Important Announcement Regarding New UK PBS Tier 4 Student Visa Requirements

(Updated July 30th, 2009) Please Note: Immigration requirements and fees for students studying in the UK have changed as of March 31st, 2009. Please carefully follow the detailed instructions about getting the appropriate Tier 4 Student Prior Entry Clearance (visa). • All students planning to do an internship or volunteer during their study abroad

program in London should plan to apply for a Tier 4 Sponsor Student Prior Entry Clearance visa, except citizens of the UK or EU. (Note: The instructions below were developed based upon the assumption of U.S. citizenship. Some of the details may vary, depending upon your country of citizenship. If you are not a US Citizen, please contact your nearest British Consulate to ask what specific steps you will need to take in order to obtain your Prior Entry Clearance.)

• If you will not be doing an internship or any voluntary work during your study abroad experience and are a U.S. citizen, then you are not required to apply for a Tier 4 Prior Entry Clearance Student Visa. (Note: If you don’t apply for Prior Entry Clearance, you will be given a Student Visitor stamp in your passport as you go through immigration at the airport when you arrive in the UK. This stamp allows you to remain in the UK for the amount of time specified on the stamp -- typically the length of time of your study abroad program-- but does not allow you to do an internship or volunteer work. Once your stamp expires, you will not be permitted to extend the date of the stamp – you will be required to depart the UK.)

• All online applications require the new UK biometric (finger scan) system.

Please visit http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/faqs/faqapplyforvisa/2967203 for more information regarding this new procedure. Once an online application is submitted, you will be prompted to make an appointment for a biometric finger scan and digital photo in your area at a US Homeland Security Office prior to sending your application and supporting documents to your area consulate.

Please note: You must apply for your prior entry clearance visa prior to arriving in the UK. If you do need Prior Entry Clearance, please start the application process ASAP. If you delay the process even by a week, you may risk not obtaining your visa in time for your departure. THE PROCESS: The application for the Prior Entry Clearance Visa begins online. You will be asked a number of questions during the online application process. Please note that this is a very detailed application and may take you a considerable amount of time to complete. Also be sure that your Internet connection is secure and properly functioning.

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Once you have completed the online application, you should print it and keep a copy of it for your records. You will receive an e-mail confirming that your application has been received. Please note the payment reference number on that email. At that point you should send in the following materials via Certified Mail (with a Return Receipt) to the address indicated in the confirmation e-mail you receive.

a. Copy of the online application b. Passport (note: You must send in your actual passport and have at least 6 months validity

from the date you will enter the UK) c. A completed Appendix 8 Tier 4 (General) Student Self Assessment Form which can

be found at the following link: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/resources/en/docs/1903073/PBSappendix8generalstudentInstructions for this form are provided on page 6 of this document

d. One passport-sized photograph on a white background e. A letter from CAPA International Education confirming your acceptance for the course

of study in the UK and a statement of charges for the course f. Evidence of funds. This can be shown by providing an official loan approval document

from the agency granting the loan or an award letter from your University (must list your name, program dates, and amount and must be dated within one month of filling out the online visa application and be stamped and signed by a university official), official bank statements on bank letterhead, or online statements for which each page has been stamped and signed by a bank representative. Note: If you are using official bank statements for your evidence of funds, please note that the funds need to have been in your account for at least 28 days on the day that you lodge your application online. Please see section 8 for a detailed explanation of the evidence of funds

g. An official transcript from the institution in which you are currently enrolled. h. ANY other materials requested from you in the confirmation e-mail – be sure to read it

very carefully i. If you are an international student: evidence of your Immigration Status in the USA and

permission to re-enter the USA after your trip (not necessary for US citizens) ***Please call CAPA if you have any questions regarding what materials are acceptable to include in your visa application.

You MUST submit original documents When you have been approved for a visa, your passport will be returned to you via postal service with a sticker inside that says “Student” on it. In order to allow adequate time for the visa processing, you should begin 3 months prior to departure (but no earlier). INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO APPLY FOR UK ENTRY CLEARANCE: Note: You cannot apply for this visa any earlier than three months prior to your arrival date in the UK. There is a fee associated with applying for Prior Entry Clearance. That fee is currently £145 GBP plus $12 postage. The actual amount in USD will fluctuate based on the current exchange rate. To check today’s rate, visit www.xe.com. When you go online to apply for your Prior Entry Clearance, make sure you have a credit or debit card available to pay that fee. What follows is extremely detailed information on each step of the application process, with information about any questions you might find tricky to answer. Please follow the instructions carefully. Please keep in mind that some questions will differ depending on the answers you provide to yes/no questions. If any questions arise, please call the CAPA student services line at 1-800-793-0334.

In order to apply for Prior Entry Clearance, be sure you are on a computer from which you can print, as you will need to print out your application at the end of the online process. For helpful information about the prior entry clearance student visa process, please visit http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en 1. Go to http://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/ApplyNow.aspx and read through the information that appears

on the “New Visa Application – Before you Apply” page. Note that you will need to have the following readily available: a credit or debit card, your passport, your address in the UK, and your itinerary (dates of arrival and departure). For your address in London, please use the address of the CAPA London Center, which is provided to you further along in these instructions. Check the box at the bottom stating that you have read the information, and click on “Continue.” Note: You cannot apply for your Tier 4 Student Prior Entry Clearance visa earlier than three months prior to the beginning of classes. Also, you will need to submit all documents and items listed above on page 1 in order to receive the Tier 4 Student Prior Entry Clearance Visa.

You can save your Visa application on any page where you see this image. 2. “Application Security”: Fill in the correct answers and then click “Next.” 3. “Your Visa Requirements”: Fill in the correct answers from the drop down menus provided. You

will need to choose your state of permanent residence, which will determine where you will send the supporting documents once your online application has been submitted. For “purpose of application” select PBS Tier 4 Student and for “type of application” choose Tier 4 (General)(Sponsored) Student. Click “Next.”

4. “Section 1 – About You” Fill in the required information. Keep in mind your given name is your

first name and your family name is your last name. For your birth date, you should click on the calendar icon and choose your correct date of birth, as the format used on this application is somewhat unusual. If you hold more than one nationality and you check that you have more than one passport, you will be asked to explain on the next page. Once complete, click “Next.”

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5. “Section 1 – About You”: Mark your marital status, click “Next.” 6. “Section 2 – Passport Information”:

• Enter your passport number • The place of issue • The issuing authority (listed under the date of issue on your passport) • The date of issue • The date of expiry • Check whether or not this is your first passport (If answer is No, you will have to enter former

passport details on the next screen) Click “Next.”

7. “Section 3 – Your Contact Details”: Supply required information (note that you shouldn’t use anything but numbers in the phone number field – no dashes, parentheses, etc.), click “Next.”

8. “Section 4 – Your Family”: Answer the question do you have any children. Click “Next.”

If yes, answer all supporting questions on the following pages. 9. “Section 4 – Your Family”: Answer whether or not children will be traveling with you. Click

“Next.” 10. “Section 4 – Your Family (Father)”: Answer questions regarding your father’s name, birth date,

country of birth, and nationality. Click “Next.” 11. “Section 4 – Your Family (Mother)”: Answer questions regarding your mother’s name, birth date,

country of birth, and nationality. Click “Next.” 12. “Section 5 – Immigration history”: Answer all of the required questions, click “Next.” If the answer is yes to any of these questions on these screens, you will be prompted to provide further details on following screen. 13. “Section 6 – Additional Information” Leave blank.

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14. “Review your application”: You are given the opportunity to review the answers you have provided

in this application. Review them carefully, and then click “Next” if nothing needs to be changed. 15. “Declaration”: Read carefully, type your name in the signature box at the bottom, then click “Next.”

Note that once you sign/enter your name here and click “Next,” you will be unable to make any other changes in the previous application sections.

Follow the instructions in the rest of the application.* DON’T FORGET TO PRINT A COPY OF YOUR APPLICATION ONCE YOU HAVE COMPLETED IT! Once you complete your application, you will be prompted to make an appointment to obtain your required biometric (finger scan, digital photo) before mailing in your documents to the consulate. Please visit https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=LO for information on the nearest area biometric collection center.

*Please Note: CAPA is unable to view the application beyond the electronic signature, so we cannot provide you with details of the next sections. However, if you have any questions, be sure to let us know. You can direct questions to your CAPA Program Manager in the Boston office at 1-800-793-0334. You should receive an email confirming the receipt of your online application and a list of documents you will be required to submit along with the printed application. The list should be similar to that which is on the second page of this instruction sheet. The email should also contain instructions about where to send this documentation. You will need to send your documents to the UK Consulate that is assigned to your region, not the location where you obtain your biometric testing. You should be certain to send it via overnight express mail, or at least registered, certified and/or insured mail, since you will be sending out your passport (please note a copy of your passport will NOT suffice).

Required Document: PBS Tier 4 (General) Student Self- Assessment IMPORTANT: As a part of the new system, once the application has been submitted online, you will also need to download the Appendix 8 PBS Tier 4 (General) Student Self Assessment Form and fill it out in blue or black pen. This completed form will need to be included with the required documentation that will be mailed in to the consulate with your passport. To download this form please visit: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/resources/en/docs/1903073/PBSappendix8generalstudent Please follow the instructions below VERY carefully when filling out this form: Part 1 – About You

1.1 Enter first and middle name as it appears on your passport 1.2 Enter last name

Part 2 – Parent/Guardian details (Not applicable to CAPA students as minimum age requirement is 18) Part 3 – Sponsor Contact Details

3.1 CAPA International Education 3.2 Enter Sponsor License number = VF0319KH8 3.3 CAPA International Education

146 Cromwell Rd London SW7 4EF

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Part 4 – Course Details

4.1 CAPA London Study Abroad Program 4.2 Enter Start and End Date of your program -- be careful to ensure this matches the dates

on the letter sent by CAPA 4.3 CAPA International Education

146 Cromwell Rd London SW7 4EF

Part 5 – Attributes

5.1 Put an x in the box to confirm you have received your sponsor letter from CAPA and are including it with the rest of your documentation

5.2 Check the box next to studying a course 5.3 Check the box and make sure you include an official college transcript with the

submission of your passport and other required documents 5.4 Check the Yes box and in the space provided and write “Assessed through submission of

CAPA student application form and letters of recommendation.” 5.5 Check No Go to question 5.7 5.7 Check No and go directly to question 5.12 5.12 Put a check in the box to claim 30 points for attributes

Part 6 – Maintenance (Funds)

6.1 Enter the number of months for the CAPA program. You will need to round up the number of months. Ex) If you are studying for 6 weeks, you should enter 2 months. If you are studying for 14 weeks, you should enter 4 months.

6.2 Enter the total amount of your program fees as listed in your CAPA visa letter. 6.3 Enter Yes and Enter amount listed on your CAPA visa letter in the space provided below. 6.4 Check the box beside Shown in the Visa Letter 6.5 Not applicable 6.6 Check the box next to initial application 6.7 Check the box next to the Inner London Boroughs 6.8 Enter in £800 GBP multiplied by the number of months listed in question 6.1 then

proceed to question 6.13 6.13 Check the box next to Yes and then enter the amount from the sponsor visa letter 6.14 Check the box next to Shown in the Visa Letter 6.15 Not applicable 6.16 Financial Aid Students should check Yes box and non-financial aid students should

check the No box. Note: Students using their bank accounts for evidence of funds must send in bank statements

in their name on bank letterhead, or online print offs which have been stamped and signed by a representative at their local branch. Funds must have been in the student’s account for 30 days upon lodging the application.

If Yes 6.17 If you are using federal financial aid or a private loan, check Yes 6.18 Check the box that states you will provide a letter to confirm the financial sponsorship

which can be a financial aid award letter or proof of student loan.

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6.19 Enter the amount of financial aid you will be receiving To calculate the course fees, subtract the amount found in your UK visa letter for accommodation fees from the total amount for course and maintenance fees, also as found in your UK visa letter. In the maintenance fees box, enter the amount found in your UK visa letter for accommodation fees.

6.20 Check the No box and proceed to question 6.22Put an X in the box to confirm you have claimed 10 points for your level of funds.

Note: Students using financial aid as evidence of funds must provide letters directly from the loan providers and agencies, not award letters from their financial aid offices.

Part 7 Summary Sheet Write in “30 points” in the box for points claimed for possession of a Visa Letter from CAPA

and write “Sponsor Visa Letter from CAPA International Education” in the space for documents provided.

Write in “10 points” in the box for points claimed for maintenance funds and write” Sponsor Visa Letter from CAPA International Education” in the space for documents provided. The total should equal 40 Sign and Date in the space provided. Remember to include this form, along with all of the other documents that are listed in the email you receive from the consulate upon submitting your online application, in the pack of supporting documentation that you mail to the UK consulate assigned to your region.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING EVIDENCE OF FUNDS The UK Government requires that you show access to 800 GBP for each month that you are in the UK. You should always round up when calculating the number of months, for example, if your program is 6 weeks, calculate 2 months. If it is 10 weeks, calculate 3 months, etc. When calculating the amount that you need to show that you have access to, multiply the number of months for which you will be in the UK by 800 GBP. Ex. For 2 months, you will need to have access to 1600 GBP. From this amount, subtract the total amount of the accommodations as indicated in your UK visa letter. Ex. 1600 GBP – 1200 GBP (amount of accommodations) = 400 GBP. This is the amount that you will need to show access to in the account information you send in with your visa application. Go onto www.xe.com or www.oanda.com to calculate this amount in dollars. The funds must be held for 28 days and not have dipped below the required amount on any day during those 28 days . The evidence must be dated as a maximum of 1 month old at the date of the biometrics being taken. The closing balance of the document will be used for determining the level of funds available. If you are submitting bank statements, they must show:

• Your name, if it is a joint account, you must be one of the holders named. • The account number • The date of the statement (maximum 1 month old)

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• The financial institutions name and logo • The amount of money available

If you use electronic bank statements, every page must be stamped with the official bank stamp. If submitting a letter from your bank, the letter must show:

• Your name (account must be in your name, if it’s a joint account, you must be a holder) • The account number • The date of the letter (maximum 1 month old) • The financial institutions name and logo • The amount of money in your account • That there has been enough money consistently in your account for 28 days to cover the

maintenance requirements If submitting a loan in your name, this must show:

• You name • The date of the letter (maximum 1 month old) • The loan companies name and logo • Either the money in your account or the money available as a loan

If the maintenance requirements are lower than or equal to the accommodation requirements already provided in your program, we do still recommend that you send in sufficient bank information to support that you have 50 GBP in your account for each week that you will be in the UK.

Important: If you do not fill out the forms correctly or if you omit some of the supplementary information requested by the consulate, it is likely that your visa application will be denied and you will need to reapply. In this event, you will need to reapply and pay in full for a new visa application, as well as schedule a new biometrics scan. Please be sure that all of the supporting documents you provide are official and original and that you have answered any applicable questions thoroughly and with accuracy.

Upon receipt of your passport containing your UK PBS Tier 4 (General) student visa

When you receive your passport back, a sticker will have been placed in your passport. You should check it immediately for the following:

– Make sure it says you are a “student,” and not a “student visitor” or “visitor”. – Check its start date. You cannot use the entry clearance to travel to the UK before this

date. – Check its expiration date. – Check whether or not it says that you must register with the police on arrival in the UK. If

it does, then make a note to contact the CAPA London Center staff to ask how you do that as soon as you arrive in the UK. You will be expected to register with the police within seven days of your arrival. Not all students are given conditions that require them to register with the police.

You will need to show your entry clearance sticker to an Immigration Officer when you land in the UK. You are unlikely to be asked many questions. However, it is sensible to have evidence that you meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules for students in your carry-on luggage so that you can produce it if necessary. Check your passport when the Immigration Officer gives it back to you so

that you are aware if they have made any changes to your conditions (for example, by adding a requirement for you to register with the police). You will also need to show your passport to a member of the CAPA team in London. They are required by law to keep a copy of your visa on file for the British immigration authorities. Please bring your passport with you to your on site orientation.

Sample Prior Entry Clearance Visa Stamp:

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