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United Kingdom:

Tier 4 Student Visa

IMPORTANT:

If you are NOT a US Citizen read the instructions document for Non-US Citizens FIRST.

For all Year; Semester Programs with Internship/work/volunteer

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Visa Basics

Read first to learn basic facts on Tier 4 Student Visa

When can I apply?

You cannot apply more than 3 months before the start of your program.

Allow at least 4-6 weeks for application processing.

How much does it cost?

£328* (about $480 US). This fee is non-refundable, regardless of the outcome of the visa

application. *fees are subject to change.

There may be additional costs such as the immigration health surcharge, transcripts, etc.

If you do not allow at least 4-6 weeks for application processing, you will need to pay additional

charges for expedited visa processing.

How long is my visa valid?

If your program is longer than 6 months, you may enter up to 1 month before your program start

date.

If your program is less than 6 months, you may enter up to 1 week before your program start

date and stay up to 1 week after the end of your program.

Your program or “course” start date is the date provided by your host university on your CAS

(Find more information regarding CAS on the next page).

Am I Eligible for the Tier 4 Student Visa? Who should apply? ALL students studying for the year Semester students interested in interning, working, or volunteering while abroad

Who should NOT apply? Summer students cannot obtain a CAS number, and are therefore ineligible for the Tier 4 Student

Visa. You MUST apply for the Student Visitor Visa if you are participating in a summer program. Semester students that are NOT interested in interning, working, or volunteering while abroad

Students with EU citizenship

So you determined you will need a Tier 4 Student Visa… Read on!

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All About the CAS Detailed information regarding CAS

How do I receive a CAS number? All year-long students automatically

receive a CAS number as they MUST

apply for the Tier 4 Student Visa

Semester programs do not require a Tier 4

Student Visa. Semester students who wish to

intern, work, or volunteer must request a CAS

number (it is not automatically issued).

Now that you know all about the Visa Basics, continue to the next page for

step by step instructions on how to apply for your Tier 4 Student Visa!

What is a CAS number? A CAS, or Certificate of Acceptance for

Studies, is a digital certificate and a unique

reference number that is given to each

student. A CAS number is required for all Tier

4 Student Visa applicants as the UK

Consulate uses this CAS number to verify

your student status.

Step 1: Your host university enters your student information and your program information into a UKVI database. This confirms that they are your official Tier 4 Student Visa sponsor and also includes the dates of your program.

Step 2: You will receive an offer letter from your host university. In most cases, there is a reply

section where you must confirm the type of visa for which you will apply. If this is not included in the

reply section, contact your host university’s international office to make sure they are aware of what

visa you plan to obtain.

Step 3: Your host university will confirm (likely by email) your information before they enter it into

the UKVI database in order to produce your CAS number. It is extremely important to ensure all the

following information is correct or they may deny your visa application. The UK formats dates as

DAY/MONTH/YEAR

Step 4: Once your host produces your CAS number, you will receive an automatic email with that

CAS number and other information. SAVE this e-mail and carry a hard copy with you when

travelling. Please contact your host university immediately if you notice any errors.

When will I receive my CAS number? The above process occurs once you are formally accepted by your host university. UCEAP has no

control over this process. Please be sure to complete all requirements from the host university as

soon as possible to avoid delays.

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Step 1

Apply Online: Complete & submit your online visa application

1. Pay a health insurance surcharge for the National Health Service (NHS) -

Semester students may not be required to pay this.

2. Choose two locations, one for your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) that

you collect in the UK, and one for your biometrics appointment at an

appointment center near your home address. If you are a semester

student, you may not need to obtain a BRP. Follow whatever prompts the

application gives you.

Make sure you have been given a confirmation of acceptance for

studies (CAS) number.

Go Here to start your online application on the UK Visa and

Immigration website.

Refer to the sample application for help getting started:

UC London Fall with Internship

All Other programs

Read and answer the questions as they pertain to you.

If you decide not to do the Tier 4 Student Visa, let your host university know

you will not apply for it and will not use your assigned CAS number.

If you are applying 1 month or less before your program starts, then you need

to EXPEDITE, and you must pay for priority service online BEFORE you

submit your application. See here for information on the priority service.

Once you finish and submit your application, you will be prompted to:

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Step 2 Biometric Screening & Gather Documents

What is a Biometric Screening?

All UK visa applicants are required to provide biometric data as part of the application

process. This includes a 10-digit electronic finger scan and a digital photograph.

Scheduling Your Biometric Screening

At the end of your online visa application, you will be

prompted to schedule a biometric screening appointment.

First, you will choose a location in the UK to pick up your

Biometric Residence Permit.

Second, you will choose the location, date, and time for

your biometrics appointment in the US. The online

application will suggest a location nearest the address that

you provided earlier in the application, but you may choose

any location that works for you.

IMPORTANT Before you schedule: Once your biometrics have been taken, you

will receive a deadline to submit your application and all required supporting

documents to the UK consulate in New York. This is typically a deadline of 5 to 10

days. Your biometrics confirmation letter will note your exact time frame.

If you wait longer than the indicated time, you will have to begin the application

process again (including fee payment). Read through the following instructions

carefully and ensure you will have all required documents prepared by the time of

your biometrics appointment to avoid repeating this process.

Be sure to have

your biometrics

appointment

confirmation

stamped to show

that you attended

the appointment.

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Two passport style

photographs

Print-out of your signed online application form If you made any errors on the form, you can correct them by hand on the print out.

Stamped confirmation

of your Biometrics

appointment #5

#3

IMPORTANT: Ensure that all information on your documents is correct!

This includes, but is not limited to, your name, dates of your program, country of citizenship/

nationality, birthday, etc. Remember, the UK format for birth dates is day/month/year. If you notice

an error, contact the provider of the document immediately.

Step 2 continued Biometric Screening & Gather Documents

Required Documents: You must submit these with your visa application

US Passport Signed and valid for your entire

program length. Do not send a

photocopy of your passport as your

visa will be affixed to a page in your

actual passport.

#1 Self-addressed VFS

Global Envelope The British Consulate will

use this envelope to return

your passport and any

relevant documents to you.

You may choose the level of

service you need, depending

on how quickly you need

your visa returned.

#2

#4

Print-out of the CAS number

email from your host university

Official UC transcript (does not

need to be in a sealed envelope)

Evidence of Financial Support

(see next page)

Not Required Unless Requested:

DO NOT submit these items unless

specifically requested (via email) by

the UKVI. However, be prepared to

submit them in case they are

requested. Submitting them without a

request may delay processing time.

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Step 2 continued Biometric Screening & Gather Documents

Evidence of Financial Support

Remember: Evidence of Financial Support is NOT required unless requested.

If requested, submit one or more of the documents below, as long as the total amount of the funds reaches the minimum you must show. If one document provides the total, you do not need additional documents. Include a note showing the current currency conversion rate using www.oanda.com/convert/classic.

UKVI lists the minimum amount for maintenance to be £1265/month if studying in London

and £1015/month if studying outside London. (To see if you are in London, see FAQ.)

Financial Aid Award Letter *Request from your financial aid office*

Must be no more than one month old

Must state that you WILL receive $xx,xxx and NOT that you are eligible to receive

IMPORTANT—make sure you get this letter before your campus Financial Aid Office closes for breaks or school holidays!

Personal Bank Statement *Request from your bank*

Must show your name and account number (the account can be a joint account, but you must be listed as a joint account holder)

The amount needed must have been in the account for 28 days, and the statement must be no more than one month old

Must be an original statement (not a printout of your online account)

Parental Bank Statement Same requirements as

Personal Bank Statement, plus:

Letter from parent/account-holder confirming that they will provide the funds to support your stay

Documentation confirming the relationship (i.e. original birth certificate, adoption certificate, court document stating they are your legal guardians)

Bank Letter *Request from your bank*

Must be on official bank letterhead including bank logo

Includes: your name, account number, date of the letter, amount of money in the account, confirmation that the money has been in the account for a minimum of 28 days

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Step 3

Mail Documents & Receive Visa

Mail your passport, application, and

other documents to the UK Consulate in

New York with VFS Global.

Do NOT use FedEx or USPS! The

consulate will not accept these and it will

delay visa processing.

VFS Waybill Options Price

Return courier $34

Round trip courier

(recommended if applying 4 weeks $53

When the consulate opens your

documents, they will email you

confirming receipt.

When the consulate makes a decision

about your visa application, they will

email you the decision.

Check that all the information on your visa is correct, especially your name and

birthday (the UK uses a Day/Month/Year format). If there are any errors, contact the

consulate immediately.

How do I mail my documents to the UK Consulate in New York?

How do I know when the consulate has received my documents and made

a decision?

What do I do once I receive my passport with the visa back in the mail?

If you have been given permission to be in the UK for over 6 months, your visa will

be issued as a sticker in your passport, valid for 30 days only. You must travel to the

UK within this 30-day period. When you arrive in the UK, you will need to pick up your

Biometrics Residence Permit within 10 days. This is explained in the next step.

Help! The visa in my passport is only valid for 30 days! What does this mean?

Note that in August and September the

consulate often does not open documents

until a few weeks after they arrive. They are

extremely busy that time of year, so give

extra time if applying after late July.

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Step 4

Arrive in the United Kingdom

If your program is longer than 6 months you may enter up to 1 month before your program

start date. f your program is less than 6 months you may enter up to 1 week before your

program start date and stay up to 1 week after the end of your program.

Your program or “course” start date is the date provided by your host university on your CAS.

The Biometrics Residence Permit (BRP) is a

credit card-size card that will serve as your

course visa for the rest of your program. Not all

applicants may be required to obtain one. You

will be prompted on the online application if it is

necessary for your program.

Once you arrive in the UK, you must then collect

your BRP within 10 days from the Post Office

you selected during the online visa application

form, or from the University if you selected this.

Take your passport containing your visa with

you.

When can I enter the UK with my Tier 4 Student Visa?

What is a Biometrics Residence Permit and how do I get one?

Sample Biometrics Residence Permit:

What if I want to travel?

Your BRP will be valid for the entire duration of your course, with some additional time at the

end:

When does the Biometrics Residence Permit expire?

Course duration Visa expiration date

More than 6 months, but less than

12 months 2 months after the end of the course

You are not required to carry your BRP at all times, but must show it at the border, together

with your passport, when travelling outside of, and returning to, the UK.

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More Questions?

For questions regarding these instructions, please contact your UCEAP

program advisor. These instructions are written by UCEAP staff and

are not offered in place of information provided by the UK Visa &

Immigration. UCEAP is not able to advise beyond these

instructions.

If you have questions beyond these instructions, please contact UK

Visa & Immigration. They can be reached through email, webchat,

and telephone.

Email and Webchat: go to the UK Visa & Immigration contact

us page.

Telephone: Speaking directly to an advisor costs £1.37 per

minute on top of the cost of the call. The phone number from

within the United States is 1-888-683-9699, 7:00am - 4:00pm

EDT (4:00am -1:00pm Pacific time).

Further Help