1. How to apply for a Tier 4 visa Student Immigration Team

2. How to apply for a Tier 4 visa What you need to know:- - immigration healthcare surcharge - TB testing - ATAS - credibility interviews - BRP card collection - police registration - unacceptable financial institutions - low risk students Which documents are required Process of how to apply Visa Refusals

3. Applying for a Tier 4 visa from overseas Earliest date you can apply for visa is 3 months before the start date of the course so if your course starts in September your CAS will be issued in June CAS issued by Admissions Staff in Academic School once you have accepted your unconditional offer online Draft CAS will be emailed to you so check that all of the information is correct and email visa@manchester.ac.uk if there are any errorsvisa@manchester.ac.uk

4. Immigration Healthcare Surcharge New charge introduced this year to entitle you to free hospital treatment in the UK Only affects students who will be issued with visa for 6 months or more Charge is £150 per year and £75 for part of year (less than 6 months) Calculated on length of visa, not length of course so you need to calculate how much you need to pay Length of course + 1 month before start of course + 4 months after end of course Cost is £225 for a 12 month Masters course Students from New Zealand and Australia are exempt but still have to obtain an IHS number from UKVI website

5. TB Testing Affects students coming to the UK for more than 6 months Depends on what country you have been living in for last 6 months prior to applying for your visa Involves having a chest x-ray from a UKVI approved test centre Check list of countries on UKVI website to see if you need to have a test: https://www.gov.uk/tb-test-visa/countries-where-you-need-a-tb- test-to-enter-the-ukhttps://www.gov.uk/tb-test-visa/countries-where-you-need-a-tb- test-to-enter-the-uk You must include your TB certificate in your Tier 4 application and carry the certificate in your hand luggage when you travel to the UK

6. Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Designed to provide additional security checks on students who study certain Science and Engineering courses Scheme is managed by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office If your course of study is listed in Appendix 6 of the Immigration Rules you will need to obtain ATAS clearance from the FCOAppendix 6 Apply for your ATAS certificate online through the ATAS website Applications are free of charge but take at least 20 working days to process so apply early! Your School will provide information to you about your course which you need to apply eg. list of taught modules You must submit ATAS certificate as part of Tier 4 application

7. Credibility interviews As part of Tier 4 application UKVI could invite you to attend a credibility interview The interview will take place in the Visa Application Centre and you will speak with UKVI staff in Sheffield (UK) via Skype You will be asked questions in the following areas:- - why you decided to study in the UK - why you chose to study at the University of Manchester - the reasons for selecting your course A transcript of the interview will be sent to the officer who processes your Tier 4 application

8. BRP Card Collection If you apply for a visa for more than 6 months you not be issued with a visa for the duration of your course Instead you will be issued with a single entry visa that is valid for 30 days (vignette in your passport) You will also be issued with a letter that confirms the conditions of your visa eg. whether you need to register with the police You must carry this letter with you when you enter the UK You can use the vignette to travel to the UK during the 30 day period Once you are in the UK you need to collect your BRP card containing your Tier 4 visa from a local Post Office or from the University directly

9. BRP Card Collection When you apply for your visa, enter the University of Manchester code in the ‘alternative location’ field The code is 2HE372 Once you are in the UK you must collect your BRP card containing your Tier 4 visa from the University directly when you register If you enter the University or your accommodation postcode (eg M13 9PL) you will be directed to a local Post Office to collect your BRP There will be more information about this on your CAS statement

10. BRP Card A BRP card is a biometric residence permit which contains a chip with your biometric information along with your other personal details and your visa conditions (name, nationality, date of birth, sponsor licence number, visa expiry date) Your BRP card will look like this:

11. Police Registration If you are coming to the UK for more than 6 months you may have to register with the police Check on the UKVI website if you need to register with the police: https://www.gov.uk/register-with-the-police https://www.gov.uk/register-with-the-police If you are from one of the listed countries you need to make an appointment to register with the police once you are in the UK and have completed steps 1 – 10 of registration and you have collected your BRP card Book an appointment with the police yourself through My Manchester (instructions on our website): http://www.studentnet.manchester.ac.uk/crucial-guide/academic- life/immigration/policeregistration/ http://www.studentnet.manchester.ac.uk/crucial-guide/academic- life/immigration/policeregistration/ Police registration costs £34 in cash You must update your certificate every time you obtain a new passport, new visa or you change your address

12. Unacceptable financial institutions There are restrictions on the financial institutions of the following countries: Cameroon, Ghana, India, Pakistan, Iran and the Philippines If you come from one of these countries you need to check that the bank statements from your bank will be accepted as part of your Tier 4 application You can check the list of financial institutions which are acceptable on the UKVI website: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment _data/file/370997/20141106_immigration_rules_appendix_p_final.p df https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment _data/file/370997/20141106_immigration_rules_appendix_p_final.p df

13. Low Risk Students from some countries are classed as ‘low risk’ by UKVI This means you do not have to submit financial documents or qualifications documents as part of your Tier 4 application However, you still have to sign a declaration to confirm that you have the required level of funds to meet the Tier 4 maintenance requirements Check on the UKVI website whether you are from a low risk country: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment _data/file/300949/Appendix_H.pdf https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment _data/file/300949/Appendix_H.pdf If you have dual nationality you can only be classed as low risk if you apply from the low risk country using the passport of that nationality

14. Financial Requirements You need to show that you have the funds for your first year’s tuition fees plus £7380 for living expenses (£820 per month x 9 months) If you have paid any of your tuition fees in advance this will be confirmed on your CAS so you can show less funds in your bank account The funds must be in your bank account or your parent’s bank account for 28 days before you apply for your visa If the balance drops below the required amount your visa application will be refused The bank statements you submit must be original and must have been issued within the last month The bank statements must contain the following information:- - the name and logo of the bank; - your name and account number; - the date they were printed; - they must show all of your transactions covering at least a 28 day period.

15. Qualification Documents You need to submit the qualification documents that are listed on your CAS This could be A Levels, Foundation programme or a degree You must submit the original qualification document as evidence that you have been awarded this qualification eg. original degree certificate or original transcripts If your qualification document is not in English you need to have it translated by an official translator and include the translation and the original document in your Tier 4 application

16. Documents required for Tier 4 application You will need the following documents:- - CAS number (from your School) - Valid passport - One recent passport photograph that meets the UKVI requirements - Original qualification documents that are listed in your CAS eg. degree certificate or transcripts that confirm you have been awarded the degree (unless you are low risk) - Official translation of your qualification document (if it is not in English) - ATAS certificate (if required) - TB certificate (if required) - Original sponsor letter or original bank statements as evidence of funds - Official translation if your bank statements are not in English - Evidence that you have paid the healthcare surcharge - Original birth certificate (if you are using your parent’s bank statements) - Letter of consent from your parent (if you are using their bank statements as evidence of funds)

17. How to apply for Tier 4 visa Read the information on our website: http://www.studentnet.manchester.ac.uk/crucial- guide/academic-life/immigration/applying-overseas/ http://www.studentnet.manchester.ac.uk/crucial- guide/academic-life/immigration/applying-overseas/ Complete the online Tier 4 application through the Visa4Uk website: https://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/https://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/ Pay Immigration Health Surcharge online Book and attend a biometric appointment at a Visa Application Centre Submit original documents at biometric appointment Await documents to be returned with the decision about your application

18. Visa Refusals Most common reason for refusal is submission of financial documents that do not meet the Tier 4 requirements or insufficient level of funds in bank account If your Tier 4 application is refused, scan and email all the pages of your refusal notice to visa@manchester.ac.ukvisa@manchester.ac.uk We will advise you on why you were refused and what you need to do next Most students re-apply with the correct documents and are successful If your application is refused on financial grounds we will need to see new financial documents before a new CAS number can be issued You can apply for an administrative review to have your application looked at again but this can take a long time so re- applying is usually the best option

19. Questions?