans

If you receive student loans from a student loan

organisation or bank in your country, you need to
provide a letter which confirms the details of the loan.

The loan letter must be issued from a financial

institution regulated by either the Financial Conduct
Authority, the Prudential Regulatory Authority or, in the
case of overseas accounts, by the home regulator (the
official regulatory body for the country the financial
institution is in and where the money is held) for the
purpose of student loans.

The letter must be dated no more than 6 months

before the date of your application. The letter(s) must
be the original (not a copy) and must clearly show:

• your name; and

• the date of the letter; and
• the financial institution’s name and logo;
• the money available as a loan;
• that the loan is provided by your national
government, their state or regional government, a
government sponsored student loan company or is
part of an academic educational loans scheme.

Tier 4 Visa Application guide 2014/15 Page 11

Documents checklist
Document Information Who is this relevant to?
Your visa application will cost the All applicants
Payment equivalent of £310 in your local currency.

You must submit your original, current All applicants

1 X Passport and valid passport.

This must match the UK Home Office All applicants

1 X Photograph guidance. The photo must have a light
cream or light grey background.

You do not need to include an original; an All applicants

CAS Email emailed copy will suffice. You must
include your CAS number on your
application form as, if you do not, your
visa will be refused.

You must submit your original certificates All applicants must have these documents
Entry or transcripts of your academic entry available. ‘Low-risk nationals’ (see page 7 for
Qualifications qualifications. These will further information) need not submit them with
Be listed on your CAS statement. their visa application unless they are requested.
All other applicants must submit original
documents.

English Language Your CAS will state how Uxbridge college Applicant’s whose CAS states that an English
Assessment assessed that your English language language qualification (or other evidence) was
ability was to the standard required by the used to assess their English language ability.
UK Home Office. You must submit original Some students’ CAS will state that no evidence
certificates or transcripts, if this is stated is required (for example, nationals of English
on your CAS. speaking countries). See page 7 for further
information.
You must show evidence that you have All applicants must have these documents
Financial enough money for both your course fees available. ‘Low-risk nationals’ (see page 7 for
Evidence for your first year; and living expenses further information) need not submit them with
(maintenance). Please see pages 9-11 their visa application unless they are requested.
for full information. All other applicants must submit original
documents.
Birth Certificate Your birth certificate must state your Applicants who are using their parent/guardian’s
mother and father and must be in English. financial funds a proof of maintenance. A letter
If not, you will need to obtain a valid of consent from the parent’s must also be
translation. submitted alongside the birth certificate (see
page 10).
If any documents are not in English or All applicants
Translations Welsh, the original must be accompanied
by a full translation that can be
independently verified by the UK Home
Office. See page 5 for full information

Tier 4 Visa Application guide 2014/15 Page 12

Top ten tips
1.Timing is Key 6. Keep copies of every document
that you send with your application
Remember that you cannot apply for your visa more
than three months in advance of the start date of your You should take a copy of every document that you
course. Similarly, you must ensure not to leave it too send with your application, including the application
late to apply, or you could miss the start of your form. This will be useful if there is any problem with
course. Also remember that there will be a limit on your application, or in case any of your documents
how soon you can travel to the UK (see tip 10). are lost. Carry these copies to the UK with you.

2. Make sure to include original

documents with your visa 7. If your visa is refused, contact us
application Immediately.

We will be able to advise you about where you went

You must submit only original documents, including wrong, or help to correct it if it was a mistake on the
your passport, with your visa application. Please check part of the UK Home Office. You should send scanned
the documents checklist on page 12 for full copies of all of your documents, including the refusal
information. notice.

3. If you are an EEA/Swiss citizen,

do not apply for a Tier 4 Visa 8. Do not use the same CAS twice
A CAS can only be used for one visa application. If
EEA/Swiss citizens do not need to get immigration your visa application is refused and you want to make
permission to study in the UK. You should use your a new application, you must get a new CAS. Email us
EEA/Swiss passport to travel to the UK. at [email protected] with a scanned
copy of your refusal letter for further information.
4. Apply for your visa in your home
Country 9. Do not travel to the UK via the
Republic of Ireland
Many students wish to travel to mainland Europe or
the UK before starting their course. However, if you If you do, you will not meet with UK immigration
travel to Europe before you get your Tier 4 visa, you officials. This will mean that you will not be granted
will have to return to your home country, or country ‘leave to enter’ and your permission to study in the UK
of normal residence to make your Tier 4 application could be in doubt. You may not be able to enrol at the
before returning to enrol on your course. There are no College.
exceptions.

5. Do not apply for your visa unless 10. Do not travel to the UK before
you meet the points requirement you get your visa
You must check the ‘valid from’ date on your visa, and
This guide gives detailed information about the ensure that you do not travel to the UK before that
requirements for a Tier 4 visa, which you should follow date. If you do, and you are a non-visa national,
carefully. If you do not have the correct points your you will have permission to be in the UK as a visitor
visa will be refused. You will lose the application fee – NOT as a student – and this will mean that you
and have a visa refusal on your record. You also risk cannot study and you will not be allowed to enrol at
delaying your arrival to the UK, and in some cases this the University. If you are a visa national and you travel
could mean that you will not arrive in time to start your to the UK before the ‘valid from’ date on your visa, you
course. will be refused entry to the UK, and you will have to
return home.

Tier 4 Visa Application guide 2014/15 Page 13

Contact us
International Office
Kiran Rami
Head of Guidance & Information Services

Afshin Najafipour
International Officer

Contact details

International Office
Uxbridge College
Park Road
Uxbridge
UB8 1NQ
Telephone 01895-853469
General enquiries: international @uxbridgecollege.ac.uk

Website: http://www.uxbridge.ac.uk/college-information/international.html

Tier 4 Visa Application guide 2014/15 Page 14