PREPARING TO GO - SU Abroad - Syracuse University

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VISA INFORMATION A visa is a stamp inside your passport that gives you permission to travel to a specific country for a set period of time. The visa is issued by the British Consulate in New York City for students applying in the US and by the British Consulate or embassy in your home country for those applying outside of the US. There are two categories of visas for students studying in the United Kingdom. Most students will obtain a Tier 4 Student Visa or will enter the UK as a Student Visitor without a visa. For more information, visit http://suabroad.syr.edu/destinations/london/visainformation.html. You will receive an e-mail with detailed instructions on this process. There is a third category of visas for non-US citizens who are visa nationals. If you are a citizen of one of the countries listed, you need to apply ahead of time for a student visitor visa. If you are also planning to work, do an internship, or stay longer than 6 months (or continue in a summer UK program), you must apply for the Tier 4 visa. All students should complete the London Visa Form (a post acceptance form), and return it to Gail Rich as soon as possible (gnrich@syr.edu) but no later than May 1, 2012. This is very important because failure to do so will result in you not getting the materials you need for your specific visa requirements. The UK Border Agency now has a Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/ukba.in.the.usa Visa Regulations and housing: Please note that due to these new UK visa requirements, all SU London students must take part in one of the SU housing options, either pre-arranged or independent. I. TIER 4 STUDENT VISA is required if: 1) You are considering applying for a work/study position (SU students only), an internship in any field, or participating in long-term volunteer or community service opportunities. While an internship placement is not guaranteed and is subject to a successful interview, the internship coordinator will work one on one with the student to find a placement best suited to his/her abilities and interests. We generally have an ample supply of engaging and educating internship placements to offer. Any questions regarding this can be directed to External Relations Coordinator Amelie Laparra in London at alaparra@syr.edu. 2) You are contemplating ANY KIND OF PAID WORK IN THE UK Please note that you are not allowed to work for more than 20 hours per week, and you should not count on being able to obtain employment when budgeting for your time in the UK. 3) If you are planning to participate in a yearlong program in the UK. If you are considering an academic year abroad you will need to apply for a yearlong visa. If you later decide not to stay in London for the spring semester it will not be a problem, but you will not be able to apply to stay if you do not already have a visa. Please notify Gail Rich (gnrich@syr.edu) if you would like a yearlong visa. The Tier 4 visa requires several steps: 1) Complete an online application at http://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/. Make sure you have had $1,500 in your bank account for the 30 days prior to completing the online application ($2,500 if you are applying for the academic year). Please note that the online visa form is only valid for 30 days from the date you begin the application process online. Preparing to Go: London – Fall 2012 5
2) Schedule an appointment for your biometrics (digital photo and finger scan) to be taken as part of the online application. This is the last step of the online application before making your payment. 3) Have your biometrics taken (you must bring to your appointment with you: 1) the printed appointment confirmation. You will receive this via e-mail after you schedule the appointment online, 2) valid travel document (passport), 3) printed online application. 4) Within 2 weeks of having the biometrics taken, mail in your passport, application form, and other supporting documents (see list below) to the consulate overnight express and insure it for $200 so you can track it. Make two copies of all of your application materials; mail one copy along with your original documentation and keep a copy for your records. You should have all your documents ready to send to the UK Border Agency at the appropriate British Consulate by July 15 in order to ensure you have it back in time for departure. You can only apply on line for the visa three months in advance (no earlier than June 10). It normally takes 2-3 weeks for the visa to be processed once the consulate has your passport and supporting documents (more during busy times in the summer). If you can't send in your materials by July 15, you should consider purchasing the Priority or Premium Service for an additional fee. Or you can use a visa agent/facilitor service. Required application materials/supporting documents checklist You will need to send the following materials to the British Consulate within 2 weeks of having the biometrics taken: • Completed online visa application form (at www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk). Print out the application after you complete it as one of the supporting documents. • Original US passport, valid for six months after the program ends. Your passport must be signed. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE VISA IS STAMPED INSIDE THE PASSPORT so the one you submit to the British Consulate is the one you must travel with. • Two passport sized photos (they must be professionally printed or taken in a passport photo booth) please see specific instructions online here: www.ukvisas.gov.uk/resources/en/docs/12160810/Photoguide • Application fee The fee is currently approximately $400 (£255 but in April it will increase to £289 or approx. $450). Payment should be made online at the time of application with a Visa or MasterCard. At the time of application, you must also pay a $12 fee to cover the cost of shipping your passport back to you after the visa is issued. Select the Return Mail box when applying online and this amount will be added to your total. The $12 fee must always be paid unless you have arranged for a courier/expediting service to submit your application on your behalf. • Point Based System Appendix 8: Tier 4 (General) Student Self-Assessment download the form here: www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/vafs at the bottom of the page (PBS Appendix 8 General Student self-assessment form). Details on completing this form are in the visa packet. o CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies from SUL - Syracuse University in London). A CAS is a unique reference number that has replaced Visa Letters for all Tier 4 applications. SU London is the sponsor and they will provide students with a CAS Preparing to Go: London – Fall 2012 6
Page 1 and 2: PREPARING TO GO London, England: fa
Page 3 and 4: Syracuse University Abroad London p
Page 5: PROGRAM CONTACT INFORMATION SU Lond
Page 9 and 10: When the UK Border Agency has made
Page 11 and 12: Weather - Check online for the curr
Page 13 and 14: GETTING TO LONDON There are two opt
Page 15 and 16: LIVING IN LONDON Housing and facili
Page 17 and 18: Council tax This is a tax payable b
Page 19 and 20: Computer lab hours Monday: 8:30 a.m
Page 21 and 22: Work study/internships It is illega
Page 23 and 24: is included in your program fee. Fo
Page 25 and 26: • Carry the medication and the au
Page 27 and 28: FINANCIAL INFORMATION Tuition, prog
Page 29 and 30: overseas, the check will be sent to
Page 31 and 32: Also, if you participate in an SU L
Page 33 and 34: ADV 206, COM 400.1, and TRF 560.1 a
Page 35 and 36: PROGRAM CALENDAR SYRACUSE UNIVERSIT
Page 37: GLOBAL AMBASSADORS/STUDENT PEER ADV

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