TIER 4 VISA GUIDE - Ravensbourne · Prepare the evidence you need. Apply. Attend an appointment. Check what you can bring with you. Check what you need to show at the UK border. After

TIER 4 VISA GUIDE

Facebook: Ravensbourne International StudentsEmail: [email protected]: +44(0) 20 3040 3667

Outside the UK

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Meeting the requirements of Tier 4 (Outside the UK)

To qualify for a Tier 4 (General) visa an applicant must meet the following main requirements:• You must not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal

(no criminal convictions, you must not have an adverse immigration history and/or breached the conditions of your UK immigration permission, if applicable).

• You must have been issued with a valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). As Ravensbourne has issued a valid CAS to you, you will obtain 30 points.

• You must have attained 10 points for maintenance.

Before we assign you a CAS, you must provide us with evidence that you have sufficient funds to cover the cost of your living expenses in the UK for at least 9 months (as well as any outstanding tuition fees you will owe if you have only paid the £5,000 non-refundable CAS deposit). The current ‘maintenance’ funds you are required to show is £11,385. Students receiving US Student Loans are not required to submit bank statements confirming that they have sufficient funds if they are receiving a loan covering their tuition and maintenance costs.

• If required by UKVI to attend a visa interview you must do so and be able to demonstrate to the Entry Clearance Officer that you are able to communicate in English at the standard of proficiency confirmed by us in your CAS.

• You must also demonstrate to the Entry Clearance Officer that you are a genuine student.

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You must submit your Tier 4 (General) entry clearance/visa application to a Visa Application Centre (VAC) or British Diplomatic Post in your country of origin or lawful residence up to 3 months before your course start date. Below please find the procedure involved and the documentation you will need to provide for your visa application. Before beginning your online application please check the published visa processing times in the country you will be making your application.

Applying for your Tier 4 (General) visa from outside the UK

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Check if this visa is right for

you

Prepare the evidence you

need

Apply

Attend an appointment

Check what you can bring with

you

Check what you need to show at the UK border

After you arrive in the UK

Tier 4 Visa Application Step by Step Guide

What you need to know about making a Tier 4 student visa application, including how and when to apply.

Click on the relevant box for more details on each stage of the process.

Start

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• Take and obtain a Tuberculosis (TB) test certificate, if applicable. Please do this as soon as possible so as not to delay your visa application. Find out if you are required to obtain a TB test for your visa application and for a list of UKVI approved test centres in your home country here. You do not need to retake their TB test, if they have lived in a non TB country (such as the UK) for at least 6 months prior to the date of your visa application.

• Complete the online visa application form by visiting the UKVI’s online visa application page.

• Pay the required visa application fees;

• Complete your Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) registration and pay the appropriate fee. Check how much you will be required to pay for your IHS by visiting the UKVI website . Please note that you will have to pay the IHS fee for the full period of your visa. (i.e. for each year of your visa). If your visa includes part of a year that is six months or less you will be charged half of the yearly amount. However, If your visa includes part of a year that is more than six months, you will have to pay the full yearly amount;

• Once you have completed your application form you must submit the form online and pay the necessary fees and book your biometric enrolment appointment.

You are required to provide your biometric data (to get a biometric residence permit) as part of your Tier 4 visa application.

• Print your online application form and biometric confirmation sheet. If you use the new online application system you do not need to take a printout of the application form to your appointment but you should print a copy to retain for your own records;

• Enrol your biometric data at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) close to where you live, you may need to make an appointment in advance;

• Attend your visa appointment and take all required document with you to the appointment. Please refer to the document checklist which should be generated during the online application. You should not be required to take a printout of your application form but you should keep a copy of the completed application and all supporting documents you submit to UKVI for your own records.

Application process – steps

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Note: Ensure you click the save button at the bottom of each page before moving on to the next section. You must enter a valid CAS number on your online application form. If you do not provide one your application will be refused.

1. Go to the online application page to get your application started;

2. Select the type of Tier 4 visa you are applying for, in most cases this will be Tier 4 (General). If you received a Chevening Scholarship then select ‘Tier 4 student visa (for Chevening, Marshall and Commonwealth scholars);

3. Enter the country in which you are making your application and wish to provide your biometrics. Check for biometric enrolment availability and confirm that you are able to attend a VAC in order to enrol your biometrics data.

4. Begin your application by registering your email and password;

5. Once you have registered your account, you will need to enter your personal and contact information as required. You should then receive an email from UKVI asking you to verify your account;

6. Ensure the auto-filled information in the personal details section is correct and complete the remaining personal details;

7. Travel Information: (1)Enter your planned arrival date (you can enter up to one month before the start date of your course)*; (2) how long you intend to remain in the UK (this will depend on your course start and end dates-refer to your CAS letter for details).

*Intended travel date: enter the earliest date you may wish to travel to the UK as you may not be permitted to enter the UK prior to the date detailed on your 30days visa. You cannot enter the UK more than one month before the start date of your course. You should plan to arrive in the UK at least a few days before the enrolment period at Ravensbourne. Please refer to the Ravensbourne’s New Student and the Tier 4 Offer Holder Information pages on our website for specific enrolment dates and other important information.

Instructions for completing the online application form

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8. Course Details: (1) enter the details of your course fees, how much you have paid to Ravensbourne). If you have paid your course fees please select ‘My sponsor has confirmed this information on my CAS’ in response to the question ‘How can you prove this amount has been paid? (2) Select ‘No’ to the question whether you have paid any money for accommodation to your sponsor (Ravensbourne).

• Name of sponsor institution: ‘Ravensbourne University London’;• Are you going to be a student union sabbatical: ‘No’;• Qualification you will get? : You can find this information on your Offer letter from Ravensbourne (RQF 3/6/7);• Course Name/Start and end dates: Please insert your relevant course details, this can be found on the ‘Offer letter’ and CAS

letter you received from us.• Will you be studying at a school or Higher Education Institution? Enter ‘Higher Education Institution’

9. ATAS details: Select ‘No’ in response to this question

10. Personal information: Enter your relevant personal details information. You will also be asked questions about your family in your home country, family in the UK (if applicable), accommodation details, travel history and other related history. When answering the question about the main address where you will be staying in the UK. Please enter the following details if your residential address in the UK has not yet been confirmed: Insert: ‘Ravensbourne University London, 6 Penrose Way, Greenwich Digital Peninsula, London SE10 0EW, telephone number: +44(0) 020 3040 3680, email contact: [email protected].

Instructions for completing the online application form

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11. UCAS: Select ‘Yes or No’ in response to this question and enter your number if you have one.

12. Study as a Tier 4 (Child) student: respond as appropriate to your circumstances.

13. People financially dependent on you? (Please confirm your answer).

14. Sponsor section:• give your Tier 4 sponsor licence number– D6JMMF0A4;• your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies number? Please insert your CAS number which is detailed in the CAS letter

we sent you. • Points claimed:

• Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies– 30;• Maintenance– 10;• Total – 40.

15. When completing the ‘Maintenance and Fees’ section of your online application form you should refer to the information provided on the CAS letter you received from Ravensbourne.

16. Enter details about your financial documents: e.g. whether your name is written on the bank account being used and if not whether you have permission to use your parent(s)’ bank account. Confirm whether you will be receiving official financial sponsorship, in most cases you should answer ‘No’ unless you have official financial sponsorship. Refer to the Tier 4 Policy guidance for more information about what is considered official financial sponsorship.

Instructions for completing the online application form

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17. English language:• Enter details about whether you currently/previously studied in the UK as a Tier 4 (Child); • Are you coming to the UK to study at a higher education institution? Enter ‘Yes’. Please indicate how you meet the

minimum English language requirement relevant to your course– Select the option that is relevant to your circumstances. Please refer to your CAS letter if you are unsure.

18. Student Loan: Confirm whether you are receiving a Student Loan and answer the other relevant questions. Student loan usually refers to a US Federal or Sally Mae Loan or another educational type loans.

19. Once you have entered all the details required on the application form a ‘document checklist’ should be generated. Please ensure that you carefully reviewed the documents listed, and read the additional guidance/information for each document you are required to submit, as you will need to provide them as part of your application, unless exempt*. *Students eligible for ‘Differentiation Arrangements are able to submit less documents with their visa application, check whether you are eligible for differentiation arrangements here.

Instructions for completing the online application form

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.20. Please carefully check your answers for each section of your form. You will then be asked to confirm your answers on the form ‘Declaration’ section of the form.

21. You will then be invited to pay the relevant application and Immigration Health Surcharge fees and book an appointment to enrol your biometric data at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) close to where you live.

22. When you have completed and submitted your online application form, you should be asked to select a location to collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) from, which should be the Post Office or UKVCAS centre nearest to your residential or study address in the UK.

Instructions for completing the online application form

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Supporting documentation required for your visa application

• Please refer to the ‘document checklist’ which should be generated at the end of your online visa application for information about the ‘mandatory’ and ‘other’ supporting documents you will need to submit to UKVI as part of your visa application.

• You should have a choice of uploading copies of your documents yourself through the website of the relevant VAC (e.g. VFS global) or taking the original/copies of the documents with you to your appointment at the VAC where they will be scanned, please note that there is usually a fee for the scanning service. Please note that you must take your original passport(s) (current and previous) when you attend your visa appointment at the VAC, even if you uploaded scanned copies prior to your appointment.

• If you are required to submit a valid tuberculosis (TB) test result as part of your visa application please ensure that you upload a copy of your TB certificate prior to your appointment or take it with you to the visa appointment.

• We recommend retaining copies of your completed application form and all supporting documents you submit with your visa application for your own records.

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Financial documentsIf required to do so, you should aim to submit the same bankstatement(s) you provided to Ravensbourne to evidence yourfinances with your visa application. If you submit a bankstatement that is different from the one that was assessed byRavensbourne and there is insufficient money in your/yourparent’s bank account, your visa application is likely to berefused. If you need to submit a different bank statement pleasecontact Ravensbourne before submitting your visa application toUKVI. If you are using your parent’s bank statement you mustalso provide evidence of your relationship (eg birthcertificate/family register) and a letter from them confirming thatthey will fund your studies in the UK. If you are being financiallysponsored by a government or an international scholarshipagency you must submit an official letter (original/copy) fromthem confirming the details of your sponsorship. Please refer tothe UKVI Tier 4 Policy Guidance and our Tier 4 Offer Holderpage for more information. Your/your parent’s’/legal guardian’sbank statement must be dated no earlier than 31 days beforethe date of you submitted your visa application online, so youmust apply for your Tier 4 visa soon as possible once we haveprovided you with your CAS letter.

Students receiving US Student Federal Loans covering their tuitionand maintenance costs are not required to submit bank statementsconfirming that they have sufficient funds for their tuition andmaintenance. Ravensbourne will issue you with an award letterdetailing your loan amounts and disbursement dates. If you areeligible for ‘differentiation arrangements’ you should not berequired to submit the award letter with your Tier 4 visaapplication but keep it to hand in the event that UKVI requests it.

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You will need to submit a letter of parental consent with your visaapplication. The letter from your parent(s)/legal guardian(s) mustconfirm the following:• the relationship between you and your parent(s)/legal guardian(s);• that they have given their consent for you to make a Tier 4 visa

application;• that they agree to the arrangements made for your travel to and

reception in the UK and/or to you travelling independently to theUK;

• that they agree to your living arrangements in the UK. If you willbe living in the UK independently, that they have consented toyou living independently in the UK; and

• whether they have legal custody or sole responsibility for you. Ifthey have sole custody then they must sign the letter. If they donot, the letter must confirm that each of your parent(s) or legalguardian(s) agree to the contents of the letter and it must besigned by each parent or legal guardian.

Please refer to the Tier 4 Policy Guidance for more details on thespecific information on what the letter of parental consent shouldinclude.

UNDER18?

Students under the age of 18

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Eligible ‘differentiation arrangements’ nationals*

Nationals of certain countries are not required to submit their financial or educational documentation with their Tier 4 visa application because they qualify for a ‘differentiation

arrangement’. Please note that this exemption only applies where the individual is applying for UK entry clearance in his/her country of nationality or country of legal residence or for

leave to remain in the UK.

Note, if you are from a country eligible for ‘differentiation arrangements’ although you are not required to submit the documents with your visa application you may be asked for them at any point whilst your application is being processed. If you cannot provide documentation when requested, your application could be refused. We strongly advise that you read the

details of the financial and educational documents detailed in your CAS letter and collect all supporting documents as if you were required to submit them at the same time as your visa

application. To check whether your country is eligible for ‘differentiation arrangements’, please see Appendix H of the Immigration Rules.

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English translationIf any of your documents are not in English or Welsh, you must submit the original and a fully certified translation by a

professional translator or translation company. This includes your financial documents.Please ensure that your translations meet UKVI requirement, go to the Tier 4 Policy Guidance for more information.

We suggest keeping scanned copies of all the documents submitted with your visa application.

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If you wish to bring your family members (dependants) to the UK with you (spouse/civil partner andchildren only), we would advise that they submit their visa application(s) at the same time as you.

As part of your visa application process, you will need to complete an online visa application formfor each of your family members and pay the appropriate visa application and Immigration HealthSurcharge fees.

You/your dependent(s) must also submit evidence to show that you have held the requiredmaintenance funds, currently £845 (i.e. £7,605) for each month for which you, if successful would begranted leave, up to a maximum of nine months for each dependant. The evidence (e.g. bankstatement/bank letter) must be dated no more than 31 days before your/their visa application(s)is/are submitted online.

Applicants eligible for ‘Differentiation arrangements’: If you and your dependent(s) qualify for ‘differentiation arrangements’ and they apply for their visa(s) at the same time as you, you/they will not be required to submit evidence of the maintenance funds. However, you/they must have the required financial/maintenance documentation in the required format in the event that UKVI requests it/them whilst your application(s) is/are being processed. Please note if your dependant(s) do/does not submit their visa application(s) at the same time as you, they will be required to submit evidence that you/they have held the required maintenance funds for 28 consecutive days in a bank account with their visa application(s).

• You/your family must also submit evidence confirming how they are related to you (e.g. original birth certificate and/or marriage certificate) with your/their visa applications.

Please refer to UKVI’s PBS (Dependant) Policy Guidance and UKVI website for more information.

Bringing your family with you to the UK

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Home Office UKVI Credibility Interviews for Tier 4 visa applicants

As part of your application, you may be asked to attend a ‘credibility interview’. This will usually be conducted at a UKVI VAC centre in the

country where you made your visa application either in-person or by video link. The purpose of the interview is to check your credibility as

a ‘genuine student’.

What will they ask?

The interviewer may ask about your reasons for choosing the UK, Ravensbourne and your specific course/programme of study as well as

questions on the content of your course and how this fits into your career aspirations (post study plans), what other institutions you looked

at (UK and non-UK) and your finances (source of funds), whether you need to work in the UK during your studies to support yourself

(remember Tier 4 students can only work a limited number of hours during their studies and you should not rely on work to support

yourself whilst studying in the UK). The interviewer may also ask you about your immigration history.

Please note that the interviewer will also be checking your ability to converse well in English so speak clearly and naturally. If there is anyissue with hearing them clearly e.g. via the video link, you should ensure that you raise this so that they are aware that it is a technicalissue not one of comprehension. Honesty is also very important.

Please research and prepare your answers to the questions you could be asked if interviewed by UKVI. Try practising your answers with yourfamily/friends over a period of one or two weeks before the submission of your visa application. However, do not memorise your answers ortry to read from your notes during the interview.

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How will the interview affect your application?The UKVI Entry Clearance Officer dealing with your application will be given a copy of the transcript of the

interview and will use that to assess your credibility along with the other documents you provided with the

application.

If you are required to attend an UKVI interview please contact Ravensbourne as soon as you have been informed of the date. Please also feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

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Tier 4 visa approvalOnce your visa application is approved you should receive your documents and your 30 days ‘shortterm’ visa/vignette from UKVI within a few days. Please provide us with a copy of visa/vignette and thedecision letter from UKVI by uploading them to the HEI apply portal or emailing them to youradmissions officer.

Visa refusalsIf your visa application is refused. Please inform us within 48 hours by emailing: [email protected] or emailing your International Admissions officer directly. Please provide us with a copy of the decision letter. Please refer to the Tier 4 (General) visa page on our website for more information on what to do in the event of a refusal.

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Travelling to the UKTo ensure that you have everything you need to get through the UK border as quickly as possible, please

ensure that you carry the following in your hand luggage for easy access:

● Your current passport with your 30 day visa vignette;

● Your completed landing card;● The CAS letter you received from Ravensbourne

with your CAS number and details about your course/programme of study;

● Your TB test certificate, if applicable, and any other medical documentation;

● The bank statement you submitted with your visa application; and

● Details of where you are staying in the UK as the Immigration Officer may ask to see this information.

Please note that you must not enter the UK before the ‘valid from’ date detailed on your 30 days “short term” visa endorsement. If you are eligible to use the

ePassport gates you are able to scan your passport and will not receive an entry stamp.

Please inform us once you have confirmed your date of travel to the UK.

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Entry to the UKOn entry to the UK, you must present your 30 days short term visa endorsement in your passport to the Immigration Officer, unless you are eligible to use the ePassport gates. The Immigration Officer should then stamp your passport with the date of entry. If you are eligible to use the ePassport gates you are able to scan your passport and will not receive an entry stamp. Check here if your are eligible to use the ePassportgates.

As mentioned before, you are required to attend a designatedPost Office or UKVCAS centre once you arrive in the UK tocollect your BRP. The BRP should detail the period you areallowed to remain in the UK to study at Ravensbourne. Youmust collect your BRP from the relevant Post Office orUKVCAS centre detailed in the decision letter from the HomeOffice, within 10 days of your arrival in the UK as failure to doso may result in you being subject to a financial penalty orcancellation of your leave. We would also advise that you callahead to confirm that your BRP is ready for collection beforeattending the relevant UKVCAS or Post Office.

You must also take your passport containing your 30 day “shortterm” visa vignette and your decision letter when you attend theUKVCAS centre or post office to collect your BRP. Please note thatrelevant collection site may retain your BRP for up to 60 daysbefore returning it to the Home Office however if you fail to collectyour BRP within 10 days you will be deemed non-compliant andwill be subject to the administrative process in place to deal withsuch delays.

Please note that if your travel to the UK is delayed by more than 30days after your 30 day “short term” visa vignette has been issued,you will be required to apply for a replacement 30 daysvisa/vignette in order to travel to the UK. Currently the fee is £189and may take three weeks or more to be processed.

Please upload a copy of your BRP and UKVI decision letter to theInternal Admissions Portal to enable us to confirm that you havebeen granted the correct leave, alternatively you may email it/themto us.

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Enrolment and International Student Orientation

You will be sent details about Ravensbourne’s online enrolment process and the date for the Tier 4 student Orientation programme closer to the relevant time.

Police Registration

If required to do so, you must register/or attempt to register with UK Police within 7 days of your arrival in the UK. To check whether you are required to register with the UK Police please go to Appendix 2 of the Immigration Rules. For details on the registration process, please refer to

the OVRO website and the Tier 4 Offer Holder section on our website for more information.

For more information on the Tier 4 (General) visa application process and your responsibilities as a Tier 4(General) student please refer to the Home Office/UKVI Tier 4 Policy Guidance, UKVI website, UKCISA and our Tier 4 Visa and Immigration guide on the International webpage.

Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns by emailing: [email protected].

We look forward to seeing you soon, all the best and a safe journey to the UK!

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Useful Resources

• Tier 4 policy guidance• Ravensbourne Tier 4 Offer holder section• UKCISA• UKCISA (advice for Chinese students)