Student Services
Visa advice: Extending your Tier 4 student visa in the UK
Important
- Summary of changes from 6 April 2013>>
________________________________________
- How do I extend my visa?
- Check and Send Visa Service
- Documents required
- What if my documents aren't in English?
- When should I apply to extend my student visa?
- What is a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)?
- How long will it take to get my passport back?
- I need to extend urgently - can I apply in person?
- What about my family?
- Can I extend my visa at home over the holidays?
- My visa has been refused what shall I do?
- Terms and conditions of using the International Student Advice Service
How do I extend my visa?
If you are in the UK please use our Check and Send Service to minimise the risk of refusal.
Check and Send Visa Service
- Fill in the online application form (do not submit or pay) and prepare your documents
- Make an appointment with an adviser:
go to the 4 West Student Services Centre / ring 01225 38558 - Ask general advice during a drop-in advice session, 4 West Student Services Centre
- We check your application and documents and send your application to the Home Office for you at no extra cost
- We let you know when you should have received the letter from the Home Office asking you to have your biometric information recorded
- We contact the Home Office as necessary and oversee your application until the Home Office have made a decision and your passport and documents are returned to us
- Your passport, documents and Biometric Residence (BRP) card are returned to us - we scan these and upload them to SAMIS
- We return your passport and documents to you and advise you of any further action required
If you
make a mistake on the form or do not include all the required documents
your visa may be refused and you will not be able to appeal that decision. In
order to minimise the risk of this happening, we are offering to send
your application to the Home Office on your behalf via our Check
and Send Visa service, which makes use of a Home OFfice scheme for universities
to send Tier 4 applications.
It is however your responsiblity to ensure your application is complete and correct and meets the Home Office requirements.
You must prepare your documents and the application form carefully before attending
your Check and Send Visa Service appointment.
Documents required
Low-risk nationals - some nationalities do not need to provide all supporting documents with their application. However, you must have these documents available on the date of your application as the Home Office may ask to see them. If the Home Office asks you to submit any documents, your application will be refused if you are unable to provide them. The International Student Advisers must see your documents before sending your application.
1) The application form - online form
Online application form, helptext and guidance (the Home Office) Do not submit and pay before your Check and Send appointment
You will need to apply using the online form. IMPORTANT: do not submit your application until you have seen an International Student Adviser. You can fill-in the form and save it without submitting. We cannot make changes if required once the form has been submitted.
Your date of application is the date you submit the online form and pay.
Each dependant must fill in a separate form...>>
It is your responsibility to check you have the most recent form when you are ready to send your application.
2) Application Fee -
£406 by post (plus £305 per dependant if applying at the same time) or £781 in
person (plus £680 per dependant if applying at the same time);
Fee is payable online when you submit your application - please do not submit and pay until you have seen an adviser.
3) Your current passport (and previous passports if you have come to the UK on them);
4) Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) if you have one;
4) Two passport sized photographs:
- background must be light grey or cream (NOT white)
- write your name
on the back
- photos must be identical
- photos must be no more than 1 month old
- you must have a neutral expression (no smiling)
The Home Office provide strict guidance on photographs required. Please check these.
5) A
Certificate of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from
the University.
New students:
You
will be automatically sent a CAS from our Admissions department (including pre-sessional students going on to their degree course).
Continuing students:
You
must request a CAS using the Student Services Helpdesk (SAMIS). You will be given your CAS during your Check and Send appointment. Before this appointment, you will receive a CAS Summary to help you fill in your application form and to check your details are correct. Please print and bring to your Check and Send appointment.
Requesting a CAS:
1. Log into SAMIS
2. Click 'Student Services Helpdesk' in the top right corner.
3. Select 'Log New Enquiry'
4. Select the appropriate category ('All International Student Visa Advice'
/ 'CAS Request')
5. Enter the title as 'CAS Request'
6. Enter the information on the form - passport number and visa expiry are essential. We cannot produce the CAS until this information has been supplied.
7. Submit the request. Complicated cases can take up to 15 working days in some situations.
8. A CAS Summary will be emailed directly to
your University email account, this must be checked. Let us know before your Check and Send appointment if any information is incorrect.
9. Use the CAS summary to help you fill in the application form.
10. Print out the CAS summary and bring it to your Check and Send appointment.
11.
Your CAS number will be provided during your Check and Send appointment.
The CAS is valid for six months and can be used up to 3 months before the start of your course if starting a new course.
6) Original certificates for all qualifications mentioned on your CAS statement
7) Financial Proof
Check your bank statements - bank statement flowchart
You must have:
-
£7,200 if you have just
completed a pre-sessional English course which was less than 6 months,
and this was the first course you have
done in the UK, PLUS your first
year of fees.
- £1,600 if you
have a valid visa and have been studying here for 6 months or more PLUS your
first year of fees (or remaining fees if you are extending for
less than a year).
You will need more if you have dependants.
You must show the money using bank statements and / or a letter from a financial sponsor and / or receipts
Bank statements (check your statements using our bank statement flowchart)
- The required money must have been in the bank account for a consecutive 28 day period.
- Original bank statements must cover 28 days (and printed no more than 28 days before date of application). You can use your bank statements or your parents/legal guardian's statements. If you don't have original bank statements you can ask the bank to print one for you - make sure that each page is on headed paper and has your name and accound details on. You can also print an online statement and ask the bank to stamp each page.
- Using parents'/legal guardians' bank statements? You must also provide a birth certificate to prove your relationship with them PLUS an original signed and dated letter from them giving their consent to giving you the money for your study in the UK.
- Overseas statements:
- if they are not in English, you must also send a fully certified translation by a professional translator. This must include the translator's qualifications, confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document, the date and the translator's signature.
- you must write the closing balance in pounds sterling on the application form. Use the official exchange rate on the OANDA website
- Lists of overseas financial institutions which are not accepted by the Home Office
Letter from financial sponsor
- The letter must contain full details of the amount you will receive.
- If your fees and maintenance are paid in full by your sponsor, they must also consent to you extending your time in the UK.
- The letter must be stamped and on headed paper.
- If your sponsor is paying for your dependants also, this must be clear on the letter.
Receipts
- You can show a receipt for fee payments and take this off the amount in your bank account. You can obtain receipts from Student Finance.
- You can show a receipt for University accommodation payments up to a maximum of £1,000 and take this off the amount in your bank account. You can obtain receipts from Accommodation Services.
8) Your Police Registration Certificate. If you are required to register with the police this will be stated on your visa. Please make sure it has your current address on it. More information...>>
9) Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)
Certificate
Important: if you need an ATAS certificate,
apply early! There are often delays in processing ATAS applications.
If you are a postgraduate or MEng student and you hold a student visa you may need to get an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate. Please see the FCO website for more information.
MEng students will need to include ALL options for final year modules on their application.
References for ATAS applications - one of your referees must be an academic from your home country. If this is a problem for you, please see an International Student Adviser.
10) Copies of all documents you send to the Home Office
UKBA only accepts original documents.
Photocopies or faxes are unacceptable. It is essential that you keep photocopies of all documents sent to the Home Office.
What if my documents aren't in English?
You must also send a fully certified translation by a professional
translator. This must include the translator's qualifications, contact details and signature, confirmation
from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original
document and the date.
Be careful with translations obtained overseas and used for visa applications overseas - the Home Office requirements are different when applying overseas.
When should I apply to extend my student visa?
- You should apply as soon as you have all your documents ready.
- You can apply up until the day (Monday - Friday) before the last date of your leave to remain/visa (your visa remains valid once posted). However, it is a good idea to send your application to the Home Office around 3 months before your current visa is due to expire.
- If you apply late you will be classed as an 'overstayer' and you will not be given the right to appeal if you are refused. You may also not be able to apply for entry clearance overseas for 12 months.
- You will be automatically refused if you apply more than 28 days after your visa has expired.
- Note that if your application is returned as invalid or refused, and your previous visa has expired, you will need to show the higher maintenance requirements.
It is very important that you send your application on time before your visa expires.
- If you do not have all your documents ready before the expiry date, it is still very important to send the application (you may be able to send the documents at a later date - please discuss with an adviser).
What is a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)?
All students extending their leave to remain in the UK will be given a Biometric Residence Permit which will contain personal data and your immigration details. The process is as follows:
- International Student Advice Team will check and send your application;
- You will receive a letter from the Home Office at your UK home address asking you to enrol your biometrics. It is essential that you do this quickly - your application will not be looked at until your biometrics are recorded and may be returned invalid if not completed within the specified time frame.
- Enrol your biometrics at a Post Office offering the service: nearest to Bath are in Bristol (The Galleries, Broadmead) and Keynsham (44 The High Street). Watch a video on how your biometric information is recorded.
Please note that your visa will now be recorded on your Biometric Identity Card and not in your passport.
How long will it take to get my passport back?
Your visa case process overview (pdf)
Processing time can be between 4-12 weeks. It can take longer if extra checks are required or in busy periods. Consider this if you are planning to travel and make your application early.
We advise you to wait until your visa and passport are returned until you book any tickets.
Your passport and Biometric Residence Permit will be sent to the International Student Advice Team - we will email you when they have both been received.
I need to extend urgently - can I apply in person?
Yes, we have a check and send service for in person applications:
- Universities only service with Cardiff Public Enquiry Office
- We check and send your application
- We book you an appointment in Cardiff (for biometric recording)
- We stay in touch with the caseworker to monitor your application.
- Fee: £716
- The whole process takes 2-3 weeks in total, sometimes less.
For Universities only - please discuss with an adviser.
UKBA's Super-premium service: you are strongly advised to consult with an adviser if considering this service - it may not be necessary.
What about my family?
Dependants application form and policy guidance...>>
Dependants must apply on a separate form but we will send the applications together.
- You will need to show evidence that you have £450 for up to two months (or nine months if you have been studying in the UK less than 6 months) to support each dependant (so, normally this will be £900 per dependant).
- If you are sponsored and your sponsor is paying for your dependants to live in the UK also, the sponsor's letter must state the amount they are providing for the dependants.
- The application fee is higher if dependants apply separately to you.
- The application fee is higher if your child dependant is over 18.
- If your child dependants are 16 or older, you must include two pieces of evidence confirming their address is the same as yours.
- If you have sole responsibility for your child, you must provide evidence of this - please discuss with an adviser.
Can I extend my visa at home over the holidays?
Yes - you will need to follow the application process in your home country.
Generally, documents required are the same as if you were applying in the UK. There are three exceptions:
- Application form - you will need to fill in a different form - this will be online in many countries. For those countries not using the online form, you must fill in the VAF 9 paper form.
View further details from the the Home Office - Translations - if applying overseas, translations do not need to include details of the translator/translation company's credentials (qualifications/associations)
- Application fee is £298 instead of £406 if applying in the UK
- If you have any questions please check with an International Student Adviser.
My visa has been refused what shall I do?
We will advise you if your application has been refused and make an appointment to discuss your options.