tier 4 online entry clearance application guide use … · tier 4 online entry clearance...

ENTRY CLEARANCE GUIDANCE NOTES

1

`

TIER 4 ONLINE ENTRY

CLEARANCE APPLICATION

GUIDE

USE ONLY IF APPLYING

OUT OF THE UK

This should be used in conjunction with the Tier 4 Policy Guidance and

the online guidance provided on the UKVI website.

Produced by the International Student Advice (ISA):

Ground Floor, Roland Levinsky Building

[email protected]

Tel: 01752 587740

Updated 09/06/2016

mailto:[email protected]


2

Immigration Health Surcharge - as part of your visa application you may need to pay a

healthcare charge It is a criminal offence to provide information which you know to be false, or which

you do not believe to be true, it may also result in your application being refused.

If you have any questions or are unsure how to proceed with your application

please email [email protected] or call us at 0044 1752 587 740

Before you start:

You must be outside the UK to apply for your visa using this form.

You will need to:

register for an account

fill in the application form in English

pay for the visa fee online (in most cases) and pay for the immigration health surcharge (if you are coming to the UK for a period longer than 6 months)

print out your form and write the immigration health surcharge number on it

book and attend an appointment at a visa application centre

You must:

have the original and a photocopy of all the supporting documents you need for your visa

translate any supporting documents and include them with the originals if they aren’t in English

Tuberculosis (TB) test:

You may need to get a TB test, depending on where you’re applying from -check if you need a TB test on https://www.gov.uk/tb-test-visa

Attending an appointment

Check where your appointment will be before you apply.

How long it takes

Find out how long it will take to get your visa at https://www.gov.uk/visa-processing-times


https://www.gov.uk/visa-fees

https://www.gov.uk/find-a-visa-application-centre

https://www.gov.uk/tb-test-visa



https://www.gov.uk/find-a-visa-application-centre

https://www.gov.uk/visa-processing-times

https://www.gov.uk/visa-processing-times


3

APPLY FOR YOUR TIER 4 VISA

Click on the Entry Clearance Website: https://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/

Click to register a new account; you will be sent an email to activate your account.

CARE: The registration email (and any future emails from the Home Office) may

come up as spam or junk email so check your email folders.

The registration email will ask you to click on it or copy and paste a web address into

your browser which will then allow you to input your email address and password

again.

Then press Apply For Myself and read the screen.


4

The supporting document list a number of items but generally you will need the

following:

I. Plymouth University will issue you with a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) identification number to include with your application. This will be sent with your unconditional offer. Continuing students should contact ISAS: [email protected] to request a CAS.

II. Your valid passport. III. One passport photograph of yourself. IV. Your ATAS clearance certificate if required. V. Any relevant diplomas or educational certificates used to obtain your

Plymouth University offer* (these will be listed on your CAS statement). VI. Financial evidence.*

UK or overseas bank statements in your name that show you have maintained the

required amount of funds for at least 28 consecutive days.

OR

UK or overseas bank statements in your parent’s name that show they have

maintained the required amount of funds for at least 28 consecutive days PLUS your

original birth certificate PLUS a letter of parental consent.

OR

If you are being officially sponsored, a formal letter from your sponsor confirming the

details of your sponsorship.

*Low risk nationals are subject to different documentary requirements and do not

need to provide these documents although they can occasionally be requested.



5

Care: The above is a guide. Please check with your visa application centre for the

exact documents required. All documents should be originals and officially translated

into English if necessary.

Press continue at the bottom of this screen.

Complete the following screen:


6

Then press Create Application

This will be the next screen:

Study

PBS Tier 4 Student

Tier 4 (General) Student

Press Go to Application


7

The next screen gives you your unique application reference number:

You will now need to complete each of these sections:

What is the main address and contact details of where you will be staying in

the UK?

PRESS THE SAVE BUTTON REGULARLY

SO YOU DON’T LOSE INFORMATION. IF

YOU GET TIMED OUT, IT WILL REQUEST

YOU LOG IN AGAIN.


8

Once each section has been completed successfully, the headings will turn green:

THE SECTIONS

PASSPORT / TRAVEL DOCUMENT INFORMATION SECTION :

This section is straight-forward.

You will see that some of the boxes are not big enough to show what you

have just typed in; this is being fixed by the Home Office. Please, carry on

typing in the field where requested.

What is the main address and contact details

of where you will be staying whilst in the UK? If

you do not yet have a UK address confirmed,

please enter: Plymouth University, Drake

Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, United Kingdom,

Tel: 01752587740.


9

What is the main address and contact details of where you will be staying

whilst in the UK? If you do not yet have a UK address confirmed, please enter:

Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, United Kingdom, Tel:

01752587740.

PERSONAL DETAILS AND TRAVEL HISTORY SECTION:

Answer this section very carefully

Have you ever voluntarily elected to depart the UK? Only answer yes if

you have been served immigration papers because you have breached a

condition on your visa

If we need to interview you, what language would you like to use in the

interview? You may need to attend a credibility interview as part of your Tier

4 visa application. See our website for more details:

http://www1.plymouth.ac.uk/isas/

FAMILY DETAILS

This section is straight forward.

MEDICAL TREATMENT SECTION

This section is straight forward.

TIER 4 STUDENT SECTION

Sponsor

Give your Tier 4 Sponsor’s Licence Number: RQ2UGKJY7

What is the name of your sponsor: Plymouth University

http://www1.plymouth.ac.uk/isas/


10

What is the full address of your sponsor?

Enter postcode PL4 8AA and click on ‘find address’ (the fields will be

populated automatically)

Studies

What is your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies Number?

Starting a new course: You do not need to apply for a CAS– it will be sent

automatically with your offer

Continuing students: email ISAS to request a CAS

[email protected]. It will take 10 working days and will be

emailed to ISAS: We will contact you once received.

What is the level of the course and qualification?

This will be on your CAS e.g. NQF Level 8 is Doctorate (PhD), NQF Level 7 is

Masters Degree, NQF Level 6 is Bachelor’s Degree

Start Date of course? This will be on your CAS

End Date of course? This will be on your CAS

What is the address of the main site of study? This is Plymouth University

address:



11

Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, United Kingdom,

telephone 01752 587740

email [email protected]

Confirm which of the following apply:

Choose ‘Studying’

Have you been assessed by the sponsor by other means, for example

references or a portfolio of artwork? The answer to this is normally no, please

check the wording on your CAS.

Please indicate how you meet the minimum English language requirement

relevant to your course.

If you are a pre-sessional English language student choose English

language test – you will need to fill in additional fields:

Awarding Body: enter as appropriate

Title of qualification: enter as appropriate

Level of qualification: please enter the CEFR level stated on your certificate

Date of award: enter the date on the certificate



12

Award reference number: enter the UKVI number (also called SELT Unique

Reference Number) stated on your certificate and on your CAS in the ‘Evidence

used to obtain offer’ field.

For all others, choose the following answer: Your sponsor is a Higher

Education Institution (HEI), and has made its own assessment of your

English language ability.

Are you required to obtain permission from the Academic Technology

Approval Scheme (ATAS)? This will be stated on your CAS or you can check

this website: https://www.gov.uk/academic-technology-approval-scheme

Maintenance and Fees

How much are the fees for your course of study? This will be on your CAS.

Have any of your course fees been paid? If you have paid some tuition fees

already choose: Yes- paid to UK Education provider

What document has been provided as evidence of payment? This should be

shown on your CAS

Have any of your accommodation fees been paid to your sponsor?

If yes, choose: Yes- paid to UK Education provider

Do you receive support from a financial sponsor that meets the UK Visa and

Immigration definition of a financial sponsor? Answer yes if you receive

money for your living/fees from an official sponsor e.g. Government Sponsor

Do you have any remaining fees and maintenance still due for payment?

This will be a yes

Course fees: the amount of tuition fees that you still owe for your first year

Maintenance:

o This will be £9135 for courses of 9 months or longer

o For shorter courses you will need to have £1015 per month of the

course

Total: type in the total of unpaid fees plus maintenance. This is the amount

you need to show in your financial documents.

Do you have money in your own name? Is the bank account in your own

name? If so, type yes. You will then be asked What original documents has

been supplied showing evidence of funds for the fees that still need to be paid?

Type in the type of document e.g. bank statement, bond certificate

If it’s in a parent’s name, type no. The next question is: What evidence have

you provided that shows both the amount of funds available and your

relationship to your parents or legal guardians? You need to provide original

stamped bank statements, parent’s/legal guardian’s original birth certificate/or

certificate of guardianship plus a letter of consent from the parent/guardian

and any translations necessary.

https://www.gov.uk/academic-technology-approval-scheme


13

Points Claimed

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies

Answer: 30

Maintenance

Answer: 10

Total

Answer: 40

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SECTION

Type in anything you think is relevant. You can leave blank.


14

Press save button

You can now press confirm application

The next screen will be a summary of your application

Press submit application if you are happy that the information is correct or return

to application if you need to amend something.

You will not be able to change anything once you submit

After you have submitted, you will see the main screen again:


15

You will see that the application completed has turned green.

Now you need to press Sign Declaration. The next screen will ask you to read the

declaration and sign in the box (just type your full name in) then press sign

declaration.

You will now be taken to the back to main screen:

You will see that Declaration Signed has now turned green


16

Now press BRP Collection Location. The next screen will be:

You can now collect your BRP card from Plymouth University. You will need to

enter the following code into the Alternative location box: 2HE747

You should now see the following screen, you will need to click save and close:


17

Now press Book Appointment. The next screen will be:

Follow the screens and book your appointment for a PBS Tier 4 (General) Visa.

The next screens will ask you to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

and the application fee


18

The next screen confirms your application is complete:

You will be asked to print your application form.

The form confirms your Biometric Enrolment appointment and asks you to print

out the appointment booking form:


19

If you then press view applications it will take you back to the home page and your

application will say complete:

You will notice that the first 2 boxes on the right are a paler green; you cannot

access the application form and declaration again. You can still view the

appointment (and amend the appointment time if necessary) and print the application

again if needed. You will need to take all your documents to your appointment.

You may also be asked to register with the commercial visa application centre.

Follow instructions if asked to do so.


20

APPLYING FOR DEPENDANTS:

On the home page, press Apply for Someone Else:

The next screen is:


21

Supporting Documents for dependants may include:

1 x passport sized photo

valid passport

Birth certificates

Financial evidence (this will be the main applicant’s bank statement if they

apply at the same time).

If you are a continuing student and your dependant is over 16 you will need to

submit 2 of these items confirming your UK address:

o bank statements; and/or o credit card bills; and/or o driving licence; and/or o NHS Registration document; and/or o letter from your current school, college or university confirming your

address. This must be on official headed paper and bearing the official stamp of that organisation. It must have been issued by an authorised official of that organisation.

If your dependant is married to you, you may be asked to provide your original

marriage

certificate.

The above is a guide. Please check with your visa application centre for the exact

documents required. All documents should be originals and officially translated into

English if necessary.

Press Continue.

The next screen is:


22

You need to input the details of your dependant as requested.

Complete the following details:

Then press create application this will take to back to the main page. You will see

the main applicant’s application and the dependant’s application. Click on go to

application for the dependant

Study

PBS Tier 4 Student

Tier 4 (general) Dependant Child (or

choose partner if applicable)

Location is your home country


23

Passport and Travel Document information section:

Some of the boxes are not big enough to show what you have just typed in; this is

being fixed by the Home Office. Please carry on typing in the field where requested.


24

How long do you intend to stay in the UK? Your dependant should not stay longer in

the UK than you. The number of years and months entered must be no longer than

the main applicant.

What is the main address and contact details of where you will be staying whilst in

the UK? If you do not yet have a UK address confirmed, please enter: Plymouth

University, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, United Kingdom, telephone 01752

587740

Personal Details and Travel History Section:

Complete and save


25

Press next section:

Family Details Section

Do you have any dependent children? Some dependant applicants may have

children and this is why this question is asked.

Press next section

Medical Treatment Section

This section is straight forward


26

Maintenance Section

Which area of the maintenance requirement are you applying under?

Enter:

Own/main applicant funds if you are a dependant partner

Parent or Legal Guardian Funds if you are a child

Tier 4 Student who has sponsorship if the main applicant and dependants are

supported by official sponsorship

Press next section

Main Applicant Section


27

What is the address where the main applicant works or studies? Type in Plymouth

University address

What is the start date of the job or course? Refer to your CAS

What is the end date of the job or course? Refer to your CAS

Press next section

Additional Information Section Type in anything you think is relevant. You can leave blank.

Press save button

You can now press confirm application

If you have missed any information, this screen will show up:

Re-enter the incomplete sections highlighted in orange. However, it doesn’t show

exactly which field is incomplete so look carefully.

Press Confirm


28

Once all completed correctly, all the sections will turn green and will not be orange:

Remember to press save regularly. Press confirm application again.

The next screen confirms what you have typed in:


29

Press submit application if you are happy that the information is correct or return to

application if you need to amend something.

The next screen warns you that you will not be able to change anything once you

submit:

PLEASE NOW FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS GUIDE FROM

PAGE 15 TO PAGE 19 TO COMPLETE THIS APPLICATION

This guide will help you to set up your Tier 4 Entry Clearance Online application.

If you have any queries, please contact:

Plymouth University, ISA, Ground Floor, Roland Levinsky Building,

Plymouth, PL4 8AA

[email protected]

Tel 01752 587740