Visas and immigration
The Arts University College at Bournemouth
is a Highly Trusted Sponsor on the UK Border Agencies approved
register of sponsors.
Do I need a student visa?
You may require a student visa in order to travel to the UK to study at the University College. In order to apply for the visa, you will need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) Number from the University College confirming that you have received an ‘unconditional’ offer of study, and that we will be sponsoring you for the duration of the course.
Students from within the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) are free to travel to the UK, and therefore, do not require a visa. However, if you aren’t sure if this applies to you, the UKVisa website has a very useful tool for checking your eligibility.
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/do-you-need-a-visa/
How many points do I need to apply under Tier 4?
The visa system in the UK has changed and a new Points Based System was introduced – students now need to get 40 points to get a visa as a Tier 4 (General) Student.
30 points are awarded for having a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) Number
10 Points are awarded for having the correct level of funds available.
You can check that you have sufficient points to be granted entry to the UK before you make your application by using the points based calculator and selecting Tier 4 General.
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/pointscalculator%20
How to apply?
Applying from outside the UK
If you are applying from outside the UK, you will need to contact you nearest visa application centre for details of their visa application process. Some visa application centres accept applications online. To find out if you can apply online please visit the Visa4UK website at http://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/ If you find that you cannot apply online, you will need to print and fill in one of the visa application forms available at
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/studying/adult-students/apply-outside-uk/
A complete list of visa application centres overseas is available at http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/countries/
Applying from within the UK / Extending your visa / leave to stay
Please note that if you wish to extend your
stay here as a student, you must have entered the UK with a student
or prospective student status. It is not permitted to change from
visitor or dependant to student status whilst in the UK.
To extend your visa you must apply before your current visa expires, you will need to print out and fill in a Tier 4 (General) application form available at
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/studying/adult-students/applying-inside-uk/
You can apply in person at one of the UKBA public enquiry offices; you must book an appointment in advance more information is available at
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/contact/applyinginperson/
You can send the application form yourself through the post office by special delivery and the postal address can be found on the front of the application form.
Please note that there can be a considerable delay in applying by post, and students are advised not to make any plans to travel or book flights until their documents are returned.
What is a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)?
A CAS is a unique number which is issued by the University College; this number confirms that UKBA has given the University College permission to be the educational ‘sponsor’ for your Tier 4 application.
Your CAS number will remain valid for a maximum of 6 months. You cannot, however, apply for your Tier 4 visa more than 3 months before the start date of your course.
How do I get a CAS Number?
To be issued with a CAS number you need:
· An unconditional offer
· Paid a deposit of £1500
Once you have fulfilled the above our international student adviser will issue you with a CAS number, you will receive your CAS details by email. The email will contain all of the information that you require for your visa application, you must check the email carefully and let the international student adviser know if there are any errors in the information.
You do not need a CAS letter, visa letter, admissions letter or any other document from the University College to use as evidence in your visa application. The CAS is not an actual certificate or paper document but is a virtual document similar to a database record. All of the information is transmitted to the UKBA automatically for you.
PLEASE NOTE: Your CAS number can only be used once; it is then marked as ‘used’. In the unlikely event that you are refused a visa, you need to apply for a fresh CAS number from us in order to reapply, and at the same time send us a scanned copy of the visa refusal notice.
Maintenance funds
To study at the University College you will need to provide evidence that you have access to sufficient money. How much you need depends on the length of your course and whether you have recently studied in the UK and completed a course. You need to show that you have held funds for a period of 28 consecutive days.
The amount of money you need to have in your bank account will be reduced by the total sum you have already paid to the University College towards tuition fees or towards your University College campus accommodation. The amount of money you have paid will show in your CAS email.
If your bank account is not in the UK, you must include a conversion of the closing balance to Sterling using the OANDA web site and the exchange rate on the date your bank statement or bank loan was issued. You will also need to provide an official translation of your bank statement.
Documents for a Tier 4 application
· A completed entry clearance application form
· The fee for your application
· Passport / Travel Documents
· The original qualifications that the University College used to assess your suitability for the course (this is shown in your CAS e-mail)
· Evidence that you have the correct amount of maintenance funds available to you
· Your Biometric Residence Permit for the UK, if you have one
You are asked to provide professional translations of documents which are not written in English and are asked to submit one photocopy of each document as well as providing the original document.
Biometrics
Part of the immigration system involves taking a record of your biometric details. This involves attending a visa application centre or biometric enrolment centre where they will take a photograph of your face, and record your fingerprints.
For further information on the visa application please refer to the UKCISA Information Sheet
http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/info_sheets/immigration_uk.php
If you need any further advice or help please contact the International Student Adviser on intadvice@aucb.ac.uk
