Tier 4 Visa Maintenance Requirements

What Documents Do I Need for my visa application? You need to submit a number of original documents to support your Tier 4 application. CAS Number and CAS Statement issued by Cardiff Metropolitan University Current Passport & Previous Passport (if used to travel to the UK) Passport size colour photographs Previous original academic qualifications used to obtain admission at Cardiff Metropolitan University Translations that meet Tier 4 requirements (if any documents that are not in English) Secure English language test certificate (if applicable) Evidence of Funds – bank statements / financial guarantee letter (more details to follow in this video) Birth Certificate / Affidavit / Sponsor letter (more details to follow in this video) Medical Evidence for tuberculosis screening (if applicable) ATAS Certificate (if applicable) More details on what documents you will require for your visa application will be given in our ‘General Documents Required for Tier 4 Application’ video.

Bank Statements - How much money will I need to show? 3333 You will need to submit bank statements with your application to show that have enough money to cover: 1. Any outstanding course fees that you still have to pay: If your course is 12 months or longer – you will be required to show 1 year of course fees If your course is less than 12 months – you are required to show all course fees PLUS 2. Living expenses: £820 per month if you are studying in Cardiff. If your course is longer than 9 months – you will be required to show £7380 for your living expenses (maintenance) If your course is less than 9 months (such as a pre-sessional course) – you will be required to show : Number of Months of the Course X £820 per month Dependants –will be required to show maintenance of £4140 (if applying at same time as main applicant)

Are you eligible for the lower maintenance requirement? If you have previously studied in the UK and still have a valid Tier 4 visa, you may be eligible for the lower maintenance of £1640 provided you meet the ‘established presence’ rule:* *You have established presence if: You have a valid Tier 4 visa AND You have studied or completed a single course that was at least 6 months long within the validity of your current visa (otherwise know as your last period of leave) OR You are applying for a visa to continue your current course of study, where you have already completed at least 6 months of that course

If I pay accommodation fees, will this be deducted from the maintenance costs? University-owned Accommodation – If you make a payment to the university for Halls Of Residence accommodation, a maximum of £1020 can be deducted from your total living costs. Maintenance costs WILL NOT be reduced if you make a pre-payment towards privately owned accommodation.

Example 1 1 year Postgraduate course (applying from overseas): Course fees – £12,000 Course fees already paid - £3000 Course fee outstanding = £9000 Maintenance (Living costs) = £7380 Overall amount you must show in your bank statement: £16380 (£9000 + £7380)

Example 2 3 year Undergraduate course (applying from overseas): Course fees (for one year) = £10200 Course fee already paid = £3000 Course fee outstanding = £7200 Maintenance (Living costs) = £7380 Accommodation Fee Paid = £2000 (Maximum of £1020 can be deducted from maintenance costs) Living costs outstanding (£7380-£1020) = £6360 Overall amount you must show in your bank statement = £13,560 (£7200+ £6360)

Will my maintenance costs be lower if my course is shorter than a year? If your course is less than 9 months (such as a pre-sessional course / CSM Summer School Programme) – you will be required to show the Number of Months of the Course X £820 per month Example: 12 week pre-sessional course (3 months) Course fees - £3200 Course fees already paid - £3000 = £200 course fee outstanding Living costs - £820 X 3 months = £2460 Overall amount you must show in your bank statement = £2660 (£200+£2460)

What documents can I use to show I have the required funds? The Immigration Rules state that maintenance must be in the form of cash funds and that as evidence of your maintenance you need to submit one of the following with your application: Original bank statement Printed bank statements- Electronic / Online bank statements – need to be stamped, signed and dated by the bank on EACH PAGE Letter from bank to confirm that the minimum required level of funds have been held in the account for at least 28 consecutive days Letter from a regulated financial institution confirming savings Educational Loan from a financial institution provided by a national, state or regional government, or a government-sponsored student loan company, or be part of an academic or educational loans scheme.

What information must the financial document contain? Account holder’s name Account number Date of the statement/letter (this must be no more than 31 days before the date of visa application) Financial institution’s name and logo (Please check Appendix P for list of UKVI approved banks – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-rules-appendix-p) All transactions to show that the required funds have been held in the account for at least a consecutive 28 day period or a written statement from the bank confirming this prior to the date of the application. If your money is not in pounds sterling (£) – You must also submit evidence of the currency conversion on the date of your application using the OANDA Conversion facility: http://www.oanda.com/currency/converter/

IMPORTANT! The balances in your account have to be maintained for at least 28 consecutive days prior to the date of application. If the funds drop below the required amount at any time in the 28 day period, your visa application will be refused!

Example of Electronic Bank Statement for Tier 4 Application Financial Institution’s name and Logo Account number Date of bank statement Account holder’s name Amount of money held in the account for a consecutive 28 days Stamped and signed by the bank

Example of Bank Statement for Tier 4 Application Amount of money held in the account for a consecutive 28 days Account holder’s name Financial Institution’s name and Logo Account number

Example of Educational Loan Letter Financial Institution’s name and Logo Student’s name as per passport Sanction for Education loan Must state the name of the course you will be studying and studying at Cardiff Metropolitan University Amount of loan – please ensure that the loan covers the required level of funds for fees and living costs Nature of loan- to cover tuition fees and maintenance – living costs Date of loan letter – valid for at least 6 months from date of loan letter Stamped and signed by bank official

Bank Statements – Account Holder Details Only your own personal bank statements or bank statements in your parents’ names can be used as acceptable evidence of finances. Bank statements in the name of family members other than your parents will NOT be accepted by UKVI and your application will be refused. Additional documents to be submitted if you use your parents’ statements: 1. Your original birth certificate (or certificate of adoption or court document naming your legal guardian) AND 2. A letter from your parent/legal guardian confirming their relationship to you and the fact that the funds in their account will be used for your course fees and living expenses. Joint bank account- If you want to use a joint account as proof of your money, you must be named on the account along with one or more other person. You will need a consent letter from the other account holder permitting you to use the joint account.  

Official Financial Sponsorship or Government Sponsor Only certain organisations may be defined as official financial sponsors: Your Home Government The UK government British Council or any International organisation An International Company University or UK Independent School The Scholarship letter must include: ·         The student’s name (must be as per passport) ·         The name and contact details of the official financial sponsor ·         The date of the letter ·         The length of the sponsorship; and ·         Confirmation that the financial sponsor will cover all of your fees and living costs.

Example Official Sponsorship Letter /Financial Guarantee Letter The name and contact details of the official financial sponsor Student’s name as per passport Date of letter Length of sponsorship Student’s name as per passport Confirmation that sponsor will cover all tuition fees and living costs

Are there any forms of financial evidence that will not be accepted? Bank statements in a company name (Business statements) Bank statements from relatives other than your parents or legal guardians Bank statements confirming accounts such as shares, bonds and pension funds Sponsorship letters issued by a local company or organisation, or a family member Any financial evidence from an overseas bank listed on the UKVI website as a non approved financial institution (Appendix P) https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/370997/20141106_immigration_rules_appendix_p_final.pdf

Does your name appear the same on all documents? You need to ensure that your name appears on all documents as stated on your passport, such as: -Academic documents (certificate, transcripts) -English language tests (Secure English language tests) -Birth Certificate (if applicable) -Sponsorship letter –Financial Guarantee letter (if applicable) -Bank statement You will need to obtain an affidavit if there are any discrepancies in your name on various documents and this will need to be submitted with your visa application. An affidavit is a sworn testament (by a solicitor, British High Commission, Embassy) to confirm that the differences in your name are in fact the same person. Failure to provide this with your visa application may lead to a visa refusal

Will I be required to obtain translations of my documents if they are not written in English? YES! All documents must be in English or accompanied by an official translation which meets Tier 4 requirements. Requirements of an acceptable translation: The date of translation The translator’s full name and signature The translators contact details and qualifications A statement to confirm that it is an accurate translation of the original document

Financial Document Check list Calculate the amount of funds you will need to maintain (course fees and living expenses) Check that your bank does not appear on list of banks that are NOT approved by UKVI – Appendix P of the Immigration Rules Monitor your bank account to ensure you maintain the required level of funds for a consecutive 28 day period and obtain your bank statements in advance of your Tier 4 visa application and check they meet all of the requirements If you will be sponsored – ensure your Sponsorship letter meets the requirements and send a copy to the University. If you are using your parents’ bank statements, obtain a letter from them and your birth certificate If any of your documents are not in English – obtain official translations Ensure that your name appears the same on all documents (bank statement, academic documents, English language test, birth certificate) as stated on your passport, otherwise obtain an affidavit and send this to the University.

Any questions? Still unsure whether you have the correct documentation or how much money you are required to maintain? Please refer to the Tier 4 policy guidance on the UKVI website: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/453913/T4_Migrant_Guidance_August_2015.pdf Contact the International Office at internationalaccept@cardiffmet.ac.uk to seek further advice and guidance.