Fall 08 New Student s Immigration Guide 2015/16
Tier 4 (General) Student Visa If you are coming to the UK for a full degree course (Undergraduate, Masters or PhD) or a course of study lasting 6 months or more you must apply for a Tier 4 (General) Student visa. A Tier 4 (General) Student visa sponsored by the Met Film School allows you to study but does not permit full or part-time employment, as we are a private school. UK Visas and Immigration Guidance The UKVI s Tier 4 Guidance outlines the full requirements for the Tier 4 (General) Student visa, including the information on documents you will need to submit when you are applying for your visa. *** those who hold a passport issued by Taiwan that includes the number of the identification card issued by the competent authority in Taiwan *British Nationals Overseas ** HKSAR blue passport Students of the above nationalities are not required to send the original documents such as degree certificates, bank statements etc.) You may still need to provide the required evidence if requested by the UK visa office considering your application so you are advised to submit these documents in any event to avoid any delays in the processing of your visa. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/upl oads/attachment_data/file/477366/t4_migrant_guida nce_nov_v1_0.pdf To make a successful visa application you should follow the guidance provided and ensure you specifically follow guidelines on the supporting documents you need to provide. You should use this guidance as your main point of reference throughout the application process. Low Risk Nationalities The UK Visas and Immigration consider the following nationalities as low risk : Argentina Chile Singapore Australia BNO* Botswana Hong Kong** Japan Malaysia South Korea Taiwan*** Trinidad and Tobago Brunei Barbados New Zealand Oman UAE USA Canada Qatar
Points What you get points awarded for: Evidence required 30 A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) Original documents listed on your CAS English language A CAS number issued by the Met Film School If you are 20 years old or under, your CAS is issued on the basis that the Met Film School used your prior qualifications along with our application and interview process to asses your suitability for the course. Any qualifications we have taken into consideration will be noted on your CAS record. You must include any ORIGINAL degree certificates, qualifications or transcripts we mention. If the documents are not in English, you will need to get them translated by an official translator. If you are 21 or over, you will not need to provide any qualifications. We have assessed you on your direct application to Met Film School and on the interview process. In most circumstances students will need to have knowledge of English, which is equivalent to at least level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference. Level B2 must be met in all language learning components (reading, writing, speaking and listening). In April 2015 the UK government announced important changes to Secure English Language Tests (SELTs) for visa purposes. If you need to prove your English language level for a UK visa application, you will need to take the IELTS for UKVI Academic test at a centre which has been specifically authorised by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). If you are applying for your first visa we will list the relevant English Language qualification on your CAS. The original will need to be submitted with your visa application. You will not be required to show any English language qualifications if you are a national of one of the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; The Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Canada; Dominica; Grenada; Guyana; Ireland; Jamaica; New Zealand; St. Kitts and Nevis; St. Lucia; St. Vincent and The Grenadines; Trinidad and Tobago; the UK; United States of America. If you have obtained a recognized degree in a majority English speaking country (say, a UK Bachelor s, Masters or PhD degree, you will also not need to provide any additional English language qualifications). You must however provide your degree certificate as evidence of your English language ability. To get further information and to check whether or not you meet the English language requirements check the Tier 4 Guidance. Maintenance (Funds) Requirements You are required to pay your tuition fees for the academic year before we issue you with a CAS. When we assign a CAS to you, we will show that you have fully paid your fees. 10 You will need to show that you have 1,265 per month for 9 months for your living expenses. This means the money you must show in total is 11,385. You must show that you have held the required money for a consecutive 28- day period (finishing on the date of the closing balance) ending no more than 31 days before the date of your application. All documents you send with your visa application must be ORIGINAL. This includes your passport.
30 Points CAS number and other related documents A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) This is not an actual certificate or paper document but is a virtual document similar to a database record. This record will be generated by us, the Tier 4 sponsor, for each student we are sponsoring. Each Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies has a unique reference number and contains information about the course of study for which it has been issued and the student s personal details. Without a CAS and any documents listed in it, you will not be able to make a successful Tier 4 visa application. After you have paid the first year s course fees we will provide you with a CAS Statement detailing the information we have provided the UKVI about you. The number is generated by the Met Film School creating a record on the UK Border Visas and Immigration s Sponsorship Management System (SMS). We share the details with UK Visas and Immigration. Once a CAS number has been generated, you can use it to make a visa application. The CAS is only valid for 6 months from the date it is assigned and can only be used with one application. Additionally, you cannot use your CAS for a visa application more than 3 months before the start of your course. If your visa application is refused, you will need to obtain a new CAS. The Met Film School provides the required information about you and your course to create the CAS. It essential that this information is completely accurate and you should ensure that the Met Film School has the correct spelling of your name as it appears on your passport as well as your correct passport number. When will we send you your CAS? When you have accepted your unconditional offer and provided a scan or copy of your passport, visa (if applicable), copies of your bank statements and any other relevant documents such as transcripts or certificates, we will assign a CAS to you within 3 months of the start of your course. Once the CAS has been assigned, we will email you with the details we have entered on the Sponsorship Management System. If there are any mistakes in the information, it is your responsibility to notify us of these, so that your CAS can be amended before you apply for your visa. How do I use my CAS when applying for the visa? When you make your visa application, copy or type the correct CAS number on the required section of the online Tier 4 visa application form. The immigration officer who will be making decision on your application will use the CAS number to access the database record on their system. They will expect to see original documents in relation to the information we provide on the CAS.
Other documents required in addition to the CAS Previous Qualifications Your CAS will include the details of any qualifications the Met Film School has used to assess your suitability for the course. The email you receive confirming your CAS will detail which documents we have used. You must include the ORIGINAL educational certificates of the qualifications detailed on the CAS. Proof of English Language Ability Your CAS will give details about how the Met Film School assessed your English language ability. From 6 th April 2015, IELTS for UKVI (Academic) is the only test approved by UK Visas and Immigration. Please refer to this link for more information on IELTS test centres in your country: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/421685/april_2015_approved_secu re_english_language_tests_and_test_centres_v3_0.pdf Pay for UK healthcare as part of your immigration application You will need to pay a healthcare surcharge (called the immigration health surcharge ) as part of your immigration application. You ll then be able to use the National Health Service (NHS). You will have to pay 150 per year as a student. When you have to pay You must pay the healthcare surcharge before you submit or send your visa or immigration application (or book an appointment at a premium service centre). You ll be contacted by UK Visas and Immigration if you didn t pay the surcharge (or didn t pay enough) as part of your visa or immigration application. Your visa or immigration application will be turned down if you don t pay the full amount.
10 Points Maintenance (Funds) Requirements In addition to the 30 points required for a valid CAS and relevant documents, you must also obtain 10 points for your Maintenance. Before applying for your visa, read the What Money Does a Tier 4 (General) Student Need section in the Tier 4 Guidance. The money you must show is available to you covers your course fees for the year + living costs as follows: Length of Course Maintenance (Funds) needed 9 months or more Course fees for the year as stated on your CAS Plus 1,265 per month of studies to a maximum of 9 months ( 11,385) The amount you need to demonstrate can either be in UK Sterling (GBP) or in a different currency. However, it is useful for your reference to calculate into sterling by using www.oanda.com/convert/classic and include a print out of it with your visa application. Course Fees Your CAS will include information about your course fees for the first year of the course or, where the course duration is a year or less, the course fee. As you will have paid your course fees before a CAS is issued, this will be shown on the CAS as fully paid. You will therefore only need to show that you have access to the living costs. Living Costs In addition to your course fees, you must demonstrate that you have money for your living costs. This is 1,265 per month of the course, up to a total of 11,385. Financial Evidence Ensure that you read the Money that can be used section of the Tier 4 Guidance. To claim the 10 points, you must show ORIGINAL evidence that you have - Paid all of your course fees - Hold money to cover your maintenance (funds) Cash Funds Parental Sponsorship You can use funds held by your parents or legal guardians as evidence. You must ensure these funds are available in relevant cash funds. Additionally, you must provide your original birth certificate (professionally translated, if required) or an adoption certificate or official legal document confirming legal guardian status. You must also include a letter from your parents or guardian, which states that the funds can be used for your UK education. The letter should confirm the following: - Their Name - The relationship between you and them - The amount of money available (this should be the same as the bank statement - That they give consent to the money being used for your education in the UK With your application, you must provide one month (at least 28 days) of original bank statements in one or both of your parents / guardians names. The statement will also need to show the money you need
for your maintenance has consistently been held throughout the month. The bank statement must be dated within a month of applying for your visa. NB: only legal parents or official legal guardians can sponsor you for your maintenance under parental sponsorship. Your own cash funds If you will be funding the course yourself, you must provide original bank statements or other documents as detailed in the Tier 4 Guidance. The statements must clearly show that you have held the required amount in cash funds in a bank account in your name (or joint name) for a minimum of 28 days. The balance must not fall below 11,385 during the 28-day period or your visa application will be refused. For more information on which alternative evidence is accepted please consult the Tier 4 Guidance.
Making A Tier 4 Application When should I Apply? You can only apply for a Tier 4 (General) visa to begin your course in the UK 3 months before the start date of your course. If you apply before this, your application will be rejected. How do I Apply? To begin the application process, visit https://www.gov.uk/apply-uk-visa and select your country. You will then be taken through a series of links to show you how to apply. Send us scanned copies of your, Steps Step 1: Supporting documents for a CAS 1. Original bank statement (showing at least 11,385 maintained consecutively over a 30 day period) 2. All pages of your passport (sent as a single pdf doc) 3. Previous UK visas (if any) 4. Academic qualifications degree certificates, academic transcripts for Masters students and/or high school/a level qualifications for Undergraduate students 5. IELTS for UKVI Academic test score report The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) was introduced on the 6 April 2015. Step 2: Pay your Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) The IHS costs 150 per year for students. It is calculated on the basis of the length of the visa you will be granted. For example a 12 month Masters student will be granted a visa for 17 months, so they will have to pay 225. The IHS is mandatory and failure to pay the correct amount may lead to a refusal of your visa. You must obtain an IHS number to include in your Tier 4 application. You can go the Home Office web pages and apply for a Tier 4 visa here: https://www.gov.uk/apply-uk-visa Step 3: Apply for a Tier 4 visa You must include the original certificate and/or official transcript for every qualification listed on your CAS statement under the Evidence section. Your IELTS for UKVI test score report and bank statements must also be included as supporting evidence. The only exception to this are low risk nationals who must have the documents in place, but do not need to submit them when they apply. See our Tier 4 guide for more information about low risk nationals.
Finally after signing the declaration, you will need to confirm which Post Office you will be required to collect your Biometric Residence Permit from within 10 days of arriving in the UK. Remember, when you submit your visa application to the British Authorities, it is important that you enclose all the required and relevant documentation with your application. SUBMIT ONLY ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS WITH YOUR APPLICATION INCLUDING YOUR PASSPORT Step 4: Decision Return The visa section at the British Embassy will consider your application. If your application is successful, you will be required to collect a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) when you arrive in the UK. Depending upon where you apply, the documents are sent back to you by secure mail or you will be contacted to collect them. How long does it take to get my visa? You can find information on processing times in your country by visiting: https://www.gov.uk/visa-processing-times How long will I get? When can I travel to the UK? If you are coming to the UK to study a course lasting longer than 6 months, your visa will be valid for travel for 1 month before the start of the course. If you make a successful Tier 4 (General) visa application your visa will be issued along with the following times scales: Length of Course 12 months or more Length of Stay The length of the course plus four months following the end date on the CAS 6 11 months The length of the course plus two months following the end date on the CAS Less than 6 months The full length of the course plus 7 days after the end date on the CAS.
Refusals How can I avoid a visa application refusal? To avoid a refusal, you are advised to: - Ensure your documents contain all the details required in the Tier 4 Guidance - Only make a visa application when you have all the required documents - Only use original documents - Only send the documents that are required to obtain the relevant points What do I do if my visa if refused? If your visa is refused you should read the refusal letter carefully. This will explain why the Entry Clearance Officer has refused your application. Please send a scanned copy of the refusal letter to us. Also, please check whether the documents you used comply with the Guidance. This includes checking that they are in the required format, cover the correct amount of time, are original and genuine documents and are set out with the information required in the Tier 4 Guidance. If your application is refused outside of the UK, you will normally have a right to an Administrative Review. However, if you accept that the reasons for your refusal were correct according to the Tier 4 Guidance, you will need to make a fresh application. This means you will need to obtain documentation, which conforms to the Tier 4 Guidance, pay the visa application fee again and give your biometrics. If your visa application has been refused and the decision was correct, you will need a new CAS to apply contact the Met Film School for further guidance. Can the Met Film School contact the Embassy on my behalf? The Met Film School is not in a position to instruct visa offices to issue visas or speed up decision making and are not able to intervene in an application made outside of the UK. Links and Contacts Tier 4 Guidance from UKVI: The Tier 4 Guidance should be your main source of information when preparing to make your visa application. It provides you with the rules, the requirements for documents and information about the visa application process. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/sys tem/uploads/attachment_data/file/477366/t 4_Migrant_Guidance_Nov_V1_0.pdf Contact visa application centres outside the UK: Contact an application centre in your country if you have questions about applications made from outside the UK. https://www.gov.uk/find-a-visa-application-centre UKCISA Information: The United Kingdom Council for International Student Affairs produces guidance and information to students on how to apply for the Tier 4 (General) visa. This information can be found at: www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/immigration.php Further Contacts: If after reading this information and the Tier 4 Guidance, you have any questions about the application process, please contact us at: visas@metfilmschool.co.uk