Latest news

Changes to Tier 4 in February 2010

12 January 2010

• If you apply on or after 1 February to stay in the UK as a Tier 4 student, you must be able to show that you have had the required sum of money for maintenance in your account for a period of 28 days. This already applies to you if you apply for entry clearance (a visa) from outside the UK.
• If you apply on or after 22 February to come to the UK or to stay in the UK, you must use a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS), which is a number your Tier 4 sponsor (college or university) will give you. You will no longer be able to apply using a Visa Letter.
• The Prime Minister is currently considering whether Tier 4 should be changed in any way, including the minimum level of qualification, testing English language ability and whether all Tier 4 students should have permission to work. The UK Border Agency has said that the results should be announced some time between mid-January and early February. We will post any news about this on this page.

New application forms and policy guidance for dependants

12 January 2010

If your family members (husband, wife, civil partner, unmarried or same sex partner or child) apply on or after 6 January to stay in the UK as your dependant, they should make sure that they use the latest version of the application form (version 01/10) and policy guidance (version 060110). The only real change is that family members who apply separately from the main applicant (the student) must now also give their fingerprints and be issued with an identity card for foreign nationals. Before, this happened only if family members applied at the same time as the student.

UK Border Agency information, forms and guidance for dependants

Additional Biometric Enrolment Centres

23 December 2009

The UK Border Agency has announced that new biometric enrolment facilities are now available at selected post offices nationwide.

You do not need to book an appointment at one of the 17 post offices offering biometric enrolment. However, you must have been sent an invitation from UKBA to attend one of these centres. Applicants using the service will need to pay an additional fee of £8.00 to Post Office Ltd.

UK Border Agency information for students and application forms