Making your education count - The UK General Student Visa Presenters: Fatma Baysan Tim Wetherall
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Making your education count The UK General Student Visa Presenters: Fatma Baysan Tim Wetherall
Student Visas
• Routes:
– Points Based System Tier 4 (General) Student and Child
Student
– Student Visitor visa
How do I apply?
• You need to apply in the country of which you are a national or where
you are legally resident.
• you will be able to apply online and we aim to issue your
visa in five to 15 working days. When you apply online you will still need
to submit your application, supporting documents.
• To complete your application you will need to make an appointment to attend
one of the Visa Application Centres. This is because we need to take your
biometric details – your fingerprints and a digital photo of your face – in order to
process your visa application.
• Once you submit your online application please make an online appointment in
one of the visa application centres
Student Categories Tier 4 Student Visa • General Student - for students coming to the UK for post -16 education – at independent fee paying schools • Child student – for children between 4 and 17 years old to go to the UK for their education. Children between 4 -15 years old may only be educated at independent fee paying schools. Student Visitor Route (Non PBS) • Students studying on courses last for 6 months of less in the UK New Extended Student Visitor route (non PBS) – (6 -11 months) • Students who wish to come to the UK to learn English as a foreign language at any level.
Points Based System
The UK General or Child Student
visa
You’ll need 40 points to qualify
for a UK General or Child Student
visa
Points Based System • Under the Points Based System, points are awarded for sponsorship and maintenance • Sponsorship – If you apply under Tier 4 you must have been accepted to study a full time course at an education institution listed on the UKBA register of sponsors • Your sponsor is the education institution in the UK where you have been accepted to study • Maintenance – If you apply under Tier 4 you will also need proof that you have sufficient funds to cover your course fees and living expenses • You can self-assess to check they have enough points before making a visa application
Points Based System
Having a valid
Confirmation of
Acceptance (CAS) from a
Tier 4 sponsor (sponsor -
your chosen place of
study. ) A Valid CAS will
earn you 30 points.)
What is the CAS?
• The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is not an actual certificate
or paper document but is a virtual document similar to a database record
• A valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies will have the same details on it
as in the student’s passport
• It must be assigned no more than six months before the date of application
and will expire if it is not used for a leave application within six months of it
being issued;
• It must not have been withdrawn or cancelled by the Tier 4 sponsor or UKBA
• Having a valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies does not guarantee
that a student’s application will be successful. The student must meet all the
requirements of the category and any other requirements of the Immigration
Rules
What is the CAS Cont’d
• Each CAS has a unique reference number and contains information about the
course of study for which it has been issued and the student’s personal details
• It is the Tier 4 sponsors’ responsibility to provide the student with his/her CAS
reference number. UKBA will not provide this to students
• The Tier 4 sponsor will need to provide the student with some of the
information they used when they assigned the Confirmation of Acceptance for
Studies, for example course details, documents the Tier 4 sponsor has used to
assess the student and fees due for the appropriate period of study
Points Based System - Benefits Tier 4 General Student visa allows overseas students to live and study in the UK and can be granted for the length of the course. Students with this visa can undertake a course related work-placement during their stay They can also work part time during term time and full time during the holidays.
How it works for students
• Prospective students can use the online self assessment Tool on the UKBA
website
• This allows them to calculate whether they are likely to score sufficient
points to obtain a Tier 4 visa prior to submitting their application
• Students may receive a number of CASs from different sponsors. They will
only be able to apply with one CAS. Once used, all other CAS numbers will
be made obsolete by the ECOHow it works for sponsors
• Tier 4 sponsors issue a CAS via the Sponsor Management System (SMS)
• Can use the SMS to monitor whether a student has submitted a Tier 4 visa
application in respect of their CAS
• Sponsors get a limited allocation of CAS based upon the resources they
have available to educate.
• It is mandatory for the sponsor to report on their students’ attendance and
activity. Sponsors use the SMS to communicate this information to UKBAWhat can I study as PBS Student General?
• Tier 4 sponsor that has a Highly Trusted sponsor licence can get a CAS for
a course that leads to an approved qualification for UKBA purposes:
• a full-time UK degree level course or above at a Higher Education
Institution (HEI)
• an overseas higher education course which is recognised as equivalent
to a UK higher education qualification
• a course of study below UK degree level but at a minimum of National
Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 3 or equivalent, or on a course
of English language study at Common European Framework of Reference
for languages level B2What can I study as PBS Student General?
• General Students on courses of study at a minimum of NQF level 3
as set out above are able to undertake course related work placements
that are no more than 50% of the full length of the course
• Post –graduate doctors and dentists: students may be able to do a
recognised Foundation Programme as a postgraduate doctor or dentist.PBS English Language students
• If you wish to come to the UK to improve your English then you will only
qualify for a General Student visa where you can demonstrate that you
are able to follow the minimum required course level.
• The minimum level of course acceptable for English language students
will be at Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
level B2.PBS Pre-sessional Courses • If your course consist a pre-sessional period below 3 months and you have an unconditional place at the school and you also were issued with one CAS number, your visa will cover the pre-sessional period •If your pre-sessional period longer than 3 months and your course is conditional your visa will cover only the period of your pre-sessional course. •If your pre-sessional period longer than 3 months and your course is unconditional your visa will still cover only the period of your pre-sessional course.
PBS Where can I study?
• To apply for a General Student visa you must have been accepted
to study a full-time course at a licensed institution listed on the UKBA
register of sponsors which you can view at www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk
• Make sure you have decided on your course and place of study and
have a letter of acceptance before you apply. If you want to change
institutions once you have your visa you will need to notify the UK Border
Agency.PBS Changes – English language requirements If you wish to come to the UK to improve your English then you will only qualify for a General Student visa where you can demonstrate that you have already started learning English. A minimum standard of English is required. You will need : • Minimum Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) Level B1 proved by a Secure English Language Test (SELT) for all courses at NQF 3-5 • Minimum CEFR Level B2 at degree level and above (NQF/QCF 6 and above). Higher education institutions (i.e. universities) can make their own English language assessment. • Your CAS should have confirmation that you have passed the Secure English Test (SELT) if necessary
Maintenance – Money
You will earn 10 points if
you pass the maintenance
(funds) test and show that
you have sufficient funds
to cover your course fees
and living expenses.10 points: Maintenance test
• You will need to show that you have sufficient funds to support yourself
through your studies.
• This includes money to cover your course fees and living expenses.
• The maintenance you require will depend on where you want to study and
how long your course is.
• Applicants will also have to show the funds have been available (e.g. in
their bank account ) for a specific period of time.10 points: Maintenance money test - General
Student
Maintenance (funds)
Length of course Place of study
needed
Course fees + £800 for
9 months or less
In London each
month of the course
Course fees + £600 for
Outside London each
month of the course
First year of fees + £7,200
More than 9 months to
In London
cover the first year in the
United Kingdom
First year of fees + £5,400
to
Outside London
cover the first year in the
United KingdomMaintenance – Money
Bank Books – 28 day Rule
Bank Books covering a 28 –day period ending no more than one
month before the date of the application
The Bank book should show:
• Applicants name or the name of the child's parent(s) or legal
guardian(s) if applicable in the case of a child student;
• the account number;
• the date of the statement;
• the financial institution's name and logo; and
• the amount of money available.PBS Additional maintenance requirement from July 2011 • You will need to sign a declaration on your visa application form confirming that the funds are genuinely available to you in the UK • All bank statements must be from a list of approved financial institutions • Lowest risk students at Highly Trusted Sponsor institutions (universities) can self declare that they can meet the maintenance requirement and hold specified qualifications. Documents will still need to be provided if clarification is required. • See website for further details.
PBS Can I extend my visa?
• Your visa will be granted for the whole length of your course with some
additional time at the end to allow you to settle your affairs.
• You can only apply for an extension as a General Student to:
– complete your course (including sitting extra exams); or
– undertake further courses.PBS Dependants – Until Summer 2011 Husband, wife, civil partner or eligible partner and children under 18 can join you if: • you are studying in the UK more than 6 months • you can support them without any help of public funds. Maintenance – Money: Inner London : £533 for each month they intend to be in the UK, up to a maximum of 9 months. Outside London : £400 for each month they intend to be in the UK, up to a maximum of 9 months.
PBS Can I work while I study? Rules until summer 2011 Students with a Tier 4 (General) visa studying at degree level (including foundation degree) or higher can: • Undertake a course-related work-placement during their stay – as long as it does not take up more than 50% of the total duration of the course • Work part time – up to 20 hours per week – during term time and full time during the holidays Students studying a course lower than foundation or degree level: • Can work part time – up to 10 hours per week – during term time and full time during the holidays. These students will need to have a Highly Trusted Sponsor to: Undertake work placements Study at a National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 3
PBS Can I work while I study? From July 2011 Students studying at higher education institutions (i.e. university) • Current work and work placement entitlements remain the same however you will only be able to sponsor dependants where your course is longer than 12 months and at postgraduate level or is Government sponsored. These dependents will be able to work. Students not studying at higher education institutions • No permission to work • No permission to sponsor dependents • Study/work placement ratio to become 66:33 (from April 2012)
PBS How long can I study for the in UK?
Progression
• From July 2011 your sponsor will need to vouch for your progression if you
are not moving up to next NQF level.
Maximum time
• We will maintain the current maximum period of leave at three years for
study below NQF6.
• From April 2012 the maximum amount of time studying at NQF6 and above
will be five years with exceptions for some courses and PhD students.PBS Can I work in the UK at the end of my course?
From April 2012
• The Tier 1 Post Study Work will be closed from April 2012
• Graduates will be able to apply for a job with a Tier 2 sponsor.
• You can only switch into Tier 2 before your student visa expires and if you
are still in the UK.PBS CHILD STUDENT
What can I Study ?
• Taught in line with the National Curriculum, or
• Taught in line with the NQF or;
• Accepted as being of equivalent academic status by Ofsted, its
devolved equivalents; or
• Accepted as being of equivalent academic status by the
Independent Schools Standards RegulationsPBS Child Student
Applicants aged 16 or 17:
• Can choose whether to apply as a T4 General Student or as a T4
Child Student if NVQ level 3 or above.
• If applying for English Language Courses at Level B2 of CEFR for
Languages then must apply as T4 General student
• For all applicants under the age of 18 suitable arrangements must
be made for their travel; reception and care whilst in the UK.PBS Child Student - Maintenance
Child Accommodation requirements:
• The applicant will be studying and boarding in a Residential Independent
School; or
• The applicant staying with a British Citizen / UK Resident
who has entered into a private foster care arrangement with the applicants
legal parent / guardian, or
• The applicant will be staying with a parent / legal guardian
who will be accompanying the child to the UK, or
Child Maintenance (funds & fees)
• Dependent on above - details can be found on the child student checklist or
at www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheukPBS Administrative Review
If a student disagrees with the reasons for refusal, he/she can apply for an
administrative review:
• Administrative Review form can be downloaded from the link provided in the
refusal notice.
• The form must be received in the Consulate within 28 days of the date of
refusal. It can be sent by post, fax or by hand delivery to the Consulate.
• No new documents should be provided
• A statement should be written on what grounds the student disagrees with the
decision.
• Decisions are reviewed by Visa Managers within 28 days of receipt.With the UK Student Visitor visa you can live, travel and study for up to six months. Student visitor visa
Student visitor
You will need the Student Visitor visa if:
• your course is six months or less
• you do not want to work or undertake a course-related work placement
• you have no intention of extending your stay in the UK.
• If you want to work, undertake a course related work placement or extend
your stay while you are in the UK you will need to apply for a PBS General
Student visaStudent visitor
• To qualify for a Student Visitor visa you must have been accepted to
study at an institution which holds a Tier 4 Sponsor Licence or
• An institution which is accredited by one of the UK Border Agency’s
approved accreditation bodies or
• An overseas Higher Education Institution which only delivers part of
its programmes in the UK and holds its own national accreditation
and which offers degrees which are equivalent to UK degrees
• A Student Visitor visa does not allow you to undertake any work,
including work placements, even if you will not be paid. If you would
like to undertake paid or unpaid work in the UK, you should apply for a
General Student visa.But, I don’t need a visa to visit the UK?
• You only need to apply for a Student Visitor visa in advance if you are
a visa national. A visa national is someone who the UK requires to
obtain a visa before they come to the UK whatever the purpose of
their visit.
• Those who do not need a visa to visit the UK can apply for leave to
enter as a Student Visitor upon arrival
• You will need to show your letter of acceptance from the institution where
you are going to study to the Immigration Officer when you arrive in the UK.
• Provided the Immigration Officer is satisfied that you meet the requirements
of Student Visitor route you will then be given permission to stay and study
in the UK for up to six months.Reminders Children Under 18 going for short term study : • Child Visitor form needs to be filled in • Accompanied/ unaccompanied sections in the forms must be filled in correctly • Letter of consent must be original (but not the copy of the original says as true copy) , up to date, •Please fill in correctly group leaders names, passport numbers when applying for groups •Please fill in a student visitor form if the student is going for less than 6 Months and is not going to extend or work in the UK •Applicant who wishes to study English for up to 11 months and does not intend to extend or work in the UK may apply for Extended student Visitor •When applying for Tier 4 please submit all the documentation that you have to submit to the sponsor in order to get a CAS •If you apply to extend your Tier 4 visa in Turkey, you must submit original bank account for the required level.
For more information For the most up to date information about student visas visit : www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas For information about Tier 4 Policy: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/pbs/Tier 4migrantguidance1.pdf For the list of Secure English Test: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/new- approved-english-tests.pdf For information about how to apply in Turkey: www.visainfoservices.com
You can also read
