Student Support Services, University of Sheffield

Immigration Support for University of Sheffield International College Students

This presentation is for students who are

will be studying a masters course of a duration of 13 months or less (any country) at the University of Sheffield

OR

a national from one of the following countries/regions:

• Australia, Bahrain, Barbados, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Cambodia,

Canada, Chile, China, The Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Japan,

Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, New Zealand, Oman,

Peru, Qatar, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, United

Arab Emirates, United States of America, British National (Overseas),

Hong Kong, Macau SAR, Taiwan

Student Support Services, University of Sheffield

Important message for students studying a Masters course of 13 months or less about the end of the Tier 4 Pilot Scheme

We have been informed that the Tier 4 Pilot Scheme will be closed in the first half of

October 2020.

We do not know if this means:

a) that you will no longer be able to apply under the Tier 4 pilot if your course starts after

the date the pilot scheme is closed; or

b) if it means you will still be able to apply under the Tier 4 pilot, even if your course

starts after it closes, but you apply for your visa before it closes.

We will update this presentation as soon as possible once we receive clarification on this

from UKVI, so you will know which documents you need to submit with your visa

application. UKVI have confirmed that this is happening because they are introducing the

Graduate Immigration Route from the summer of 2021.

Question: Why are you asking me to keep the money in my account for 28 days if you are telling me I shouldn’t submit the financial evidence?

Answer: Because UKVI still ask that you meet the requirements, even if they don’t check that you do. However, they might do spot checks and therefore you need to be prepared.

Also, in case the Tier 4 pilot scheme is suspended by the time you apply, Masters students might have to submit their financial evidence after all.

Student Support Services, University of Sheffield

Question: How much money do I need to show?

Answer: £9135 for maintenance plus

outstanding course fees

Outstanding course fees = first year course

fee minus any deposits pad

Where can you apply for your visa?

• You must apply for your visa outside the UK in your

home country

• Outside the UK (check visa processing times

https://www.gov.uk/visa-processing-times)

Student Support Service, University of Sheffield

What if I can’t leave the UK due to Covid-19?

• Current concession enables students to extend their

visa until 31st July 20

• If travel restrictions continue, the concession might be

extended and you might be able to extend inside the UK

• Please monitor the UKVI webpages, our webpages and

check your emails/our social media regularly for

updates about this – see last slide for links

What if I can’t make an application in my home country due to Covid-19?

• Contact International Student Support for

updated guidance and we can advise you

on your possible options at the time:

• You might be able to apply from a different

country instead

• You might be able to follow your course

online/via distance learning until you are able to

travel

• Contact our team on

international.students@sheffield.ac.uk and

we will advise you accordingly, depending

on your individual circumstances

What if my travel back to the UK is delayed due to Covid-19?

When to apply for your visa

• After you have kept the required amount for a minimum of

28 days in your bank account AND

• Once you have received your CAS

Student Support Services, University of Sheffield

When do I receive my CAS?

• Foundation students moving onto a UG

course – Your CAS application tasks

should appear in your pre-registration

menu from 6th July

• Pre-Masters students moving onto a PGT

course - Your CAS application tasks

should appear in your pre-registration

menu from 20th July

Student Support Services, University of Sheffield

Having your financial evidence checked – Optional but recommended

• After your CAS has been issued, and before you submit

your visa application.

• Complete financial evidence check and send it to us

together with copies of the financial evidence

• Send to international.students@sheffield.ac.uk

• You will get advice from International Student Support on

whether the financial documents will be acceptable

should UKVI request these and any further action you

might need to take.

• Don’t submit the payment for your visa application until

your financial documents are acceptable.Student Support Services, University of Sheffield

Pre-Masters students only• You are applying under the Tier 4 pilot (information valid

at the time of writing but see slide 3 regarding end of

Tier 4 pilot scheme)

• Do NOT include your financial evidence or previous

qualifications with your visa application (but see slide

• Include a supporting letter (download template from

webpage ) to show you don’t have to send financial

evidence or qualifications, even if they are listed on your

document list on your application form

• Make sure you get 6 months at the end of your course or

contact us if you haven’t and we’ll assist you to get it

correctedStudent Support Services, University of Sheffield

Low risk nationals

• DO NOT include your financial evidence or previous

qualifications

• If the document checklist lists these, include a supporting

letter that you are a national from a country which is

subject to different documentary requirements under Tier

4 of the Points Based System according to Appendix H

of the immigration rules.

Student Support Services, University of Sheffield

CAS process

• You must complete each section and submit your CAS

application

• You will need a scan of your passport

• You will be asked about previous UK study - you must answer

‘YES’ and include details of your USIC course together with any

other study in the UK

Student Support Services, University of Sheffield

CAS Process

Student Support Services, University of Sheffield

• Your CAS will be issued within 8 days of you submitting the

CAS application to Admissions

• You will receive an email once your CAS has been issued

• Any payments of tuition fees will only appear on your CAS

after it has been issued - wait 48 hours

• Further information:

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/international/welcome/cas-application

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/international/welcome/cas-

application/faqs

For more information go to: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/immigration/tier-4-application/outside-ukhttps://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/international/usic/august-cohort• How to make your visa application

• What documents to send

• What to check when you receive your visa

• If you cannot find the information on those webpages:

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/international/email

• Dedicated visa information website for USIC students –

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/usic/index

Student Support Services, University of Sheffield

One to one advice sessions

Email international.students@sheffield.ac.uk and book a one –to-one session with an Immigration Adviser via skype or google hangouts

Monday-Friday 9am to 5pmEmail us with your availability and preference of skype/google hang outs

Student Support Services, University of Sheffield

Acceptable financial evidence (remember: Only send financial evidence IF UKVI contact you and ask you to)Bank statement which shows transactions over a minimum

of 28 days OR

Letter which confirms that you have held the money you’ve

got in your account for a minimum of 28 days OR

Letter which confirms the lowest amount you held during

the last 28 days OR

Only if you receive official financial sponsorship (ie from

your government): a sponsor letter

Acceptable financial evidence

• Bank letter must be dated within a month

of application

• Last transaction of bank statement should

be within one month of application

• If not using own statements - only parents

statement acceptable instead (no other

family member or company accounts)

For more information see:

visa information for USIC students: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/usic/index

UKVI updates on covid-19 and visas: https://tinyurl.com/sb3r32khttps://tinyurl.com/sb3r32kMaking a visa application - University of Sheffield webpages:https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/immigration/tier-4-application

Covid-19 FAQ’s: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/coronavirus

sign up on our social media for updatesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sheffieldglobalcampus/wechat: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/students/news/wechat-1.876495

UKCISA information on immigration: https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice

UKCISA information on COVID19 https://tinyurl.com/ybm6ufft

Student Support Services, University of Sheffield