What do I need to get a Tier 4 visa?
IMPORTANT!
As of April 2012, UKBA will impose time limits on the length of time a student can remain in the UK on a Tier 4 visa. The time limits are:
5/6 years at degree level (with exceptions for Architecture, Medicine, Dentistry and Law*), or;
No limits on PhD, but students will not be granted further leave on Tier 4 if they have already exceeded 8 years on student leave on completion of a PhD
*If the student is progressing to Common Professional Examination, the Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice Course or the Bar Professional Training Course.
Please ensure that you read full details of the updated Tier 4 Policy Guidance.
Any Tier 4 application made on or after 6 April 2012 which would result in a student exceeding the above time limits will be refused
In order to get a Tier 4 visa, you will need:
- A valid CAS (30 points);
- Evidence of appropriate maintenance funds (10 points).
Additional requirements
- Before beginning the process, you should first read the Tier 4 Policy Guidance thoroughly.
- Before a CAS can be produced, students need to show that they have appropriate English Language Skills.
- Your CAS will show a list of qualifications used to assess your eligibility for your course. Original certificates/transcripts of these qualifications must be submitted with your Tier 4 application.
- Students studying some science, engineering or medical programmes at postgraduate level may be subject to ATAS clearance. If your offer letter or CAS states that you require ATAS clearance, please make an application through the FCO website as soon as possible, as it can take up to 6 weeks for an ATAS certificate to be issued.
- You will need to submit your current passport and any expired passports containing your UK entry clearance.
- You will need to submit your biometric residence permit if you have one.
- You will need to submit your fully updated police registration certificate, if your visa requires you to register with the police. (Also see How can I register with the police?)
- You will need 2 new passport photographs with your name written on the back of each one. The photographs must meet UKBA requirements, which can be found in the photo guidance.
- You will need to fully complete the latest version of the Tier 4 General application form. Please note that the form changes frequently without warning and the correct version must be submitted. You are strongly advised to attend a Visa Team Tier 4 workshop before completing your application form.
Important things to remember
All documents must be original. Copies and scans of documents will not be accepted.
Any documents not in English, must be accompanied by a professional translation in accordance with the Tier 4 Policy Guidance.
Any currency amounts stated on documents must be converted in the pounds sterling using the OANDA website. The converted amount must be written clearly on the document.
The Tier 4 application form allows you to pay the application fee by a variety of methods. The Visa Team strongly recommends that your pay your fee for a postal application with postal orders, which you can buy from the Post Office. This is a more reliable methods of payment than using credit/debit cards or cheques.
