06 Jan
UK Tier 4 Student Visa: A COMPLETE GUIDE!
TYPES OF VISA
- The Tier 4 (General) student visa is the most common type of UK student visa for foreign students seeking higher education.
- Students who wish to pursue a short course in the UK for up to 11 months can apply for a short-term study visa.
- Students aged 4 to 17 who wish to attend an independent school in the UK can apply for the Tier 4 (Child) student visa.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR A UK STUDENT VISA
- To qualify, a student must receive a conditional offer from a UK educational institution authorized to sponsor international students.
- The student must have sufficient funds to cover their tuition fees and living expenses while in the UK. You may need to provide evidence of this, such as bank statements or a letter from your financial sponsor.
- You must be able to speak, read, write, and understand English. You may need to pass an English language test, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
- If you are under 18 years old, you must have written consent from your parents or legal guardian to study in UK.
UK STUDENT VISA PROCESS
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
- A visa application form
- Parents consent if you are below 18 years old.
- A valid passport that stays valid for the entire duration of your stay in the UK.
- Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) issued by the UK educational institution that confirms your offer on a course. You will need to include your CAS number in your visa application. Within six months of receiving the CAS, the students need to apply for a UK student visa.
- You must provide proof that you have enough money to cover your tuition fees and living expenses in the UK. This may include bank statements, a letter from your financial sponsor, or a scholarship letter. Evidence should show that you can cover the first year of study and living expenses for up to 9 months. You must demonstrate that you have held the money for at least 28 days.
- You will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency, such as an IELTS test certificate.
- You have to provide copies of your academic qualifications, such as high school certificates or university transcripts.
- ATAS certificate if your course needs it
All documents must be in English. If not, they should be converted to English.
HOW TO APPLY
- Check whether you are eligible for a UK student visa by reviewing the visa requirements on the UK government’s official immigration website.
- You can complete the UK student visa application form online through the UK government’s official visa application website. Create an account and add your details correctly.
- Pay the visa application fee
- You will need to pay the visa application fee online as part of the application process.
- Once you have completed the online application and paid, you will have to book a biometric appointment at a visa application center in India. At the appointment, you will need to provide your fingerprints and a photograph.
- You will have to submit supporting documents as part of your UK student visa application. These may include your passport, CAS, financial documents, English language proficiency certificate, and academic qualifications.
- It may be required to appear for an interview as a part of the visa application process. The visa application center will schedule this.
- After you have completed all the required steps, you will need to wait for a decision on your UK student visa application which can take several weeks.
FEES FOR A UK STUDENT VISA
- £363 is required to apply for a UK student visa from outside the country
- £490 is required to extend or switch to a UK student visa from inside the UK
- Health surcharges are also applicable.
ADDITIONAL SERVICE
- Priority visa service
This service provides expedited processing of visa applications within 5 working days. The current fee for priority service for a Tier 4 student visa is £500
- Super priority visa service
This service provides even faster visa application processing, with a decision made within 24 hours. The current fee for the super-priority service for a Tier 4 student visa is £800
UK STUDENT VISA
PART-TIME WORK
If you are enrolled in a recognized or licensed higher education institution, you can work up to 20 hours per week during term time, while if you are enrolled in a course below UK degree level, you can work up to 10 hours per week. Short-term Study visa holders may be restricted from working.
DEPENDENT
If you are a student in a master’s program, you can bring your spouse, civil partner, or children with you to the UK as your dependents. But if you are pursuing an undergraduate degree you cannot. The following are the requirements
Financial requirements: You must be able to show that you have enough money to support yourself and your dependents.
English language requirements: The dependent must demonstrate proficiency in English.
Relationship requirements: You and your dependents should prove your relationship, such as by providing marriage certificates or birth certificates.
