Tier 4 Student Visa

As of 31 March 2009 foreign nationals wishing to study in the UK must apply for a Tier 4 student visa.

Tier 4 of the points based system caters for students seeking to study at universities, colleges and other educational institutions throughout the UK. The Tier 4 visa does not offer a route to settlement in the UK and does not provide the opportunity to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain and subsequently British naturalisation.

Like all other tier visas under the points based system (except the Tier 1 visa), a successful application for a Tier 4 visa requires a certificate of sponsorship from a relevant sponsor - that sponsor being the educational institution offering the place to study.

Duration

As a Tier 4 student visa holder you will be granted leave to enter the UK for the purposes of completing a course at a specified institution. If you are studying at degree level or above you are entitled to stay for the full duration of your course, up to a maximum of four years. If you are studying below degree, the Tier 4 student visa will allow you to stay for up to three years. You should note that the duration of the Tier 4 UK student visa takes into account the time required to attend graduation at the end of the course.

You are able to change courses without having to submit a new application provided that the courses are at the same establishment. However if you are changing a sponsor or seeking to obtain an extension you will be required to submit another application.

Eligibility

To be eligible to study in the UK you must:

  • Have a proven track record in studying before coming to the UK.
  • Have recognised qualifications equivalent to National Qualification Framework (NQF) in the UK education system.
  • Produce evidence of sufficient funds to pass a maintenance test.
  • Produce documents used to obtain an offer from the university or college sponsoring, such as qualification certificates.
  • Pass a points-based assessment by scoring a total of 40 points.

Points are awarded for the Tier 4 visa as follows:

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

What is a visa letter?
A visa letter is an offer letter from your education provider who is your immigration sponsor, containing information about you, your sponsor, the course, and your finances.

What is a licensed sponsor?
The licensed sponsor is the university or college you have chosen to enrol with.

Working and the Tier 4 visa

You are able to participate in part-time or holiday work provided that it meets the following criteria:

  • The work is for no more than 20 hours a week during term time (except in vacation periods), unless it is a work placement and part of a study program and the educational institution agrees.
  • You do not conduct business, or are self-employed, or provide services as a professional sports person or entertainer.
  • You do not work full-time in a permanent job.

Depending on what you have studied in the UK you may be eligible to switch to the Tier 1 - Post-Study Work visa at the successful conclusion of your studies.

Spouse and Dependent Immigration

Spouse immigration is only permitted for married partners. Therefore your fiancé or unmarried partner is not allowed to join you in the UK. Dependents of students making a successful Tier 4 visa application will also be permitted to enter the UK.

Married partners and dependents will be granted leave to remain for a period equal to that granted to the student. During this time, they must be able to support themselves either independently or with the help of the applicant.

Categories of student

Students are divided into three categories when applying for a Tier 4 UK visa. Each category requires the fulfilment of separate criteria, details of which are provided below.

General student:
Students studying in Britain at or above degree level in a publicly funded institution, or engaging in more than 15 hours of study per week. In this category, work is permitted for 20 hours each week rising to full time hours during holiday periods. Dependents are permitted to join students in this category.

School:
Students in full time study at an independent school up to the age of 18. Working hours are the same as the general student category but dependents are not permitted.

Study through work:
Students on courses of work experience or placements. Working hours will be the same as the other two categories and dependents will be permitted in instances where the principal applicant will be in the country in excess of 12 months.

Educational institution obligations

Educational institutions offering study places to overseas students will need to attain the status of approved sponsors by demonstrating that they are bona fide establishments, rather than non-accredited or purely commercial operations.

Certificates of sponsorship act as verification from a college or university that students making UK visa applications will abide by the rules and requirements of their course. Educational institutions will also be obliged to report non-enrolment and non-attendance.