UK Tier 4 (General Student) Visa Guidance:

Below is the brief description for Admission at 360 GSP College and Tier 4 (General Student) visa process for the overseas students who are currently residing outside EU/EEA and United Kingdom. These guidelines are specific to 360 GSP College location and sponsor category and subject to change at any time without prior notice; we strongly suggest you contact us via email or phone and or visit www.ukvisas.gov.uk for up to date information.

What is a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)?

A CAS is an electronic document created by a UK Border Agency licensed sponsor (such as 360 GSP College) to demonstrate that they have accepted an applicant to join one of their courses in the UK. Under Tier 4 an applicant must have a CAS before making an application. The CAS must demonstrate that the applicant has an official, unconditional offer from the sponsor for the course of study he / she wants to undertake. The applicant must note the unique fourteen digit reference number for their CAS on the appropriate field on their application form.

The CAS must be issued no longer than 6 months before the date of application, otherwise it will expire. Having a valid CAS will not guarantee entry clearance as the applicant will still need to demonstrate that they meet all the Immigration Rules for the category.

Do I still need a visa if I have a CAS?

Yes. All applicants wanting to travel to the United Kingdom under Tier 4 of the points-based system will need prior entry clearance (a visa). They will need to submit the CAS reference number with their entry clearance application. On any course where its duration is 6 months or more, the applicant will be able to enter the United Kingdom up to 1 month before the date he/she starts the course of study. We will take the start date as the date given by the sponsor on the CAS.

How do I apply for a visa?

You should complete application form VAF9 with your personal details. Depending on which country you are making your application from, you may be able to complete this online. You will also need to complete Appendix 8 for (General) Student. This is only available as a PDF document and must be completed manually and sent in with your supporting documents. Check UKBA Visa application centres if you need to apply through a visa application centre (VAC) or the British mission in your country.

Important for (General) Students:

To qualify for Tier 4 of the Points Based System you must be able to demonstrate that you have the tuition fees and funds to support yourself and any dependants. The maintenance amount for the main applicant is calculated at £600 per month. For courses of up to 9 months duration you will be required to show that you have the full tuition fee plus the appropriate monthly amount for each month you intend to be in the UK. On a course of more than 9 months you will be required to show that you have the first year of the tuition fees plus £5400. These amounts must be held in your personal bank account or your parent(s) / legal guardian’s bank account for a consecutive 28 day period (finishing on the date of the closing balance) ending no more than 1 month before your application.

How are the points calculated?

Points are awarded for having a valid CAS issued by a licensed sponsor (360 GSP College) which is worth 30 points. In addition 10 points are given for fulfilling the Maintenance (Funds) requirement. Entry Clearance Officers will only award points where you have indicated that you wish to claim them, and for which you have supplied the required supporting evidence.

English language assessment:
The level of English language ability you must have and how your sponsor is allowed to assess your competency is dependant on:

1.When your CAS was assigned;

2.The type of course you are following; and

3.The type of institution at which you will be studying

You may sometimes be required to attend an interview with UK Border Agency officials as part of your application. From 21 April 2011, if you are required to attend an interview and you cannot show at the interview that you have the English language ability required, your application may be refused.

Courses where the CAS was assigned before 21 April 2011

If you are applying to study in the United Kingdom, using a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies assigned before 21 April 2011 and you are coming to study a course that is below NQF Level 6, your Tier 4 sponsor must ensure that you are competent in English language at a minimum of CEFR level B1.

If you are coming to study an English language course with a CAS assigned after 21 August 2010 and before 21 April 2011, and you are not from a majority English speaking country, your sponsor must decide how to assess your English language competency.

If you are coming to study a non-English language course with a CAS assigned after 21 August 2010 and before 21 April 2011, your sponsor must assess your English language competency in one of the following ways:

1. You are from a majority English-speaking country;

2. You have passed an English language test from the list of approved tests for Tier 4 that is still within its validity date, and have achieved at least CEFR level B1 in all four components (reading, writing, speaking and listening) or

3. You have successfully completed a course as a Tier 4 (Child) student (or under the student rules that were in force before 31 March 2009, where you were granted permission stay whilst you were under 18 years old) which was:

&nbsp &nbsp a. least six months in length; and

&nbsp &nbsp b. Ended within two years of the date the sponsor assigned the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies.

Further details, including the list of majority English language speaking countries and a list of the approved English language tests for Tier 4 is available in the Tier 4 guidance. If you take an approved English language test you must inform your Sponsor of the result and include confirmation of the results with your visa application.

Courses where the CAS was assigned after 21 April 2011

Courses below degree level:

If you were assigned a CAS on or after 21 April 2011 and you are studying a course below NQF Level 6, including foundation degrees, English Language courses and pre-sessional courses, your Tier 4 sponsor must ensure that you are competent in English language at a minimum of CEFR level B1. Your sponsor must assess your English language competency in one of the following ways:

• You are from a majority English-speaking country; or
• You have completed an academic qualification at least equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree which was taught in English in a majority English-speaking country; or
• You have passed an English language test from the list of approved tests for Tier 4 that is still within its validity date, and has achieved at least CEFR level B1 in all four components (reading, writing, speaking and listening) or,
• You have successfully completed a course as a Tier 4 (Child) student (or under the student rules that were in force before 31 March 2009, where you were granted permission stay whilst you were under 18 years old) which was:
  • At least six months in length; and
  • Ended within two years of the date the sponsor assigned the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies.

Courses above degree level:

If you were assigned a CAS on or after 21 April 2011 and you are studying a course at NQF Level 6 and above, with a sponsor who is not a Higher Education Institution, your Tier 4 sponsor must ensure that you are competent in English language at a minimum of CEFR level B2 in one of the following ways:

1. You are from a majority English-speaking country; or
2. You have passed an English language test from the list of approved tests for Tier 4 that is still within its validity date, and have achieved at least CEFR level B1 in all four components (reading, writing, speaking and listening) or,
3. You have successfully completed a course as a Tier 4 (Child) student (or under the student rules that were in force before 31 March 2009, where you were granted permission stay whilst you were under 18 years old) which was:

a. At least six months in length; and

b. Ended within two years of the date the sponsor assigned the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies

Claiming Points for Maintenance (Funds)

· One of the requirements of Tier 4 is that an applicant coming to the United Kingdom must be able to support himself/herself for the entire duration of his/her stay in the United Kingdom without use of public funds. An applicant who is unable to do so could face financial hardship because he/she will not have access to most state benefits.

· You can demonstrate that you have the required maintenance either by providing evidence of official financial sponsorship or Government sponsorship, or that you have cash in a bank account or loan facilities. A combination of sponsorship and own funds is also acceptable.

· To meet the maintenance requirement (without sponsorship) you must be able to show you have enough money to pay your tuition fees and to support yourself for up to a maximum of 9 months. You must provide evidence of any fees paid and then show that you have funds for the difference. The British Council estimates you will need a minimum of £600 per month for living costs.

· Initial applications: On a course of 9 months or less will need to show evidence of the full tuition fees plus £600 per month. Part months will be rounded up to the next month. On a course of more than 9 months we will need to see the first year of tuition fees plus 9 months of maintenance at the rates given above. This would mean £5400.

What supporting documents should I include with my application?

You should include originals of all documents specified. They must be on the official letter-headed paper or stationery of the organisation and have the official stamp of that organisation. You should also provide a copy of each document. Where a document is not in English or Welsh, the original must be accompanied by a full translation that can be independently verified by the UK Border Agency. The original translation must contain confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document, the date of the translation, the translator’s full name and signature, and the translator’s contact details. You must show that you have held the money in your personal bank account or your parent(s) / legal guardians bank account for a consecutive 28 day period (finishing on the date of the closing balance) ending no more than 1 month before your application.

You should provide full contact details for each document supplied. You should also provide any information/explanation of the documentation submitted, that may assist us in our consideration.

The specified documents required for points scoring are as follows:

(GENERAL) STUDENT

You must send the documents you used to obtain the CAS from the sponsor as listed in the CAS. You will need to know what evidence your sponsor has included on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies so you can include it with your application. You must get this information directly from the Tier 4 sponsor before making the application. The UK Border Agency will not provide this information to you.

Where qualification certificates have been used as the basis of the offer or part of the basis of the offer we must see the original certificate(s) of qualification and/or original transcript of results.

Maintenance (Funds)

CAS: Fees/Maintenance

Your CAS must show the cost of the fees. This should also show what fees you have already paid, otherwise you should send an official, original receipt confirming some or all of the fees (and accommodation, if applicable) have been paid.

If you are using a bank loan as your evidence, the bank must be regulated by an official regulatory body and you must provide a document from the bank confirming the loan. If you do not get the bank loan until you have your visa, you must provide the original document confirming the loan. The loan should be dated no more than 6 months before the date of the application.

The loan funds must be available to you before you travel to the United Kingdom. There must be no conditions placed upon the release of the loan funds to you, other than you making a successful Tier 4 application.

You must show that you have enough money to pay your fees and monthly living costs for at least the first year of studies (or the length of your course if it is shorter than 9 months).

(GENERAL) STUDENT: OWN FUNDS

This must be in the form of cash funds in the bank (this includes savings accounts and current accounts even when notice must be given, loan or official, financial government sponsorship available to you). Other accounts or financial instruments such as shares, bonds, pension funds, etc., regardless of notice period are not acceptable. If you wish to rely on a joint account as evidence of available funds, you must be named on the account along with one or more other named individuals. If you wish to use money held in an account owned by your parent(s) / legal guardian, you must show evidence that you are related to your parent(s) / legal guardian and that your parent(s) / legal guardian has given permission to use this money. If you have an offer of a bank loan confirmed that will be available on the issue of your visa, you must provide the original document confirming the loan. There must be no conditions placed upon the release of the loan funds, other than you making a successful Tier 4 application.

All evidence, except for loans, must show that the money has been in your personal bank account or your parent(s) / legal guardian’s bank account for a consecutive 28 day period (finishing on the date of the closing balance) ending no more than 1 month before your application.

Overseas funds must be converted into pounds sterling so that UKBA can assess them. The official exchange rate UKBA use is the one produced by OANDA. You should use the exchange rate on the OANDA website for the date the document was issued. This is an independent website, for which UKBA are not responsible.

Only the following documents will be accepted as evidence:

1. Personal bank or building society statements.
2. Savings account/building society pass book/s;
3. Letter from your bank or building society;
4. Letter from a financial institution regulated by the home regulator (official regulatory body for the country in which the institution operates and the funds are located) confirming funds or loans

Personal bank or building society statements
These should clearly show:

1. Your name/the name of your parent(s) or legal guardian, if applicable;
2. Your account number;
3. The date of the statement;
4. The financial institution’s name and logo;
5. The level of funds available.

Ad hoc bank statements printed on the bank’s letterhead are allowed as evidence, but not if they are mini-statements from cash points. If you wish to send electronic bank statements from an online account they must have all of the details listed above. You will also need to send a supporting letter from your bank, on company headed paper, confirming the authenticity of the statements provided. An electronic bank statement bearing the official stamp of the bank will be accepted. This stamp should appear on every page of the statement.

Savings account/building society pass books
These should clearly show:

1. Your name/the name of your parent(s) or legal guardian, if applicable;
2. Your account number;
3. The financial institution’s name and logo;
4. The level of funds available.

Letter from a bank confirming funds
These should clearly show:

1. Your name/the name of your parent(s) or legal guardian if applicable;
2. Your account number;
3. The date of the letter;
4. The financial institution’s name and logo;
5. The funds held in your account;
6. That there is enough money in the account to cover your tuition fees and living costs.

Letter from a regulated financial institution confirming funds or loan
These should clearly show:

1. Your name/the name of your parent(s) or legal guardian if applicable;

2. Your account number (unless for a loan);

3. The date of the letter;

4. The financial institution’s name and logo;
   and either

5. The funds held in your account; or

6. The funds available to you as a loan.

Students using money held by his / her parents:
If you are relying on money held by your parent(s) / legal guardian, you must show that you are related to your parent(s) / legal guardian. You must provide either:

1. Your birth certificate showing names of your parent(s);
2. Your certificate of adoption showing names of both parent(s) or legal guardian;
3. A court document naming your legal guardian.

The document must be the original legal document or a notarised copy.

If you are relying on money held by your parent(s) / legal guardian, you must also show that your parent(s) / legal guardian has given their permission for you to use this money. You must provide:

1. A letter from your parent(s) or legal guardian.

The letter must confirm:

1. The relationship between you and your parent(s) or legal guardian; and
2. That your parent(s) or legal guardian have given their consent to you using their funds to study in the UK.

How long will I be able to stay in the UK?

(GENERAL) STUDENT

Degree level or above:

• On a course of 12 months or more: the full length of the course plus 4 months after the end of your course;
• On a course of 6 months or more, but less than 12 months: the full length of the course plus 2 months after the end of your course;
• On a Pre-sessional course of less than 6 months: the full length of the course plus 1 month after the end of your course;
• On a course of less than 6 months (non pre-sessional): the full length of the course plus 7 days after the end of your course.

Below degree level:

• On a course of 12 months or more: the full length of the course (up to a maximum of 3 years if you are 18 years old or above) plus 4 months after the end of your course;
• On a course of 6 months or more, but less than 12 months: the full length of the course plus 2 months after the end of your course.

Can I appeal if my application is refused?

Outside the United Kingdom a refusal of entry clearance under PBS does not attract a full right of appeal. You can appeal only on one or more of the following grounds referred to in Section 84(1)(b) and (c) of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002:

• that the decision is unlawful by virtue of Section 19B of the Race Relations Act 1976 (c.74) (discrimination by public authorities), and/or
• that the decision is unlawful under Section 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998 (c.42) (public authority not to act contrary to Human Rights Convention) as being incompatible with the appellant's Convention rights.

However, all applicants can apply for an Administrative Review, which is a mechanism for reviewing refusal decisions. See separate question on 'What is Administrative Review?'.

What is Administrative Review?

If UKBA refuse your application for entry clearance under the points-based system and you think that an error has been made, you can ask us to check our decision. This is known as an Administrative Review. The review will, for example, look at whether your claimed points were correctly assessed.

The Administrative Review is free of charge. You must ask for an Administrative Review within 28 days from the date you receive the refusal notice (GV51).

You must complete this in full and send it directly to the address stated on the Request Notice.

You MUST NOT send any additional documents such as passport/travel document or supporting documents with the Administrative Review Request Notice. If the refusal is subsequently overturned, you will be asked to send in your passport/travel document. You may request only ONE Administrative Review per refusal decision. Any further review requests for the same refusal decision will not be accepted and will be returned to you.

The Administrative Review will be completed within 28 days and you will be notified of the result in writing. The result of the Review may be sent from a different Post to where the original decision was made, to ensure that the Review is independent.

Can I work whilst I am in the UK?

(N.B. New rules regarding working in the UK will be effective from 01/07/11 – we recommend that you check the UKBA website for updates)

(GENERAL) STUDENT

Employment:
If you are studying at degree level or above, you can work part time during term time, which is no more than 20 hours a week.

If you are studying below degree level you can work part time during term time which is no more than 10 hours a week.

However during vacations, you can work full time.

Can my dependants join me in the UK?

(GENERAL) STUDENT

If you will be studying in the UK for six months or less you cannot bring your partners and / or children (also known as dependants) to the United Kingdom with you.

If you will be studying in the UK for longer than six months you can bring your partners and / or children with you.

Your husband, wife, civil partner or eligible partner and children under 18 can join you as your dependants in the UK if:

• you are studying in the UK for more than six months
• they have a visa for this purpose and
• you can support them without any help from public funds. , You will need £400 for each month of stay for each of your dependants up to a maximum of 9 months.

Can my dependants work in the UK?

From 3 March 2010, for family members of Tier 4 (General) Students only – if your grant of leave is for a course of study below degree level, that is not a foundation degree course, your family member will not be allowed to work whilst in the United Kingdom.

What do my dependants need to make an application?

They will need to make their application using form VAF10 either online or on paper depending upon the facilities available in the country in which they are applying. They will also need the following:

• Their passport or travel document;
• A recent passport sized photograph,
• The visa fee. This cannot be refunded and they must normally pay it in the local currency of the country where they are applying;
• Their biometric details;
• Supporting documents relevant to their application.

What supporting documents should my dependants include with their application?

Your dependants should include all the documents necessary to show that they qualify for entry to the UK as your dependant. If they do not, UKBA may refuse their application.

As a guide, your dependants should include:

• Evidence of their relationship to you;
• Evidence that you can support them and live without needing any help from public funds; and
• A copy of the pages from your passport/travel document showing your permission to stay, if you are already in the UK.

UKBA will refuse application/s if they find that any documents are false.

More advice and information

If you are outside the UK please contact your nearest visa application centre or where no visa application centre is available, your nearest British mission where there is a visa section.

False documents

It is better to explain why you do not have a document than to submit a false document with an application. Applicants will be automatically refused and may be banned from coming to the UK for 10 years if they use a false document, lie or withhold relevant information. They may also be banned if they have breached immigration laws in the UK.

Travellers to the UK who produce a false travel document or passport to the UK immigration authorities for themselves and/or their children are committing an offence. People found guilty of this offence face up to two years in prison or a fine (or both).