If you wish to apply for a visa in this category then our team at Hunter Stone Law will be able to guide and assist you throughout every step of the process. In order to qualify for this visa you would have to meet the requirement of the relevant section of the Immigration Rules. However we have attempted to simplify the requirements below.
You can apply for a Tier 4 (General) student visa to study in the UK if you’re 16 or over and you:
You can arrive in the UK before your course starts:
How long you can stay depends on the kind of course you’re doing and what study you’ve already completed.
If you have family members/dependants then you may be able to bring them in.
Eligibility
You must have:
Your course
You can do a course that’s one of the following:
Postgraduate doctors and dentists
You can apply for this visa if you’re sponsored to do a recognised foundation programme and you’ve:
Confirmation of acceptance of studies
Your education provider will send you a reference number called a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) once they’ve offered you a place on a course. You’ll need to enter this on your visa application. You must apply for your visa no more than 6 months after you receive the CAS.
Further study in the UK
You can only get a CAS for a new course if you’ve studied in the UK before and you’re:
Knowledge of English Language
You may need to prove your knowledge of the English language when you apply. You can prove this by passing an approved English language test.
The level of English you need (in reading, writing, speaking and listening) depends on the course you’re studying:
You can also meet this requirement if you can show you:
English language exceptions
You won’t need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re a national of an English speaking country (see the Home Office website for the full list of countries). You also may not have to prove your knowledge of English in other circumstances if you fall within certain categories.
Documents you must provide with your application
When you apply for the visa you must provide:
Applying for a Tier 4 (General) student visa
If you’re applying outside the UK the application is completed online and you’ll need to have your fingerprints and photograph (known as ‘biometric information’) taken at a visa application centre as part of your application.
If you’re applying in the UK then you can only extend your existing visa or switch to this visa if you’re already in the UK.
Extend your visa
When making an application for an extension you should include any dependants who are on your current visa on your application to extend - including children who have turned 18 during your stay. You must apply before your current visa expires. If necessary you may be able to apply to extend your stay to continue your course. However you will have to provide reasons and evidence as to why you need to.
You must:
Switch to this visa from a different visa
You may be able to change (switch) from another visa to a Tier 4 (General) student visa. You should apply before your current visa expires.
Eligibility to switch to a Tier 4 (General) student visa
You can apply to switch into this category if you’re in the UK under any of the following visas or schemes:
You should apply during the last 3 months of your current permission to stay and no later than 6 months after your confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) has been assigned. You must already be in the UK to apply.
Family members/dependants
Your family members (dependants) might be able to apply to join or remain with you in the UK if they’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.
A dependant is either:
You can apply to bring a dependant to the UK if you’re:
Savings to prove that your dependants can be supported
You must show that your dependants can be supported while they’re in the UK. Each dependant must have a certain amount of money available to them - this is in addition to the money you must have to support yourself.
The amount of money you need depends on:
You must have proof you have the money, and that it’s been in your bank account or your dependant’s bank account for at least 28 days before you or they apply.
If your dependants applying are outside the UK then your family members must apply online. They’ll need to have their fingerprints and photograph (known as ‘biometric information’) taken at a visa application centre as part of their application. If your dependants applying are in the UK then they must complete separate applications online
What you can and can’t do
You can:
You can’t: