Advice on Immigration for All Prospective International Students
This page has information about:
Immigration Advice
The International Office at AIU, London provides free and confidential advice on all aspects of immigration to prospective and current students, graduates and their families. This includes: extensions of student leave to remain; entry clearance applications; Schengen, work schemes; and switching immigration status.
The provision of immigration advice is regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) and requires us to have procedures in place that comply with legislation, about providing immigration advice. For this reason only the designated International Student Adviser in the International Office is qualified and authorised to give immigration advice at AIU, London. Where the level of immigration advice required is beyond our scope you will be referred to appropriately qualified legal professionals.
Advice is provided by the designated Immigration Advisor, Rachel Meredith, in accordance with the immigration legislation rmeredith@aiulondon.ac.uk
European Economic Area (EEA) nationals
If you are from the EEA you do not need to apply for Entry Clearance to enter the UK before leaving your country to come and study in the UK.
For information on the immigration regulations that apply to you and for a full list of EEA countries you can go to the UK Border Agency website - http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/eucitizens/
Non-EEA nationals
If you are not from an EEA country you will need to apply for Entry Clearance before travelling to the UK.
Immigration rules change frequently and so we would advise you to check the most up to date and accurate sources of information:
Tier 4 Student Visa
Do I need a visa?
AIU London recommends that all non EEA/EU nationals' students apply for and obtain a student visa prior to arrival in the UK.
The following students must apply for and obtain a visa prior to arrival in the UK.
- Internship students
- Degree seeking students
- Students wishing to do paid, unpaid or volunteer work while in the UK
- Non-US citizens (unless an EU citizen)
- Students who will be studying in the UK for more than one semester and/or more than six months in any twelve month period (even if returning to the US between semesters or studying on more than one study abroad programme)
Any student intending to work in the UK either part-time or on an internship/work placement will need an Adult Student Visa. Students doing study abroad or an exchange programme for more than six months will need an Adult Student Visa.
What is the Tier 4 Student visa?
Any international student planning to study full-time in the UK with a start date after March 2009 will need to apply for their visa under Tier 4. Students applying outside the UK will need to obtain their visa from the British Consulate. For full details of the application process and how to apply, please refer to the UKBA website for visa services outside the UK at http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/
There are three main steps in applying for a visa:
- Complete the online application.
- Attend Biometric Data Collection Appointment
- Submit application (including passport, AIU immigration letter and other supporting documents). Ensure you use a secure method of mailing, and be sure to obtain proof of your passport's safe arrival at the British Consulate.
How do I apply for visa under Tier 4?
To be able to travel to the United Kingdom as a student you must pass a points-based assessment and score 40 points before being given a visa. You score:
- 30 points for a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies number from an Tier 4 immigration sponsor; and
- 10 points if you can show you have enough finances to cover your course fees and
monthly living expenses for up to 12 months (known as maintenance).
What is a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number?
A Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) is a unique reference number, issued by a Tier 4 Sponsor to a student. It confirms that the Tier 4 Sponsor has offered a would-be student an unconditional place to study at their institution. If a student is issued a Tier 4 visa linked to a CAS number issued by AIU London, the student can only use their visa to study with AIU London. Should the student choose not to study with AIU London, their visa will be cancelled.
How Much Money Do I Need to Have?
The finances you need to pass the points-based assessment if you are coming to study at AIU, London are:
| Length of course |
Where will study |
Money needed |
| Nine months or less |
In London |
Course fees and £800 maintenance funds for each month of the course |
| More than nine months |
In London |
First year of fees and £7,200 to cover the first year in the United Kingdom |
Proof of Availability of Money
- Cash in a bank account in student's name; or
- A loan in student's name; or
- Official financial or government sponsorship
Please note that students wishing to use their Parent's or Legal Guardian's bank account as proof of funds will also need to provide their original birth certificate or Guardianship papers and a Letter from their Parent(s)/ Guardian(s) confirming that they are happy to provide financial support to the student.
What do I need to apply?
You will need to complete the application form, pay your fee and include:
- a current passport or travel document;
- a CAS from an immigration sponsor (this would be the University you are planning to study at);
- documents to show you have the finances required (tuition fees and maintenance) available;
- documents used by your immigration sponsor (the University you are planning to study at) when they accepted you on to the course;
- your biometric details if you are applying from outside the United Kingdom.
- If you are receiving financial sponsorship include a statement that your official sponsor will cover all of your fees and living costs. To find out more about Financial Sponsorship please read below.
For Full details of money needed, how to present your evidence, qualifications, the visa letter, and how points are awarded look at the following websites, taking care to read the 'Tier 4 of the Points Base System - Policy Guidance' - http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/adult-students/
How much will it cost?
The current visa application fee for outside the UK, as of July 2009, is £145, however this is subject to change and we therefore suggest you check with the UK Border Agency to find out the current visa application fee.
When should I apply for my Tier 4 Student Visa?
You can apply for your visa up to three months before you intend to arrive in the UK.
Can I work on a Tier 4 Student visa?
Generally speaking you should be granted permission to work part-time (no more than 20 hours a week) during term-time while studying and full-time during vacations.
When will I be allowed to come to the UK on an Adult Student Visa?
If you are granted an Adult Student Visa you will be allowed to enter the UK up to one month in advance of a course that lasts for six months or more. If you are granted an Adult Student Visa and your course is less than six months you will be allowed to enter seven days before the course starts. If you are granted and Adult Student Visa for a pre-sessional before going onto a degree course you will be allowed to come one month before your course starts.
Can I travel through Ireland to activate my Student Visa?
Due to recent changes to the UK Immigration system and the introduction of the Tier 4 Student Visa, the UKBA advises all students NOT to travel to the UK via Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man (The Common Travel Area).
All students wishing to study in the UK on a short term or long term basis now need to have either a Tier 4 Student Visa or a Student Visitor Visa. This visa needs to be activated at Port by an Immigration Official and if it is not activated then the student is unable to study here at AIU London until they have the correct visa.
A Student entering the Common Travel Area before travelling to the UK is unlikely to meet Immigration Officials upon entry to the UK and will therefore not have their visa activated. Instead they will have been issued a Visitor Travel Permit for a 3 month period which prevents them from studying or working during the said period.
Unfortunately any student that does enter the UK this way and is without the correct visa in their passport will need to leave the UK & Common Travel Area and then re-enter to obtain the correct stamp in their passport/activate their visa.
Where should I apply for my visa?
To find your nearest Overseas Application Centre please go to the UK Border Agency visa services website - http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en
What are my responsibilities under the new Tier 4 Student Visa?
To comply with the term and conditions of your Tier 4 Visa you will need to ensure the following:
- You enroll for your studies within the enrollment period or inform us if you are unable to do so.
- Do not take breaks from your studies unless you have to. If you need to withdraw or take a break from your studies (excluding summer) you will be expected to return to your home country.
- Keep good attendance. Students with a series of 10 unauthorised absences will be reported to the UKBA.
- Do not undertake employment (paid or unpaid) for more than 20 hours per week (during term time).
Each CAS number is unique to the student. If the student wants to move to another university, they will need to apply for a new Tier 4 Visa using a CAS number issued by their new university. Any students wishing to transfer to AIU London from another UK institution will need to apply for a new Tier 4 Visa using the CAS issued to them by us.
A student wishing to change course having already been issued a CAS number based on their application to enrol from a different course, will need to write to the UKBA and ask permission to switch courses. Failure to do so, could lead to the student being penalized.
IMPORTANT: Tier 4 Sponsor Reporting Duties
As a Tier 4 Sponsor, we are obligated to carry out the following duties:
- keep a copy of all sponsored migrants' passport pages, showing all personal details (including biometric details) and leave stamps or immigration status documents - including evidence of their entitlement to study in the United Kingdom and the period that they have permission to stay here;
- keep each student's contact details and update them as necessary;
- report any students who fail to enroll on their course within the enrolment period;
- report any unauthorised student absences (see 'Expected contacts' below);*
- report any students who discontinue their studies (including any deferrals of study);
- report any significant changes in students' circumstances (for example, if the length of a course of study shortens);
- maintain any appropriate accreditation;
- offer courses to international students that comply with UKBA conditions;
- comply with applicable rules of the points-based system and the law
If a student defers their studies after they have arrived in the United Kingdom, their permission to be in the United Kingdom will no longer be valid because they will not be actively studying. You will need to tell us of the deferral and advise the student to leave the United Kingdom. When the student is ready to continue their studies, they will need to make a new visa application.
Expected contacts
We are to report to the UKBA if a student misses 10 expected contacts. Expected contacts' include:
- attendance at any lesson, lecture, tutorial or seminar (as relevant to the level of study);
- attendance at any test, examination or assessment board;
- submission of assessed or un-assessed coursework;
- submission of 'interim' dissertation/coursework/reports;
- attendance at any meeting with a supervisor or personal tutor;
- attendance at any 'research method' or 'research panel' meetings. or at 'writing up' seminars or 'doctoral workshops';
- attendance at a viva;
- registration (matriculation/enrolment); and
- attendance at an appointment with a welfare advisor or an international student adviser.
Important Information to note
All international students will require an immigration sponsor under the new Points Based System. A student's immigration sponsor is the institution they are studying at; therefore if you are coming to study at AIU London, we will be your immigration sponsor. Your visa will be linked to your immigration sponsor, therefore if you are studying at AIU London your visa will be granted to study at AIU London only.
All UK universities will be required to monitor students' attendance under the new Points Based Systems. It is therefore very important that you ensure you arrive and register at the University on the dates as written in your visa letter and attend classes in accordance with University regulations. Failure to register by the given deadline or attend classes may result in you being reported to the UKBA.
The International Office aims to provide you with general information, however the UK Border Agency and regularly making changes to the visa regulations and we would therefore highly recommend that you check the immigration requirements with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office or British Home Office before leaving your home country.
Foreign & Commonwealth Office - http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/
British Home Office - http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/
For further advice on immigration and visas contact the International Student Adviser, Rachel Meredith
Email: rmeredith@aiulondon.ac.uk