VISA & REGISTRATION GUIDE - for full-time international students - Last updated: May 2021 - Birkbeck, University of London
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VISA &
REGISTRATION
GUIDE
for full-time international students
Last updated: May 2021
DISCLAIMER Whilst every effort is made by Birkbeck, University of London to ensure the accuracy of the information and advice given, the requirements relating to visas are complex and change frequently. We cannot therefore accept responsibility for any inaccuracy or error in the information or advice given or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. You must verify the information given and check the requirements which apply to you on the Home Office website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas- and-immigration If you have any queries relating to the information contained in this document, please contact International Student Administration Registry Services Birkbeck, University of London Malet Street, Bloomsbury London WC1E 7HX isa@bbk.ac.uk +44 (0)20 3926 3100 www.bbk.ac.uk/international
CONTENTS Applying from inside the UK
1.7 Outcome of visa application
31
Successful 32
VISA & REGISTRATION GUIDE
Incorrect decision or Unsuccessful 33
1. STUDENT VISA 1.8 Visa conditions
1.1 Requirements Work conditions 35
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) 7 Volunteering 36
Points required for Student visa 9 Study 37
Maximum period of study 10 ATAS 38
Academic progression 11 Police registration 38
1.2 Supporting documents ‘No recourse to public funds’ 39
English language proficiency 12 Biometric Residence Permit 40
Academic Technology Approval Scheme 13 Report changes of circumstances 41
Health screening 15
APPENDICES
Financial evidence 16
Appendix 1.1 Comparison of Student visa application from
Academic qualifications 22
UK vs Overseas 44
Official English translation 22
Appendix 1.2 CAS to Registration flowchart 46
Letter of parental consent (under-18) 23
Appendix 1.3 Student Route Responsiblities 47
Passport 23
Appendix 1.4 Description of CAS Statement 49
Additional documents 24
Low risk nationals 24 2. STUDENTS WITH NON-STUDENT VISA
1.3 During visa application process 3. ENROLMENT
Immigration Health Surcharge 26 What is enrolment? 55
Visa interviews 26 What happens after the enrolment? 55
1.4 Dependants Orientation 56
1.5 When should I apply?
Applying from outside the UK 29 4. REGISTRATION
Applying from inside the UK 29 First registration for new students 57
1.6 Where and how should I apply? Annual Student Visa Registration for continuing students 59
Applying from outside the UK 31 Police Registration 59
5. ATTENDANCE
Blended learning for 2020/21 60
Responsibilities of Student visa holder and Student route
sponsor 61
Academic engagement 61
Off-campus Study 62
Work Placement 63
Change of programme 63
Unsatisfactory engagement / Interruption / Withdrawal 63
Repeat studies 64
Successfully completed early 64
Completed prematurely 65
Completed in time 65
If more time is required to complete 65Student visa 1. STUDENT VISA 1.1 Requirements Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is a ‘virtual document’ (similar to a database record) which is assigned by Birkbeck in support of your Student visa application. The CAS will contain your personal information, academic programme details and a unique CAS number. This number is a mandatory requirement when completing a Student visa application form and is used to determine whether or not you meet the requirements of the Student route. It also determines your work rights and ability to bring dependants to the UK with you. Birkbeck International Student Guidance 7
Student visa Student visa
You will be emailed a CAS statement and Description of supporting documents when requested to International
CAS statement detailing all the information above. Student Administration (ISA), your CAS statement will
normally be issued within 5 working days.
A printout of CAS statement doesn’t need to be included in
your visa application. If you intend to make your visa application from the UK,
the CAS process will start 3 - 4 months before the course
When will I receive my CAS? start date. You will be sent a draft version of your CAS
and referred to Birkbeck’s Free Student Visa Application
It is depending on combination of the following and Checking Service process. Your CAS will be released via
personal circumstances: Birkbeck’s Student Immigration Advisor through this
• the location from where you’re intending to make process.
your visa application, i.e. from the UK or your home
country;
Points required for Student visa
You must score a total of 70 points in order to be able to
• accepted an unconditional offer to study a full-time
apply for a Student visa.
programme of study;
Each characteristic is explained further in “1.2 Supporting
• fulfilled all Academic, Non-academic and General
documents” on page .
Conditions of Entry stated in the offer;
• deemed to satisfy the Student requirements; and Characteristics Requirement Points
• paid a deposit. Unconditional offer to join
Valid CAS 50
an eligible course
If you satisfied all conditions and requirements and plan to Speaks English at required English language
apply from your home country, a draft CAS will be issued 10
level requirement
up to 6 months before the start date of your course.
Have adequate level of funds Financial requirement 10
You will need to check and confirm whether the details
listed in a draft version of your CAS are correct.
Once you have verified this and provided satisfactory
8 Birkbeck International Student Guidance Birkbeck International Student Guidance 9Student visa Student visa
Maximum period of study Academic progression
The Home Office sets a maximum time limit on how long Students who wish to extend their Student visa must show
you may spend studying in the UK. This limit includes all their proposed study represents academic progression
previous visa periods in the UK whilst on a Student and from any previous study undertaken in the UK with a Tier 4
Tier 4 (General) visa, and is dependent upon the level of (General) or Student visa.
study you undertake.
The relevant Home Office guidance states that any new
Level of study Maximum course will normally be at a higher level than those
previously studied in the UK.
Below degree level 2 years You will also have successfully completed the previous
course by achieving the qualification for which you were
Degree level study (RQF Level 6), e.g. granted Tier 4 or Student visa.
5 years
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
If you are applying for an extension of your Student
Above degree level study (RQF Level 7 or visa from the UK, you must provide official evidence of
No limit
above), e.g. Masters or PhD successful completion of your previous qualification that
studied under Tier 4 or Student visa. This includes Pre-
sessional programmes.
If the final result is not available before the start of your
new course, you can submit a letter from your current
Student sponsor confirming that you are ‘highly likely to
complete your course successfully’.
If you subsquently fail to complete the previous course
successfully, Birkbeck is required to report it to the Home
Office and withdraw the sponsorship.
10 Birkbeck International Student Guidance Birkbeck International Student Guidance 11Student visa Student visa
1.2 Supporting documents Academic Technology Approval Scheme
Students who are embarking on or continuing their study
English language proficiency
for specific degrees in the physical sciences, computing or
You must satisfy: mathematics, must note the requirements of the Academic
• Birkbeck’s general English language requirement, and Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS).
• Student visa English language requirement. This requirement does not apply to a national of EU, EEA,
Swiss and the following countries:
Academic departments may accept a wider range of
English language qualifications than specified by the • Australia
Home Office, for the College’s general English language • Canada
requirement purpose. In this case, you may still be
• Japan
required to satisfy the minimum Student visa English
requirement. • New Zealand
Alternatively, if you have demonstrate the required • Singapore
English language level through your previous successful
• South Korea
immigration application, you don’t have to demonstrate it
again. • United States of America
An ATAS clearance certificate must be obtained before your
CAS can be issued.
You can apply for an ATAS certificate up to 9 months
before the starting date of your course, and valid for 6
months from date of issue.
The process normally takes a minimum of 20 working
days. However, processing times will increase between
April and October and can take 30 or more working days
12 Birkbeck International Student Guidance Birkbeck International Student Guidance 13Student visa Student visa
to complete. Health screening
Therefore, you are advised to submit your ATAS clearance Residents of certain countries applying for a visa to
check application as early as possible. come to the UK for longer than 6 months must obtain a
You need the following information from the College certificate confirming that they are free from infectious
before submitting your application: Tuberculosis (TB) before applying for a visa.
• your conditional offer letter You must be tested at a clinic that has been approved by
the Home Office.
• CAH3 code of your programme of study (stated in the
official offer) Please note that you won’t need a TB test if
• a brief summary of your research proposal agreed • you are applying from the UK, or
with your potential supervisor (examples of good and • you lived for at least 6 months in a country where TB
bad research proposals for ATAS) screening is not required by the UK, and you’ve been
If you change your course, or area of research, you must away from that country for no more than 6 months.
obtain a new ATAS clearance certificate.
14 Birkbeck International Student Guidance Birkbeck International Student Guidance 15Student visa Student visa
Financial evidence Acceptable types of funds
For funds to be acceptable, unless funds will be available
as a student loan, all of the following must be met:
• held in a financial institution that uses electronic
record keeping, which is regulated by the appropriate
regulatory body for the country it is operating in and
where UKVI is able to make verification checks
• held in an account belong to the applicant, their
partner (who is applying for permission at the same
time or has been granted permission), a parent or
legal guardian (except for dependant partners)
• held in a person bank or building society account
In order to make a successful application, you must (including current, deposit, savings, pensions from
provide evidence that you have sufficient funds to cover: which the funds can be withdrawn, or an investment
• your tuition fee balance for the first year of study, and account) provided the funds can be accessed
immediately
• maintenance (living costs).
If you meet the following conditions, you will Other accounts (including pension funds) where the funds
automatically meet the financial requirement: cannot be accessed immediately or financial instruments
such as shares, bonds, overdraft and credit cards are not
• you’re applying for a Student visa from the UK, and acceptable.
• you have been in the UK for at least 12 months with Furthermore, a business account is not acceptable as your
valid visa on the date of your application. financial evidence, even if the business is owned by you or
your parents/legal guardians.
The maintenance requirement for Birkbeck is £1,334 per
month because we are located in inner-London for the
16 Birkbeck International Student Guidance Birkbeck International Student Guidance 17Student visa Student visa
purpose of Student visa application. You must show that Using your own funds
you have money for your living costs for each month of
You need to provide your bank statement(s) that indicate
your course, up to 9 months.
you have held the required amount of money in your
Therefore, the maximum amount is set at £12,006 (£1,334 account for a minimum of 28 consecutive days (finishing
x 9 months), which will apply to the most of our students. on the date of the closing balance day) ending no more
If you paid a deposit, it will be stated in your CAS as part than 31 days before your visa application date1.
of your tuition fee payment and will be deducted from the Using parent(s) or legal guardian’s funds
total amount you need to show.
You need to provide your parent(s) or legal guardian’s
For example, if you will be studying a 12-month Master’s bank statement in the description above.
degree course at Birkbeck and have paid a deposit of
£2,000, you will need to show a minimum of £23,835 You must also provide all of the following:
(Tuition fee – Tuition fee paid + Maintenance) in your • official evidence of relationship (e.g. birth certificate,
bank account: certificate of adoption, court document2); and
Total tuition fee £14,450 • a letter from your parent(s) or legal guardian
Total maintenance requirement £12,006 confirming that they will financially sponsor your
Deposit paid £200 studies (an example letter)
Tuition fee paid £2,000
Using your partner’s funds
Total amount required to show £24,256
If you and your partner are applying for visa at the same
time or your partner has already been granted with a visa,
Payment towards your accommodation provider will not be
included in your CAS because it is not a payment made to funds held by your partner can be used.
Birkbeck.
1 Immigration rules define “date of application” as “the date of payment of the
relevant fee”, i.e. visa application fee.
2 Affidavit is not an acceptable document to confirm the legal guardianship.
18 Birkbeck International Student Guidance Birkbeck International Student Guidance 19Student visa Student visa
• your name;
You can use multiple bank accounts and one or more
foreign currencies. This will be convereted into pound • the name and contact details of your official financial
sterling (£) using the spot exchange rate which appears on sponsor;
www.oanda.com for the date of the application.
• the date of the letter;
Official financial sponsorship • the length of your sponsorship; and
Official sponsors can be one of the following: • the amount of money the sponsor is giving to you,
• the UK government or a statement that your official financial sponsor will
cover all of your fees and living costs.
• your national government
If you received financial sponsorship from a government
• the British Council or any international organisation or international scholarship agency, which ended within
• international company the last 12 months, you will need a letter from your
sponsor permitting you to stay in or re-enter the UK for an
• University unlimited time.
• Independent School
Using US Federal loans
The list of acceptable official financial sponsors includes an
If you are using US Federal loans, you may need to submit
‘international company’. The Home Office has not defined
a ‘Notification of Student Loan’. There is no requirement
this but it means a company with a trading presence (an
to maintain the funds for 28 consecutive days because
office) in more than one country.
the loans will be paid directly to Birkbeck. The living costs
Your official financial sponsor must have the funds to portion of the loan will be released to you in instalments
support you financially whilst you are studying in the UK after you have started the course.
and have the capacity to move, or experience of moving,
funds across international borders. If your financial sponsorship or loans cover some of your
course fee or living costs, you must show that you have the
You must include the sponsorship letter. The letter must rest of money needed.
show:
20 Birkbeck International Student Guidance Birkbeck International Student Guidance 21Student visa Student visa
Academic qualifications Letter of parental consent (under-18)
You will need to provide all documents listed on your CAS If you will be under the age of 18 when you submit your
statement. visa application, you require the consent of your parents/
legal guardian(s).
Usually these will be the final transcript or certificate/
diploma of your previous academic studies. The letter should confirm:
Official English translation • the relationship between you and your parents or
legal guardian(s);
If any of your documents are not in English, you must
provide a fully certified translation from a professional • that your parents or legal guardian(s) have given their
translator or translation compmany that can be consent to your application;
independantly verified by the Home Office. The translation • that your parents or legal guardian(s) have given their
must include all of the following information: consent to you living independently in the UK; and
• confirmation that it is an accurate translation of the • that your parents and legal guardian(s) have given
original document their consent to your independent travel to the UK.
• the date of translation The letter must be signed by each parent or legal
• the full name and signature of the translator or an guardian, unless your parent or guardian have legal
official of the translation company custody or sole responsibility for you.
• the translator or translation company’s contact details Passport
If your financial documents are not in English, it must be
All the passports you are submitting with your visa
submitted with an official English translation. application must have been signed where appropriate.
If you’re applying from outside the UK, it must have at
least one blank page on both for endorsement of your
Entry Clearance.
22 Birkbeck International Student Guidance Birkbeck International Student Guidance 23Student visa Student visa
Additional documents you meet the Student visa requirements and that you
hold the documentary evidence in the format required.
If you are applying from the UK, the following documents Home Office can ask a low risk national to send them the
may also need to be submitted: documentary evidence.
• Previous passport, if your visa is in your old passport
If you’re a low rinks national and provide supporting
• Police Registration Certificate documents, the Caseworker will be required to assess them
as normal.
• Biometric Residence Permit
Low risk nationals
From 4 July 2011, the Home Office introduced a different
documentary requirements for Student visa applications
for certain nationalities. The specified nationalities are
exempt from having to provide financial and educational
evidence with their visa application.
You qualify for this arrangements if you are applying from
your country of nationality; or from the UK if you are
applying for an extension.
If you are a dual national, and only one of your
nationalities is listed, you will be able to apply using the
different documentary requirements that apply to these
nationals, provided you are applying from the country of
nationality specified, or for extension in the UK.
Check if you are eligible for this differential arrangements
by going to the Home Office website.
Please note that you are still required to confirm that
24 Birkbeck International Student Guidance Birkbeck International Student Guidance 25Student visa Student visa
1.3 During visa application process You may then be required to attend a further interview
as part of your visa application, either in person or on the
Immigration Health Surcharge telephone, or when you arrive in the UK (for example at
the airport) to satisfy you are a genuine student.
Since 6 April 2015, most Student visa applicants need to
pay a healthcare surcharge as part of their immigration If you are required to attend an interview:
application. You will then be able to use the National
• you will need to demonstrate your English language
Health Service (NHS).
ability without the assistance of an interpreter, and
You will still need to pay for certain types of services.
• provide basic knowledge about your study in the UK
The rate for a student and student dependant is £470 per (e.g. length of course, subjects of study).
person for each year of their visa. If the visa includes part
If you do not attend this interview when requested without
of a year that is less than 6 months, the charge will be
adequate reasons, your visa application may get refused.
£235 for this period.
Find more about the visa interview process and our guide
For example, if you will
to credibility interviews.
be applying a 12-month
Master’s degree programme
starting 1 October 2021,
your Student visa should be valid until 30 January 2023
(course end date + additional 4 months). Therefore, you
will be expected to pay £705 (£470 x 1.5 year) as part of
your visa application.
Visa interviews
You will attend a short interview through video
conferencing when you attend the visa centre to submit
your application and biometric information, if you are
applying from outside the UK.
26 Birkbeck International Student Guidance Birkbeck International Student Guidance 27Student visa Student visa
1.4 Dependants 1.5 When should I apply?
You can bring your partner or children to the UK as your Applying from outside the UK
‘dependants’, if you are either
• before you travel to the UK
• a government-sponsored and your course is over 6
months long, or • after obtaining your CAS;
• studying for a postgraduate level full-time course of 9 • no more than 6 months before the start date of your
months or longer programme of study stated on your CAS; and
If your child is applying to come to the UK as your • no more than 6 months after your CAS was issued.
dependant, they must be less than 18 years old and
normally both of the child’s parents must be coming to
Applying from inside the UK
the UK. You can apply from inside the UK to extend or switch to a
Student visa to start your new course.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA)
has written a comprehensive information guide which you In order to be eligible to apply within the UK, the start
should read carefully before applying for a visa for your date of your new programme of study on your CAS must
family. be no more than 28 days after the end of your current
visa. You also need to meet a further condition described
below:
For extending Student visa
To extend your visa you must:
• be in the UK on a Student or Tier 4 (General) student
visa
• satisfy the academic progression requirement.
28 Birkbeck International Student Guidance Birkbeck International Student Guidance 29Student visa Student visa
For switching to Student visa 1.6 Where and how should I apply?
You must be in the UK under immigration permission that
is not one of the following:
Applying from outside the UK
You need to make a Student visa application from your
• a visit visa
country of residence using the following link:
• a short-term student visa
https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/apply
• a Parent of a Child Student visa
‘Country of residence’ might not same as your country of
• a seasonal worker visa origin and it refers to wherever you have permission to live,
• a domestic worker in a private household visa for example for work or study purposes.
• leave outside the immigration rules
Applying from inside the UK
It is very important to make a valid application before your You will be referred to Birkbeck’s Free Student visa
current visa expires. application checking service where a trained advisor will
check your application. Your CAS will normally be released
You must not start your new course until a Student visa is to you only after
granted. However, the Home Office permits you to start
your study while waiting for a decision if you applied for • you have provided all requested supporting
your Student visa: documents satisfying the Student visa requirements,
and
• before starting the new course;
• your drafted via application is checked as satisfactory.
• before your existing visa expires; and
The application link is as follows:
• provided evidence of the above to Birkbeck.
https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/extend-your-visa
You do this at your own risk as it is possible that your
application will be refused.
30 Birkbeck International Student Guidance Birkbeck International Student Guidance 31Student visa Student visa
1.7 Outcome of visa application Applied from inside the UK
The Home Office will confirm their decision by email. It will
Successful confirm the grant of your Student visa and all conditions.
Applied from outside the UK Your visa in the format of BRP will be sent to your contact
You will be initially issued with a 90-day Entry Clearance address separately.
vignette sticker in your passport and a decision letter. Carefully check your decision notification, vignette and BRP
The vignette is proof only of your permission to enter the as soon as you receive them, and contact ISA immediately
if there is any error. Only a limited time is allowed to
UK before its expiry. If you don’t travel within that 90 day
submit an error correction request.
period, you will have to apply for another vignette.
You will need to arrive and collect your Biometric Incorrect decision or Unsuccessful
Residence Permit (BRP) by the expiry date of your vignette.
Your decision letter will provide from which Post office If there is any reason to believe your application was
branch you can collect your BRP. incorrectly refused or error was made, e.g. incorrect
visa length or work condition, you can ask for a visa
Please take the following original documents: Administrative Review.
• Passport containing the 90-day vignette There is a fee of £80 to apply for an administrative review.
• Decision letter It will be refunded if your application is either successful or
rejected as invalid.
If you are under 18 years old, you will need to nominate
a responsible adult to accompany you to collect your BRP This reqeust must be made within a specific deadline
from a Post Office. depending on the location, i.e. UK or overseas, where you
submitted the application.
You should wait until you have obtained an Entry Clearance
(i.e. vignette) before you book any non-refundable travel
Applied from outside the UK
tickets. You must apply for an administrative review within 28
days of getting the decision.
32 Birkbeck International Student Guidance Birkbeck International Student Guidance 33Student visa Student visa
A notice of immigration decision will be sent to you along 1.8 Visa conditions
with supporting documents that you submitted. Please
email a scanned image of the notification to ISA for further Work conditions
assistance.
As a Student visa holder, you are permitted to work – paid
Applied from inside the UK or unpaid – a limited number of hours per week during
term time, depending on your level of study:
You must apply for an administrative review within 14
days of getting the decision. • Bachelor’s degree level or above: maximum 20 hours
per week3
You must apply within 7 days if you’ve been detained.
• Below Bachelor’s degree level: maximum 10 hours per
A refusal notice will be sent to you. Please forward the week
refusal notice to ISA for further assistance.
Details of your entitlement will be stated on your visa.
However, you must not:
• be self-employed or engage in business activity;
• be employed as a professional sportsperson or sports
coach;
• be employed as an entertainer;
• take a permanent full-time job; or
• work as a doctor or dentist in training
3 A week is defined “a period of 7 days beginning with a Monday”, i.e. Monday
to Sunday.
34 Birkbeck International Student Guidance Birkbeck International Student Guidance 35Student visa Student visa
Students can volunteer while they are studying. Voluntary
Work placement element included as part of your course
work (unpaid employment) is distinct from volunteering.
will not be affected by this restriction.
A Student can do voluntary work if they are permitted
Term-time is any period when you are supposed to be to work, but this work will count towards the maiximum
doing academic work. For example, when you should be number of hours you’re permitted to work. You
attending lectures, preparing examinations or viva, doing should always check with the organisation offering the
coursework, and writing essays, a volunteering opportunity whether it can be regarded as
dissertation or thesis. unpaid employment.
Vacation is normally around Factors to take into account when considering whether
Christmas and Easter holidays a particular activity constitutes voluntary work or
and during summer after volunteering are:
completing all your
• voluntary workers will usually have contractual
examinations and/
obligations to perform the work (for example to
or submission of your
attend at particular times and carry out specific tasks)
dissertation.
with the employer being contractually required to
Most postgraduate students – provide the work – the contract does not have to be
those taking a full-time Master’s written - the worker is usually remunerated in kind
degree (including MRes), some
• volunteers do not have a contract - they must not be
Postgraduate Diplomas and an MPhil/
a substitute for an employee, and they must not be
PhD – are required to study for the full calendar year and
doing unpaid work – for example, receiving payment
so are exempt from term dates.
in kind (although they are sometimes reimbursed for
Postgraduate students are therefore normally permitted to reasonable travel and subsistence expenses)
work a maximum of 20 hours per week during summer, i.e.
• volunteers usually help a charity or voluntary or public
until the end of September.
sector organisation
Volunteering
Study
36 Birkbeck International Student Guidance Birkbeck International Student Guidance 37Student visa Student visa
Every time you enter, or re-enter, the UK you must intend If you live outside London, check the Gov.uk website
to study at Birkbeck (your Student visa sponsor). where to register.
You must complete the enrolment and registration by the After you have registered, you need to update the police
set dadeline. within seven days if you ever:
Failure to complete the enrolment and registration, or if • change your address; and/or
you decide to discountinue with your studies, Birkbeck
must report this to the Home Office. • extend your Student permission; and/or
• change college or university; and/or
ATAS
• renew your passport; and/or
If you were required to obtain an Academic Technology
Approval Scheme (ATAS) for your programme, you must • get married; and/or
apply for a new ATAS certificate within 28 days, if • if any of the other details on your Police Registration
• Your course content or research proposal changes; Certificate change.
and/or
‘No recourse to public funds’
• Your course completion date (as stated on your CAS)
is postponed by more than 3 calendar months. Student visa conditions include ‘No recourse to public
funds’. This means that you will not be able to claim most
Police registration benefits, tax credits or housing assistance that are paid by
the state.
International students of certain nationalities may be
required to register with the police within seven days of However, using the National Health Service (NHS), sending
arrival in the UK or getting a new visa. your child to a state school, and being exempt from the
Council Tax do not count as accessing ‘public funds’.
See the Gov.uk website to check nationalities that ususally
need to register.
If you live in London, you need to register at the Overseas
Visitors Records Office.
38 Birkbeck International Student Guidance Birkbeck International Student Guidance 39Student visa Student visa
Biometric Residence Permit If you’re outside the UK
If your Biometric You must report your lost or stolen BRP outside the UK.
Residence Permit You’ll need to apply for a ‘replacement BRP visa’, which
(BRP) is lost, stolen lets you re-enter the UK once only.
or damanged, you
must apply for a You can apply for a replacement BRP when you return to
replacement. the UK. You must do this within 3 months of reporting it
lost or stolen unless you have a good reason, for example
you were unable to return to the UK in that time.
If you’re in the UK Report changes of circumstances
If your BRP is valid for 3 months or more, you must report You must report any changes in your circumstances if
it to the Home Office and apply for a replacement. It must you’re in the UK and have either:
be done within 3 months of losing it.
• got a biometric residence permit (BRP)
If your BRP is valid for 3 months or less, you must do one
of the following: • applied for a BRP but have not had a decision yet
• Report it to the Home Office if you intend to leave For change of your address, you need to update it via My
before your visa expires; Birkbeck and complete one of the following to notify the
Home Office:
• Report it to the Home Office and apply for a
replacement if you plan to leave and re-enter the UK • report a change of address online
within 3 months of its expiry date • fill in the change of circumstances form and send it to
• apply to extend your visa if applicable - if granted, the address on the form
you’ll automatically get a new BRP You must apply for a new BRP straight away if any of these
things change:
You can be fined up to £1,000 and made to leave the UK if
you do not apply for a replacement within 3 months. • name, for example if you’ve got married
40 Birkbeck International Student Guidance Birkbeck International Student Guidance 41Student visa Student visa
• nationality
• facial appearance
APPENDICES
• date of birth, for example if it was wrong
• gender
Apply for a replacement BRP online.
If you get a new BRP, you must it to ISA for the
registration.
42 Birkbeck International Student Guidance Birkbeck International Student Guidance 43Appendix 1.1 Comparison of Student visa application from UK vs
Overseas
Making Student visa application from the UK vs Overseas (guide only) Applying from UK Outside the UK
Applying from UK Outside the UK Immigration Health Surcharge £470 pa £470 pa
3 months before course start 6 months before course start Standard Application
Earliest date for application 8 weeks 3 weeks
date date processing time
No more than 28 days gap 90-day vignette No Yes
between visa expiry date and Yes No
new course start date
Collect from a designated UK
BRP card Deliver to UK contact address
post office
Passport Yes Yes
Yes, if current visa is in previous Administrative Review
Previous passport No Within 14 days of decision Within 28 days of decison
passport submission
Return to Home Office after Return to Home Office when
Previous BRP
decision expire, if applicable
English language qualification
No No
document
No, if you lived in the UK with a
valid visa for a minimum of 12
Financial evidence months, or low risk nationa. Yes, unless low risk national
Otherwise, Yes
Academic qualifications Yes, unless low risk national Yes, unless low risk national
ATAS Certificate Yes, if applicable Yes, if applicable
TB Certificate No Yes, if applicable
Police Registration Certificate Yes, if applicable No
Standard visa application fee,
£475 £348
excluding Biometric fee
44 Birkbeck International Student Guidance Birkbeck International Student Guidance 45Appendix 1.2 CAS to Registration flowchart
CAS to
Registration
Errors & Supporting documents
Any errors on the draft CAS or
questions should be directed to ISA
straightway. Also, applicants should
provide relevant supporting
documents, such as �nancial
evidence, if requested.
Further Information
ISA may request
applicants to provide
further information before
Satisfy all processing, such as a new Registration at
conditions &
passport copy or �nancial Birkbeck
evidence.
Student takes their
deposit payment passport and Student
visa decision letter to the
Applicant satis�es all designated Post O�ce to
conditions and pays 6 collect BRP.
deposit 4 Attend the Registration
session with ISA.
9
5
1
Referral 8
2 Referral to the Student
7
Visa Application Checking Apply for Student
3 Service. All applicants Visa & complete
making making their online enrolment
Student visa application
from the UK will be Ensure to book travel after
referred to this procedure. receiving a successful
Birkbeck Advisor will outcome of visa
contact applicant for application. Student must
further process. travel with a valid Student
Gather Information visa to enter the UK to
study.
ISA may request applicant
to provide further
information
CAS issue & Enrolment
Draft CAS invitation
ISA drafts a CAS CAS Statement is emailed
statement for eligible to applicant and
applicants and emails it enrolment invitation email
to them. will follow.
Applicant making their
Student visa application
from the UK will receive
their CAS through the
Student Visa Application
Checking Service
process.
Last updated on 16 December 2020
46 Birkbeck International Student GuidanceAppendix 1.3 Student Route Responsiblities
Responsibilities and obligations of Student visa
holder and Student route sponsor
Home Office
Birkbeck Student
Regulations
Inform the Home Must inform the HO within 10 Enrol and register with Birkbeck by the latest
Office (HO) of any working days after the end of the arrival date stated on your CAS statement.
students who do prescribed enrolment period of any
students who fail to enrol on their If you are unable to join the course, provide a
not enrol at the reason why you are unable to join the course to
expected time for course.
International Student Administration (ISA) at isa@
their studies. bbk.ac.uk
Inform the HO of Must inform HO within 10 working Comply with all conditions stated on your visa
any information days of the relevant information including:
which suggests being known to Birkbeck.
• register with the police within a specified
that a sponsored period stated on your visa if applicable
student is in breach
of the condition of • maintain work conditions, which is normally
their visa. 20 hours per week during term-time for
degree students
• do not overstay your visa.
• do not claim ‘public funds’.
Inform the HO Must inform HO within 10 working Inform ISA of any possible error you have
if Student visa days of the relevant information identified for further assistance. You may then
was granted with being known to Birkbeck. have to report and request amendments of any
incorrect length or error to the HO.
conditions of stay.
Keep a copy of Must keep a copy (electronic or Present all required original documents to ISA.
immigration paper) of students identity and
immigration documents, including New students are required to complete their
documents.
the following: Student visa registration and enrolment by the
latest arrival date stated on CAS statement.
• personal details page(s) in
passport; Continuing students or students who switched
their immigration status to Student visa after
• student visa in passport; starting their course must present the original
documentation to ISA by arrangement.
• all previous UK visas in current
passport; and When lost passport or BRP, notify the HO and ISA
immediately, and apply for a replacement. Your
• both sides of Biometric replacement passport or BRP must be presented
Residence Permit (BRP) to ISA as soon as you receive them.
Keep a copy of Must keep a copy of the ATAS Provide a copy of your approved ATAS clearance
the Academic clearance certificate. certificate to ISA.
Technology
Approval Scheme
(ATAS) Certificate.
Keep each student’s Maintain students’ historic and Keep Birkbeck updated with your contact details
contact details and current contact details at least including UK residential address, phone numbers
update them as for the period of Student visa and email address, using MyBirkbeck
necessary. sponsorship.
International Student Administration 1 Student route responsibilities
Last Updated: 14 December 2020
Birkbeck International Student Guidance 47Responsibilities and obligations of Student visa
holder and Student route sponsor
Home Office
Birkbeck Student
Regulations
Inform the HO Must inform the HO of any Keep your academic and departmental
if there are any significant changes to a student’s administrative staff updated with any changes in
significant changes circumstance (e.g. change in your course. Any changes must be approved by
in a student’s course within Birkbeck, change in the relevant department.
circumstances. course duration) within 10 working
days of the change. Inform your academic and departmental
administrative staff if your course details are
incorrect on MyBirkbeck.
Inform the HO, and update Police Registration
Certificate if applicable, for changes to your
circumstances such as change of name or
nationality, or renewed passport.
Inform the HO if a Must inform the HO within 10 Inform ISA and your academic and departmental
student withdraws working days of the change. administrative staff if you decide to withdraw or
or suspends their suspend your studies. You must first discuss any
studies. such changes with your personal/course tutor.
Inform the HO Must inform the HO within 10 If your immigration category has changed, e.g.
when a student’s working days of the relevant Dependant visa or Skilled route, you must provide
immigration information being known to proof of this change to ISA. This can be emailed to
category changes. Birkbeck. isa@bbk.ac.uk
Inform the HO if Withdraw students after a student Engage with all teaching events and register
a student stops stops engaging academically for attendance by touching in your Birkbeck ID card
engaging for more 30 days and must inform the HO at the beginning of your class when applicable.
than 30 days within 10 working days of the While the teaching is delivered online, click
change. ‘Join live session’ to register your attendance.
Inform the HO if a Must inform the HO within 10 Maintain attendance on your course and submit
student is absent working days after a significant your work on time.
from their studies period of unauthorised absences.
Complete the annual Student visa registration.
without reasonably
granted approval. If you cannot attend Birkbeck, you must seek
approval from the relevant department stating a
reason in advance, normally, in writing.
Maintain contact Must inform the HO if students: Maintain contact with Birkbeck by emailing
with students who Tier4Attendance@bbk.ac.uk once every 6 months
• miss the contact point, or at least.
are sponsored for
Student: Doctorate • change their immigration Inform ISA if your immigration permission
Extension Scheme permission, or has changed, or if you decide to leave the UK
visa permanently.
• leave the UK permanently
The obligations set by the HO are subject to change and can include new requirements.
Failure to comply with the rules and regulations set by the Home Office will have severe penalties for Birkbeck
including a £10,000.00 fine or removal of our Sponsor Licence. Birkbeck will ensure that its obligations under
Student visa will be met.
A breach of your immigration conditions can cause serious for your current and any future immigration
applications you may make. Therefore, it is very important to understand these conditions.
International Student Administration 2 Student route responsibilities
Last Updated: 14 December 2020
48 Birkbeck International Student GuidanceAppendix 1.4 Description of CAS Statement
DESCRIPTION OF CAS STATEMENT
Please refer to the guidance notes below to help you understand your draft CAS statement. There are
explanatory notes for each section of the (draft) CAS.
The (draft) CAS statement is an .htm file format document which can be opened using an internet
browser, such as Internet Explorer or Firefox. If any characters appear incorrectly, e.g. ???, please make
sure the encoding of your internet browser is set as English.
Please check your (draft) CAS statement and advise us immediately by email, isa@bbk.ac.uk, if there
are any errors.
CAS Section Description
Tier and Category
You are only allowed to use your CAS once for a General student visa (Tier 4) or Tier 4 (Doctorate
Extension Scheme) visa application as appropriate.
CAS is a unique code and is combination of letters and digits. A CAS is valid for 6 months from
the assigned date. However, the earliest time you can submit your Tier 4 visa application is 3
months before your course start date. If you make your application before this period, it will be
refused. Therefore, it is important that you do not make your application any earlier than this.
If your Tier 4 visa application is not successful, you will need to obtain a new CAS number in
order to make a new visa application. Making a Tier 4 visa application without a valid CAS or with
a CAS which was used previously will result in your application being refused.
Making an application from outside the UK
• Online application link: https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/apply-visa-type/tier4
Making an application from inside the UK
• Students are referred to Birkbeck’s Free Tier 4 visa application checking service.
• Online application link: https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/product/tier-4-student
Birkbeck College, University of London
Name of Sponsor
Please note that Birkbeck is located in Inner-London.
Sponsor Licence
9NKX7B8M9
Number
CAS Details
CAS number
If draft CAS, these fields will be blank.
Date assigned
Further information may be provided by Birkbeck to the Home Office
Sponsor’s note in addition to the standard information required. If there is no further
information to add, then ‘N/A’ will appear.
International Student Administration page 1 of 4 Description of CAS Statement
Last Updated: 5 July 2020
Birkbeck International Student Guidance 49DESCRIPTION OF CAS STATEMENT DESCRIPTION OF CAS STATEMENT
Applicant Details Latest date a This is the latest possible date you are permitted to complete your
student can be enrolment & registration and join your programme of study.
Family name accepted on to If you arrive later than the specified date, you may be asked to return
the course home and defer your place to the following year.
Given name(s) All details must be accurate and exactly the same, including any middle
(other) names, as they appear on your passport which must be submitted ATAS certificate If stated ‘Yes’, you have been accepted for a specific degree or research in
Other name(s) with your Tier 4 visa application. If your passport is not valid for the duration required the physical sciences, computing or mathematics, and you must obtain an
of your programme of study, you may wish to renew or obtain a new ATAS clearance certificate before applying for a Tier 4 visa. If you apply for a
passport and update ISA with these details. Tier 4 visa without it when it is required, your application will be refused.
Date of Birth
Apply for an ATAS certificate.
County of
nationality If you believe you require an ATAS certificate but the statement does not
Mandatory fields state it, please contact ISA for clarification.
Place of birth
Work placement The majority of our programmes do not include a work placement. However,
included if you are accepted onto a programme which includes a work placement and
Passport number
you are intended to take it up, this field should state ‘Yes’.
Sponsor’s system If you want to add a work placement option later, you may have to
unique ID for a This is your Birkbeck Student Reference Number (SRN) to be used
throughout your period of study at Birkbeck. apply for a new Tier 4 visa.
student
Main site of
This is the primary address of Birkbeck.
Course Details address
Overseas Higher
Course title The title of your programme of study. Education Applicable to exchange students only.
institution
This is academic level of the course or qualification awarded when the course Evidence used to This section contains details of the qualification(s) used in making you an
is successfully completed. obtain this offer offer of a place to study at Birkbeck. It will also list details of additional
• CEFR B2: Pre-sessional English mandatory information required by UKVI. Please note, all document(s)
Course level • RQF6: Graduate Diploma / Bachelor’s degree listed in this section must be submitted with your Tier 4 visa
• RQF7: Postgraduate Diploma / Master’s degree application, unless you qualify for the differentiation arrangement, i.e.
low risk nationals. If any document is not in English, you wil also need
• RQF8: Research degree, i.e. MPhil/PhD to submit an official English traslation to accompany the non-English
• RQF8-DES: Tier 4 (Doctorate Extension Scheme) document.
Course start date New students The following is an example of an entry in this section:
This date will normally be the start date of the term you are entering. 1. Bachelor of Arts (Certificate), New York University, USA;
However, this may be an earlier date if you are taking a course in the 2. English Language**: We have assessed this applicant’s English language
Economics department which has an earlier start date. ability and confirm that it is equivalent to CEFR level B2 or higher in
each of the four components of language learning. No documents are
Continuing students required to be submitted as evidence of this.
• It will be a day after your current Tier 4 visa expiry date if it was 3. Academic progress. We have assessed this applicant as having made
sponsored by Birkbeck. satisfactory academic progress to joining the programme of study at
• If your most recent visa is not sponsored by Birkbeck or if you are Birkbeck.
applying for Tier 4 (Doctorate Extension Scheme), it will be the CAS
assigned date. **English Language Requirements
• Your actual course start date will be stated in the ‘Evidence used to obtain
this offer’ section. • If you are studying below degree level, you must include evidence of your
English language qualification with your visa application.
Course end date Your programme of study (expected) end date.
International Student Administration page 2 of 4 Description of CAS Statement International Student Administration page 3 of 4 Description of CAS Statement
Last Updated: 5 July 2020 Last Updated: 5 July 2020
50 Birkbeck International Student Guidance Birkbeck International Student Guidance 51DESCRIPTION OF CAS STATEMENT
Tuition Fees
1st year course This is your annual tuition fee for the year you are applying for a Tier 4
fees student visa or renewal.
Total amount you have paid towards your tuition fee for the year, including
Course fee paid the deposit.
to date Please note that this field can only be updated when Birkbeck Fees
Office confirms the receipt of a payment.
English Language Qualification
This refers to how we have assessed your English language ability for Tier 4
purposes.
Is SELT required
• Normally this is ‘No’ and only row (a) will appear.
• If ‘Yes’ is stated, then rows (b), (c) and (d) will appear.
The following will be stated, even if you were required to complete an
(a) Reason not English language test:
required
“Higher Education Institution (HEI) sponsor has made assessment”
(b) English
Language level The overall level achieved.
attained
(c) Test provider Name of the test provider
(d) SELT scores Individual scores of your SELT result
Progression Details
‘Yes’ or ‘No’ will appear on the basis of the information you provided.
• If ‘No’, no further field will appear.
Previously a UK
student? • If ‘Yes’, the description of how Birkbeck’s course represents ‘academic
progression’ from your previous study in the UK will appear. Also, rows
(a) (b) and (c) will appear.
(a) Previous
The level of your previous academic qualification obtained from the UK.
academic level
This states whether the level of your chosen course at Birkbeck is at a higher
or same level compared to your previous academic qualification obtained
(b) Higher/Same from the UK.
• If ‘Higher’, no further field will appear.
• If ‘Same’, row (c) will be completed.
(c) Progression Justification of your progression from your previous study in the UK to your
Justification chosen programme at Birkbeck.
International Student Administration page 4 of 4 Description of CAS Statement
Last Updated: 5 July 2020
52 Birkbeck International Student GuidanceStudents with non-Tier 4 visa
2. STUDENTS WITH NON-STUDENT
VISA
If you are in the UK with immigration permission other
than Student visa, you may be allowed to undertake a
programme of study at Birkbeck. However, this might
affect your immigration status.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are complying
with the conditions of your immigration permission.
If your current visa does not cover the duration of your
full-time programme of study, you may be required to
return to your country of residence before your current
visa expires, in order to apply for a Student visa. This may
cause some disruption to your study, therefore you are
strongly advised to check when your current visa expires
and plan early to apply for your visa during one of the
College closure periods (e.g. over Christmas and Easter) to
minimise impact on your study and attendance.
Please note that if you hold a work-related visa, this would
have been granted on the condition that you intend to
work. Therefore, you should be aware that immigration
officials you encounter, for example if you leave the
UK and re-enter at any point during your study, might
consider that your circumstances have changed since you
applied for immigration permission in a work category
and might cancel or curtail that visa on the basis that you
are now studying and should be in the UK with Student
Birkbeck International Student Guidance 53Students with non-Tier 4 visa
visa. This is only a risk for those who are not actually
undertaking or seeking any employment while under a
work-related immigration permission.
If you hold a Graduate route permission, you can’t study
any programme in theory can be sponsored for Student
visa. Therefore, you can take only the following types of
courses at Birkbeck:
• part-time undergraudate degree courses
• below degree-level modular courses.
54 Birkbeck International Student GuidanceEnrolment & Registration 3. ENROLMENT What is enrolment? You will be invited to complete online enrolment to study at Birkbeck if you have accepted our unconditional offer. By enrolling, you officially become a student of Birkbeck. During the enrolment process you will need to • accept the Terms and Conditions of Study; • confirm your personal details; and • pay or arrange to pay your tuition fees. If you require a Tier 4 visa, access to Birkbeck’s online enrolment facility will normally open after your CAS has been issued. You will receive an email invitation to enrol in due course. In addition to enrolment, you need to formally register in person at Birkbeck. For the 2020/21 academic session, the Tier 4 registration will be arranged after transition to full face-to-face learning environment. It will be explained further in “4. Registration” on page 56 What happens after the enrolment? The School or department that organises your course will provide you with information on your programme of study near to the start date of your course. This may include: • preliminary reading lists Birkbeck International Student Guidance 55
Enrolment & Registration Enrolment & Registration
• details of any special arrangements about the first
meeting of your course
4. REGISTRATION
Orientation First registration for new students
The College usually holds an orientation day for new As part of your formal registration with Birkbeck, under
students on a Saturday in early October. Last year’s the University of London’s regulations and Home Office’s
orientation was delivered online using Moodle. requirements outlined in the Student route policy
guidance, you are required to present the following
Moodle is where you find the available study resources original documents:
for each of your modules including (as appropriate) things
like handouts, reading lists, lecture recordings, quizzes • passport;
and discussion forums. It is also the place to submit your • Student visa, i.e. vignette and Biometric Residence
coursework. Permit (BRP);
The orientation will be divided into themes with short • travel ticket to the UK or boarding card if Student visa
bite-sized content to introduce students to our services. vignette is not stamped (only applicable to student
Students with less digital confidence will be able to access obtained their visa from outside the UK)
both a video and written guidance with a step-by-step
guide on how to access the orientation information and • certificate/diploma or transcript of qualifications listed
use it effectively. on your CAS statement (in original language); and
• official English translation of your academic
qualifications if not in English.
You also need to provide your UK contact details, i.e. your
residential address, phone number and email address.
If you applied to extend your stay in the UK before you
register at Birkbeck and your application is still under
consideration, you will need to show all of the following:
• passport;
• your UK visa valid at the time of submitting your
56 Birkbeck International Student Guidance Birkbeck International Student Guidance 57You can also read
