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Tier 4 (Student) Visa
The UK is not only a great place to study but also a wonderful place to forge a professional career. Students are invited to study in the UK on Tier 4 (Student) Visas & are given the opportunity to remain following graduation with Tier 1 (Post Study Work) visas.
Tier 4 of the Governments Points Based System (PBS) is divided into two categories:
- General Students: For those coming to the UK for post 16 year old education
- Child Students: For children between 4 & 17 attending Independent Fee Paying Schools
This guide concentrates solely on Tier 4 General Students.
In order for an individual to apply under Tier 4 he or she must have a sponsor. A sponsor is a UK Academic Institution which has been given a license by the UK Border Agency to provide courses to International Students. Once licensed an organisation is given an A or B rating and details are added to the Tier 4 Register of Sponsors. If an organisation does not appear on the register it has not been licensed and cannot issue a Confirmation of Acceptance certificate.
A Confirmation of Acceptance (CoA) certificate is a 10 digit reference number that corresponds to a database entry on the UK Border Agency’s Sponsor Management System. Tier 4 Licensed organisations issue CoA’s to prospective students who then use the reference number when applying for Entry Clearance & a Tier 4 visa (Please note that Visa Letters rather than Confirmation of Acceptance certificates are issued to prospective students before February 2010.)
Tier 4 applicants provide Biometrics (face photo & digital fingerprints) when applying for Entry Clearance.
How can Commonwealth Contractors help?
At Commonwealth Contractors we partner with OISC Registered Immigration Partners & Tier 2 Licensed Healthcare & IT Consultancies prepared to sponsor workers on Tier 2 Visas where required.Although we do not deal with Tier 4 (Student) Visas we can help those interested in making the transition to a Tier 1 (Post Study Work) Visa, a Tier 1 (General) Visa or a Tier 2 (Work Permit) Visa. For more Information see Moving from a Student Visa to Tier 1 or 2
For more Information call now on 0800 294 4388 or Submit your Details & we will get back to you
Tier 4 Visa Approval Terms
For Degree Level or Above qualifications lasting:- 12 Months or more – Visas are approved for the length of the course & an additional four months after the end of the course
- 6 Months or more – Visas are approved for the length of the course & an additional two months after the end of the course
For Postgraduate Doctors & Dentists on Recognised Foundation Programmes visas are approved for the full length of course (up to 3 years) & an additional one month after the end of the course
Qualifying under Tier 4 General
In order to qualify under Tier 4 (General) an applicant must score 40 Points.| Criteria | Proof & Documents Required | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptable Level Course (see below) with a Tier 4 Sponsor | Confirmation of Acceptance (CoA), OR Visa Letter (for out of country apps before Feb 2010) | 30 |
| Adequate Funds for Course Fees & Living Costs | Bank Statement, OR Letter Confirming Funds | 10 |
Acceptable Level Courses: Courses that lead to an approved qualification and are:
- At Level 3+ of the:
- National Qualifications Framework (NQF)
- Scottish Credit & Qualifications Framework (SCQF)
- Qualifications, Curriculum & Assessment Authority for Wales (ACCAC)
- Council for Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment (CCEA) in Northern Ireland
- Short Term study abroad programmes as part of an overseas qualification
- An English Language course at Level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
Tier 4 Funds
Students must prove satisfactory funds in order to gain a visa approval. The money required includes course fees and monthly living costs. Monthly living costs vary depending upon where the Student is living. London is considered to be a more expensive place to reside than the rest of the UK.
| Course Length | Location | Funds Required |
|---|---|---|
| 9 months or less | Inside London | Course Fees + £800 per month of course |
| 9 months or less | Outside London | Course Fees + £600 per month of course |
| More than 9 months | Inside London | 1st year Fees + £7,200 for first 9 months in the UK |
| More than 9 months | Outside London | 1st year Fees + £5,400 for first 9 months in the UK |
The required level of funds must have been in your account for at least 28 days before the date of application.
When can a Tier 4 Student come to the UK?
To secure a Tier 4 visa a student must possess a Confirmation of Acceptance (CoA) from a licensed Sponsor. A CoA is a digital document which corresponds to a database record on the UK Border Agency Sponsor Management System. When the sponsor issues the CoA a start date will be provided for the commencement of studies. Students can come to the UK up to one month before the start date on the CoA.Working on a Tier 4 (Student) Visa
Tier 4 visa holders are only permitted to undertake limited work in the United Kingdom. Holders are not allowed to secure permanent employment. Those wishing to work permanently should consider a Tier 1 (Highly Skilled) Visa or Tier 2 (Work Permit) Visa. Tier 4 migrants can work:- Part Time during term time for no more than 20 hours per week
- Full Time outside of term time. Students should provide a letter to the Employer on University / College Letterhead confirming term times
- On work placements as part of a course
- As a postgraduate doctor or dentist on a recognised Foundation Programme
- As a Student Union Sabbatical Officer for up to two years
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