International Student Support

The Student Support Centre

under Tier 4 of the Points Based System

2012/13 (Version 1)

A guide to extending your student visa

www.cardiff.ac.uk/iss

Any changes that have been made to the UK Border Agencys regulations since the printing of this guide:

Content

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Can I extend my student visa in the UK? ............................................................................2 Is there a maximum time limit (cap) on studying with a Tier 4 visa? ............................................................................2 When should I apply to extend my student visa? ............................................................................3 Which form should I use? ............................................................................4 Am I a low risk national and if so what does this mean? ............................................................................4 What documents do I need? ............................................................................5 What are the financial (maintenance) requirements? ............................................................................7 How can I prove that I can meet the financial (maintenance) requirements? ............................................................................8 How can the University help me make a postal application? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 How can the University help me make a premium in-person application? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Can I apply independently? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 What about my dependants? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 What are the visa rules and responsibilities? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Where can I get further information? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

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1. Can I extend my student visa in the UK?

The guidance in this booklet is for you if you are already in the UK with a student visa and you need to make an application to extend your stay in order to: Start a new course; or Complete a course which you have already started (as long as youre classified by the university as an internal student). If you are applying for an extension to start a NEW course (e.g. BSc to MSc) and this new course starts more than 1 calendar month after your current leave to remain (visa) expires, you must return home to apply for fresh entry clearance as a student under Tier 4 of the UKs Points Based System. If you are doing this then you should check the following website for more information: www.cardiff.ac.uk/for/prospective/inter/comingtocardiff then click on Visas & Immigration There are a few other categories of visa holders that are entitled to apply for a student visa extension in the UK. For more information on this you can check paragraph 57 (page 9) of the UKBAs Tier 4 Policy Guidance: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/studying/adult-students/applying-inside-uk/ and click on Tier 4 Policy Guidance From 4 July 2011, the Immigration Rules specify that a Tier 4 sponsor can normally only issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) for a course that represents academic progress from previous study undertaken, or which confirms that the new course complements or enhances your previous study in the UK. There are some specific exceptions, including for students who are applying for more time to re-sit an examination or repeat a module.

As a student under the Immigration Rules that were in place before 31 March 2009 As a Tier 4 (General) student when you were 16 or 17 years old As a Tier 4 (Child) student when you were 17 years old or under Under any other category of the immigration rules. Degree level: 5-year cap Some time limits were introduced on 6 April 2012 for degree level study. Any new Tier 4 application must lead to you spending no more than 5 years on courses at degree level. All time you have spent in the UK under Tier 4 (or as a pre-Tier 4 student) counts towards the 5 years, except for the short amount of time you are given before the course (maximum 1 month) and after a course (maximum 4 months). There are some exceptions to the 5-year cap: If you have successfully completed a UK degree course which was at least four years long, and your Tier 4 application is to study a Masters degree at a higher education institution, the limit is 6 years. If your Tier 4 application is to study a PhD at a higher education institution, there is no limit while you are studying the PhD. If you have already completed a PhD, any new Tier 4 application is subject to an 8-year limit (including courses below degree level). Courses in architecture, medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and science, or music at a conservatoire, are exempt from the limit. If you have completed a UK degree, and your current Tier 4 application is to study certain legal qualifications (CPE, GDL/LPC or BPTC), the legal qualification is exempt from the limit The UK Border Agency will not grant further leave to someone whose current Tier 4 application means they will exceed these limits, unless there are compelling and compassionate circumstances, such as injury or disability.

2. Is there a maximum time limit (cap) on studying with a Tier 4 visa?

Yes. Before you are issued with a CAS, Cardiff University Registry will need to check that your application will not take you over the maximum allowed time, or cap: Below degree level: 3-year cap If you are already 18 years old or over, you cannot study in the UK on a course which leads to a qualification below degree-level for more than 3 years in total, as a Tier 4 (General) student. This 3 year limit can be spent studying a single course or several courses as a Tier 4 (General) student. However, it does not include any time that you have already spent in the UK studying courses below degree level with the following types of immigration permission: 2

3. When should I apply to extend my student visa?

Your application must arrive at the UKBA before your current visa expires. It is a good idea to start preparing 8 weeks before your visa expires, in order to make sure you have enough time to access all the required documentation and maintain any required funds in your bank account. You should aim to send your application to the UKBA at least 4 weeks before your visa expires. If you apply after your visa expires you lose any rights of appeal against a refusal. Overstaying your visa could jeapordise any future immigration applications you make. If you overstay your visa by more than 28 days any application made in the UK for further leave will be refused.

4. Which form should I use?

To extend your visa as a student, you will need to complete a Tier 4 (General) application form. You can download it from the UKBA website: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/studying/adult-students/applying-inside-uk/ The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) have produced a very useful information sheet called Completing the Tier 4 (G) application form. It is strongly recommended that you use this resource to ensure that you are completing your application form correctly. This can be found at: www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/info_sheets/tier_4_form.php You should always check the form used is the correct version immediately before posting. This is because forms can change without prior warning and your application will be returned as invalid if you have submitted an incorrect version. Please note: UKBA will be changing to an on-line application procedure towards the end of 2012. When this system is introduced you will have to complete the Tier 4 (General) application form and your payment on-line and then submit your supporting documents by post. International Student Support (ISS) will continue to be able to help you with this procedure and we will update our website with details as soon as possible: www.cardiff.ac.uk/iss/extiss

6. What documents do I need?

Most applicants will need to send some or all of the following documents. Some applicants may need to provide additional documents depending on their individual circumstances.

ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE ORIGINALS. SCANNED COPIES, FAXES OR EMAILS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE
Tier 4 (G) Application form completed in black pen and BLOCK CAPITAL letters; Payment of 394 if making a postal application and 716 if making a premium application at a Public Enquiry Office. If you would like International Student Support to assist you in making a postal application then you must pay by postal order or bankers draft. Paying by postal orders is the safest and most efficient method of payment. Postal Orders can be purchased from the Post Office using cash only. Postal Orders must be made payable to Home Office and you should write your name, date of birth and nationality on the back. The nearest Post Offices where you can buy Postal Orders are: o o 45-46 Queens Arcade, Queen Street, CF10 2BY (lower ground floor) 109 Crwys Road, CF24 4NF (near to co-op and Roy Jenkins Hall of residence)

(There will be an administrative charge of 25, payable to the Post Office); All the passports used to travel to and remain in the UK including your current passport; Biometric Residence Permit (if you have one); 2 x recent passport-sized colour photographs no older then one month old which meet the biometric identity requirements. The UKBA provide detailed specifications for acceptable photographs at: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/flr/photoguidance0409.pdf You can get photographs that meet the policy guidance from the AGFA Digital Photo Centre: (172-174 City Road, Cardiff, CF24 3JF. www.expressimaging.co.uk) Police Registration Certificate (if applicable). You must ensure that your Police Registration Certificate is up to date with your current address. More information about Police Registration, including how to update your certificate can be found on our website: www.cardiff.ac.uk/iss/police Cardiff University CAS Statement. CAS stands for Confirmation of Acceptance for Study. It is a virtual document similar to a database record. Each CAS has a unique reference number and contains information about the course and student personal details. You can request a CAS statement through SIMS Online (sims.cf.ac.uk). You will need to log in using your username and password and select the `request CAS statement option. If you need further assistance please send an email to studentrecords@cf.ac.uk. Allow 5 working days to receive the CAS statement email. This email is generated by Registry from the Student Information Management System (SIMS) and will go to the 5

5. Am I a low risk national and if so what does this mean?

If you are a national of one of the following countries then the UKBA considers you to be a low risk national as long as you are making an application in the UK or in your country of nationality. Argentina Australia Brunei Canada Chile Croatia Japan New Zealand Singapore South Korea Trinidad and Tobago United States of America Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or British National (Overseas) passport holders who apply in the UK or Hong Kong Taiwan (ROC) passport holders with a residence number in their passport who apply in the UK or Taiwan

This list of low risk nationals will be reviewed by the UKBA on an annual basis. If you are a national of one of these countries you may be able to provide less evidential documents with your application in relation to funds and qualifications. However the UKBA reserves the right to request the full range of documents in all cases. For this reason all students applying for their student visa extension through International Student Support will be required to submit all documentation as listed in chapter 6 of this booklet. 4

email address that is held on SIMS. You must print this email and submit with your application. You will need to use the information in this email to accurately complete your application form. Original version of any document regarding academic progress that is listed on the CAS statement (if applicable). This would normally be a certificate from a previous school, college or university or alternatively a transcript of results achieved to date from Cardiff University. If any of your documents are in another language you must get them translated- please see below for more information about translations; Tuition fee and accommodation receipts (if applicable). You will need to provide receipts for any payments that you have made that are not shown on your CAS statement. Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Certificate (if applicable) ATAS clearance is only required for a limited number of Science and Engineering postgraduate courses. To find out if you need an ATAS Certificate and how to get one check www.cardiff.ac.uk/iss/atas You must apply for an ATAS clearance certificate, or for a new ATAS clearance certificate if you: o o o Change your course Change your institution Apply to extend your leave in order to complete your course (even if you already have one)

7. What are the financial (maintenance) requirements?

You have to prove that you have a certain amount of money available to you to pay for your tuition fees and living expenses in order to get a student visa. You will be required to sign a declaration in the application form confirming that your funds will remain available to you unless spent on tuition fees and living expenses in the UK. The amount of money you need to show for living expenses depends on your individual situation. The information below explains whether you will fall in to the lower or the higher maintenance category.

Lower maintenance category

You will fall in to the lower maintenance category and have to show that you have access to one years tuition fees plus 1600 (i.e. living expenses for two months) if you have a current student or Tier 4 visa and on the date of application you: Need to extend your stay in the UK to complete your current course, which you have been studying for at least 6 months OR Have an unconditional offer for a new course which starts within one month of the expiry date of your current visa and the course you have just finished was 6 months or longer Please note that if your student visa has expired, you will not fall in to the lower maintenance category, even if your previous or current course was 6 months or longer.

Please note: It can take up to 8 weeks to receive an ATAS Certificate so prepare early! If you are sponsored to study here by an official financial sponsor, you must provide documentary evidence of this financial support. (see page 9 for further details). Evidence that you have enough money to meet the maintenance requirements, in the form of personal bank or building society statements, letter from bank or building society, loan agreement or other financial documents as specified in the Policy Guidance. Further details about the maintenance requirements can be found on pages 7-10.

Higher maintenance category

If you do not meet the criteria listed above, you will fall under the higher maintenance category and must be able to show that you have access to one years tuition fees plus living expenses of 800 per month for the length of your course, up to a maximum of 9 months (7,200).

YOU SHOULD KEEP PHOTOCOPIES OF YOUR SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS FOR YOUR RECORDS Translations
If any of your documents are not in English, the original must be accompanied by a fully certified translation by a professional translator. This translation must include: Details of the translators credentials; and Confirmation that it is an accurate translation of the original document; and The translators contact details. It must also be dated and include the original signature of the translator. Documents can be translated through the University at the translation service which is based in the Cardiff University Centre for Lifelong Learning, Senghenydd Road, Cathays, CF24 4AG. Opening hours are 9am- 1pm & 2-5pm. Call in to see Sian Austin with your original document. This will be scanned and sent to the translator for a 6 quote. Usually it costs around 84 for a certificate and takes about a week to be processed.

Money already paid to the university for accommodation

If you have already paid some of your accommodation fees to the University before making your application, then a limited amount of this will be taken away from the amount of money you will need to show for your living costs. Please note that the amount taken away cannot exceed a maximum of 1000 even if you have paid more than this.

Examples
1) A student holding a current Tier 4 student visa needs extra time to complete a course she has been studying for 12 months. Her tuition fees are 13950 and she has already paid 10,000 to Cardiff University. This student will need to show 1600 for living expenses + 3950 for outstanding fees = 5550. 2) A student holding a current Tier 4 student visa has just finished a short course of 8 weeks and will be starting a new course that is 12 months in duration. His tuition fees for the new course are 13950 and he has paid all of this. This student will need to show 7200 for living expenses + 0 for tuition fees = 7200. 7

3) A student holding a current Tier 4 student visa is starting a new course at Cardiff University. His tuition fees are 13,950 and he has paid all of this to the University. He falls into the lower maintenance category i.e. needs to show 1600 for living expenses but he has already paid 2000 to Cardiff University towards his accommodation fees. This student will need to show 600 for living expenses (1600 minus 1000 already paid for accommodation) + 0 (tuition fees) = 600

Original parental or legal guardian bank statements that include all the details highlighted above. If you intend to use this evidence to prove your ability to meet the maintenance requirements then you will also have to provide the following: o o o Original legal documentation (or notarised copy) establishing the relationship (this would be either your birth certificate or certificate of adoption or court document stating the name of the legal guardian) Original signed and dated letter from the parent(s) or legal guardian which confirms your relationship and that they have given their consent to the funds being available to you to study in the UK. We have produced a template letter that your parents can use. This can be accessed here: www.cardiff.ac.uk/iss/extiss Your parent or guardian will also need to sign section N (a) on your Tier 4 (G) application form (page 27) , agreeing to the UKBA being able to contact their bank. This is the section relating to a third party and not the one for the applicant or joint customer to sign.

8. How can I prove that I can meet the maintenance requirements?

Cash in a bank/ building society account
Your money must be held in cash and you must show that you have held the money in your account for at least 28 days prior to the date of application. Shares, bonds, overdrafts, credit cards, pension funds and similar savings accounts will not be accepted. Funds must not be held in a bank or a financial institution about which the UKBA is unable to make satisfactory verification checks. You can see a list of these institutions on the following website: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/studying/financial-institutions/ You must provide one of the following specified types of documents: Original personal bank statements covering a 28 day period. The end of that 28 day period and the closing balance must be no more than 1 month before the date of your application. Statements must show: o o o o o Your name Account number Date of statement Name and logo of bank / building society That your balance has not fallen below the required amount for the full 28 day period

If you are using overseas bank statements, the UKBA will expect you to write on the document the closing balance in pounds sterling. You should use the official exchange rate on the OANDA website (www.oanda.com/convert/classic).

Official financial or government sponsorship

The UKBA define an official sponsor as: The UK Government or your countrys Government; The British Council; Any international organisation; Any international company; Any University. If your studies are wholly funded by an official financial sponsor you do not have to provide separate evidence of your savings. However, you must provide a letter confirming that the sponsor will pay all your tuition fees and living expenses. The letter must be: Printed on official letter-head paper; Not more than 6 months old. The letter must show: Your name; The date; Name and contact details of your official financial sponsor;Length of sponsorship (including start and end date); The amount of money they will give you or confirmation that they will cover all tuition fees and living expenses; The official stamp of the organisation; Your dependant names (if applicable). If your sponsor only pays some of your costs, you will need a letter from them (as above) and proof that you have enough money yourself to meet the rest of the maintenance requirement e.g. personal bank statements.

The required funds must be in your account up until the closing balance of the statement; Electronic bank statements if you use internet banking. These must contain all the details highlighted above and every page must be stamped by the official stamp of the bank to prove authenticity. Please note that most banks will not stamp these statements so check with yours if you will be able to rely on this method; A letter from your bank or building society including all the information highlighted above; Original joint account statements as long as you are named as one of the account holders and they include all the information highlighted above. Please note that the joint account holder will need to sign section N (a) on your Tier 4 (G) application form (page 26), agreeing to the UKBA being able to contact their bank;

If your total tuition fees and living expenses are covered by your official financial sponsor and they limit the time you may study in the UK, your visa extension will be limited to the same length of time (which is stated on the sponsor letter) plus the usual post-course period allowed. If you are no longer sponsored and/ or your sponsorship ended within 12 months of making your application they must provide a letter saying that they agree that you can stay in the UK. If the financial sponsor does not give consent, the UKBA will refuse your application.

9. How can the University help me make a postal application?

International Student Support (ISS) based in the Student Support Centre (SSC) operates the Student Batch Scheme for student visa extension applications. We would strongly encourage you to send your application through this scheme as ISS is able to support you through the application process. Most applications are processed within 14 weeks from the date of posting, although it can take longer at busy times such as October and January, or if the UKBA make enquiries. We strongly advise you not to book any travel until your documents are returned as we cannot guarantee how long the process will take.

A loan in your name

If you are relying on a loan to fund your studies, you must provide a letter from a financial institution regulated by either the Financial Services Authority or in the case of overseas accounts, the home regulator (official regulatory body for the country where the institution is located and where the money is held) confirming the loan. The letter must be dated and not be more than 6 months old. It must show the financial institutions name and logo and the money (or funds) available to you as a loan.

Step 1
Fill in the Tier 4 (G) application form in black pen and BLOCK CAPITAL LETTERS, using the UKCISA information sheet called Completing the Tier 4 (G) application form as a guide: www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/info_sheets/tier_4_form.php

Step 2
Gather together all documents listed on the document checklist (back cover of this guide).

Step 3
Book an appointment to see an International Student Adviser by going to the SSC (50 Park Place) or by calling 02920 874844. Please note that appointments: Must be attended at least one week before your visa expiry date; Will be subject to availability. Students attending an appointment less than one week before visa expiry will not be able to benefit from the Student Batch Scheme and will have to make an application independently (more information provided on page 14).

Step 4
Once your application is complete, it will be sent to the UKBA as soon as a batch of applications is ready. To benefit from the batch scheme service offered by the university, applications are not normally sent individually but in batches. Once your application has been sent to the UKBA you will be notified by text or email. If you need to extend your student ID card, you will need to wait until you have received this notification before going to the Security Centre to get a new ID card.

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During and after your appointment: ISS will check that you were initially given the correct length of time on your visa and will try to arrange for this to be corrected if this is not the case; ISS will check through your application form and documentation to confirm all is correct and complete prior to sending your application; ISS will issue you with a receipt for the documents that you have submitted; ISS will send your application to the UKBA by special delivery prior to your student visa expiring if you have provided all the required documents in due time; ISS will provide the UKBA with its contact details in case of any queries.

You can watch a step by step guide video on how biometric enrolment works on the Post Office website: www.postoffice.co.uk/counter-services/passport-identity/biometric-enrolment-foreign-nationals/how-it-works Find out more information on biometric enrolment on the Post Office Frequently Asked Questions website: www.postoffice.co.uk/counter-services/passport-identity/biometric-enrolment-foreign-nationals/faqs/faqs Normally you should receive your new visa, which will be in the form of a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) within 4 weeks of enrolling your biometrics at the Post Office. More information about the BRP can be found on our website:

What is expected from you in return: To complete the application form to the best of your ability and gather as many of the supporting documents as possible prior to your appointment with an adviser; To inform us if you intend to travel outside the UK within 4 months of your application being submitted; To give us correct contact details so that we can contact you quickly with any queries regarding your application; To inform us immediately if you change your address or contact details; To be aware of the expiry date of your visa - it is YOUR responsibility to prepare the application ready for submission before this date. ISS is here to help you extend your student visa. However the primary responsibility lies with you. In order to assist you we will need your full co-operation as detailed above.

www.cardiff.ac.uk/iss/brp When your application has been considered, your passport, documents and BRP will be returned to ISS.You will be contacted by telephone or email to let you know that you can collect these from us. You will have to provide your Student ID card as proof of identity when collecting these documents. If you have to register with the Police, you must update your certificate with the new visa expiry date on your BRP. More information about Police Registration, including how to update your certificate can be found on our website: www.cardiff.ac.uk/iss/police

What happens next?

You should carry the receipt that is issued to you by ISS, along with photocopies of relevant pages of your passport/ BRP with you at all times, in case you are ever stopped by the Police and they ask to see proof of your immigration status in the UK. Within 2-4 weeks you will receive a biometric notification letter. This letter will ask you (and your dependants) to attend a local Post Office branch in order to have your biometrics taken. You have up to 15 working days from the date of the letter to do this. The nearest Post Office to Cardiff University is on the lower ground floor of Queens Arcade (No. 45-46), Queen Street, CF10 2BY. To help you find it, go to Bing Maps (www.bing.com/maps/) and type in the postcode. You need to take the bar coded biometric notification letter from the UKBA to the Post Office; It will cost 19.20 per person; Your biometrics will be captured by taking your photograph, fingerprints and digital signature; All information will be sent securely to the UKBA.

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10. How can the University help me make a premium in-person application?
International Student Support can assist you in making a premium in-person application at the UKBA Public Enquiry Office (PEO) in Cardiff. This costs 716 and can take approximately a week from the day you give your biometric details at Cardiff. You will need to book an appointment with an International Student Adviser to get your application form and documents checked. If you do not have your completed form and documents with you, you will need to make another appointment. This is because your appointment is meant to be a final check. Your completed application will then be sent to the PEO in Cardiff on the following Monday. You will then normally have your biometric appointment on the Thursday or Friday of that week. During this appointment you will have your biometric details taken. These are the procedures laid out by the PEO in Cardiff. All your documents and your Biometric Residence Permit will be returned to the Student Support Centre and we will contact you to let you know that you can collect them.

12. What about my dependants?

Your dependants can stay with you in the UK if: you are studying a postgraduate course that lasts 12 months or longer at a Higher Education Institution; or you are a Government-sponsored student on a course that lasts 6 months or longer; or you are applying for immigration permission to study a course of six months or more, your dependant(s) is applying with you, and within 3 months of the date of your application you had (or were last granted) immigration permission under Tier 4 or as a student The Immigration Rules for Tier 4 (General) family members that came into force on 4 July 2011 can seem very complicated. UKCISA have created a tool to help you find out if your family members can come to the UK with you or can stay in the UK with you. This can be accessed on the following website: http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/t4_family/index.php Your dependants will need to include the following documents: A PBS (Dependant) application form for each family member. You can download this application form here: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/studying/adult-students/family Payment of 197 per dependant if making a postal application and 358 if making a premium in-person application at a Public Enquiry Office Their passports, Police Registration Certificates (if applicable), 2 recent photos that meet the biometric identity requirements and BRPs (if they have one); If you have married since your last immigration application, your marriage certificate; If you have had a child since your last immigration application, their birth certificate; If you fall in to the lower maintenance category (explained previously on page 7) then you must also show that you have 900 in total for each of your dependants. If you fall in to the higher maintenance category (explained previously on page 7) then you must also show that you have 4,050 in total for each of your dependants; If you are sponsored by an official financial sponsor and are providing a sponsor letter to confirm that you meet the maintenance requirements for yourself and your dependants, this letter must state all names of dependants. It is advisable to read the PBS Dependants Policy Guidance document carefully before submitting your application. This can be accessed here: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/studying/adult-students/family Please note that if your visa is extended for a period of less than 12 months, your dependants will no longer have permission to work in the UK. If they have been doing so, they must stop immediately.

11. Can I apply independently?

Yes, you can apply independently either by attending an appointment at a Public Enquiry Office or by post. More information on making an independent visa extension application can be found on the following website: www.cardiff.ac.uk/iss/extind If you are not able to get an appointment at a Public Enquiry Office quickly and have an urgent reason for getting your application processed, please contact International Student Support (details on page 17). Following the processing of your independent application you must take your passport and BRP to Cardiff University Registry (Mackenzie House, 30-36 Newport Road, CF10 3XQ) so that they can upload this new information to your SIMS record.

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Children over the age of 16

Child dependants over the age of 16 should submit two items from the list below confirming their residential address: Bank statements; and/or Credit card bills; and/ or Driving licence; and/or NHS registration document; and/or Letter from their school, college or university confirming their 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. The documents submitted should be from two separate sources and dated no more than 1 month prior to the date of application

14. Where can I get further information?

If you have any questions that are not answered by this guide or you are not clear about any of the information provided, you can get assistance from the following:

International Student Support at the Student Support Centre

www.cardiff.ac.uk/iss Book an appointment with an International Student Adviser by calling in to the Student Support Centre (50 Park Place) or using our contact details below. Limited same day emergency appointments are available. Telephone: 02920 874844 Email: iss@cf.ac.uk

Additional information for children over the age of 18

Children over the age of 18 will only be granted further leave as your dependant if they are already in the UK with immigration permission as a dependant child. If your current immigration permission is not permission granted under the Points Based System, you must be applying at the same time as your child for permission under the Points Based System. Children over the age of 18 will need to pay a higher application fee of 561 if applying by post and 867 if making a premium in-person application at a Public Enquiry Office.

UKCISA: The UK Council for International Student Affairs

www.ukcisa.org.uk Student advice line: 020 7107 9922 (Monday- Friday 1-4pm) UKCISA have produced a useful information sheet called Making a Tier 4 (General) application. This can be accessed here: www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/information_sheets.php

UK Border Agency Tier 4 Policy Guidance

www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/studying/adult-students/applying-inside-uk/

13. What are the visa rules and responsibilities?

There are a number of responsibilities for both you and the university under the UKs points based immigration system. Whilst you are in the UK on a student visa you are responsible for complying with the immigration rules that allow you to enter or remain in the UK. The University also has legal duties as a licensed sponsor. Please look at our website to find out more about the visa rules and regulations: www.cardiff.ac.uk/iss/rules UKCISA have produced a useful information sheet called Protecting your Tier 4 student immigration status. This can be accessed on the following website: www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/information_sheets.php

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Tier 4 Student Visa Extension Document Checklist

More information about all of these documents can be found on pages 5-6 of this guide. Payment: Postal orders for 394 for a postal application or credit/debit card payment of 716 for an in person application; All the passports used to travel to and remain in the UK including your current passport; Biometric Residence Permit (if you have one); 2 x recent passport sized photographs; Police Registration Certificate (if applicable); Cardiff University CAS statement (you must print this); Original version of any document regarding academic progress that is listed on your CAS statement (if applicable); Tuition fee and accommodation receipts (if applicable); Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Certificate (if applicable); Evidence that you have enough money to meet the maintenance requirements. Please check pages 7-8 of this guide to find out how much money you will need and pages 8-10 to find out what documents are required as proof that you have access to this money.

ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE ORIGINALS. SCANNED COPIES, FAXES OR EMAILS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.

If any of your documents are not in English, you must get them professionally translated. See page 6 of this guide for more information

Disclaimer: The information provided in this guide is given in good faith and is correct at the time of writing (July 2012). It has been carefully checked with UKCISA and the UKBA. However, Cardiff University accepts no legal responsibility for its accuracy. Immigration law is subject to change. Please ensure that you have the most up to date information by checking the websites listed on page 17.

Immigration advice and services regulated by the Immigration Services Commissioner