Applying for a Visa Outside the UK

1
Applying for a Visa Outside the UK

• Naheeda Kauser Visa Support Manager
• Websitehttp//www.bradford.ac.uk/international/vi
  sas/

2
UK Visas Immigration (UKVI)

• We have tried to provide you with accurate
  information about Tier 4 visas but the rules do
  change.
• Please check the UK Visas Immigration website
  to make sure you are meeting their requirements.
• Applying for a Tier 4 (G) visa outside the UK
• https//www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa/apply

3
Application Process

• You will have to apply online from your home
  country within 3 months of the start date of your
  course https//www.gov.uk/apply-uk-visa
• Youll need to
• register for an account
• pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
• fill in the application form in English
• pay for the visa fee online (in most cases)
• print out your form
• book and attend an appointment at a visa
  application centre

4
How much money will I need to apply for a new
visa?

• Immigration Health Surcharge (150 for each year
  of the new visa).
• Examples
• for a 1 year PG course this will be 150 x 1 plus
  75 for extra 4 months of your visa - total 225
  PLUS 225 for EACH dependant
• for a 3 year UG course this will be 150 x 3 plus
  75 for extra 4 months of your visa - total 525
• For a 4 year PhD programme this will be 150 x 4
  plus 75 for extra 4 months of your visa - total
  675 PLUS 675 for EACH dependant
• Visa Application fee
• Applying outside the UK 328 PLUS 328 for EACH
  dependant (from 18th March 2016)

5
Tier 4 Visa Requirements

• You need to have 40 points in order to get a Tier
  4 visa. Points are awarded as follows
• 30 points - for having a valid Confirmation of
  Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a Tier 4
  sponsor
• 10 points for having enough money to cover your
  course fees and monthly living costs
• In addition the Home Office has to be satisfied
  you are a genuine student credibility
  interviews will be carried out

6
CAS Academic Qualifications

• In order to help students to make a successful
  Tier 4 application, the Visa Support Team will be
  carrying out extra checks for all applicants,
  including low risk nationals, before we can
  issue their CAS. This could mean a delay in
  getting their CAS so it is imperative that they
  start planning and preparing for their
  application now.
• We will email you your CAS once you have provided
  all the information the Visa support Team have
  requested. You will need the details of your CAS
  number, course start/end dates and fees (due and
  paid) in order to complete your visa application.
• On your CAS it will also say documents we used to
  assess your ability to do your course e.g. your
  previous qualifications.
• You will need to send the ORIGINALS of all the
  documents listed on your CAS with your
  application.

7
ATAS Certificate

• Only for Science Engineering related PhD and
  some MSc students
• Please contact the Visa Support Team and we will
  advise if you need one and how to apply.
• Full details of the scheme can be found on
  https//www.gov.uk/academic-technology-approval-sc
  heme

8
How much money will I need in my bank account or
in my sponsor letter?

• The UK Government says you need 1,015 per month
  for your living expenses for study outside of
  London.
• You will need to show that you have living
  expenses for a maximum of 9 months.
• You will therefore need 1,015 x 9 if your
  course is longer than 9 months - total 9,135.
• You will also need to show you have enough money
  for your tuition fees for the first year of your
  course (or the balance if you have already paid
  some of the fees).

9
Example

• You have a CAS to do BSc. Your fees are 11,000
  for the first year and you have paid 2,000
  deposit. Your outstanding fees are therefore
  9,000.
• You will need to show 9,135 for your 9 months
  living expenses PLUS 9,000 for outstanding fees
  - total 18,135.
• You also need to budget for the IHS and
  application fee for each applicant

10
Bank Statements

•  
• You will need an ORIGINAL bank statement covering
  a 28 consecutive day period ending no more than
  31 days before the date of application. It must
  show
• Your name and
• The account number and
• The date of the statement and
• The banks logo and
• The amount of money available.
• Printed out bank statements must include all of
  the above information and be stamped by the bank
  on every page OR have a letter on letter headed
  paper to confirm that they are genuine.
• Make sure that your bank account is with a
  financial institution that is acceptable by the
  UKVI http//www.bradford.ac.uk/international/visa
  s/new-students/financial-requirements/

11
Example

• Your date of application is 20 August 2016
• Your bank statements should have the required
  funds for 28 consecutive days at the date of
  application. The following dates on your bank
  statement are acceptable
• 15 July 2016 - 15 August 2016 or
• 4 July 2016 4 August 2016
• NOT ACCEPTABLE
• 16 June 2016 to 16 July 2016 as this would be
  more than 31 days old on 20th August 2015

12
Parents Bank Statement

• You can use your parents bank statement as
  evidence and it must include all the information
  outlined earlier.
• You must show that you are related to your
  parent(s) and they have given their permission
  for you to use this money.
• You must provide the following
• Your birth certificate showing the names of your
  parent(s)
• A letter from your parent(s). The letter must
  confirm
• the relationship between you and your parent(s)
  and
• that your parent(s) have given their consent to
  you using their funds to study in the UK.

13
Sponsor Letter

• If you are sponsored e.g. by your Government or
  have an official scholarship then you need to
  provide a letter from your sponsor on official
  letter-headed paper with their official stamp.
  It must show
• Your name
• The name and contact details of your official
  sponsor
• The date of the letter and
• The length of your sponsorship and
• The amount of money the sponsor is giving you OR
  a statement that your official sponsors will
  cover all of your fees and living costs.

14
Sponsor Letter contd.

• The course title and length of sponsorship should
  match those on our offer letter
• If applicants are applying with dependants then
  the Sponsor Letter should state if they are
  paying living expenses for them also (680 per
  dependant per month)
• Any shortfall in the fees and/or living expenses
  has to be shown in your own bank account for 28
  consecutive days as for self funded applicants

15
Loan Letter

• The loan letter from a regulated financial
  institution must be dated no more than 6 months
  before the date of application. It must be the
  original and show
• Your name (cannot be in parent(s) name)
• The date of the letter and
• The financial institutions name and logo
• The money available as a loan (if there is a
  shortfall this would have to be in your bank
  account for 28 consecutive days)
• That the loan is provided by your
  national/regional government or a government
  sponsored loan company or part of an educational
  loan scheme.
• There must be no conditions attached to the
  release of the loan funds to you, other than
  your Tier 4 application being successful

16
Supporting Evidence

• You also need
• A valid passport
• One photo
• Original qualifications listed on your CAS
• ATAS (if applicable)
• Bank statement or Sponsor Letter
• Translations of any supporting documents not in
  English (include original documents along with
  translations)
• Tuberculosis test
• You may need to get a TB test depending on where
  youre applying from.

17
Credibility Interviews

• You are also likely to be interviewed as part of
  your application to find out if you are a genuine
  student.
• Questions could include
• Why you wish to study in the UK?
• If the costs of doing your course of study in the
  UK are higher than in your home country, why have
  you decided to pay this extra cost to study in
  the UK?
• Why do you wish to study at Bradford? Have you
  researched about our facilities, campus and city?
  Did you look at any other Universities? What
  made you choose Bradford after looking at all the
  choices?
• Why did you choose this particular course? You
  will have to show what research you have done and
  your knowledge of your course.
• How do your studies fit into your career plans?
  For example will doing this course help you to
  get a better job and how.
• If you have previously studied in the UK, why
  have you decided to return? Will this study be at
  a higher level?
• You have had a long break in your studies, why
  are you returning to study now?
• Do you plan to work in the UK?
• How will you fund your studies? Have you looked
  into how much it will cost you to do your course?
  How will this be paid for? Why you are willing
  to spend this amount? What will be the benefits?

18
Change of Course

• Please carefully consider the course that you
  apply for as it is very difficult to change your
  course once you are in the UK
• Even if you are thinking of changing your course
  at the same institution this may mean you cannot
  complete your course within your existing visa
• Consequence You will then have to return home to
  make a new application

19
Interview Preparation

• Prepare by fully researching what the University
  of Bradford and course have to offer you and how
  this course will help with your future career
  plans.
• You can find more information about the
  University and your course on our website
  http//www.brad.ac.uk/external/
• Make sure you are fit and well and able to
  understand the questions. If you do not feel well
  or are unable to understand any questions please
  let the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) know and
  ask for clarification.
• The Visa Support Team can help you to do practice
  interviews so that you are prepared. Please
  provide us with Skype contact address and we
  will arrange this.

20
Your New Visa

• You will be issued a visa for only 30 days in
  your passport. This will be based on the start
  date of your course on your CAS, e.g. 14
  September or your intended date of travel as
  stated on your application form
• If your application is decided before the 15
  August your 30- day visa will be valid from 15
  August to 14 September OR
• If your intended date of travel is 1 September
  your 30-day visa will start 7 days before this
  date.
• You must travel to the UK before the expiry of
  the 30 day visa or pay a fee apply again for a
  new 30 day visa.
• http//www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Visas
  -and-Immigration/Making-a-Tier-4-General-applicati
  on-outside-the-UKlayer-3915

21
Biometric Residence Permit Collection

• You will have to collect your FULL visa called a
  Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) from a Post
  Office in the UK. We can help you with this when
  you arrive.
• Please note that when you make your application
  in your home country you will have to state the
  postcode for your Residential address in the UK
  or the Sponsors (Universitys) postcode. This
  is BD7 1DP. We recommend you put the University
  postcode and press find so that you are
  assigned the Post Office on Sunbridge Road,
  Bradford to collect your BRP.
• Sunbridge Road Post Office is 10 minutes walk
  from the University and our International Office
  staff will accompany you to the Post Office to
  collect your BRP.

22
Accompanying Letter

• You will also receive a letter with your 30-day
  visa.
• The letter will have details of
• The Post Office where you will collect your new
  visa
• Your name date of birth
• The Universitys Sponsor Licence Number
• Your Tier 4 (General) student status
• Start and end dates of your course.

23
Is your visa correct?

• You should check that all the information on the
  letter and 30-day visa is correct.
• If anything is wrong ask for it to be changed
  immediately before you travel.
• If there is no time then ask the entry clearance
  post for advice.
• We would advise you to make copies of your 30-day
  visa and accompanying letter. Keep copies
  separate from the originals.

24
Airport Pick Ups

• Airport pick up services for September 2016 entry
  students will be available from 13 September 18
  September inclusive from Leeds/Bradford Airport
  and Manchester Airport.
• This service MUST be pre-booked by sending your
  flight details to airportpickup_at_bradford.ac.uk
• Please include the following information in your
  email
• Your full name
• Your student number (UB Number)
• Your accommodation address in the UK
• Arrival airport (i.e. Leeds/Bradford or
  Manchester)
• Arrival terminal (Manchester Airport only)
• Date and time of your arrival
• Your flight number.

25
Arrival in the UK Enrolment

• After locating your accommodation please come to
  the Hub in Richmond Building.
• Staff from the Visa Support Team, the
  International Office, Accommodation Services and
  Finance Team will be on hand to answer any
  queries that you may have.
• We will also help you to collect your BRP from
  the Post Office.

26
BRP Collection must be done before enrolment

• Before you enrol with the University you will
  need to collect your BRP from the Post Office.
• You must do this within 10 days of arrival in the
  UK.
• If you do not collect it within 10 days of
  arriving in the UK you may have to pay a fine
  and/or your visa may be cancelled.
• We will help you to collect your BRP from the
  Post Office. Please visit the Hub, Richmond
  Building when you arrive at the University to
  arrange this.
• Your BRP will show your visa for the full course
  plus some extra months depending on the length of
  your course.
• N.B. You have to make sure that the you use the
  Universitys postcode (BD7 1DP) in your
  application form to avoid any delay in you
  getting your BRP and starting your studies.

27
BRP Image
28
Can I bring my family members?

• Only the following students will be able to bring
  their partners and/or children (also known as
  dependants) to the UK with them
• new postgraduate students on a course lasting 12
  months or more and
• new Government sponsored students following a
  course that is longer than six months.
• Source Tier 4 Policy Guidance version 04/2016,
  para 260.

29
Financial Requirements for Family Members

• You will need to show living expenses for EACH
  dependant at 680/month for a maximum of 9
  months.
• You will also need to pay the Immigration Health
  Surcharge for EACH dependant of 150/year for the
  full length of your course plus the extra months
  at the end.
• You will also need to pay an application fee for
  EACH dependant.

30
Contact Details

• Visa Support Team
• Email visasupport_at_bradford.ac.uk
• Website http//www.bradford.ac.uk/international/v
  isas/
• Sue Baker
• International Student Adviser
• Email s.m.baker_at_bradford.ac.uk

31
UK Visas Immigration

• Disclaimer
• Information given in this presentation is based
  on the current Immigration Rules which are
  subject to frequent change.
• Please check the latest requirements at the time
  you make your Tier 4 application on the Home
  Office website https//www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-
  visa/apply

32
UK Council for International Student Affairs
(UKCISA)

• Applying for a Tier 4 (G) visa
• http//www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Visas
  -and-Immigration/Making-a-Tier-4-General-applicati
  on-outside-the-UK
• UKCISA Student Helpline is open Monday to Friday,
  1300 - 1600 hours (UK time)
• Outside the UK 44 20 7788 9214
• Inside the UK 020 7788 9214
• Standard national/international call charges
  apply.