Switching from Tier 4 to Tier 2 Online from Inside the UK

Switching from Tier 4 to Tier 2 Online from Inside the UK 2018

i The University of Edinburgh > About the International Staff Advisor 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 email 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.

The University of Edinburgh ii > Contents Contents The Online Application...1 Complete the online application form...1 Create your Online Application...2 Start...3 Other Home Office applications...4 Immigration adviser...5 Register your email...6 Check your answers...7 Application...8 Additional applicants...8 Your name...11 Other names...12 Providing a Contact Email Address...13 Verifying Your Contact Email Address...14 Applicant contact details...15 Gender and relationship status...16 Nationality, country and date of birth...17 Passport information...18 Identity Card...19 Your other nationalities...20 Your current UK immigration status....... 21 Current visa or leave to remain.......... 22 Biometric Residence Permit...23 National Insurance number...25 Level of qualification...26 Proof of qualification...27 Government or international agency sponsorship...29 Refusals/Immigration Problems...31 Problems with immigration to countries other than the UK...33 Claiming public funds...34 Convictions and other penalties...35 War Crimes and Terrorism...36 Employment Information...39 Certificate of Sponsorship...40 Sponsor certified maintenance...41 Planned employment in the UK...42 Review application answers...45 Documents...46 Mandatory documents...47 Declaration...49 Pay...50 Download and Print...52 Submitting supporting documents...52 Biometric Enrolment Letter...52

1 The University of Edinburgh > The Online Application The Online Application To extend your stay in the UK under a Tier 2 (General) visa, you will need your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) which should have been issued to you by the Human Resources Department at the University of Edinburgh. Once your Tier 2 CoS has been issued, you must apply for an extension of your leave to remain (i.e. your visa) within 3 months of the date that the CoS was issued, or before your existing visa expires whichever is sooner. 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. You can book an appointment with the International Staff Adviser to go over the complete application forms in person. This form is regularly updated by UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) so there may be some variations to the layout. If you have any questions, contact staffvisahelp@ed.ac.uk

The University of Edinburgh 2 > The Online Application Create your Online Application > > Go to: https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/product/tier2-general > > Select the Apply now button.

3 The University of Edinburgh > Start Start You will be asked Are you currently in the UK > > Select Yes. > > Press Save and Continue and move to the next page.

The University of Edinburgh 4 > Start Other Home Office applications You will be asked whether you currently have any other applications with the Home Office for which you have not yet received a decision this relates to any outstanding immigration applications you might have made, and should be No. If you do have an outstanding application with the UKVI contact staffvisahelp@ed.ac.uk

5 The University of Edinburgh > Start Immigration adviser Next, you will be asked if there is an immigration adviser completing this application on your behalf. In most cases, this will be No. Only select Yes if you have instructed an immigration solicitor or OISC trained representative to assist you with your application. If you are completing this by yourself, select No.

The University of Edinburgh 6 > Start Register your email Enter a contact email address and choose a password. You will use this email address and password to log in and out of the application, so keep the details safe! Check that the information you have provided is correct. > > Select Continue.

7 The University of Edinburgh > Start Check your answers You should automatically receive an email to the address you provided. If you do not receive anything check your junk mail folder. If you need to exit your application at any time you will be able to access it again using the direct link sent in your email.

The University of Edinburgh 8 Application Additional applicants If you have any dependants (spouse/partner and/or children) include their details under the Additional Applicant heading, by selecting dependant child or dependant partner or spouse. You will complete a separate online application form for each dependant. The main applicant (i.e. the person who has the Tier 2 job offer and has been issued with a CoS) is listed as Tier 2 (General) leave to remain, the dependants are listed as PBS Dependant Partner or PBS Dependant Child. If you have any questions about what is asked in the Dependant applications contact staffvisahelp@ed.ac.uk

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11 The University of Edinburgh The next section relates to questions about the main applicant (Tier 2 (General) leave to remain): Your name Enter your personal details as they are written in your passport and your CoS form, including any middle names.

The University of Edinburgh 12 Other names Complete this if you have ever legally been known as any other names.

13 The University of Edinburgh Providing a Contact Email Address The UKVI may contact you by email so please include an address that you can check regularly. You will also have to verify this email at the next step.

The University of Edinburgh 14 Verifying Your Contact Email Address Once you receive the verification request email from The UKVI, follow the instructions to continue with your application.

15 The University of Edinburgh Applicant contact details You will be asked for your telephone number and your UK address. If you would prefer your documents to be sent to a different address, then tick the box and enter the details.

The University of Edinburgh 16 Gender and relationship status Include information relating to your gender and relationship status.

17 The University of Edinburgh Nationality, country and date of birth Include your country of nationality (as is on the passport you are using), your date of birth and your country and place of birth again, enter these as written on your passport. Use the nationality of the passport you intend to use to enter the UK. If you have any additional or previous nationalities you will be asked for this information later.

The University of Edinburgh 18 Passport information Include all of your passport details as requested Confirm that you will provide the original passport.

19 The University of Edinburgh Identity Card If you have an identity card from your home country complete the relevant details. Otherwise, select No.

The University of Edinburgh 20 Your other nationalities Provide information about any additional nationalities.

21 The University of Edinburgh Your current UK immigration status Answer questions about your current UK immigration status in the UK. If you are on a student visa, then select Tier 4 (General) leave to remain. If you are on the Doctorate Extension Scheme (the 12 month visa issued after you finish your PhD), select Tier 4 DES (Doctorate Extension Scheme). If you have permission to reside in the UK under a different immigration status contact staffvisahelp@ed.ac.uk

The University of Edinburgh 22 Current visa or leave to remain Enter the start date and expiry date of your visa this will either be on your biometric residence permit (BRP) (the pink card) or possibly a visa endorsement in your passport.

23 The University of Edinburgh Biometric Residence Permit If you were given a 30 day visa endorsement to enter the UK and then had to pick up your BRP from the Post Office take the start date from your passport and the expiry date on the BRP. If you have a biometric residence permit include the reference number (the nine digit reference found on the top right hand corner of your card see below). If your current visa is a sticker inside your passport, then you do not have a BRP. State No.

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25 The University of Edinburgh National Insurance number Include your National Insurance Number which you may have applied for when you entered the UK. It is your personal account number that records any National Insurance and income tax payments you make. It is made up of letters and numbers like this example: AB 12 34 56 C. > > Find this number on your payslips.

The University of Edinburgh 26 Level of qualification An important requirement when switching from Tier 4 to Tier 2 is that you during your most recent grant of Tier 4 leave, you have completed one of the following: A programme leading to a UK recognised Bachelors or Masters degree (not a qualification of equivalent which is not a degree); A programme leading to a UK Postgraduate Certificate in Education or Professional Graduate Diploma of Education (not a qualification of equivalent level); OR; A minimum of 12 months study in the UK towards a UK PhD > > Select whichever qualification you have. If you have not completed one of these, then please contact staffvisahelp@ed.ac.uk

27 The University of Edinburgh Proof of qualification > > Provide either an original degree certificate of award which confirms: Your full name; The name of your awarding institution; The title of your qualification/award The date when the qualification was awarded. Or an original academic reference, on headed paper, from your academic institution which contains the following information: Your full name; The course title/award; The course duration; The date of completion of the course (unless you are a DPhil/PhD student, in which case the letter must confirm that you have been studying for more than one academic year); The name of the awarding body; The reason why an original certificate of award cannot be provided (where studies have been completed); That the certificate will be issued (where studies have been completed).

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29 The University of Edinburgh Government or international agency sponsorship If you are currently sponsored by a government or international scholarship agency or have been sponsored within the 12-month period before you apply under Tier 2, you must provide a letter from your financial sponsor confirming that you can remain in the UK to work. UKVI Guidance makes it clear that the letter must confirm unconditional consent to remain in or re-enter the UK for an unlimited time.

The University of Edinburgh 30 Police Registration: If you had to register with the Police as part of your previous visa application select Yes. This is required by certain nationalities as outlined here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-2-policeregistration. Include your registration certificate with the application, make sure it is up to date. If the certificate does not have your correct address then you must visit your local Police Station and get this updated. If you have not registered with the Police and this was a condition of your last visa: contact staffvisahelp@ed.ac.uk

31 The University of Edinburgh Refusals/Immigration Problems If you have ever had any refusals or other problems with immigration to the UK enter the details here (this includes, for example the refusal of a visit visa to the UK see below). Otherwise, select No. If you have more than one immigration problem list them separately. If you have had more than one refusal or immigration problem contact staffvisahelp@ed.ac.uk If you have not had any further immigration problems select No.

The University of Edinburgh 32 Example of what to include if refused visa application

33 The University of Edinburgh Problems with immigration to countries other than the UK You will be asked if you have ever been refused a visa or had problems with immigration to any other countries (excluding the UK): Please include detailed information, if necessary.

The University of Edinburgh 34 Claiming public funds Public funds: You are not entitled to claim public funds (i.e. social security/benefits, therefore if the answer is Yes : you must contact staffvisahelp@ed.ac.uk

35 The University of Edinburgh Convictions and other penalties Include details of any criminal convictions or other penalties, both spent and unspent this includes some driving offences. If this relates to you: contact staffvisahelp@ed.ac.uk Convictions may impact on your application.

The University of Edinburgh 36 War Crimes and Terrorism The application asks about war crimes, terrorist activities, terrorist organisations and terrorist views.

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The University of Edinburgh 38 If any of these apply to you: contact staffvisahelp@ed.ac.uk

39 The University of Edinburgh Employment Information Enter the Sponsor Licence Number for the University of Edinburgh which is: 4GAC62AR4 This is also noted on your CoS. The University of Edinburgh is not a limited company.

The University of Edinburgh 40 Certificate of Sponsorship You must then enter your Certificate of Sponsorship number this is an 11 digit number and can be found on your CoS.

41 The University of Edinburgh Sponsor certified maintenance In very limited circumstances the University of Edinburgh may be able to certify maintenance and accommodation for you and your dependants during the first month of your employment. If they have agreed to do this it will be stated on your CoS. > > Otherwise select No.

The University of Edinburgh 42 Planned employment in the UK Include your job title and salary, as recorded on the CoS.

43 The University of Edinburgh You will not be applying as a midwife or nurse at the University of Edinburgh, so should answer No to this question. It is unlikely that your role is on the Shortage Occupation List. If it is then this should be recorded on your CoS. If you are unsure contact staffvisahelp@ed.ac.uk

The University of Edinburgh 44 The length of your CoS will depend on the start and end dates of your employment. You will find this information on your CoS. This will be either 3 years or less, or more than 3 years:

45 The University of Edinburgh Review application answers Check through all of your answers again. Ensure that everything is correct. Select change if you need to amend anything.

The University of Edinburgh 46 > Documents Documents If the University of Edinburgh is not certifying your maintenance you will need to provide evidence that you meet the financial requirement. Additional information about where your funds are being held, must be included.

47 The University of Edinburgh > Documents Mandatory documents You will be asked to make sure that you have the mandatory documents available. This will depend on what you have entered earlier in the form. Check to confirm that you have everything.

The University of Edinburgh 48 > Documents It will include your passport, two passport photographs, your biometric residence permit and your police registration certificate (if you were issued with one). These documents must be original, unless otherwise stated. If you do not provide all mandatory information your application may be rejected. Your application will not be considered and an administration fee for each person included in the application, will be deducted from your refund.

49 The University of Edinburgh > Declaration Declaration Read the declaration carefully, and confirm the details of the application. You will then be given the option to save your application. If you would like your application checked over STOP here. Once you continue to the payment section, you cannot go back and amend any of your answers.

The University of Edinburgh 50 > Pay Pay You will have to pay for your Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). This will take you to a separate website where you will enter your credit or debit card details and a 9 digit reference number will be automatically added to your application. If you have any dependants enter the details here and the total cost will be for the entire family.

51 The University of Edinburgh > Pay Make payment for the UKVI visa application fee the price will depend on whether you want to use the standard postal, priority postal or the premium service the priority and premium services cost an extra fee (which is not covered by the Tier 2 reimbursement scheme please discuss this with your School HR). 1. Standard Post cost 704 this takes around 8 10 weeks. The UKVI will return your passport for ID purposes whilst the application is outstanding, however you should not travel until a decision had been made (otherwise, your application will be automatically withdrawn); 2. Priority Postal cost 1181 this should be decided within 10 days you will need to email UKVI and obtain a priority code before applying. More information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/tier-2-priority-applications 3. Premium Appointment cost 1314 you would have to book an appointment to go to Glasgow and you would receive a decision on the same day, however they would then have to post your biometric residence permit (BRP) to you which could take around one week. Find information about the University of Edinburgh s Tier 2 reimbursement scheme, and their interest free loan facility here: http://www.ed.ac.uk/human-resources/ recruitment/eligibility-immigration/immigration-fee-assistance

The University of Edinburgh 52 > Pay Download and Print Download a document checklist which will include a list of all of the documents you are required to submit to the UKVI. Submitting supporting documents If you choose Standard Service, you must send your documents within 15 days to the address on your supporting document checklist. If you choose Priority Service, sending in your documents within 2 days will allow enough time for your application to be processed within 10 days. If you choose Premium Service, you must bring your documents to your Premium Service Centre appointment in Glasgow. If you do not provide all mandatory information your application may be rejected. Your application will not be considered and an administration fee for each person included in the application, will be deducted from your refund. Biometric Enrolment Letter As part of your visa application, you are required to provide your fingerprints and photo at the Post Office. To do this, you must be in possession of a Biometric Enrolment Letter. This letter will be automatically generated online once you have submitted your visa application. Download this and print it at the same time you print your document checklist. Take your Biometric Enrolment Letter to the Post Office to give your fingerprints and photo. There will be a charge of 19.20 payable at the Post Office. Do this as soon as possible so that your visa application is processed without delay. The nearest Post Office in which you can enrol your biometrics is: Waverley Mall, Waverley Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1BQ. Open Mon-Fri, 09:00-17:30 If you decide to use the Premium Service, then you will not get a Biometric Enrolment Letter. Your fingerprints and photo will be taken at the Premium Service Centre instead of the Post Office.

Contact Us staffvisahelp@ed.ac.uk Edinburgh Global University of Edinburgh 33 Buccleuch Place Edinburgh EH8 9JS Please Note The information in this document is accurate on the date of last modification: 5 June 2018. Cover photography by Yao Hui Edinburgh Global, 33 Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh EH8 9JS The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC00533