How to Obtain a Student Visa to Study in the UK
The new immigration policies instituted by the government of the United Kingdom for the Tier 4 Student Visa has made entry difficult for foreign nationals wishing to work there illegally with the use of the student visa.
To qualify for entry to the UK under a student visa, one needs to get a minimum score of 40 points for your application to be considered.
The UK Border Agency awards 30 points if you are accepted to a suitable course in an educational institution included in the roll of Tier 4 registered sponsors. The documentary evidence you need to submit to claim the 30 points is the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number, which will be given to you by your education provider.
Publicly funded educational institutions, universities and colleges are among those institutions. The UK immigration has committed to come up with a rapid and rigorous system so that private educational institutions can qualify for the status very soon.
In as much as students under the Tier 4 visa can expect limited access to government services, applicants are required to be able to present proof that they are financially able to support their studies and themselves while in the UK. Either a bank statement or a certification of financial capacity is the documentary proof a prospective student has to present to claim the 10 points for the financial requirement.
You may lodge your application for a Tier 4 Student Visa using a paper application or through an online application. Either way, you would need to complete the self-assessment form given in one of the appendices where you have to provide the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies reference number to be given by the educational institution, and the certification that you have the required amount of maintenance based on the length of your course and the location of the educational institution.
If you will be studying in inner London, your living cost would amount to 7200 and 5400 if outer London. Apart from the living costs, you would also need to prove that you are financial capable of covering the entire cost of your first year course fees.
You may apply for a Tier 4 visa while in the UK - either by post or in person, and outside of the UK. Fees vary depending on where you are submitting your application.
Effective October 1, 2010, the UK Border Agency has set the new fees for visa applications. For those outside of the UK, the main applicant needs to pay a fee of 220. A 220 application fee will also be added for each family member (partner or children) applying at the same time or at a later time with that of the main applicant.
If you are in the UK and submit the application by post, the fee is 357 for the main applicant. Additionally, partner or child under 18 will be charged 100 each if they apply together with the main applicant; 475 each if they apply later and 475 each for children over 18 years old.
Submissions made personally will cost 628 for the main applicant; 107 for each family member included in the main applicant's application form as long as the child is under 18, 730 if submitted later; and, 730 for each child over 18.
The UK is an exciting place to study with its wide mix of cultural diversity and energy. UK schools, colleges and universities are among the best in the world.
Student visa holders are allowed to work part time while they study and receive free medical treatment as well as qualifying fro student discounts on travel. You can also bring your dependant spouse, civil partner and children, who receive free elementary and high school education. Dependants can work full time.
