Applying for Your Tier 2 Visa Application From Outside of the UK (Entry Clearance)

Transcription

1 Applying for Your Tier 2 Visa Application From Outside of the UK (Entry Clearance) 2018

2 i The University of Edinburgh > About the International Staff Adviser About the International Staff Adviser The University of Edinburgh has an in-house International Staff Adviser, who provides free and impartial specialist advice on immigration matters relating to prospective and current international staff, visitors and their accompanying dependants. This advice consists of one-to-one appointments and advice, as well as providing guidance materials and regular updates to staff members to ensure they are aware of important changes to the UK immigration rules or processes. Please note, Immigration legislation is subject to change, often at short or no notice. It is your responsibility to check the visa requirements which apply to you, before taking any action about your situation.

3 The University of Edinburgh ii > Contents Contents The Online Application...1 Complete the Online Application Form...1 Create Your Online Application...2 My Applications...6 Application...9 Applicant Details:...9 Passport and Travel Information Personal Details and Travel History...18 Family Details...24 Medical Treatment...26 Tier 2 Skilled Worker...27 Additional Information...32 Completing Your Application...36

4 1 The University of Edinburgh > Completing the online application The Online Application To apply for a visa to come to the UK under the Tier 2 (General) visa route, you will need your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) which should have been issued to you by Human Resources (HR) in the College/Support Group you will be working in at the University of Edinburgh. You will receive a letter form HR that will provide the details of your CoS. Once your Tier 2 CoS has been issued, you must apply for entry clearance (i.e. your visa) within 3 months of the date that the CoS was issued and no more than 3 months before the start date on your CoS. If your start date is going to be delayed immediately contact HR in the University of Edinburgh College/Support Group that you will be working in. The start date listed on the CoS can be amended before the visa application is submitted. However, if your start date is delayed by more than 28 days, then sponsorship will be withdrawn. Complete the Online Application Form You can save this application and return to it later. The application will not be submitted until you pay the visa application fee and the NHS Immigration Health surcharge. Information about the University of Edinburgh s Tier 2 reimbursement scheme, and their interest free loan facility can be found here: recruitment/eligibility-immigration/immigration-fee-assistance Before you pay these fees, you can save and download a pdf of your application form which can then be sent to staffvisahelp@ed.ac.uk to check over the application. The screenshots featured in this guide were taken in a browser using Dashlane software and feature their Impala logo in certain fields. This does not alter the instructions you must follow to complete your application. Other browsers may display this form differently. This form is regularly updated by UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) so there may be some variations to the layout. If you have any questions, please contact us on: staffvisahelp@ed.ac.uk

5 The University of Edinburgh 2 > Create your Online Application Create Your Online Application Create an online account at > > Select Register an Account. If you have previously applied for a visa to the UK then you may already have an account: > > Use your address and password to log in.

6 3 The University of Edinburgh > Create your Online Application > > Fill in your personal details, as they appear on your passport.

7 The University of Edinburgh 4 > Create your Online Application > > Include your address details and a password for your application. You can use your and password to log in to your Visa4UK account later.

8 5 The University of Edinburgh > Create your Online Application You will then be sent an with a link, which will activate your account and allow you to log in. > > Click on this link, you will be taken back to the Visa4UK main page where you will log in.

9 The University of Edinburgh 6 > Create your Online Application My Applications > > Select Apply For Myself If you are applying on behalf of someone else, for example a dependant: > > Select Apply For Someone Else If you are including dependants in your application: contact staffvisahelp@ed.ac.uk for guidance on how to complete their applications.

10 7 The University of Edinburgh > Create your Online Application > > Read the Important Information page carefully. > > Press Continue.

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12 9 The University of Edinburgh Application Applicant Details: Most of your details are automatically included, however you will have to fill out your passport number and date of intended travel. If your location is correct, select the nearest visa Issuing office this is where you will have to submit further information in person. The application form will also advise you if there are any additional fees to use that particular visa office. > > Select your visa Type. In Reason for Visit: > > Select Work. In Visa Type: > > Select Tier 2 (General) visa. In Visa Sub Type: Whether you have sponsorship for up to 3 years or up to 5 years will be dependent on the length of your employment. This information can be taken from the start and end dates of employment noted on your CoS. Select either: > > General Migrant, up to 3 years. > > General Migrant, up to 5 years.

13 The University of Edinburgh 10 > > Select Create Application.

14 11 The University of Edinburgh You will then return to the My Applications page, and will be able to see your online application. > > Ensure the details are correct (e.g. the Travel Date).

15 The University of Edinburgh 12 > > Select Go to Application on the right hand side, which will take you into the application form.

16 13 The University of Edinburgh > > Work through the questions in each section (which are listed on the left hand side of the page). > > Note your application reference number: At any time, you can select Save & Quit on the left hand side to save your answers and exit the application form. If you want to come back to it later you should also Save your application regularly as the form will log you out if inactive for a certain period of time and any changes you made may not be saved automatically. > > Work your way through the sections of the application form.

17 The University of Edinburgh 14 Passport and Travel Information The information required in this section must be the same as it is shown on your passport. Where to find this information will differ depending on the passport.

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19 The University of Edinburgh 16 The main address and contact details of where you will be staying can be a permanent or temporary address in Edinburgh. After completing a section: > > Select Next Section at the bottom of the page to move forward.

20 17 The University of Edinburgh When you have completed a section of the application, it will turn green. If it does not turn green, this means you have not answered all of the required questions.

21 The University of Edinburgh 18 Personal Details and Travel History Ensure your contact details are accurate in case the UK Visas & Immigration requires to contact you.

22 19 The University of Edinburgh Travel History: It is very important that you complete all of the details requested. If you fail to provide the UKVI with full information, then this could lead to an accusation of deception which then leads to a potential ban from the UK. If you indicate yes in any of these sections a box will pop up: > > Provide further information.

23 The University of Edinburgh 20 Criminal History Ensure that you declare any criminal convictions, both spent and unspent, this includes some driving offences (for example, certain speeding offences and offences such as driving without insurance). If you are unsure about whether any criminal convictions might impact on your application contact Application to remain means any visa application made from inside the UK.

24 21 The University of Edinburgh If you have had any correspondence from the UKVI about having to leave the UK then you may have to declare it. Voluntarily elected to depart the UK If your visa has been refused or curtailed in the UK, or you became an overstayer who elected to depart the UK you can refer to when your visa has been curtailed or refused in the UK. If it has then we would advise to declare this. Exclusion order This is very specific order and usually relates to being banned from the UK. Have you ever travelled outside your country of residence, excluding the UK, in the last 10 years : You may have to input many trips and we would advise to be as detailed an accurate as possible. Go through each entry stamp on your Passport. If you cannot input all the countries you have visited state this in the additional information box at the end.

25 The University of Edinburgh 22 A UK National Insurance No. is a specific social security no. that you will have to apply for in the UK.

26 23 The University of Edinburgh Be as accurate as possible when going through these questions about criminal and travel history. If you are unsure about something, include the information here rather than leave it out.

27 The University of Edinburgh 24 Family Details This section asks for details of your family including information about any dependants you may wish to bring.

28 25 The University of Edinburgh For more information visit:

29 The University of Edinburgh 26 Medical Treatment Truthfully declare on the next section if you have ever received medical treatment in the UK. It is safer to declare a treatment, even a minor complaint, than to leave the information out. If you select No, then you will move on to the next section.

30 27 The University of Edinburgh Tier 2 Skilled Worker You will need your Certificate of Sponsorship to answer the questions in this section.

31 The University of Edinburgh 28 Is your contract less than one year: This is most likely to be No, however if it is less than 1 year then you will need to put how long you will be in the UK. This will be on your CoS. If you select Yes, then the following questions appear:

32 29 The University of Edinburgh Is the job on the Agency s list of shortage occupations at the time the CoS was issued? The answer to this question is most likely to be No. If it were a shortage occupation role, then this would be stated on your CoS. Has you sponsor completed a resident labour market test?: This is a particular method for advertising a role, and will most likely be Yes. Again, this should be confirmed on your CoS. Have you taken more than one months leave in the last year? This question refers to any leave from employment in the last year. If you have taken more than one months leave in the last year then the answer to this would be Yes.. Depending on your own circumstances this may not always be applicable. If you select Yes : you will be asked to select a reason for the leave either Maternity, Paternity, Sick or Adoption. If the reason for your leave does not fit into any of these categories you can include details in the Additional Information box at the end of the application.

33 The University of Edinburgh 30 Sponsorship number: This will be stated on your CoS. Show how you meet the English Language Requirement. For more information visit: Show how you meet the Maintenance Requirement. For more information visit:

34 31 The University of Edinburgh Complete the Points Claimed Section as below (if your role was on the shortage occupation list enter 30 points in the second box, and 0 points in the third box).

35 The University of Edinburgh 32 > Additional Information Additional Information After completing the application, select: You will be given one more opportunity to check through your answers. Do this carefully and ensure that everything is accurate and as detailed as possible. If you fail to include any information then this could lead to a refusal, or have more serious consequences (such as an entry ban from the UK).

36 33 The University of Edinburgh > Additional Information

37 The University of Edinburgh 34 > Additional Information After submitting your application, you will be taken back to the main screen. Work your way through the final sections (on the right hand side).

38 35 The University of Edinburgh > Additional Information

39 The University of Edinburgh 36 > Additional Information Completing Your Application Sign Declaration: This requires you to read and accept a declaration about the application. BRP Collection Location: This section will allow you to select a Post Office in Edinburgh where you will go and collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) i.e. your visa card from when you arrive in the UK. Book appointment: This section allows you to book an appointment at a local Visa Application Centre (VAC) where you will have your biometric information (scanned fingerprints and photograph) taken. You will then have to attend the VAC and wait on a decision being made. You may also have to hand in your supporting documentation this depends on where the VAC is located. Find more information about your VAC here: Pay for Application & Print Application: Finally you will pay for and then print your application form. In the Book Appointment section, you should also print a booking confirmation for your appointment at the VAC. The date you pay for your application, is the date that you have submitted to the UKVI. The visa processing times depend on the country that you are applying from. More information can be found here:

40 Contact Us Edinburgh Global University of Edinburgh 33 Buccleuch Place Edinburgh EH8 9JS Please Note The information contained in this document is accurate on the date of last modification: 5 June Cover photography by Hanson Lu Edinburgh Global, 33 Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh EH8 9JS The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC00533