Tier 4 Student Visa

 

 

Introduction

You can apply for a Tier 4 (General) student visa to study in the UK if you are 16 or over and you:

• have been offered a place on a course
• are competent with the English language
• have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course (amount can vary)
• are from a country that’s not in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland
• you meet other eligibility requirements

 

 

Applications can be made from 3 months before the start of your course. Extensions are possible as you might want to extend your stay to continue your course or study a new course but there are conditions. It is possible to 'switch' from another visa into a Tier 4 (General) student visa.

Note: It is essential to apply in the last 3 months before any current visa expires. You have to apply within 6 months of getting a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). Applications can be made from inside or outside the UK. You can only extend or 'switch' while in the UK and you must apply online if applying from outside the UK.

 

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies

 

A valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number must be obtained to facilitate a student visa application. An application for a course must be made within 6 months of this being issued. It is also possible to receive a CAS for a new course while in the UK, under certain circumstances. Education providers must be officially authorised to issue a CAS reference number.
The type of courses allowed under this visa are very specific - which have to be satisfied in order to receive a CAS. A course must be one of the following:

• full-time leading to a qualification that is at least level 6 on the Ofqual register
• an overseas course of degree level study that is equal to a UK higher education course and is being run by an overseas higher education institution
• full-time, with at least 15 hours per week of organised daytime study, leading to a qualification which is at least level 3 on the Ofqual register
• a recognised foundation programme as a postgraduate doctor or dentist

 

Additional information

 

A Tier 4 (General) Student may be eligible to work a certain amount of hours per week. You must meet or exceed the English language skills requirement unless you are a national of a set list of countries. Accompanying documents with your application must properly show, within guidelines, that you have enough maintenance funds to satisfy your visa application. The points-based assessment is passed by scoring a total of 40 points:

• 30 points for - Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
• 10 points – for maintenance fees (course fees and living expenses)

 

Biometric information, passport photo, passport and specified documents must be submitted in person at a visa application centre and the appropriate fee paid. A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies reference number is essential and additional documents may be required depending on your circumstances. Documents must be originals and be certified translated if not in English.

After filling in an assessment form or registering - after contacting us, your dedicated UK immigration adviser can begin passing on our expert knowledge and make sure your application has the best chance of approval. Ryan Immigration will assess your documents and confirm if they are of a correct and acceptable format, containing exactly what is required.

 

Ryan Immigration will ensure you do not have any unnecessary stress regarding visa issues before and/or during your stay in the UK. We will assist you in having a full, true and accurate application and hence avoiding unnecessary delays and extra expenses.