Tier 4 student visa application Completing the UKBA Tier 4 Student Online Application Introduction 2 1. Creating an account with UKVI 2 2. Customise the application form 3 3. Important information on completing the online form 3 a. Home Page 4 b. Contact details 4 c. Reference numbers 5 d. Passport or travel document 5 e. Biometric residence permit (BRP) 6 f. Previous address details 6 g. Personal history 6 h. Immigration history 6 i. Public Funds 7 j. T4 Course details 7 k. Maintenance 9 l. General attributes 10 4. Check your application 10 5. Documents required 11 6. Declarations 12 7. Payment 12 8. Print your application 13 9. Book your appointment (in person applications) 13 10. Sending your documents to UKVI (postal applications) 14 11. Student Batch Scheme 14
Introduction Students wishing to extend their Tier 4 student visa from within the UK or to apply for the Doctorate Extension scheme (DES) are required to complete the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) Tier 4 student online application. Other than in exceptional circumstances, it is no longer possible to make a paper-based application. The International Student Support Service has put together this guide to help you to complete the application form and to explain the application process. Please also refer to our separate guidance on the requirements you must meet and the documents you must prepare. UKVI recommend that you allow 1.5 hours to complete this application form. You are advised to read through this guidance, paying particular attention to the section on the Student Batch Scheme prior to making your application. In order to complete the application process you need to take the following steps: 1. Create an account with UKVI 2. Customise the application form 3. Complete the online form 4. Check your application 5. Take note of the documents you need to send 6. Complete the declarations taking note of your maintenance requirement 7. Make your payment 8. Print your application cover sheet 9. Book your appointment (if applicable) 10. Send your documents to UKVI (if applicable) 1. Creating an account with UKVI In order to start the application process, you first need to set up an account on the UKVI website. Go to: www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa/extend-your-visa, choose APPLY ONLINE and then Find Forms. You will see this screen 2
Complete your personal information and choose the Tier 4 Student Online application option. On next screen select Log in to Apply Online and Register if you do not have password. You must complete your personal details and read and agree to the terms and conditions, then choose Next. You will receive an e-mail telling you how to activate your account. 2. Customise the application form At this stage, you need to provide some basic information. As the information you give will be automatically entered into other areas of the form, it is important that you complete this correctly. Is a representative acting for you in relation to this application? Only choose Yes if you have a representative such as a solicitor making this application on your behalf. Using the University Student Batch Scheme (see section below) is not considered as a formal representative. Were you issued with a biometric residence permit for your current or last grant of leave? Choose Yes if your current (or most recent) visa is printed on a biometric residence permit (ID card). Choose No if your visa is printed inside your passport. 3. Important information on completing the online form The answers that you provide will determine which questions you are asked throughout the form. For example, if you state you have dependants, you will be asked to provide their details. Questions that are marked with * are compulsory. You must fill them in so that you are able to submit your application. It is recommended that you save each section as you go. Your answers are automatically saved but if you do not use the system for a while, you will automatically be logged out. You can save your answers and come back to them later if necessary. If you do not access your account for more than 56 days, it will be deleted. You are advised to read the UKVI advice on the Start page. Throughout the form, guidance is available on specific questions and terms. Read through it carefully and where necessary, choose the More guidance option. 3
The information you are entering on this form cannot be viewed or changed once the form has been submitted. It is therefore very important that all the information you enter on the form is accurate. Pay attention in particular to personal details (name, date of birth, passport number) and contact details (correspondence address). Finally, please note that the date of your application is the date when you submit your application online and pay for the fee. Once you have done this, you have to post your supporting evidence within 15 working days. It is therefore important that you take advice to ensure both your application form and your supporting documents are in order BEFORE submitting the application online and paying for the fee. International Student Support Service Guidance The International Student Support Service has put together guidance on completing the online form and the process you need to follow. a. Home Page There are 12 sections of the application form which need completing. This Home Page will show you which areas are complete and which are outstanding. Lead applicant: this refers to you the student b. Contact details All students should enter their personal contact details, including their Nottingham address. Please note that once the form has been submitted online, it is not possible to amend the correspondence address. Make sure you enter the correct address for correspondence and that you will be able to receive letters from UKVI at this address. Students using the Student Batch Scheme (see details at end of this guidance), should complete their correspondence address details as below: 4
Use the photo page in your current passport to complete this section. You must also include details of all previous passports you have had. c. Reference Numbers UKVI Reference Number: If you have previously made a UK visa application, you will find your previous application reference number on the letters you received from UKVI, or on your previous visas. d. Passport or travel document National Insurance Number: If you have a National Insurance number, make sure you include it even if you are not currently working. Make sure you enter your passport information correctly 5
e. Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) BRP number is the number found in the top right hand corner. If you have previously applied for a Tier 4 visa from within the UK, your visa will be issued on a BRP. You should use it to complete this section. f. Previous address details You should ensure that you give details of ALL your previous addresses in the UK, even if you only lived there for a short time. g. Personal history You must give details of all criminal convictions. This includes road traffic offences but not fixed penalty notices (such as speeding or parking tickets) unless they were part of a court sentence. It includes all drink driving offences. A Civil Judgement is where a court has ordered you to pay money to another person or party usually because of damages or monetary loss incurred by that person or party. h. Immigration history You must answer immigration history questions carefully. It is very important that you give accurate information. Giving incorrect details could lead to your application being refused. If you are unsure as to how to answer any of the questions, please contact the International Student Support Service. 6
If your visa has already expired, ensure you contact the International Student Support Service for advice prior to making your application. All students are strongly advised to avoid the situation of overstaying (this means staying in the UK after their visa has expired without making a valid application). Entry clearance/ visa: this refers to the visa you obtained in your home country before coming to the UK. You should include details of this visa even if you have subsequently obtained a new visa from within the UK. i. Public Funds Public funds are certain welfare benefits and access to social housing. International students with Tier 4 student visas are prohibited from accessing these funds. If you claim 'public funds' when you should not, the UK immigration authorities can refuse your immigration application or remove you from the UK. You might be barred from returning to the UK for a certain period. If you are unsure as to how to proceed with your visa application, contact the International Student Support Service for advice. j. T4 Course details You will find all of the information that you need to complete this section on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). This is sent to you by email. You are advised to check it very carefully and if there are any errors or omissions, you should contact the University as soon as possible. If you haven't started your course yet, your CAS will be produced by the University's Admissions Team. If you have any queries about this, you should contact them by email (applications@ntu.ac.uk). Students progressing from NTIC to NTU should contact nticcasenquiries@ntu.ac.uk. If you are a continuing student and you need to extend your visa in order to complete your current course, the International Student Support Service will produce your CAS. You will need to complete an online request form: www.ntu.ac.uk/apps/student_services/cas_form/confirmation_of_acceptance_of_studies. aspx Students applying for the Doctorate Extension Scheme (DES) need to submit a DES: intention to apply form. This is done online at: www.ntu.ac.uk/student_services/international_students/visas_and_immigration/cas_num ber/index.html. Your CAS will include full details of your PhD studies and you should include these on your application form. You will indicate your intention to apply for DES in the T4 Course details section: 7
The University s full official address is: Nottingham Trent University Burton Street Nottingham NG1 4BU Students at the Clifton Campus only should complete the address of their primary site of study: City based students: choose yes Clifton based students: choose no and complete Clifton address. What is the level of qualification you will be awarded when you successfully complete your course? Please refer to the list below to ascertain the NQF level of your course: Your Course at NTU Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP) NQF Level CEFR Level B2 Diploma of higher education NQF Level 5 Foundation degree NQF Level 5 Higher National Diploma (HND) NQF Level 5 Bachelor Degree (eg BSc(Hons), BA(Hons) NQF Level 6 8
Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) NQF Level 6 Legal Practice Course (LPC) Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) Master Degree (eg MSc, MBA, MA, MRes, LLM) NQF Level 7 Postgraduate Certificate NQF Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma NQF Level 7 Doctorates (eg PhD and including DES applicants) NQF Level 8 k. Maintenance This is the area where most students have difficulties. You should ensure that you fully understand the maintenance requirements and how they apply to your personal circumstances. You should also check that your financial evidence fully meets all of the requirements set out by UKVI. Your CAS will show your course fees and how much the University has received so far. If you make a further payment after your CAS has been issued but before submitting your visa application, it is important that your CAS is updated. You must contact the team who issued your CAS: Students new to NTU should email applications@ntu.ac.uk Students progressing from NTIC should email nticcasenquiries@ntu.ac.uk and continuing students should email int.support@ntu.ac.uk. Are you an established student? UKVI use the term established student to refer to a student who has been studying in the UK for a while and therefore can show a lower amount of funds to prove they meet the maintenance requirement. You will qualify as an established student if you meet the following requirements: On the day you make your visa application you have a valid Tier 4 student visa AND during the time period of that visa, you have completed a course which was at least six 9
months long (or you are applying for a visa to complete a course, of which you have already studied six months). Students with established presence will need to demonstrate they have 1600 available for their living expenses. All other students will need to demonstrate that they have 800 for every month they intend to study in the UK, up to a maximum of 7200. If you are unsure of your status, you are advised to contact the International Student Support Service for further guidance. l. General attributes What is the level of the course you are applying for? Please refer to the previous list to ascertain the NQF level of your course. ATAS: Your CAS notification will indicate if you need to apply for an ATAS certificate. ATAS applications can be made online at www.gov.uk/academic-technology-approvalscheme. Check the International Student Support Service guidance note for more information. 4. Check your application When you think you have finished your application, you have the opportunity to check it. If there is any information missing, you can go back to the Home page which will tell you which sections have the omissions. The Home section will show you which sections are complete and which have information missing. If you wish to use our application checking service, STOP and print a draft of the form now If you wish to use our application checking service (see section 11), you must STOP and print a draft copy of the form at this stage. In order to do this, you will need to go back to my account (top right hand corner of your screen), and click on View application. Your form will show on your screen as a PDF document you need to print this. 10
Please note, the system will not allow you to submit your application if there is information missing. However, you are additionally advised to re-check all your answers to ensure they are accurate. Once the application has been submitted online, it is not possible to view or change the information provided. All students are advised to save a draft of their application form this is your record of the information you have provided to UKVI. 5. Documents required: Use this section to indicate exactly which documents you are sending as evidence that you meet the UKVI requirements. If you have not yet prepared your documents, you should save your application and return to it when your documents are ready. Low Risk Nationals: Students from the following countries should prepare the documents marked by * below. However, they should not be sent to UKVI unless they are specifically requested. Document Checklist Argentina, Australia, BNO, Botswana, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan (if you hold a passport which include the number of the identification card issued by the competent authority in Taiwan), Trinidad and Tobago, USA For further guidance on these documents please refer to: www.ntu.ac.uk/student_services/international_students/applying_for_a_tier_4uk/doc uments/index.html Document To be provided by Current passport All students 2 passport photos All students Biometric All students in possession of a BRP Residence Permit (BRP) Police Registration All students with the requirement to register with the Police Certificate 11
* Personal bank statements * Parent s bank statements, birth certificate and letter from parents * Official sponsorship letter * Documents used to obtain offer *ATAS certificate * Professional translations Prepaid Special Delivery envelope Students who pay their fees themselves : Students who are using their parent s bank statements as evidence they meet the maintenance requirement Students who have an official financial sponsor, eg their Government All students, unless assessed on progress to date (see your CAS) Students who are studying specific research courses Students who are submitting documents which are not in English must provide a professional translation. All students sending their documents by post (rather than applying in person) NB students with dependants will need additional documentation, see the International Student Support Service guide to dependant applications. 6. Declarations Check the maintenance requirement: you will need to provide evidence that you have this amount of money. If you think it is not correct, you will need to return to the maintenance section. You are required to answer all questions within the application truthfully. It is a criminal offence to make a false statement. Omissions or attempts to falsify information could result in your application being refused. After agreeing to the declarations, choose Next. Please note, after you have chosen Next you will not be able to review or amend your application. If there is anything you are not sure of, do not proceed without seeking advice from the International Student Support Service. 7. Payment Once you have submitted your application you will be taken to the payment screen to complete the process. Your visa application will not be complete until you have paid the application fee online. You will have approximately 10 minutes before the payment screen times-out for security reasons, so ensure that you have your debit or credit card to hand and that there are sufficient funds to cover the cost of your application. Current application fees as at March 2014 are as follows: 406* for standard applications (made by post) IF YOU NEED ADVICE ON YOUR APPLICATION, STOP AND GO BACK TO THE MANAGE MY ACOUNT PAGE TO PRINT A DRAFT APPLICATION FORM. DO NOT TICK THE NEXT BOX AS YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO REVIEW OR AMEND YOUR APPLICATION 12
781* for premium application (made in person) *Application fees are reviewed and updated regularly. From 06 April 2014, application fees will be 422 (standard) and 822 (premium). The following methods of payment are accepted: Mastercard Visa credit, Visa debit, Visa Electron Amex Maestro Solo Please note that the date of your application is the date when you submit your application online and pay for the fee. Once you have done this, you have to post your supporting evidence or attend an appointment with specific timescales (see below). 8. Print your application Please note, this is not a comprehensive copy of the information you have provided it is only a cover sheet to accompany your documents. You are advised to print (and keep) a copy of the draft form as your record of the answers you have provided. At this stage, you need to print two copies of the cover sheet one to keep for your records one to submit to UKVI with your documents. You are now required to print your application cover sheet. If you are not connected to a printer, you should exit and resume your application later. If you are connected to a printer, choose Next. You will be required to send this print-out to UKVI make sure you keep it safe with your documents. 9. Book your appointment (in person applications) Some students may prefer to use the UKVI Premium Service, for example if you have travel plans and need to receive your visa quickly. Before deciding how to apply, please refer to the International Student Support Service guidance notes on making your application. If you decide to submit your application in person, you will need to ensure that you attend an appointment within 45 working days of submitting your application online and paying the fee. Should you cancel your appointment with less than 5 days notice or fail to attend, you will lose a 100 booking fee. 13
10. Sending your documents to UKVI (postal applications) Students who decide to submit their application by post will pay a fee of 406* (* 422 from 06 April 2014). You should follow the instructions on screen for postal applications and ensure that you print two copies of the cover sheet when prompted to do so. You have 15 working days from the date you submit the application online and pay for the fee to send your cover sheet and original documents to UKVI. If you fail to send the documents within this period, your application will be rejected as invalid. 11. Student Batch Scheme If your application is straightforward, the International Student Support Service can send your documents to the Student Batch Scheme on your behalf. Please note that we will only accept your application and documents providing you meet our conditions: You must provide a draft of the application before submitting it online, together with all of the correct supporting documents in original format plus an additional photocopy. You must enclose a pre-paid special delivery envelope ( 6.95 from the Post Office) for the safe return of your passport and documents. You must submit your documents to the Student Services Centre by the deadline specified by the International Student Support Service. You must agree to the full terms and conditions of using the Scheme. You will receive a copy of our full terms and conditions which we will ask you to agree to prior to your documents being sent. If you wish to use this service you should complete the different sections of the online form up to the declaration stage. Prior to submitting the form online, you should submit a draft copy of the form and your original documents to our team in the Student Services Centre in Newton. Your application will then be checked and you will have the opportunity to ask any questions. As soon as your application has been submitted online, you will need to bring your application cover sheet to the Student Services Centre. The International Student Support Service will be the point of contact for your application if UKVI has any queries. Your application will be sent to UKVI by special delivery and returned to us using the special delivery envelope you have provided. Your biometric residence permit (ID card) will be delivered to us by courier. You will be contacted by email when your documents have been returned and advised of collection arrangements. Please note we will keep copies of your passport and your visa on the central student records system. 14