The British government invites thousands of international students to earn an educational degree in the United Kingdom (UK). As per the UK Government they do not restrict international students. There is no limit to providing student visa UK to overseas students. If you meet the requirements and eligibility requirements to study in the UK, the UK Home Office will have no reason to reject your student visa. An adult who wants to study for a graduate or a postgraduate degree in the UK must obtain a Tier 4 visa. It is a student visa that every international student requires to study for their education in the UK.
Tier 4 Student Visa Application
The Tier 4 student visa application is a point-based system application. Applicants have to score at least 40 points to get a student visa. The weightage of those 40 points is based on confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) and financial capability to live in the UK. You can earn 40 points on the student visa if you get 30 points for your CAS and 10 points for financial capability.
What type of Tier 4 Student Visa can I apply for?
A Tier 4 student visa is granted for the short term, which is for six months, suitable for candidates taking short courses in English. The Tier 4 student visa also offers a long-term visa granted to students for their undergraduate and postgraduate or PhD degrees.
What is a Tier 4 Visa?
A Tier 4 Visa UK means you are applying for a student visa as an international student to study in the UK full-time. There are a few requirements to fulfill the eligibility criteria to study in the UK:
- You have to be an international student in the UK
- Do you want to continue further studies in the UK
- You want to switch to the Student Visa category
Requirements and Eligibility Criteria for UK Tier 4 Student Visa
The UK is one of the best countries in the world that allows you to study and give you time to find employment after you have graduated with your degree. If you wish to apply for a Tier 4 visa in the UK, then you must meet the following criteria:
- You are offered admission to one of the UK universities licensed for Tier 4 sponsorship.
- You have your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) number from your university in the UK.
- You have sufficient funds to live, study, and cover all the expenses in the UK.
- You have passed the English proficiency test. However, if you are from an English-speaking country or have an English language degree, you may not have to take the proficiency test.
Checklist of Tier 4 Student Visa UK
It would help if you effectively managed your Tier 4 student visa UK. Take a look at the checklist below for reassurance of your Tier 4 visa UK application:
- A valid passport
- Evidence of financial sustainability in the UK
- CAS reference number
- Documents completed for CAS
- Passport size color photos
- Medical report of Tuberculosis (TB)
Any other documentation or additional criteria fulfilled by you as per the university’s request
Further, you must pay for your health insurance and additional fees if you plan to stay less than six months.
What is the Processing time for a Tier 4 Student Visa UK?
The processing time for Tier 4 student visa applications begins when you submit your fingerprints to the visa center. The processing time for Tier 4 visas in the UK is three weeks (15 days, excluding the weekends). Your case can be expedited if you have applied for a study visa within the UK. You can also request a ‘priority service’ for the decision to come within five working days (1 week).
When Should I Apply for a Tier 4 Student Visa in the UK?
If you are applying for a Tier 4 visa outside the UK, you must begin the process six months before your arrival in the UK. Applying within the UK will require three months before your course of study begins. Most importantly, your previous visa should be valid while you apply for a student Tier 4 visa in the UK.
Can I Bring My Family on a Student Visa to the UK?
You can bring your family on a Tier 4 dependent visa. You will have to qualify to bring a dependent on your student visa. The new UK student-dependent visa rules allow you to invite your family as dependent on the following conditions:
- You are a full-time postgraduate student in the UK at RQF level 7 or above for more than nine months.
- You are sponsored by the government and doing a more than six-month course.
- According to the new Tier 4 student visa, starting a UK degree in 2024 must be a PhD or a research-based degree equivalent to RQF level 8. You may only have to meet some requirements for a Tier 4 dependent visa, but you must meet the specific requirements as an existing UK student.
Eligibility for Dependent Student Visa
Your immediate family members are eligible for the UK Tier 4 student dependent visa. They could have the following relationship with you:
- Spouse or civil partner
- Children below 18 years
- Unmarried partner
The dependent child has more requirements to qualify for a student-dependent visa. One of their parents must be living in the country while the other is trying to move in with them. If that is not the case, then both parents should already be residing in the UK.
How To Apply for a Tier 4 Dependent Visa?
Before applying for a Tier 4 dependent visa, you must have a valid UK Tier 4 visa. Once you have a student visa in the UK, you can apply for a student-dependent visa with specific supporting documents and pay the fees the government requires. Your dependents have to submit their biometrics at the visa center. Once their application is approved, they get a biometric residence permit allocation (BRP), which must be collected within ten days. A dependent visa can be applied for within the UK or outside the UK by your spouse or child.
Supporting Documents for Student Dependent Visa Application
Dependents must provide extensive documentation to ensure their request for a student visa. The main documents required are a passport, evidence of relationship with the main student visa applicant (marriage certificate or birth certificate), proof of sufficient funds, evidence of an English language proficiency test, and a medical certificate of Tuberculosis (TB) if applying from specific countries.
What is the Cost of a Tier 4 Dependent Visa?
The cost of a student visa depends on whether you are applying outside the UK or within the UK. Applying outside the UK will cost you £363; if you apply within the UK, that would be £490. If you want to expedite your case, there will be additional costs for a speedy decision. In both cases, the healthcare fee (£470 per person) shall be paid as the National Health Service (NHS) is always there for you in the UK.
Tier 4 Student Visa Work Restrictions
On a Tier 4 visa, you are identified as a student. In the UK, a student is allowed to work for 20 hours a week while pursuing a specific course of study. Working more than 20 hours on a Tier 4 UK visa is a criminal offense.
How Can Legal Assist Help Me?
At Legal Assist, you will be connected with experienced solicitors who have succeeded in getting Tier 4 visas and dependent student visas for their clients. We are just a call away to help you with the visa application process.
FAQs
What is a Tier 4 student visa?
A Tier 4 student visa is granted to individuals who want to study in the UK as an international student.
How long can I stay outside the UK with Tier 4 visa?
It depends on the academic year and requirements of the university you have enrolled in the UK. Some universities allow you a six-week vacation during your academic year. If you wish to stay longer outside the UK, you must let your academic leader and visa compliance team know about it.
