Making Sense of Tier 4 (General) An overview of the Student Tier of the Points-Based System Please use the dd month yyyy format for the date for example 11 January 2008. The main title can be one or two lines long. Clare Best and Hazel Carling - Visa Guidance Team 31st March 2011

What is the Points-Based System? A ‘new’ approach to immigration which streamlines migration to the UK in to 5 main routes known as ‘Tiers’. Applicants need to score the correct amount of points in relevant category to gain admission/ extend permission to stay in UK

What are the 5 Tiers? Tier 1 (Entrepreneurs, Investors, ‘Exceptional Talent’ and recent graduates) Tier 2 (Skilled Workers) Tier 3 (Low skilled workers to fill specific temporary labour shortages) Not yet implemented and no plans to do so in near future Tier 4 (Students) Tier 5 (Youth Mobility/Government Exchange/Temporary Workers)

Old Style Student Visa/Leave to Remain Issued prior to 31/03/2009 for full -time courses of 6 months or more at any UK education institution. Holders can study anywhere and change study providers without permission so long as visa still valid

Tier 4 (Students) Consists of two strands: Tier 4 (Child) - applies to pupils at independent schools and some F.E colleges Tier 4 (General) - all other students Institutions may hold a licence for one or both strands but must hold the appropriate licence for the students they are recruiting Tier 4 applicants need to score 40 points to obtain visa

Tier 4 - Students Universities licensed by UKBA under Tier 4 to recruit International Students Tier 4 licence allows institution to ‘sponsor’ (provide education for) students Institution issues a CAS (certificate of acceptance of study) which student then uses to apply for their visa Students enter UK or extend visa with an institution specific visa to study with their ‘sponsor’ only Tier 4 sponsored students can include those on overseas degree courses where part of their study is being provided by a UK institution

What is the CAS? CAS = Certificate of Acceptance of Studies = 30 points Unique reference number used by UKBA to view information about applicant and course via web-based portal CAS tells UKBA what qualifications used to make offer (eg Bachelors degree, IELTS 6.5) whether the course requires ATAS clearance, and how much the fees are. If any fees have been paid this will also show in the CAS statement . CAS also contains applicant’s personal details (DoB, passport number plus details of any financial sponsorship from the university) Applicants need to provide the ORIGINAL documents listed in the CAS + ATAS clearance if required

Maintenance In addition to the 30 points from the CAS applicants need to score 10 points for MAINTENANCE Maintenance means the amount of money you have to show You will need to meet either the HIGHER (£5400, non-established students) or the LOWER (£1,200, established students) maintenance amount Applicants need to show that they have had the correct amount of maintenance + tuition fees for 28 days prior to submitting application. If less than 28 days application will be REFUSED Sponsored students do not need bank statements but MUST provide original documentation from their official financial sponsor

Tier 4 - Sponsor’s Obligations Under terms of Tier 4 sponsor licence, institution has certain obligations to UKBA. These include: Verifying identity on arrival Reporting to UKBA if student does not arrive Monitoring attendance and reporting to UKBA if this is not satisfactory Reporting to UKBA if a student suspends, finishes or abandons the course

Tier 4 (General) Students - degree level courses Can work up to 20 hours per week in term-time Can work full-time in vacations (if not required to be studying ie writing dissertation) Can undertake a work placement ONLY if assessed part of course No provision for Internships under Tier 4

Changes to Tier 4 (General)

Changes (1): All sponsors must achieve HTS (Highly Trusted Sponsor) status by April 2012 (the U of S already has this!) Students on Level 6 (UG) programmes or above must have a minimum level of English at B2 (IELTS 6 or equivalent) in all 4 disciplines All applicants must sign declaration that documents they provide as evidence to meet the maintenance requirement are genuine

Changes (2): Only PG students on courses of 12 months + and Government sponsored students will be able to bring dependants Evidence of progression required but may be able to undertake 2nd Masters if sponsor vouches for academic progression Maximum of 3 years on pre-degree level courses and 5 years on degree-level courses inc PG programmes (exceptions apply)

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