Extending your tier 4 visa
If your student visa is due to expire soon you need to start preparing your application a minimum of two months before your expiry date. Under strict new rules applications which are incomplete will be refused.
Please note that both the dependants and Tier 4 application forms (for applications made in the UK) are updated regularly. Always check that you are using the most current version of the application form before sending it.
Making a tier 4 application
In order to make a Tier 4 application you must have Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number which you can request from the Compass, Academic Centre or the Education Support Team (IOP students). You must also fulfill the maintenance requirements as stipulated by the UK Border Agency.
Please note that all the rules are subject to change and you should always check the most current guidance with the UK Border Agency. UKCISA also provide guidance on how to complete the form. Please call the Student Advice Line if you have any questions about the form and the immigration rules. If you would like to have your application form checked by a Student Adviser before you send it or make an application in person, please book an appointment through the Compass. Please note, at busy times students can wait up to two or three weeks for an appointment so please prepare your application in plenty of time.
If you wish to use the Student Batch Scheme, whereby you prepare your application for an extension of leave to remain and a Student Adviser will check your application and send it on your behalf, you must contact a us at least two months before your current visa expires in order to allow enough time to complete your application and gather together all the relevant supporting documents.
Completing the form
After 5th April students extending in the UK will need to complete an online application form. This will then need to be printed out and submitted with relevant documents. You must do this before your current leave expires or you will be in the UK illegally.When completing the form make sure you answer every question that is relevant to you - if you miss something our your application may be returned as invalid. You may find out guide to the online form helpful. We recommend that, where possible, you book an appointment with a Student Adviser to check your application before submitting it.
Maintenance requirements
You are now required to show that you have a minimum amount of funding and money must be in your account for a consecutive 28 days before you submit your application and cannot drop below this amount at any point during this period. This money then needst o stay in your account until your visa application has been decided, as the UKBA may check with your bank that you still have the money.
Currently the rules state that some students extending their student visas have been studying on a course for at least six months and are applying for leave to finish that same course, or those applying for leave for a new course who have completed a course lasting at least six months within their last period of leave require only £2000. You should check the UK Border Agency guidance to see if you meet this criteria. Students who do not meet this criteria require £1000 for each month they will be in the UK, up to a maximum of 9 months.
If you are self-funding this must be in a bank account in your name or, if this is not possible, a parent’s name. If you use a parent's account you must also submit a letter from them confirming you may use these funds, and your original birth certificate. If you are being funded by an international company, government or scholarship agency you will need to provide a letter. You must check the Tier 4 guidance for what needs to be included in the letter.
The financial requirements are quite complicated. If you are missing any documents or they do not fully meet the Tier 4 requirements your application is likely to be refused. If you have any queries check with a Student Adviser.
ATAS
If you are required to have an ATAS certificate in order to undertake your course you must have obtained this before you submit your visa application.
If you are extending your student visa in order to complete your course and you require an ATAS certificate you must obtain a new certificate for the purposes of your application. This includes PhD students who are writing up their theses and who required ATAS in the past.
If you do not supply it when you submit your application then your application will be incomplete and will be refused
Disclaimer
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information herein, King's College London can accept no responsibility for errors or omissions.
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