Students — Tier 4
The Tier 4 visa category is for students who are paying for their tuition in the UK.
- Students will need to be sponsored by the relevant university or college and University or college in question must apply for a sponsorship licence.
- The institution is responsible for keeping accurate and up-to-date records of students.
- With a Tier 4 visa you will be granted leave to enter the UK for the purposes of completing your course at the specified institution and you may remain in the country for the duration of the studies and will also allow for attending your graduation.
- Tier 4 visa holders can switch to a Tier 1 visa and a Tier 2 visa from within the UK.
- The Tier 4 visa does not allow the opportunity to apply for Indefinite leave to Remain.
There are three categories of student who may apply for a Tier 4 visa:
- General student – for students at or above degree level studying in the UK in a publicly funded institution, or engaging in more than 15 hours of study per week. You may work for 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during holidays and dependants are allowed.
- School student – for students in full time study at an independent school up to the age of 18 and with no dependants. You may work for 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during holidays and dependants are allowed.
- Study through work student – for students on work experience courses. Dependants are allowed if you plan to be in the UK for more than 12 months. You may work for 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during holidays and dependants are allowed.
**Under the government’s new UK immigration cap changes to the Tier 4 (study) visa are expected to be announced before April 2011.**
If you would like to find out more, please visit 1stcontactvisas.com. Alternatively you could call 0808 141 5508 (UK), 0800 003 163 (SA) or 1800 039 300 (Australia) to speak to a friendly and qualified 1st Contact visa consultant.
