1. COMPLETE YOUR TIER 4 APPLICATION
HOW TO….
COMPLETE YOUR TIER 4 APPLICATION
Introduce self, give a brief aim of workshop; to understand how to fill out the application form, know what documents are required and clear any doubts regarding any area of the application process.

2. Who can apply?
Students already in the UK on a Tier 4 visa and want to apply for extension
Dependants of any of the above
Presessional students with 30 days or less left between the start of new course and expiration of current leave
Those with the following visas: Tier 2; Student visa, Work Permit Holder
Those with a STUDENT VISITOR cannot extend in the UK and must return to their home country for a fresh application.
For example, if an applicant’s leave expires on 10 September, his new course must start no later than 09 October.
A student who is below 18 years old is not allowed to spend more than 3 years on a course below UK bachelors degree level.

3. When to apply?
You can apply once you have all supporting documents required.
You can apply up to the last day of your current visa.
If you have some time left on your current Tier 4 visa you are able to start your new course as Reading is a Highly Trusted Sponsor. However, you should apply as soon as possible.

4. Where to apply? Apply by post (£386) or in person (£702)
If applying by post send by ‘recorded’ or ‘special delivery’ through a post office. Processing times may be 4-14 weeks. Occasionally longer.
If applying by person you MUST make an appointment. This can be done by telephone or on-line at . Generally a decision will be given on the same day. However, the visa will be sent by post on a BRP card, a number of days later

5. You will need….
A current application form (available from
Passport
BRP card (if issued with one previously)
2 passport sized photographs (taken within the past month)
A CAS
Certificates of any qualifications mentioned in the CAS which have been used by the university in a offer.
Financial documents to show you have tuition fees for 1 year plus living expenses (bank statements, letter from official sponsor, letter of financial support from parents, etc.)
Police Registration Certificate (if applicable)
An ATAS certificate (if applicable)
Translation of any documents not written in English
Explain that dependant applications can be made at the same time as main applicant’s. It’s cost effective.
Application fee for main applicant is £386 (postal) and £702 (PEO)
For dependants; if applying same time - £193 (postal) and £351 (PEO). If separate; £550 (postal) and £850 (PEO)
For financial documents; explain that only original bank statements are permitted, if from an online account or printed from an online statement, it must be stamped and signed by the bank or preferably, a cover letter from the bank, stating the amount and duration. Note that the funds must have been in the account for at least 28 days before the application.

6. THE APPLICATION FORM
Remind students to use BLACK INK.

7. Ensure you are using the current form
This form is for applications made after 4 July 2011
Post your application to the postal address given using Recorded Delivery
Students are advised to use the Special Delivery service of the Royal Mail. This ensures that applications can be tracked online and shows proof of delivery.

8. AO. UoR is a Highly Trusted Sponsor
A1. Select how you wish to apply
A2-A3. State address where you wish to receive your post
A6. The most reliable way to pay is by postal order
A11. Make sure your card number is written out clearly and correctly

9. A19. Only relevant if dependants are applying at the same time as main applicant
It will cost £193 for each dependant applying at the same time.
Each dependant must complete a separate PBS Dependant Form.

10. Use passport photographs taken within the last month and write your full name at the back. Place in an envelope and attach with a clip.

11. Select which one applies.
BO. You are ‘low risk student’ if you are a national of any of these countries;
ARGENTINA AUSTRATLIA BRUNEI CANADA
CHILE CROATIA HONG KONG JAPAN
NEW ZEALAND SINGAPORE SOUTH KOREA TAIWAN
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO USA
A BRITISH NATIONAL OVERSEAS
Ask if anyone is from Taiwan and explain that it only applies to those who hold a passport issued by Taiwan and such passport must include the number of the identification card issued by the competent authority in Taiwan as well.
A BNO is a British citizen national without a right of abode. BNOs are people from Hong Kong who applied for this status before 1997 and who could not register as British citizens under the 1990 – 1997 Acts concerning Hong Kong. Or just make an appointment for the student to come in for further explanation.

12. B2-B4. Must be as contained in your passport
B5. Applies to those who have had other names E.g. married women. Nicknames not required
B5. Reason for change of name could be because of marriage of by Statutory Declaration or change of name. Must be stated especially if old name still applies in passport or used for a previous application.

13. B6-B10. Fill as applicable B15. BRP is ID card number
B13 – B15. Only if known by the student. Could leave it blank or write ‘n/a’
B15. BRP is ID card number

14. B16 – B25. Fill in appropriately.
Important to emphasize the need to answer question B25 as required. Failure to answer the question WILL lead to the application being refused.
AB1 is on page 31 of the T4 Application Form
VERY IMPORTANT!!!
B25 MUST BE ANSWERED. DO NOT IGNORE!!!!!!!!

15. C4. State any previous nationalities.
C1-C3. State under which nationality you applied or entered the country and additional nationalities if any.
C4. State any previous nationalities.
C5. If you answered ‘Yes’ to C4, then C5 MUST be completed!!!
Failure to do this may result in the application being refused.

16. State details of current passport
State details of current passport. Previous passport only applicable if used to come to the UK or holds current visa.

17. D1-D2. if ‘Yes’ state the country and city the visa was obtained. Eg
D1-D2. if ‘Yes’ state the country and city the visa was obtained. Eg. Chile (country) Santiago (city)
D3. reference number is NOT the number in red but the number which reads ‘VAF no …’

18. Fill as appropriate. Refer to visa as a guide.
D6 –D7. Students in this category should book an appointment.

19. D8. Fill in current visa status. Refer to visa as a guide.
D9. Example of an official sponsor is The British Council etc. Your parents are NOT official sponsors
Anything other than Tier 4 or Student, should book an appointment to speak to an advisor.
Please refer to para. 263 on page 43 of T4 guidance notes for definition of an official sponsor.

20. Answer as appropriate and give details if you answered YES to any of the questions seek advice.
Students with a ‘yes’ answer should make an appointment to speak to an advisor.

21. Seek advice if the answer to D18 or D20 is yes.

22. VERY IMPORTANT!!!
Part E is COMPULSORY and MUST be completed.
Traffic and criminal offences must be declared, even if committed in another country.

23. Section F MUST be completed.

24. Students can state that they, “can not remember” if they have forgotten the details of where the biometrics were taken.
Must be stated if taken and give details. If you do not remember the details, we suggest you write month/year/cannot remember.

25. Only applicable if applying with a spouse, partner or children and at the same time. Children must be under 18.
AG1 is on page 36 of form. Details of dependants should be filled as requested.

26. H1. The tier 4 sponsor is; University of Reading
State the full address as written on CAS .
Main university contact details; Whiteknights, P O Box 217, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6AH or as contained in the CAS.
Refer to your CAS for licence number

27. Refer to CAS for all details on this page
Refer to CAS for all details on this page. Occasionally the start date on the CAS will be later than the actual start date. In this situation notes at the end of the CAS will state the actual start date.
Note that CAS never overlaps when it comes to course dates. Sometimes, course start date is different from actual start date. Mention to students that only the date as contained in the CAS should be stated.

28. K1. HIGHLY IMPORTANT!! Please refer to CAS
K2. Answer would most likely be ‘Studying’

29. For a list of independent certified translators, please see the Institute of Translators and Interpreters website at
It should be emphasized that the ITI is not a State regulated body and they charge a fee for their services.
K3. Only originals of documents listed in CAS will be accepted. If documents are not in English, they must be translated by a certified translator. RUSU have an information leaflet on Translation services.

30. K5.Tick as appropriate
K6. ATAS certificates are required for certain courses.
For more information visit We advise you to check this as soon as possible.

31. L1. This relates to your tuition fees for the 1st year as in CAS
The applicant must have had the funds for a consecutive 28-day period of time, ending no earlier than one calendar month before the date of application. L2 is the amount already paid. This information is usually contained the CAS.
L2. This is the amount that has already been paid. Again, please refer to CAS.

32. L3. Information can be found in CAS or paper receipt from Whiteknights House/RISIS.
Reduced maintenance is showing £600 for 2 months (£1200) in an account for the 28 day period. Please refer to para. 155 of Guidance Notes on page 27.
L4. You may qualify for reduced maintenance if you have been studying in the UK for 6 months or more

33. L7. If your course is more than 9 months the amount is £5400
L5. UoR is outer London
L7. If your course is more than 9 months the amount is £5400
NOTE!!! This slide applies to those who do not qualify for reduced maintenance.
L11. If you are staying in Halls of Residence or University accommodation AND have already paid fees, tick the ‘yes’ box. If you are renting privately the answer is ‘no’.
Maintenance calculated as £600 x 2 months = £1200 (For students who qualify for reduced maintenance)
And £600 x 9 months = £5400 (For students who do not qualify for reduced maintenance)
L12. If you have paid money in advance to university for accommodation state the amount

34. L10. You will need to put the sum of £1200
NOTE!!! This slide applies to those who qualify for reduced maintenance.
L8. UoR is outer London.
L10. You will need to put the sum of £1200
L11. If you have paid in advance for University accommodation tick the ‘yes’ box. If you are renting privately the answer is ‘no’.
This slide is for students who qualify for the reduced maintenace.
L12. State the amount paid to the university.

35. L13. Tick as appropriate
L14. Tick ‘yes’ if on scholarship. Parents are NOT official sponsors
L15. Tick to confirm you have your original award/sponsorship letter, if sponsored.
L16. Specify amount your sponsor is providing. It is usually contained in your award letter. State if it is per month or per annum.
L20. tick ‘yes’ if your sponsorship does not cover tuitions fees plus maintenance

36. L22. Tick ‘yes’ if you have full scholarship
L21. Fill in how much is the amount still owed for tuition fees and maintenance. Add up both figures and fill it in the ‘Total’ box.
L22. Tick ‘yes’ if you have full scholarship
If ‘No’ then you must provide additional documents.
L23. Tick to confirm that additional documents have been provided and select from the options.
L24. Select which applies to you. One of these is sufficient.
If you receive full scholarship tick ‘no money owed’.
Note that if the student has paid for accommodation, the amount paid for accommodation should be deducted form the total amount for maintenance and the balance should be written. E.g., if maintenance amount is £1200 and £500 has been paid towards accommodation, what should be written is £700.
Also, the amount should be shown in an account for a consecutive 28 day period. This amount must not fall short of what is required to be shown during the 28 day period. The end balance on the statement must not be older than 30 days of the date of application.
M1. Tick which option applies. If ‘Yes’ seek advice

37. Fill in name and address and it MUST be signed and dated by applicant.
If the bank account used is in joint names, then joint holder MUST also fill this portion.

38. If the bank account is in your parents’ name, then they MUST fill this portion, sign and date it and have it sent to you. If a joint account, all joint holders MUST sign

39. Read the declaration in full before you print name, sign and date form.

40. O. Not relevant. Do not fill.
State the number of documents attached.
State the points claimed for each criteria and list the documents provided in support of each criteria.

41. Bank statements must show…
Student/parents’ name
Account number
If the statement is printed from the internet each page must be stamped by the bank
Date of the statement
Financial institution’s name and logo
Amount of money available over a 28 day period, ending no later than 1 month before application

42. DOCUMENTS CHECKLIST Current Tier 4 (G) application form Passport
BRP/ID card
2 passport-size photos
CAS number
Documentary evidence to prove maintenance (for example, bank statements)
Any documents listed in the CAS (Academic qualifications)
Police Registration certificate (if applicable)
ATAS certificate (if applicable)
DOCUMENTS CHECKLIST

43. THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Obtain CAS & collect financial documents
Complete application form Tier 4 (Gen)
Post application (or attend PEO in person)
Receive letter from UKBA acknowledging receipt of application
Attend Biometrics appointment
UKBA grant leave to remain
Passport & ID card returned separately
THE APPLICATION PROCESS

44. For further information we advise students to read the following:
UKBA Tier 4 application Help text as found at
UKCISA Guide to completing your application as found at:

45. If you would like your completed application to be checked before submission please bring it to any drop-in session. For further advice, please contact any of the Student Advisors at the RUSU Reception or via phone or ;

46. QUESTIONS