Guide to Extending Your Student Visa 2012-13 Version 1

7/28/2019 Guide to Extending Your Student Visa 2012-13 Version 1

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A guide to extending your

student visa

2012/13 (Version 1)

www.cardiff.ac.uk/iss

The StudentSupport Centre

under Tier 4 of the Points Based System

International Student Support


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Any changes that have been made to the

UK Border Agencys regulations since the

printing of this guide:

Content

1 Can I extend my student visa in the UK?

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2 Is there a maximum time limit (cap) on studying with a Tier 4 visa?

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3 When should I apply to extend my student visa?

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4 Which form should I use?

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5 Am I a low risk national and if so what does this mean?

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6 What documents do I need?

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7 Whatarethenancial(maintenance)requirements?

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8 HowcanIprovethatIcanmeetthenancial(maintenance)requirements?

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9 How can the University help me make a postal application?

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10 How can the University help me make a premium in-person application?

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11 Can I apply independently?

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12 What about my dependants?

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13 What are the visa rules and responsibilities?

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14 Where can I get further information?

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1. Can I extend my student visa in the UK?

The guidance in this booklet is for you if you are already in the UK with a student visa and you need to

make an application to extend your stay in order to:

Start a new course; or

Completeacoursewhichyouhavealreadystarted(aslongasyoureclassiedbytheuniversityasaninternal

student).

If you are applying for an extension to start a NEW course (e.g. BSc to MSc) and this new course starts

more than 1 calendar month after your current leave to remain (visa) expires, you must return home to apply for fresh

entry clearance as a student under Tier 4 of the UKs Points Based System. If you are doing this then you should check

the following website for more information:

www.cardiff.ac.uk/for/prospective/inter/comingtocardiff

then click on Visas & Immigration

There are a few other categories of visa holders that are entitled to apply for a student visa extension in

the UK. For more information on this you can check paragraph 57 (page 9) of the UKBAs Tier 4 Policy Guidance:

www.ukba.homeofce.gov.uk/visas-immigration/studying/adult-students/applying-inside-uk/

and click on Tier 4 Policy Guidance

From4July2011,theImmigrationRulesspecifythataTier4sponsorcannormallyonlyissueaConrmationof

Acceptance for Studies (CAS) for a course that represents academic progress from previous study undertaken, or

whichconrmsthatthenewcoursecomplementsorenhancesyourpreviousstudyintheUK.Therearesome

specicexceptions,includingforstudentswhoareapplyingformoretimetore-sitanexaminationorrepeatamodule.

2. Is there a maximum time limit (cap) on

studying with a Tier 4 visa?Yes.BeforeyouareissuedwithaCAS,CardiUniversityRegistrywillneedtocheckthatyourapplicationwillnot

take you over the maximum allowed time, or cap:

Below degree level: 3-year cap

Ifyouarealready18yearsoldorover,youcannotstudyintheUKonacoursewhichleadstoaqualicationbelow

degree-level for more than 3 years in total, as a Tier 4 (General) student.

This 3 year limit can be spent studying a single course or several courses as a Tier 4 (General) student. However,

it does not include any time that you have already spent in the UK studying courses below degree level with the

following types of immigration permission:

As a student under the Immigration Rules that were in place before 31 March 2009

As a Tier 4 (General) student when you were 16 or 17 years old

As a Tier 4 (Child) student when you were 17 years old or under

Under any other category of the immigration rules.

Degree level: 5-year cap

Some time limits were introduced on 6 April 2012 for degree level study. Any new Tier 4 application must lead to

you spending no more than 5 years on courses at degree level. All time you have spent in the UK under Tier 4 (or

as a pre-Tier 4 student) counts towards the 5 years, except for the short amount of time you are given before the

course (maximum 1 month) and after a course (maximum 4 months).

There are some exceptions to the 5-year cap:

If you have successfully completed a UK degree course which was at least four years long, and your Tier 4 application

is to study a Masters degree at a higher education institution, the limit is 6 years.

If your Tier 4 application is to study a PhD at a higher education institution, there is no limit while you are studying the

PhD.

If you have already completed a PhD, any new Tier 4 application is subject to an 8-year limit (including courses below

degree level).

Courses in architecture, medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and science, or music at a conservatoire, are exempt

from the limit.

IfyouhavecompletedaUKdegree,andyourcurrentTier4applicationistostudycertainlegalqualications

(CPE,GDL/LPCorBPTC),thelegalqualicationisexemptfromthelimit

The UK Border Agency will not grant further leave to someone whose current Tier 4 application means they will

exceed these limits, unless there are compelling and compassionate circumstances, such as injury or disability.

3. When should I apply to extend my studentvisa?

Your application must arrive at the UKBA before your current visa expires. It is a good idea to start

preparing 8 weeks before your visa expires, in order to make sure you have enough time to access all the

requireddocumentationandmaintainanyrequiredfundsinyourbankaccount.

You should aim to send your application to the UKBA at least 4 weeks before your visa expires. If you

apply after your visa expires you lose any rights of appeal against a refusal. Overstaying your visa could

jeapordise any future immigration applications you make. If you overstay your visa by more than 28 days any application

made in the UK for further leave will be refused.


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6. What documents do I need?

Most applicants will need to send some or all of the following documents. Some applicants may need to

provide additional documents depending on their individual circumstances.

ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE ORIGINALS.

SCANNED COPIES, FAXES OR EMAILS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE

Tier 4 (G) Application form completed in black pen and BLOCK CAPITAL letters;

Paymentof394ifmakingapostalapplicationand716ifmakingapremiumapplicationataPublicEnquiryOce.If

you would like International Student Support to assist you in making a postal application then you must pay by postal

orderorbankersdraft.Payingbypostalordersisthesafestandmostecientmethodofpayment.PostalOrderscanbe

purchasedfromthePostOceusingcashonly.PostalOrdersmustbemadepayabletoHomeOceandyoushould

writeyourname,dateofbirthandnationalityontheback.ThenearestPostOceswhereyoucanbuyPostalOrdersare:

o 45-46QueensArcade,QueenStreet,CF102BY(lowergroundoor)

o 109 Crwys Road, CF24 4NF (near to co-op and Roy Jenkins Hall of residence)

(Therewillbeanadministrativechargeof25,payabletothePostOce);

All thepassports used to travel to and remain in the UK including your current passport;

Biometric Residence Permit (if you have one);

2 x recent passport-sized colour photographsno older then one month old which meet the biometric identity

requirements.TheUKBAprovidedetailedspecicationsforacceptablephotographsat:

www.ukba.homeofce.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/r/photoguidance0409.pdf

You can get photographs that meet the policy guidance from the AGFA Digital Photo Centre:

(172-174CityRoad,Cardi,CF243JF.www.expressimaging.co.uk)

Police Registration Certicate (if applicable). YoumustensurethatyourPoliceRegistrationCerticateisuptodate

withyourcurrentaddress.MoreinformationaboutPoliceRegistration,includinghowtoupdateyourcerticatecanbe

found on our website:

www.cardiff.ac.uk/iss/police

Cardi University CAS Statement.CASstandsforConrmationofAcceptanceforStudy.Itisavirtualdocument

similartoadatabaserecord.EachCAShasauniquereferencenumberandcontainsinformationaboutthecourse

andstudentpersonaldetails.YoucanrequestaCASstatementthroughSIMSOnline(sims.cf.ac.uk). You will need

tologinusingyourusernameandpasswordandselectthe`requestCASstatementoption.Ifyouneedfurther

assistance please send an email [email protected] 5 working days to receive the CAS statement

email. This email is generated by Registry from the Student Information Management System (SIMS) and will go to the

4. Which form should I use?

To extend your visa as a student, you will need to complete a Tier 4 (General) application form. You can

download it from the UKBA website:


TheUKCouncilforInternationalStudentAairs(UKCISA)haveproducedaveryusefulinformationsheetcalled

Completing the Tier 4 (G) application form. It is strongly recommended that you use this resource to ensure that

you are completing your application form correctly. This can be found at:

www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/info_sheets/tier_4_form.phpYou should always check the form used is the correct

version immediately before posting. This is because forms can change without prior warning and your application

will be returned as invalid if you have submitted an incorrect version.

Please note: UKBA will be changing to an on-line application procedure towards the end of 2012. When this

system is introduced you will have to complete the Tier 4 (General) application form and your payment on-line and

then submit your supporting documents by post. International Student Support (ISS) will continue to be able to help

you with this procedure and we will update our website with details as soon as possible:

www.cardiff.ac.uk/iss/extiss

5. Am I a low risk national and if so what doesthis mean?

If you are a national of one of the following countries then the UKBA considers you to be a low risk national as long

as you are making an application in the UK or in your country of nationality.

This list of low risk nationals will be reviewed by the UKBA on an annual basis.

If you are a national of one of these countries you may be able to provide less evidential documents with your

applicationinrelationtofundsandqualications.HowevertheUKBAreservestherighttorequestthefullrangeof

documents in all cases. For this reason all students applying for their student vi sa extension through

InternationalStudentSupportwillberequiredtosubmitalldocumentationaslistedinchapter6ofthisbooklet.

South Korea

Trinidad and Tobago

United States of America

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or

British National (Overseas) passport holders

who apply in the UK or Hong Kong

Taiwan (ROC) passport holders with a

residence number in their passport who apply

in the UK or Taiwan

Argentina

Australia

Brunei

Canada

Chile

Croatia

Japan

New Zealand

Singapore


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email address that is held on SIMS.You must print this email and submit with your application.You will need to

use the information in this email to accurately complete your application form.

Original version of any document regarding academic progress that is listed on the CAS statement (if

applicable).Thiswouldnormallybeacerticatefromapreviousschool,collegeoruniversityoralternativelya

transcriptofresultsachievedtodatefromCardiUniversity.Ifanyofyourdocumentsareinanotherlanguageyou

must get them translated- please see below for more information about translations;

Tuition fee and accommodation receipts (if applicable). You will need to provide receipts for any payments that you

have made that are not shown on your CAS statement.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Certicate (if applicable)ATASclearanceisonlyrequiredfora

limitednumberofScienceandEngineeringpostgraduatecourses.TondoutifyouneedanATASCerticateandhow

to get one check www.cardiff.ac.uk/iss/atas

You must apply for an ATAS clearance certicate, or for a new ATAS clearance certicate if you:

o Change your course

o Change your institution

o Apply to extend your leave in order to complete your course(even if you already have one)

Pleasenote:Itcantakeupto8weekstoreceiveanATASCerticatesoprepareearly!

If you are sponsored to study here by an ocial nancial sponsor, you must provide documentary evidence of

this nancial support. (see page 9 for further details).

Evidence that you have enough money to meet the maintenance requirements, in the form of personal bank

orbuildingsocietystatements,letterfrombankorbuildingsociety,loanagreementorothernancialdocumentsas

speciedinthePolicyGuidance.Furtherdetailsaboutthemaintenancerequirementscanbefoundonpages7-10.

YOU SHOULD KEEP PHOTOCOPIES OF YOUR SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

FOR YOUR RECORDS

Translations

IfanyofyourdocumentsarenotinEnglish,theoriginalmustbeaccompaniedbyafullycertiedtranslationbya

professional translator. This translation must include:

Details of the translators credentials; and

Conrmationthatitisanaccuratetranslationoftheoriginaldocument;and

The translators contact details.

It must also be dated and include the original signature of the translator.

DocumentscanbetranslatedthroughtheUniversityatthetranslationservicewhichisbasedintheCardi

University Centre for Lifelong Learning, Senghenydd Road, Cathays, CF24 4AG. Opening hours are 9am- 1pm &

2-5pm. Call in to see Sian Austin with your original document. This will be scanned and sent to the translator for a

quote.Usuallyitcostsaround84foracerticateandtakesaboutaweektobeprocessed.

7. What are the nancial (maintenance)requirements?

You have to prove that you have a certain amount of money available to you to pay for your tuition f ees and living

expensesinordertogetastudentvisa.Youwillberequiredtosignadeclarationintheapplicationformconrming

that your funds will remain available to you unless spent on tuition fees and living expenses in the UK.

The amount of money you need to show for living expenses depends on your individual situation. The information

below explains whether you will fall in to the lower or the higher maintenance category.

Lower maintenance category

You will fall in to the lower maintenance category and have to show that you have access to one years tuition fees

plus 1600 (i.e. living expenses for two months) if you have a current student or Tier 4 visa and on the date of

application you:

Need to extend your stay in the UK to complete your current course, which you have been studying for at least 6 months

OR

Haveanunconditionaloerforanewcoursewhichstartswithinonemonthoftheexpirydateofyourcurrentvisaand

thecourseyouhavejustnishedwas6monthsorlonger

Please note that if your student visa has expired, you will not fall in to the lower maintenance category, even if your

previous or current course was 6 months or longer.

Higher maintenance category

If you do not meet the criteria listed above, you will fall under the higher maintenance category and must be able to

show that you have access to one years tuition fees plus living expenses of 800 per month for the length of your

course, up to a maximum of 9 months (7,200).

Money already paid to the university for accommodation

If you have already paid some of your accommodation fees to the University before making your application, then

a limited amount of this will be taken away from the amount of money you will need to show for your living costs.

Please note that the amount taken away cannot exceed a maximum of 1000 even if you have paid more

than this.

Examples

1) A student holding a current Tier 4 student visa needs extra time to complete a course she has been studying for 12

months.Hertuitionfeesare13950andshehasalreadypaid10,000toCardiUniversity.

This student will need to show 1600 for living expenses + 3950 for outstanding fees = 5550.

2) AstudentholdingacurrentTier4studentvisahasjustnishedashortcourseof8weeksandwillbestartinganew

course that is 12 months in duration. His tuition fees for the new course are 13950 and he has paid all of this.

This student will need to show 7200 for living expenses + 0 for tuition fees = 7200.


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3) AstudentholdingacurrentTier4studentvisaisstartinganewcourseatCardiUniversity.Histuitionfeesare

13,950 and he has paid all of this to the University. He falls into the lower maintenance category i.e. needs to show

1600forlivingexpensesbuthehasalreadypaid2000toCardiUniversitytowardshisaccommodationfees.

This student will need to show 600 for living expenses (1600 minus 1000 already paid for

accommodation) + 0 (tuition fees) = 600

8. How can I prove that I can meet themaintenance requirements?

Cash in a bank/ building society account

Your money must be held in cash and you must show that you have held the money in your account for at

least 28 days prior to the date of application. Shares, bonds, overdrafts, credit cards, pension funds and similar

savings accounts will not be accepted.

FundsmustnotbeheldinabankoranancialinstitutionaboutwhichtheUKBAisunabletomakesatisfactory

vericationchecks.Youcanseealistoftheseinstitutionsonthefollowingwebsite:

www.ukba.homeofce.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/studying/nancial-institutions/

You must provide one of the following specied types of documents:

Original personal bank statements covering a 28 day period. The end of that 28 day period and the closing balance

must be no more than 1 month before the date of your application.

Statements must show:

o Your name

o Account number

o Date of statement

o Name and logo of bank / building society

o That your balance has not fallen below the required amount for the full 28 day period

Therequiredfundsmustbeinyouraccountupuntiltheclosingbalanceofthestatement;

Electronic bank statements if you use internet banking. These must contain all the details highlighted above and every

pagemustbestampedbytheocialstampofthebanktoproveauthenticity.Pleasenotethatmostbankswillnot

stamp these statements so check with yours if you will be able to rely on this method;

A letter from your bank or building society including all the information highlighted above;

Original joint account statements as long as you are named as one of the account holders and they include all the

information highlighted above. Please note that the joint account holder will need to sign section N (a) on your Tier 4

(G) application form (page 26), agreeing to the UKBA being able to contact their bank;

Original parental or legal guardian bank statements that include all the details highlighted above. If you intend to use this

evidencetoproveyourabilitytomeetthemaintenancerequirementsthenyouwillalsohavetoprovidethefollowing:

o Original legal documentation (or notarised copy) establishing the relationship (this would be either your birth

certicateorcerticateofadoptionorcourtdocumentstatingthenameofthelegalguardian)

o Originalsignedanddatedletterfromtheparent(s)orlegalguardianwhichconrmsyourrelationshipandthat

they have given their consent to the funds being available to you to study in the UK. We have produced a

template letter that your parents can use. This can be accessed here:

www.cardiff.ac.uk/iss/extiss

o Your parent or guardian will also need to sign section N (a) on your Tier 4 (G) application form (page 27) ,

agreeing to the UKBA being able to contact their bank. This is the section relating to a third party and not the

one for the applicant or joint customer to sign.

If you are using overseas bank statements, the UKBA will expect you to write on the document the

closing balance in pounds sterling. You should use the ocial exchange rate on th e OANDA website

(www.oanda.com/convert/classic).

Ocial nancial or government sponsorship

TheUKBAdeneanocialsponsoras:

The UK Government or your countrys Government;

The British Council;

Any international organisation;

Any international company;

Any University.

Ifyourstudiesarewhollyfundedbyanocialnancialsponsoryoudonothavetoprovideseparateevidenceof

yoursavings.However,youmustprovidealetterconrmingthatthesponsorwillpayallyourtuitionfeesandliving

expenses.

The letter must be:

Printedonocialletter-headpaper;

Not more than 6 months old.

The letter must show:

Your name;

The date;

Nameandcontactdetailsofyourocialnancialsponsor;Lengthofsponsorship(includingstartandenddate);

Theamountofmoneytheywillgiveyouorconrmationthattheywillcoveralltuitionfeesandlivingexpenses;

Theocialstampoftheorganisation;

Your dependant names (if applicable).

If your sponsor only pays some of your costs, you will need a letter from them (as above) and proof that you have

enoughmoneyyourselftomeettherestofthemaintenancerequiremente.g.personalbankstatements.


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If your total tuition fees and living expenses are covered by your ocial nancial sponsor and they limit the

time you may study in the UK, your visa extension will be limited to the same length of time (which is stated

on the sponsor letter) plus the usual post-course period allowed.

If you are no longer sponsored and/ or your sponsorship ended within 12 months of making your application they

mustprovidealettersayingthattheyagreethatyoucanstayintheUK.Ifthenancialsponsordoesnotgive

consent, the UKBA will refuse your application.

A loan in your name

Ifyouarerelyingonaloantofundyourstudies,youmustprovidealetterfromanancialinstitution

regulated by either the Financial Services Authority or in the case of overseas accounts, the home

regulator(ocialregulatorybodyforthecountrywheretheinstitutionislocatedandwherethemoneyis

held)conrmingtheloan.Thelettermustbedatedandnotbemorethan6monthsold.Itmustshowthe

nancialinstitutionsnameandlogoandthemoney(orfunds)availabletoyouasaloan.

9. How can the University help me make apostal application?

International Student Support (ISS) based in the Student Support Centre (SSC) operates the Student Batch

Scheme for student visa extension applications. We would strongly encourage you to send your application

through this scheme as ISS is able to support you through the application process. Most applications are processed

within 14 weeks from the date of posting, although it can take longer at busy times such as October and

January,oriftheUKBAmakeenquiries.

We strongly advise you not to book any travel until your documents are returned as we cannot guarantee

how long the process will take.

Step 1Fill in the Tier 4 (G) application form in black pen and BLOCK CAPITAL LETTERS, using the UKCISA information

sheet called Completing the Tier 4 (G) application form as a guide:

www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/info_sheets/tier_4_form.php

Step 2

Gather together all documents listed on the document checklist (back cover of this guide).

Step 3

Book an appointment to see an International Student Adviser by going to the SSC (50 Park Place) or by calling

02920 874844. Please note that appointments:

Must be attended at least one week before your visa expiry date;

Will be subject to availability.

Students attending an appointment less than one week before visa expiry will not be able to benet from the

Student Batch Scheme and will have to make an application independently (more information provided on

page 14).

Step 4

Once your application is complete, it will be sent to the UKBA as soon as a batch of applications is ready. To

benetfromthebatchschemeserviceoeredbytheuniversity,applicationsarenotnormallysentindividually

butinbatches.OnceyourapplicationhasbeensenttotheUKBAyouwillbenotiedbytextoremail.Ifyouneed

toextendyourstudentIDcard,youwillneedtowaituntilyouhavereceivedthisnoticationbeforegoingtothe

Security Centre to get a new ID card.


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During and after your appointment:

ISS will check that you were initially given the correct length of time on your visa and will try to arrange for this to be

corrected if this is not the case;

ISSwillcheckthroughyourapplicationformanddocumentationtoconrmalliscorrectandcompletepriortosending

your application;

ISS will issue you with a receipt for the documents that you have submitted;

ISS will send your application to the UKBA by special delivery prior to your student visa expiring if you have provided

alltherequireddocumentsinduetime;

ISSwillprovidetheUKBAwithitscontactdetailsincaseofanyqueries.

What is expected from you in return:

To complete the application form to the best of your ability and gather as many of the supporting documents as

possible prior to your appointment with an adviser;

To inform us if you intend to travel outside the UK within 4 months of your application being submitted;

Togiveuscorrectcontactdetailssothatwecancontactyouquicklywithanyqueriesregardingyourapplication;

To inform us immediately if you change your address or contact details;

To be aware of the expiry date of your visa - it is YOUR responsibility to prepare the application ready for submission

before this date.

ISS is here to help you ext end your student visa. However the primary responsibility lies with you.

In order to assist you we will need your full co-operation as detailed above.

What happens next?

You should carry the receipt that is issued to you by ISS, along with photocopies of relevant pages of your passport/

BRP with you at all times, in case you are ever stopped by the Police and they ask to see proof of your immigration

status in the UK.

Within2-4weeksyouwillreceiveabiometricnoticationletter.Thisletterwillaskyou(andyourdependants)to

attendalocalPostOcebranchinordertohaveyourbiometricstaken.Youhaveupto15workingdaysfromthedateofthelettertodothis.ThenearestPostOcetoCardiUniversityisonthelowergroundoorofQueens

Arcade(No.45-46),QueenStreet,CF102BY.Tohelpyoundit,gotoBingMaps(www.bing.com/maps/)and type

in the postcode.

YouneedtotakethebarcodedbiometricnoticationletterfromtheUKBAtothePostOce;

It will cost 19.20 per person;

Yourbiometricswillbecapturedbytakingyourphotograph,ngerprintsanddigitalsignature;

All information will be sent securely to the UKBA.

YoucanwatchastepbystepguidevideoonhowbiometricenrolmentworksonthePostOcewebsite:

www.postofce.co.uk/counter-services/passport-identity/biometric-enrolment-foreign-nationals/how-it-works

FindoutmoreinformationonbiometricenrolmentonthePostOceFrequentlyAskedQuestionswebsite:

www.postofce.co.uk/counter-services/passport-identity/biometric-enrolment-foreign-nationals/faqs/faqs

Normally you should receive your new visa, which will be in the form of a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) within 4

weeksofenrollingyourbiometricsatthePostOce.

More information about the BRP can be found on our website:

www.cardiff.ac.uk/iss/brp

When your application has been considered, your passport, documents and BRP will be returned to ISS.You will be

contacted by telephone or email to let you know that you can collect these from us. You will have to provide your

Student ID card as proof of identity when collecting these documents.

IfyouhavetoregisterwiththePolice,youmustupdateyourcerticatewiththenewvisaexpirydateonyourBRP.

MoreinformationaboutPoliceRegistration,includinghowtoupdateyourcerticatecanbefoundonourwebsite:

www.cardiff.ac.uk/iss/police


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10. How can the University help me make apremium in-person application?

InternationalStudentSupportcanassistyouinmakingapremiumin-personapplicationattheUKBAPublicEnquiryOce

(PEO)inCardi.Thiscosts716andcantakeapproximatelyaweekfromthedayyougiveyourbiometricdetailsatCardi.

You will need to book an appointment with an International Student Adviser to get your application form and

documents checked. If you do not have your completed form and documents with you, you will need to make

anotherappointment.Thisisbecauseyourappointmentismeanttobeanalcheck.Yourcompletedapplication

willthenbesenttothePEOinCardionthefollowingMonday.Youwillthennormallyhaveyourbiometric

appointment on the Thursday or Friday of that week. During this appointment you will have your biometric details

taken.ThesearetheprocedureslaidoutbythePEOinCardi.

All your documents and your Biometric Residence Permit will be returned to the Student Support Centre and we will

contact you to let you know that you can collect them.

11. Can I apply independently?

Yes,youcanapplyindependentlyeitherbyattendinganappointmentataPublicEnquiryOceorbypost.More

information on making an independent visa extension application can be found on the following website:

www.cardiff.ac.uk/iss/extind

IfyouarenotabletogetanappointmentataPublicEnquiryOcequicklyandhaveanurgentreasonforgetting

your application processed, please contact International Student Support (details on page 17).

FollowingtheprocessingofyourindependentapplicationyoumusttakeyourpassportandBRPtoCardi

University Registry (Mackenzie House, 30-36 Newport Road, CF10 3XQ) so that they can upload this new

information to your SIMS record.

12. What about my dependants?

Your dependants can stay with you in the UK if:

you are studying a postgraduate course that lasts 12 months or longer at a Higher Education Institution; or

you are a Government-sponsored student on a course that lasts 6 months or longer;

or

you are applying for immigration permission to study a course of six months or more, your dependant(s) is applying

with you, and within 3 months of the date of your application you had (or were last granted) immigration

permission under Tier 4 or as a student

The Immigration Rules for Tier 4 (General) family members that came into force on 4 July 2011 can seem very

complicated.UKCISAhavecreatedatooltohelpyoundoutifyourfamilymemberscancometotheUKwithyou

or can stay in the UK with you. This can be accessed on the following website:

http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/t4_family/index.php

Your dependants will need to include the following documents:

A PBS (Dependant) application form for each family member. You can download this application form here:

http://www.ukba.homeofce.gov.uk/visas-immigration/studying/adult-students/family

Payment of 197 per dependant if making a postal application and 358 if making a premium in-person application at

aPublicEnquiryOce

Theirpassports,PoliceRegistrationCerticates(ifapplicable),2recentphotosthatmeetthebiometricidentity

requirementsandBRPs(iftheyhaveone);

Ifyouhavemarriedsinceyourlastimmigrationapplication,yourmarriagecerticate;

Ifyouhavehadachildsinceyourlastimmigrationapplication,theirbirthcerticate;

If you fall in to the lower maintenance category (explained previously on page 7) then you must also show that you

have 900 in total for each of your dependants. If you fall in to the higher maintenance category (explained previously

on page 7) then you must also show that you have 4,050 in total for each of your dependants;

Ifyouaresponsoredbyanocialnancialsponsorandareprovidingasponsorlettertoconrmthatyoumeetthe

maintenancerequirementsforyourselfandyourdependants,thislettermuststateallnamesofdependants.

It is advisable to read the PBS Dependants Policy Guidance document carefully before submitting your

application. This can be accessed here:

http://www.ukba.homeofce.gov.uk/visas-immigration/studying/adult-students/family

Please note that if your visa is extended for a period of less than 12 months, your dependants will no

longer have permission to work in the UK. If they have been doing so, they must stop immediately.


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17

14. Where can I get further information?

Ifyouhaveanyquestionsthatarenotansweredbythisguideoryouarenotclearaboutanyofthe

information provided, you can get assistance from the following:

International Student Support at the Student Support Centre

www.cardiff.ac.uk/iss

Book an appointment with an International Student Adviser by calling in to the Student Support Centre

(50 Park Place) or using our contact details below. Limited same day emergency appointments are available.

Telephone: 02920 874844 Email: [email protected]

UKCISA: The UK Council for International Student Aairs

www.ukcisa.org.uk

Student advice line: 020 7107 9922 (Monday- Friday 1-4pm) UKCISA have produced a useful information sheet

called Making a Tier 4 (General) application. This can be accessed here:

www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/information_sheets.php

UK Border Agency Tier 4 Policy Guidance


Children over the age of 16

Childdependantsovertheageof16shouldsubmittwoitemsfromthelistbelowconrmingtheirresidentialaddress:

Bank statements; and/or

Credit card bills; and/ or

Driving licence; and/or

NHS registration document; and/or

Letterfromtheirschool,collegeoruniversityconrmingtheiraddress.Thismustbeonocialheadedpaperand

bearingtheocialstampofthatorganisation.Itmusthavebeenissuedbyanauthorisedocialofthatorganisation.

The documents submitted should be from two separate sources and dated no more than 1 month prior to

the date of application

Additional information for children over the age of 18

Children over the age of 18 will only be granted further leave as your dependant if they are already in the UK with

immigration permission as a dependant child. If your current immigration permission is not permission granted

under the Points Based System, you must be applying at the same time as your child for permission under the

Points Based System.

Children over the age of 18 will need to pay a higher application fee of 561 if applying by post and 867 if making

apremiumin-personapplicationataPublicEnquiryOce.

13. What are the visa rules and responsibilities?

There are a number of responsibilities for both you and the university under the UKs points based

immigration system. Whilst you are in the UK on a student visa you are responsible for complying with

the immigration rules that allow you to enter or remain in the UK. The University also has legal duties as a

licensed sponsor.

Pleaselookatourwebsitetondoutmoreaboutthevisarulesandregulations:

www.cardiff.ac.uk/iss/rules

UKCISA have produced a useful information sheet called Protecting your Tier 4 student immigration status. This

can be accessed on the following website:

www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/information_sheets.php


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Tier 4 Student Visa ExtensionDocument ChecklistMore information about all of these documents can be found on pages 5-6 of this guide.

Payment: Postal orders for 394 for a postal application or credit/debit card payment of 716 for

an in person application;

All the passports used to travel to and remain in the UK including your current passport;

Biometric Residence Permit (if you have one);

2 x recent passport sized photographs;

Police Registration Certicate (if applicable);

Cardi University CAS statement (you must print this);

Original version of any document regarding academic progress that is listed on your CAS

statement (if applicable);

Tuition fee and accommodation receipts (if applicable);

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Certicate (if applicable);

Evidence that you have enough money to meet the maintenance requirements. Please check

pages 7-8 of this guide to nd out how much money you will need and pages 8-10 to nd out

what documents are required as proof that you have access to this money.

ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE ORIGINALS. SCANNED COPIES, FAXES OR EMAILS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.

If any of your documents are not in English, you must get them

professionally translated. See page 6 of this guide for more information

Immigration advice and

services regulated by the

Immigration Services

Commissioner

Disclaimer: The information provided in this guide is given in good faith and is correct at the time

of writing (July 2012). It has been carefully checked with UKCISA and the UKBA. However, Cardiff

University accepts no legal responsibility for its accuracy.

Immigration law is subject to change. Please ensure that you have the most up to date

information by checking the websites listed on page 17.