Visa Guidance

Categories of UK Student Visa

    • Adult Student: if you are coming to the United Kingdom for your post-16       education

    • Child Student: For children between 4 and 17 years old to come to the        United Kingdom for their education.

Key changes in Tier 4 Visa

From March 31, 2009 students applying to come to the UK to study will be assessed under the new policies of the points system. The policy changes include:

    • All education providers will need a licence if they are wishing to bring in students from outside the        European Economic Area (EEA)

    • Students must provide evidence of sufficient funds to pass a maintenance test as part of the visa        application process.

    • Produce documents used to obtain an offer from the university or college sponsoring, such as        qualification certificates.

    • Education institutions must include their sponsor licence number in the documentation provided to        students to use in the visa application process.

    • The visa will be linked to the specific institution whose documentation was presented by the student        during the visa process.

    • Education institutions must comply with record-keeping duties including copies of passports and        contact details.

Point-based assessment to apply for visa under TIER 4

Applying for a General Student visa or a Child Student visa under Tier 4 is done on point-based assessment and application should be done in the country of which you are a national or a legal resident. Adult or child students must pass a points-based assessment and score 40 points.

   • Visa letter from education provider = 30 points
   • Maintenance fees to cover course fees and living expenses = 10 points

As a child student, in addition to having enough points, suitable care arrangements in place for their travel, reception and care must be prior done.

Visa letter

The visa letter is an official offer letter which the education provider gives you. You must provide the visa letter with your application form as part of your documents and proof. It shows that you are studying a course (at an acceptable level) with an approved education provider and are able to get 30 points.

Route:

This should say 'general student' or 'adult student'

You (the student):

 • Your name (as shown on your passport if applicable)
 • Your nationality
 • Your passport or travel document number (optional)

Approved education provider (also known as 'sponsor'):

1.
 The education provider's sponsor license number
 
2.
 The education provider's address (if different from the letterhead)
 
3.
 Contact details for the education provider (if different from the letterhead)
 
4.
 The name and address of any partner institution where you will be studying as of the course.
 
5.
The name and address of the overseas higher education institution, if the time you spend in the United Kingdom studying is part of an overseas higher education course.


Course:

1.
 The course title
 
2.
 The academic level of course or qualification you will get when you complete the course (the National Qualifications Framework level or the type of qualification - for example, a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering)
 
3.
 The start date (the date you start your main studies, or the date you start an induction or course to prepare you for study if you have an unconditional offer to do your main course)
 
4.
 The expected end date
 
5.
The latest date you can join the course (optional)
   
6.
 The number of hours per week (optional if studying a full-time degree course that leads to a United Kingdom recognised bachelor or postgraduate degree)
 
7.
 The address of your main place of study, if different to the approved education provider's main address
 
8.
 The address of any organisation offering you a work placement, if known and applicable


Documents used to get the visa letter:

Documents used to get the visa letter A list of evidence that your approved education provider used to assess your academic ability to finish the course, which may include:
 
·1
 The level or type of your existing qualification (if applicable)
 
·2
 The qualification awarding body and/or institution (if applicable)
 
·3
 Confirmation that an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)
 
·4
 Clearance certificate is needed (if applicable)


Maintenance funds Requirements:
Applicant is required to show the money needed to covers course fees for first year of study and living costs for up to a maximum of nine months. Money is required to be held in applicant’s account for at least 28 days.

1.
£800 per month is required if majority of your study is in London (London boroughs: Camden, City of London, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth and Westminster)
   
2.
 £600 per month if you are living outside London.  
   

The amount you will need depends on whether you are applying as a child or adult. Shares, bonds, pension funds and similar savings accounts will not be accepted.

For students in UK willing to renew their visas for courses that are longer than nine months require showing the first year’s course fees plus £1,600 for courses inside London and £1,200 outside London.

Appointment Procedure:
You will also need to make an appointment at your nearest visa application centre to provide your biometric details (10 digit finger scans and a digital photograph) and to submit your visa application as part of the application process. Call centre numbers for appointment are;

For PTCL land lines: 090010411
From UK : 00 92 51 2098999
All mobile providers dial short code: 8865

Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 08.00 - 12 midnight

Supporting Documents for Visa:

1.
 Visa Application form (VAF9- Personal details) fully completed and signed by applicant
2.
 Visa Application form (VAF9- Personal details) fully completed and signed by applicant
3.
 Appropriate Visa fee;
Tier 4 (general) student applicant  = £145
Dependant of tier 4 (general) student applicant = £145
4.
 Passport valid for at least 6 months, with available 'visa' pages for stamping.
5.
 If available, the student's old passport
6.
 Receipt for any deposit or prepayment of tuition fees paid to the University - if applicable
7.
 Documents used to obtain an offer from the university or college sponsoring, such as qualification certificates.
8.
 Visa Letter (issued no more than six months before you apply)
9.
 Evidence of funds


Financial Requirements

Proof of availability of money:

Acceptable prove of money is

1.
 Cash in an account in your name (this • includes joint accounts with your name)
2.
 A loan in your name
3.
 Official financial or government sponsorship.
4.
 Child students can use an account in their parent or legal guardian’s name.