2018-2019 United Kingdom Visa Instructions For Semester and Year-long UK Programs Do not follow these instructions if you are not in a semester or year-long UK program. Find visa instructions specific to your program in the Pre-Departure Checklist. 1
Which Visa? The type of visa you will need depends on your program and nationality. Look at the chart below to see which visa applies to you. Quick Visa Reference Guide Year Students: Follow the Tier 4 Student Visa instructions Fall or Spring Immersion Students: Follow either the Tier 4 Student Visa (if you want to work/volunteer/intern) or Student Visitor Visa Students with Internship (Sotheby s, UC Center London): Follow the Tier 4 Student Visa instructions Sotheby s and UC Center London Fall without Internship: Follow the Student Visitor Visa instructions Non-US Citizens: See information for non-us citizens first before you proceed with specific visa instructions. Continue on to the Table of Contents... 2
Table of Contents Student Visitor Visa Instructions 4 Tier 4 Student Visa Instructions 9 Visa Basics 10 CAS Information 11 Step 1: Apply Online 12 Step 2: Biometric Screening & Gather Documents 13 Step 3: Mail Documents & Receive Visa 16 Step 4: Arrive in the UK 17 Non-US Citizens Instructions 18 General FAQs 22 3
United Kingdom: Short Term Student Visitor Visa For Semester Programs WITHOUT Internship IMPORTANT: If you are not a US Citizen, read information for Non-US Citizens first. 4
Overview Where do I start? Start gathering necessary documents at least a few weeks before departure. Visit campus offices for some of the documents. Be aware of office closures for holiday breaks and summer. Obtain documents before offices close. When do I apply for and get my visa? You will get the visa stamped in your passport upon arrival in the UK. Do not apply for this visa before departure. Are there any travel restrictions? Do Not Fly Through Ireland! You cannot travel to (or through) Ireland on your way to the United Kingdom or book with Aer Lingus flights, which stop in Dublin on the way to the UK. Now that you know the basics, continue to the next page for steps to apply for your Student Visitor Visa. 5
Step 1 Gather Documents US Passport Proof you will depart the UK before the visa expires This can be a flight or other travel itinerary ticket. Evidence of Financial Support #1 #3 #5 Proof that you have enough funds ( maintenance ) to cover your expenses while in the UK. See next 2 pages for details. #2 #4 Official UC Transcript Does not need to be in a sealed envelope. Request official transcripts before the registrar office closes. Host University Acceptance Letter If you receive a hard copy Acceptance Letter, you must bring this document. If you receive it as an email, you may bring a print out of the email. IMPORTANT: Ensure that all information on your documents is correct! This includes, but is not limited to: your name, dates of your program, country of citizenship/nationality, birthday, etc. Remember, the UK format for birth dates is day/month/ year. If you notice an error, contact the provider of the document immediately. 6
What is this? Evidence of Financial Support Proof that you have enough funds to cover your expenses while in the UK, according to the UKVI standard for maintenance funds. How much money do I need to show I have? UKVI estimates a minimum of 1265/month for London and 1015/month for any cities outside London. Maintenance includes both housing fees and day-to-day living expenses. How can I provide this proof? Show one or more of the documents included below, as long as the total amount of the funds you show reaches the minimum. If one document provides the total amount, you do not need additional documents. (Stocks, bonds, market funds, etc. are not acceptable as the value of such accounts can fluctuate.) Include a note (either separate or directly on each document) showing the current currency conversion rate using www.oanda.com/convert/classic. Personal Bank Statement *Request from your bank* Must show your name and account number (the account can be a joint account, but you must be listed as a joint account holder) The amount needed must have been in the account for the full month, and the statement must be no more than one month old Must be an original statement (not a printout of your online account) Financial Aid Award Letter *Request from your campus Financial Aid Office* Must be no more than one month old Must state that you WILL receive $xx,xxx and NOT that you are eligible to receive IMPORTANT make sure you get this letter before your campus Financial Aid Office closes for breaks or school holidays! Parental Bank Statement Same requirements as Personal Bank Statement, plus: Letter from parent/account-holder confirming that they will provide the funds to support your stay Documentation confirming the relationship (i.e. original birth certificate, adoption certificate, court document stating they are your legal guardians) Bank Letter *Request from your bank* Must be on official bank letterhead including bank s logo Includes: your name, account number, date of the letter, amount of money in the account, confirmation that the money has been in the account for a minimum of 28 days 7
Arrive & Present Documents Step 2 What happens when I arrive in the UK and go through customs? Upon arrival, you will go through Immigration and present the documents to the immigration officer so that they may determine your eligibility for a Student Visitor Visa. When the Immigration officer asks you the purpose of your stay, tell them you are a student visitor. Be sure to mention that you are a short-term (less than 6 months) student. Remember keep your documents with you in your carry-on luggage so they are easily accessible! Good luck and happy travels! 8
United Kingdom: Tier 4 Student Visa For all Year; Semester Programs with Internship/work/volunteer IMPORTANT: If you are NOT a US Citizen read the instructions in this document for Non-US Citizens FIRST. 9
Visa Basics Read first to learn basic facts on Tier 4 Student Visa Am I Eligible for the Tier 4 Student Visa? Who should apply? ALL students studying for the year Semester students interested in interning, working, or volunteering while abroad Who should NOT apply? Summer students cannot obtain a CAS number, and are therefore ineligible for the Tier 4 Student Visa. You MUST apply for the Student Visitor Visa if you are participating in a summer program. Semester students that are NOT interested in interning, working, or volunteering while abroad Students with EU citizenship So you determined you will need a Tier 4 Student Visa Read on! When can I apply? You cannot apply more than 3 months before the start of your program. Allow at least 4-6 weeks for application processing. How much does it cost? 328* (about $480 US). This fee is non-refundable, regardless of the outcome of the visa application. *fees are subject to change. There may be additional costs such as the immigration health surcharge, transcripts, etc. If you do not allow at least 4-6 weeks for application processing, you will need to pay additional charges for expedited visa processing. How long is my visa valid? If your program is longer than 6 months, you may enter up to 1 month before your program start date. If your program is less than 6 months, you may enter up to 1 week before your program start date and stay up to 1 week after the end of your program. Your program or course start date is the date provided by your host university on your CAS (Find more information regarding CAS on the next page). 10
All About the CAS Detailed information regarding CAS What is a CAS number? A CAS, or Certificate of Acceptance for Studies, is a digital certificate and a unique reference number that is given to each student. A CAS number is required for all Tier 4 Student Visa applicants as the UK Consulate uses this CAS number to verify your student status. How do I receive a CAS number? All year-long students automatically receive a CAS number as they MUST apply for the Tier 4 Student Visa Semester programs do not require a Tier 4 Student Visa. Semester students who wish to intern, work, or volunteer must request a CAS number (it is not automatically issued). Step 1: Your host university enters your student information and your program information into a UKVI database. This confirms that they are your official Tier 4 Student Visa sponsor and also includes the dates of your program. Step 2: You will receive an offer letter from your host university. In most cases, there is a reply section where you must confirm the type of visa for which you will apply. If this is not included in the reply section, contact your host university s international office to make sure they are aware of what visa you plan to obtain. Step 3: Your host university will confirm (likely by email) your information before they enter it into the UKVI database in order to produce your CAS number. It is extremely important to ensure all the following information is correct or they may deny your visa application. The UK formats dates as DAY/MONTH/YEAR Step 4: Once your host produces your CAS number, you will receive an automatic email with that CAS number and other information. SAVE this e-mail and carry a hard copy with you when travelling. Please contact your host university immediately if you notice any errors. When will I receive my CAS number? The above process occurs once you are formally accepted by your host university. UCEAP has no control over this process. Please be sure to complete all requirements from the host university as soon as possible to avoid delays. Now that you know all about the Visa Basics, continue to the next page for step by step instructions on how to apply for your Tier 4 Student Visa! 11
Step 1 Apply Online: Complete & submit your online visa If you are applying 1 month or less before your program starts, then you need to expedite, and you must pay for priority service online BEFORE you submit your application. See here for information on the priority service. Make sure you have been given a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) number. Go Here to start your online application on the UK Visa and Immigration website. Refer to the sample application for help getting started: UC London Fall with Internship All Other programs Read and answer the questions as they pertain to you. Once you finish and submit your application, you will be prompted to: 1. Pay a health insurance surcharge for the National Health Service (NHS) - Semester students may not be required to pay this. 2. Choose two locations, one for your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) that you collect in the UK, and one for your biometrics appointment at an appointment center near your home address. If you are a semester student, you may not need to obtain a BRP. Follow whatever prompts the application gives you. If you decide not to do the Tier 4 Student Visa, let your host university know you will not apply for it and will not use your assigned CAS number. 12
Step 2 Biometric Screening & Gather Documents What is a Biometric Screening? All UK visa applicants are required to provide biometric data as part of the application process. This includes a 10-digit electronic finger scan and a digital photograph. IMPORTANT Before you schedule: Once your biometrics have been taken, you will receive a deadline to submit your application and all required supporting documents to the UK consulate in New York. This is typically a deadline of 5 to 10 days. Your biometrics confirmation letter will note your exact time frame. If you wait longer than the indicated time, you will have to begin the application process again (including fee payment). Read through the following instructions carefully and ensure you will have all required documents prepared by the time of your biometrics appointment to avoid repeating this process. Scheduling Your Biometric Screening At the end of your online visa application, you will be prompted to schedule a biometric screening appointment. First, you will choose a location in the UK to pick up your Biometric Residence Permit. Second, you will choose the location, date, and time for your biometrics appointment in the US. The online application will suggest a location nearest the address that you provided earlier in the application, but you may choose any location that works for you. Be sure to have your biometrics appointment confirmation stamped to show that you attended the appointment. 13
Step 2 continued Biometric Screening & Gather Documents Required Documents: You must submit these with your visa application US Passport #1 Signed and valid for your entire program length. Do not send a photocopy of your passport as your visa will be affixed to a page in your actual passport. Print-out of your signed online #3 application form If you made any errors on the form, you can correct them by hand on the print out. Two passport style photographs #5 #2 #4 Self-addressed VFS Global Envelope The British Consulate will use this envelope to return your passport and any relevant documents to you. You may choose the level of service you need, depending on how quickly you need your visa returned. Stamped confirmation of your Biometrics appointment Not Required Unless Requested: DO NOT submit these items unless specifically requested (via email) by the UKVI. However, be prepared to submit them in case they are requested. Submitting them without a request may delay processing time. Print-out of the CAS number email from your host university Official UC transcript (does not need to be in a sealed envelope) Evidence of Financial Support (see next page) IMPORTANT: Ensure that all information on your documents is correct! This includes, but is not limited to, your name, dates of your program, country of citizenship/ nationality, birthday, etc. Remember, the UK format for birth dates is day/month/year. If you notice an error, contact the provider of the document immediately. 14
Step 2 continued Biometric Screening & Gather Documents Evidence of Financial Support Remember: Evidence of Financial Support is NOT required unless requested. If requested, submit one or more of the documents below, as long as the total amount of the funds reaches the minimum you must show. If one document provides the total, you do not need additional documents. Include a note showing the current currency conversion rate using www.oanda.com/convert/classic. UKVI lists the minimum amount for maintenance to be 1265/month if studying in London and 1015/month if studying outside London. (To see if you are in London, see FAQ.) Personal Bank Statement *Request from your bank* Financial Aid Award Letter *Request from your financial aid office* Must show your name and account number (the account can be a joint account, but you must be listed as a joint account holder) The amount needed must have been in the account for 28 days, and the statement must be no more than one month old Must be no more than one month old Must state that you WILL receive $xx,xxx and NOT that you are eligible to receive IMPORTANT make sure you get this letter before your campus Financial Aid Office closes for breaks or school holidays! Must be an original statement (not a printout of your online account) Parental Bank Statement Same requirements as Personal Bank Statement, plus: Letter from parent/account-holder confirming that they will provide the funds to support your stay Documentation confirming the relationship (i.e. original birth certificate, adoption certificate, court document stating they are your legal guardians) Bank Letter *Request from your bank* Must be on official bank letterhead including bank logo Includes: your name, account number, date of the letter, amount of money in the account, confirmation that the money has been in the account for a minimum of 28 days 15
Step 3 Mail Documents & Receive Visa How do I mail my documents to the UK Consulate in New York? Mail your passport, application, and other documents to the UK Consulate in New York with VFS Global. Do NOT use FedEx or USPS! The consulate will not accept these and it will delay visa processing. VFS Waybill Options Price Return courier $34 Round trip courier (recommended if applying 4 weeks or less before departure date) $53 How do I know when the consulate has received my documents and made a decision? Note that in August and September the consulate often does not open documents until a few weeks after they arrive. They are extremely busy that time of year, so give extra time if applying after late July. When the consulate opens your documents, they will email you confirming receipt. When the consulate makes a decision about your visa application, they will email you the decision. What do I do once I receive my passport with the visa back in the mail? Check that all the information on your visa is correct, especially your name and birthday (the UK uses a Day/Month/Year format). If there are any errors, contact the consulate immediately. Help! The visa in my passport is only valid for 30 days! What does this mean? If you have been given permission to be in the UK for over 6 months, your visa will be issued as a sticker in your passport, valid for 30 days only. You must travel to the UK within this 30-day period. When you arrive in the UK, you will need to pick up your Biometrics Residence Permit within 10 days. This is explained in the next step. 16
Arrive in the United Kingdom Step 4 When can I enter the UK with my Tier 4 Student Visa? If your program is longer than 6 months you may enter up to 1 month before your program start date. f your program is less than 6 months you may enter up to 1 week before your program start date and stay up to 1 week after the end of your program. Your program or course start date is the date provided by your host university on your CAS. What is a Biometrics Residence Permit and how do I get one? The Biometrics Residence Permit (BRP) is a credit card-size card that will serve as your course visa for the rest of your program. Not all applicants may be required to obtain one. You will be prompted on the online application if it is necessary for your program. Once you arrive in the UK, you must then collect your BRP within 10 days from the Post Office you selected during the online visa application form, or from the University if you selected this. Take your passport containing your visa with Sample Biometrics Residence Permit: When does the Biometrics Residence Permit expire? Your BRP will be valid for the entire duration of your course, with some additional time at the end: Course duration Visa expiration date More than 6 months, but less than 12 months 2 months after the end of the course What if I want to travel? You are not required to carry your BRP at all times, but must show it at the border, together with your passport, when travelling outside of, and returning to, the UK. For questions regarding these instructions, please contact your UCEAP program advisor. These instructions are written by UCEAP staff and are not offered in place of information provided by the UKVI. UCEAP is not able to advise beyond these instructions. 17
United Kingdom: Non-US Citizens For all UK programs 18
Non-US Citizens Visa information for non-us citizens NOTE: Please DO NOT contact UCEAP to ask if there are additional requirements or restrictions for your country of citizenship; UKVI policies can change frequently and UCEAP can monitor only the requirements for US citizens. 1: Understand which visa goes with your program: Quick Visa Reference Guide Year Students: Follow the Tier 4 Student Visa instructions Fall or Spring Immersion students: Follow either the Tier 4 Student Visa (if you want to work/ volunteer/intern) or Student Visitor Visa Students with an internship (Sotheby s, UC Center London): Follow the Tier 4 Student Visa instructions Sotheby s and UC Center London Fall WITHOUT internship: Follow the Student Visitor Visa instructions 2: If you need a Tier 4 Student Visa, go to the Tier 4 instructions NOW, and note that depending on your nationality, you may need to submit additional items. If you do not need the Tier 4 Student Visa, then keep reading. 3: Your program is less than 6 months and you are not planning to intern, work, or volunteer, so the next step is finding out if you need to apply before departure - or - upon arrival with the immigration officer. Check out this UKVI tool for non-us citizens to see if there are any restrictions or additional requirements for your country of citizenship. The UKVI Visa Tool will put you into one of these categories: You DO need a Visa This means you are a Visa National and you will need a visa prior to departure. For those of you in this category, keep reading. You DO NOT need a Visa This is misleading. You do need entry clearance (visa), but you are considered a Non-Visa National - so as long as you are only going for 6 months or less, you can follow the Student Visitor Visa instructions for US Citizens. If you do need a visa, then continue reading... 19
Non-US Citizens Visa information for non-us citizens If you are applying 1 month or less before your program starts, you need to EXPEDITE your visa. You must pay for priority service online BEFORE you submit your application. See here for information on the priority service. 1. Click only on the Visa4UK link to start the application process. Register an account. 2. Complete the registration process, referencing the sample screenshot below. Continued on next page... 3. Click Go To Application and complete the sections as directed 20
Non-US Citizens Visa information for non-us citizens Instructions for Non-US citizen that must apply for a UK Student Visitor Visa prior to departure. You will be taken to a new page that shows your application status (incomplete). 4. Generally, you are going to be following instructions similar to those following the Tier 4 Student Visa (click here for Tier 4 Student Visa instructions). You will have to schedule a biometrics appointment and you will have to submit supporting documents along with your passport. Depending on your nationality, you may need to submit additional items. 5. For frequently asked questions, visit the UKVI FAQ For questions regarding these instructions, please contact your UCEAP program advisor. These instructions are written by UCEAP staff and are not offered in place of information provided by the UKVI. UCEAP is not able to advise beyond these instructions. 21
General FAQs For Tier 4 Student Visa and Student Visitor Visa 22
General FAQ Answers to frequently asked questions Back to Back Programs PBS, BRP, UKVI, CAS Am I Exchange or Study Abroad? Why can t I fly through Ireland? General vs Sponsored How do I extend my visa? When should I apply? How long will it all take? Is my host university in London? Table of Contents (Click on a title to go to that section.) How do I get a visa for two back-to-back UCEAP programs in the UK? UC Center London Fall/without Internship Plus UK Spring Immersion: Before you submit the two online UCEAP applications for these two programs, check the calendars for each program for overlaps. (Continued on next page.) Because it is impossible to extend, renew, or receive two consecutive Student Visitor 23
General FAQ Answers to frequently asked questions Visas, you will need to obtain the Tier 4 Student Visa for the spring. You must return to the US during winter break to apply for a Tier 4 Student Visa. The Tier 4 Student Visa application is time consuming. It requires a Biometrics appointment, mail to and from the British Consulate in New York, and expedited service. Without expediting, you will not receive the visa in time. When you apply to the UK Spring program, you must specify on your host university application that you require a CAS number (necessary for the Tier 4 Student Visa). The host university will not automatically issue a CAS number for a Spring student, so you must request it specifically. Sotheby s Institute of Art/with Internship or UC Center London Fall/ with Internship Plus UK Spring Immersion: You will already have a Tier 4 Student Visa for the Internship so you can (1) extend the Tier 4 Student Visa from within the UK; (2) return to the US during winter break to obtain a second Tier 4 Student Visa; or (3) depart the UK, then re-enter the UK, and obtain the Student Visitor Visa upon arrival. Program Extension of Fall Immersion to Year Immersion: (1) If you receive a Student Visitor Visa upon arrival, you must return to the US during winter break to apply for a Tier 4 Student Visa. The British Home Office does not allow for a second Student Visitor Visa upon or after arrival. (2) If you have a Tier 4 Student Visa, you can apply for a second Tier 4 Student Visa in the US or with the British Home Office in London. In Scotland, you can apply to the Home Office in Glasgow. This method will cost at least $570 to apply by mail and at least $1,000 to apply in person. In addition to the high cost, applying by mail requires you to submit your passport to the Home Office for several weeks, which means you cannot travel out of the country. 24
General FAQ Answers to frequently asked questions PBS, BRP, UKVI, CAS? PBS: Points Based System. This refers to a certain type of UK visa that requires you to claim a certain amount of points. For the Tier 4 Student Visa, you must claim 40 points. BRP: Biometric Residence Permit. Once you enter the UK, this is the ID card you will pick up at the location you specify in the online application. You will have 10 days to obtain it. UKVI: United Kingdom Visa and Immigration, the authority on all visa matters. CAS: Certification of Acceptance of Studies. This is a number that is given to all year students, and provided on request to semester students that want to pursue a Tier 4 Student Visa. Am I Exchange or Study Abroad? You are an exchange student. This means that you do not pay tuition/course fees to your host university. For any part of the visa application that asks the amount of tuition/course fees you should fill in 0 (zero). If you write any other amount, it will conflict with your supporting documents and will result in your visa being denied or delayed. Why can t I fly through Ireland? If you fly through the Republic of Ireland, your visa can not be activated properly. UK 25
General FAQ Answers to frequently asked questions immigration will consider your status illegal and deport you. The entry rules come from the Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangement between the UK and Ireland. You can learn more about the CTA and entry requirements in the England or Scotland program guides. General versus Sponsored You will apply for the Tier 4 (General) Student Visa. This is for students funding themselves, receiving scholarships, and/or loans. Do not choose the sponsored option. This is to indicate that the government is sponsoring and funding you, which is not the case. How do I extend my visa? Program Extension of Fall Immersion to Year Immersion: 1. If you receive a Student Visitor Visa upon arrival, you must return to the US during winter break to apply for a Tier 4 Student Visa. The British Home Office does not allow for a second Student Visitor Visa upon or after arrival. 2. If you have a Tier 4 Student Visa, you can apply for a second Tier 4 Student Visa in the US or with the British Home Office in London. In Scotland, you can apply to the Home Office in Glasgow. This method will cost at least $570 to apply by mail and at least $1,000 to apply in person. In addition to the high cost, applying by mail requires you to submit your passport to the Home Office for several weeks, which means you cannot travel out of the country. When should I apply? The earliest you can apply is 3 months before the start date of your program. Use the start date listed in your host university acceptance letter. If you apply during the summer, do not delay! The consulate is busier in summer. If you apply 1 month or 26
General FAQ Answers to frequently asked questions less before the start of your program, you will need to expedite. How long will it all take? Once you apply online and submit your documents, it could take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks or longer for the UK consulate in New York to open your documents, process them and return your passport by mail. Am I inside or outside the London Burroughs? Outside the London Burroughs includes: Bristol, East Anglia, Kent, Leeds, Manchester, Sussex, Warwick, Edinburgh, Glasgow, St Andrews Inside the London Burroughs includes: Brunel, KCL, UCL, QMUL, Imperial, RHUL, UAL, Sotheby s 27