CAS

To apply you must have received a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies(CAS) number from the Recruitment and Admissions Office.

Before they can issue the CAS, they need to check that your visa application will not take you over the maximum time that you are allowed to be in the UK as a student. You must also satisfy the immigration authorities that you are able to meet the costs of the course and maintain yourself and any dependants during your course of studies.

You must be able to show that you have had these funds available to you (eg in your bank account) for 28 days before making your Tier 4 visa application. It is advisable to make your tuition fee payments early in order to get evidence of these payments for your visa application.

If you are a Masters or PhD student you must get a clearance certificate before submitting your visa application if you are studying a subject which is on a list under the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS). It takes up to 20 working days to obtain the certificate.

You can find out if your course is on the list by checking its JACS code with Admissions and visiting the ATAS pages at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website.

You will need to make an appointment at your nearest visa application centre to provide your biometric details as part of the application process.

For full details please go to:

• UKBA website
• Kent Union Student Advice Centre

Preparing for your visa application

In order to avoid delays to your visa being granted, it is essential that you prepare well in advance and that you submit the correct documents. Further information on preparing your visas can be found at:

• Kent Union Student Advice and Information Service

Extending your leave to remain

Ongoing immigration advice can be obtained from the Kent Union Student Advice Centre in Kent Union (Mandela Building: www.kentunion.co.uk/advice/international) at the Canterbury campus, or from UMSA (Pilkington Building: www.umsa.org.uk/advice/international) at the Medway campus.

Paid work

Most students on a course of more than six months duration will be given permission to work part-time during the term (up to 20 hours a week) and full-time during the vacations. However, for immigration purposes, you must be able to show that you can afford to study and live in the UK without having to work. You must be able to show other sources of funding apart from your part-time work.

Document checklist

International students should have the following documents readily available when they arrive at the airport or point of entry. Please ensure these documents are kept in your hand luggage and not in your suitcase.

• Current passport and old passport if your visa is in it
• Biometric Residence Permit (if you have one – this only applies if your current visa was issued in the UK)
• Health certificate (if applicable, see information on tuberculosis screening)
• Proof of your finances
• Unconditional Offer Letter
• Accommodation room agreement

Tuberculosis (TB) screening

If you are coming to the UK for more than 6 months you need to get a certificate confirming that you are free from infectious TB before you apply for your visa, if you are a resident of one of the countries on the UKBA list. The list of countries is subject to change - please refer to the UKBA information for an up-to-date list of countries and full details.

If you do need a certificate, carry it with you in your hand luggage in case you are asked to show it to an immigration officer when you arrive in the UK.