1. Immigration OfficefBRUNELINTERNATIONAL Applying for a Tier 4 Visa Webinar 2pm 03/07/2012 By Brunel Internationals Immigration Office Lorraine Clark & Laura Cable-Burgess

2. Immigration Officef What is a Tier 4 (G)BRUNELINTERNATIONAL Student Visa? A Tier 4 (General) Student Visa is: A visa issued for study on a specific course, at a specific College/University A College/University must be registered as a Tier 4 Sponsor with the UK Border Agency (UKBA) to be able to offer courses to International Students Each College/University has a Tier 4 Sponsor Rating Brunel University sponsor rating is Highly Trusted

3. Immigration OfficefBRUNEL Applying for a Tier 4 VisaINTERNATIONAL For a Tier 4 visa you must obtain 40 points. To obtain the points, the UK Border Agency (UKBA) need you to meet the following requirements. - 30 points for having a Confirmation of Acceptance Of Studies (CAS) Number - 10 points for meeting the Maintenance (Funds) requirement (Tuition Fees and Living Costs) Total = 40 points

4. Immigration Officef Confirmation of AcceptanceBRUNELINTERNATIONAL of Studies (CAS) what is it? A CAS is an official and unconditional offer of a place on a course of study A CAS makes up 30 points of your 40 points requirement for a Tier 4 (G) Student visa A CAS Number is not an actual certificate/document on paper document A CAS is an electronic document, with a number, relating to the offer of study (including what qualifications were used to get the offer and Tuition fees for the course). It also contains other details about the applicant. The information in the CAS is sent to UKBAs database.

5. Immigration Officef How can I get my CAS?/BRUNELINTERNATIONAL How do I use it? Meet the conditions of your offer for the course at Brunel. Brunel University only issues a CAS once all conditions of an offer for a course have been met The CAS information given to you (in an email from our International Admissions Office) will help you to complete the Tier 4 (G) application form (if applying from inside the UK) or VAF9 application form and Appendix 8 Student Self Assessment form (if applying from outside the UK- also known as applying for Entry Clearance)

6. Immigration Officef Maintenance (Funds)BRUNELINTERNATIONAL what is it? The Maintenance requirement is evidence you have enough money for your Tuition fees and Living costs The Maintenance requirement makes up 10 points of your 40 points requirement to get a Tier 4 (G) Student visa You have to show you have this money (funds) when applying for the visa

7. Immigration Officef Maintenance (Funds) BRUNELINTERNATIONAL How much is it? All Tuition Fees IF the course lasts 12 months or less. Tuition Fees for the first year of the course ONLY, if the course is over 12 months in length PLUS Living Costs (figure set by UKBA) of: 800 per month of the course up to a maximum of 9 months (7,200) based on studying in Outer London (Brunel University is classed as Outer London)

8. Immigration Officef Maintenance (Funds) BRUNELINTERNATIONAL How do I show it to UKBA? The documents you need to show depend on whether you are considered to be: Officially Financially Sponsored or a Self- Funding Student. An Officially Financially Sponsored student is someone who is funded/sponsored by: Her Majestys Government, the Tier 4 (General) students home government, the British Council or any international organisation, international company, university or an Independent School An Uncle/Friend/Parent is not an Official Financial Sponsor.

9. Immigration Officef Official Financial Sponsorship BRUNELINTERNATIONAL documents required You will need an original document from the Official Financial Sponsor A letter of confirmation from his/her Official Financial Sponsor on official letter-headed paper or stationery of the organisation of the official financial sponsor; and have the official stamp of that organisation on it. The letter must show: the students name; the name and contact details of the official financial sponsor; the date of the letter; the length of the sponsorship; and the amount of money the sponsor is giving to the student or a statement that the students official financial sponsor will cover all of his/her fees and living costs. If your sponsor only pays your Tuition Fees YOU must provide evidence that you yourself have the living costs.

10. Immigration Officef Self Funding StudentBRUNELINTERNATIONAL - How do I show it to UKBA? Evidence of cash funds (Shares, Bonds, Overdrafts, Credit Cards, Pension Funds NOT acceptable) Account must be in yours/parents /Legal Guardians name(s) Money must have been held for a consecutive 28 day period ending no more than 1 month before the date of application Can use: Bank Statement/Bank Letter/Bank Book/Loan Letter Specific Format see UKBA Tier 4 Policy Guidance Document

11. Immigration Officef Money Held by ParentsBRUNELINTERNATIONAL Additional Documents You are required to show additional documents: i. the students birth certificate showing names of his/her parent(s); ii. the students certificate of adoption showing names of both parent(s) or legal guardian; iii. a Court document naming the legal guardian of the student. The document use must be the original legal document or a notarised copy. PLUS i. a letter from his/her parent(s) or legal guardian. The letter must confirm: the relationship between the student and his/her parent(s) or legal guardian; and that the parent(s) or legal guardian have given their consent to the student using their funds to study in the UK. If you are applying inside the UK you also need your parent to complete Declaration Page 27 of the Tier 4 (G) application form

12. Immigration Officef Self Funding StudentBRUNELINTERNATIONAL Warning If using account from overseas check that it is a bank that the UKBA accepts see list of acceptable financial institutions in the UKBA Tier 4 Policy Guidance If using overseas currency use OANDA.com to work out the figure in (UK Pounds Sterling). Use the smallest figure during the consecutive 28 period and calculate the converted amount using the date of the end balance. You must show the documents in the correct format, showing the information required as listed in the Tier 4 Policy Guidance document

13. Immigration Officef Other DocumentsBRUNELINTERNATIONAL Needed? Other Main Documents: Original Qualifications listed in the CAS (Evidence to Obtain Offer) ATAS certificate (if applicable) List of Documents depends on where you are applying from: If outside the UK see UKBA Supporting Documents Guidance Tier 4 (General) If inside the UK see UKBA Help text for Tier 4 (General)

14. Immigration Officef Where can I getBRUNEL more information about Tier 4?INTERNATIONAL UK Border Agency (UKBA) - http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk Please read all guidance available on UKBA website to ensure you meet the requirements and provide documents in the correct format. UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) - http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/index.php This organisation provides useful information and advice sheets on a range of different topics including Tier 4 Visas Brunel University Immigration Office (Brunel International) You can email us with queries at Immigration@brunel.ac.uk