Applying for a Tier 4 visa outside the UK - Edge Hill University

Applying for a Tier 4 visa outside the
UK
Information for those who applying for their first tier 4 visa in their home
country
The student visa is a points-based visa system. You are required to have 40 points
in order to be granted a Tier 4 Student (General) visa. You obtain points for having a
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (a CAS) (30 points) and the required level of
maintenance funds (10 points).
When to apply?
You cannot apply for a visa under Tier 4 until you have an unconditional offer
for your course and have received an official visa certificate from the University. This
is called a CAS Statement and will be sent to you via e-mail, please check the
details on this are correct and inform us as soon as possible if they are not.
You can begin your Tier 4 application using your CAS no more than 3 months
before the start date of your course, but please ensure that you begin the process as
soon as you can within the 3 month timescale to ensure that you have your visa in
time to travel to the UK for the start of your course.
How to apply?
When you make an application under Tier 4, Edge Hill University becomes your
educational ‘sponsor’. This means that the University is responsible for you whilst
you complete your course here. This does not mean that the University is your
financial sponsor. When you receive your CAS Statement (please check the details
of this carefully) this is evidence that Edge Hill University have accepted to sponsor
you as a student in the UK.
Please read carefully the information on the following website before you start the
application process:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/studying/adult-students/
1. The cost of the Tier 4 application from outside the UK is £289.
2. You must have in your bank account the tuition fee for 1 year or any
outstanding tuition fees for the year plus an amount for living costs. This figure
should have been held in your account for a minimum of 28 days and the date
of your bank statements should be no more than one calendar month prior to
application of the visa extension.
Please see our Finance section at the end of this document for more
information
3. If you are studying a postgraduate course, you may require an Academic
Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate. If you are not sure please
contact the Centre for International Education.
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4. When applying all supporting documents must be included with your
application, these should all be originals. You should use the following as a
checklist:
Your completed VAF9 visa application form and the Appendix 8 form, if not
already made online.
1 x passport-sized colour photograph which meets the requirements (see
photograph box at the beginning of the form for more details).
Your passport.
Your unique CAS number (issued by email from Centre for International
Education).
Original certificates as specified on your CAS Statement.
Accepted translations of any documents not in English.
Personal bank or building society statements, letter from bank or building
society, Loan agreement or other financial documents. Please see our
Finance section for more information
Original official receipts for payments to the University not mentioned in your
CAS
A letter from your Official Financial Sponsor (if applicable).
ATAS certificate (if applicable).
Please also read the Supporting Documents guidance from the UKBA
accessed from:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/out-ofcountry/documents-t4-gen.pdf
You will need to provide 'biometric' information as part of the visa application
process. This biometric information consists of scans of all 10 of your fingers and a
full-face digital photograph. You will have to go in person to your nearest visa
application centre to provide your biometrics and submit your application.
Your visa application will not be processed until you have provided the necessary
biometric information.
Dependants: Each of your separate dependant family members (spouse, same-sex
partner, civil partner, unmarried partner or child under 18) will have to complete a
separate VAF-10 application form. You will need a set of documents for your own
application and a set of photocopies for your dependants' applications. For more
information on bringing your dependants please see our separate Dependants
information sheet.
TB testing
Applicants for UK visas valid for longer than six months from certain countries
require a certificate to show that they are free from infectious pulmonary tuberculosis
(TB). Testing is required for students from in Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cambodia,
Cote D’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ghana, Kenya, Laos, Niger,
Pakistan, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo & Uganda.
You should contact your British Embassy or High Commission for further information
about this process.
Updated 15 May 2012 Page 2

After you have applied…
It usually takes up to 15 working days from the date of biometric appointment for
your application to be processed, however at busy periods (August-September) it
can take longer.
The UKBA provide details of visa processing times on their website at:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/customs-travel/beforetravel/visas/processingtimes/
If you feel your application is taking an unreasonable amount of time or you are
worried about being late for your course starting please contact the Centre for
International Education.
When a decision has been made….
If you have been successful your visa will be issued for study at Edge Hill University,
stating Edge Hill University licence number on your visa stamp.
If you apply as a Tier 4 General student, your entry clearance will be as follows:
Type of Course Length of Course Length of Stay Allowed
Main course of study
(including Sabbatical
officers)
12 months of more The full length of the course
plus 4 months after the end
6 months or more, but less
than 12 months
of the course
The full length of the course
plus 2 months after the end
of the course
Less than 6 months The full length of the course
plus 7 days after the end of
the course
Pre-Sessional Course 12 months of more The full length of the course
plus 4 months after the end
6 months or more, but less
than 12 months
Post-graduate doctors or dentists on a recognised
foundation programme
of the course
The full length of the course
plus 2 months after the end
of the course
Less than 6 months The full length of the course
plus 1 month after the end
of the course
The full length of the course
(up to a maximum of 3
years) plus 1 month after
the end of the course
Your new visa will be valid for travel no more than 1 month before the official start
date of your new course as stated in your CAS.
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Make sure you arrive at Edge Hill University on the specified arrival dates ready for the
start of Orientation. Edge Hill University operates a meet & greet service from
Manchester or Liverpool airport for students. For further details about your arrival in the
UK, at Edge Hill and the orientation sessions please visit our website.
Do not travel through the Republic of Ireland to get to the UK, there is no
immigration control between the two countries and your visa will not be activated on
arrival in the UK.
Please ensure you register for your course during the required registration period. If you
do not and you do not inform the Centre for International Education at Edge Hill
University of your late arrival, Edge Hill University will report your non-arrival to the UK
Border Agency as a no-show, which will result in your visa being curtailed or cancelled.
If you change your mind about studying at Edge Hill University after your visa has been
issued, you will need to cancel that visa and re-apply for a new Tier 4 visa using a new
CAS from a different Tier 4 institution. Please note: you may not be eligible for any fees
paid to be returned and Edge Hill University are required to report your non-enrolment to
the UKBA.
Warning! It is a criminal offence to register at an institution if your visa has been
issued for study elsewhere.
If you have been unsuccessful you will be given the right of an administrative
review or need to make a fresh application.
An administrative review means your application is considered by another person at
the High Commission/Embassy who was not involved in the first decision. An
administrative review is free; you should however request this within 28 days of
receiving the refusal notice.
An administrative review can often take a long time so it may be a quicker option to
make a new application.
Please inform the Centre for International Education as soon as possible of a refusal
and email scanned refusal notification to the centre international@edgehill.ac.uk .
We shall then advise you of the best course of action.
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FINANCE INFORMATION
Maintenance funds- Information for those who applying for their first tier 4 visa
in their home country
You must be able to show that you have enough money to support yourself and to
pay your tuition fees. When you make your application, you will be awarded 10
points if you can show that you have enough money and you prove it to the UK
Border Agency.
You must have enough to pay for one year's tuition fees. In addition to this, you must
have a fixed amount of money to pay for your other costs, including accommodation
and other expenses; this is known as ‘maintenance allowance’.
You will need to show that you have enough money to pay your first year tuition fees,
minus what is already paid, and maintenance allowance of £800 per month again
minus what has already been paid to Edge Hill University for accommodation.
Maintenance allowance costs for the first year of study are £7,200 or £800 for every
month of your course if the course is less than 9 months in length.
The UKBA will only take into account £1000 maximum paid towards Edge Hill
University for accommodation costs. You may pay more if you wish but when
considering your visa application only £1000 will be deducted from the total amount
needed for maintenance.
You must have held this total amount (tuition fees plus maintenance allowance) for
at least 28 days. The balances in your account must not have fallen below the
required amount for a whole 28 day period. The bank statements should be dated
within one calendar month before the date of application.
For Example:
Tuition for first year of BSc course £10,500 +
Maintenance for each month to max of 9 months £7,200
= £17, 700
You have paid:
Tuition of £5250 +
Accommodation to Edge Hilll £1000
= £6250
Money you should hold in your bank account for minium of 28 days and you bank
statement not older than one calendar month prior to application
Tution £5250 +
Maintenance £6200
TOTAL to show UKBA = £11,450
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You should take into account the exchange rates and ensure that it never drops
below the required amount despite the exchange rate. The UKBA uses
www.oanda.com to calculate exchange rates.
The money must be held in either your account or your parent/guardian's account. It
cannot be held in anyone else's name.
The bank statement that you provide must show the following:
o your name or your parent/guardian's name(s),
o the account number;
o the date of the statement (this MUST be dated within one calendar month
prior to the date of application);
o the financial institution's name and logo; and
o the amount of money available (this should have been at the required amount
for at least 28 days).
If you are submitting your parent or legal guardian’s account you must also include
one of the following:
- your birth certificate
- Certificate of adoption showing names of both parents or legal guardian
- Court document naming the legal guardian
- The above documents must be the original legal document or a notarised
copy with a professional translation in English
Your parents or legal guardian should also provide a letter confirming the following
• their name
• the relationship between you and them
• the amount of money available (this should be the same as on their bank
statement)
• that they give their consent to the money being used for your education in the
UK.
You will also need to include their original bank statements as evidence that the
money promised is really available.
PLEASE NOTE:
# The UKBA does not accept bank statements from certain banking institutions in
certain countries. Please check the list of institutions which are not allowed by
visiting:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/studying/financialinstitutions/
# The money should also be avaliable to you ‘on the date of application’ therefore
you should not withdraw the money needed to show the UKBA until your application
has been processed as the Entry Clearance Officer could request to see updated
bank statements. If there is less money than required you would need to show that
the money was spent on your maintenance/fees in the UK.
Updated 15 May 2012 Page 6

I am sponsored by a government or scholarship agent
If you are being fully supported (both student fees and living expenses) by a
government or scholarship agency, you will not need to show the amount in your
bank account. Instead you will need to obtain a letter from the financial
sponsor confirming how they are supporting you.
The letter must be recently dated, on official letter-headed paper and must contain:
Your name
The name of your official financial sponsor
The contact details of your official financial sponsor
The length of financial sponsorship and
A statement that your financial sponsor will cover all fees and living costs.
If your official financial sponsor is only covering some of your tuition fees or
maintenance costs you will be required to show evidence that you hold the remaining
amount in your bank account as stated above.
I am receiving a loan for my studies
If you receive a loan to cover the cost of your studies, ideally this should be in your
account for at least 28 days prior to the date of application. However, if you are
being loaned money by a recognised financial institution
(http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/studying/financialinstitutions/)
and the money from the loan is not yet in your account, then proof of
this loan is enough.
If the loan makes up only part of the required finance, the remainder will have to be
in your account to cover the total needed for your tuition and maintenance.
The evidence of the loan MUST be in a letter as follows:
Your name; and
The date of the letter; and
The financial institution’s name and logo; and
The money (or funds) available as a loan.
If the loan is conditional on the visa being granted, the loan will still be sufficient for
the visa application process and it should not be refused because of this.
If evidence of the loan cannot be obtained, then the full amount will need to be
shown in your bank account.
Updated 15 May 2012 Page 7