Make a note in your diary to apply for an extension well before your visa expires. You must ensure that your visa is valid throughout the duration of your studies. Further advice about Protecting your Tier 4 immigration status can be found on the UKCISA website.

You should also check that your passport is not about to expire. If it is, try to renew it through your Embassy or High Commission a long time before you need to extend your visa. We require details of your current passport for your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) so it is important to keep us up-to-date with this information.

The International Student Office can assist you with your application by offering you advice and, in most cases, sending it to the UK Border Agency (UKBA) through the Batch Scheme on your behalf.

Please note - all documents must be originals, not photocopies.

The Government has introduced a radical restructuring of the immigration system into 5 Tiers.  Tier 1 is for 'highly skilled individuals', Tier 2 for 'skilled workers with a job offer', Tier 3 for 'low skilled workers' (not due to be introduced in the near future), Tier 4 for 'students' and Tier 5 for 'youth mobility and temporary workers'.

Tier 4

The Tier 4 (G) application form together with guidance notes is now available on the UKBA (Home Office UK Border Agency) website:

Tier 4 Student application form and guidance

Each dependant will need to complete a separate form called Tier 4 PBS Dependant. The application form and guidance notes can be found on the UKBA website:

Tier 4 PBS Dependant application form and guidance

The application fees in the UK are as follows:

Student standard (postal) application: £394

Student premium (in-person) application: £716

Each dependant needs to pay an additional £197 if applying with the main applicant (student) by post or £358 if applying with the main applicant in person (premium).

If a dependant is applying separately from the main applicant the fee will be £561 for standard applications and £867 for premium applications.

You can also find more information about Tier 4 and studying in the UK on the UKBA website.

Further advice about making a Tier 4 (General) application can be found on the UKCISA website.

You will be required to show the following amounts for maintenance (living costs):

Main applicant: £800 per month for the required amount of time

Each dependant: £450 per month for the required amount of time

You will also require the following:

• valid passport
• Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
• Two passport-sized photographs (taken within the month prior to making your application and on a pale background) of yourself and any dependants (with names written on the back) Photograph guidance can be obtained from the UKBA website
• Original bank statements showing the required amount of money for 28 days, this must be in your name or your parents
• If your parents are paying your fees and living costs you must also provide your Birth Certificate and a letter from your parents to confirm that they are funding you - all these documents must be in English
• Original bank statements showing the required amount of money for dependants,this must be in your/your spouse's name
• Transcript from your current course or other document as required in the CAS
• Police Registration Certificate for you and your dependants (if you are required to register with the police)with your current address in the UK
• ATAS certificate if you are studying a PhD or Masters in science or engineering

Please contact the International Student Office regarding your student visa application

Working in the UK during your studies...

All international, non EU/EEA full time students on a degree programme who have a valid student visa, are entitled to work 20 hours per week during semester time and any number of hours during vacations.

Other students may have some restrictions on part time work, for example a limit to 10 hours per week or no work permission at all. 

Breaking this rule may render you liable to immediate expulsion from the UK, under 'administrative removal' regulations, without right of appeal. Not only would this have severe consequences in terms of your immediate inability to continue with your studies but might also cause difficulties in re-entering the UK at a later date.

You are permitted to work full-time during vacation periods. However Masters students who are writing their dissertations during the summer should not be working on a full-time basis during this period. Students may work full-time once final amendments have been made to their dissertation.

When you have finished your course you are permitted to work on a full-time basis for a maximum of four months after the end of your course or until the end of your visa, whichever is sooner.

Contact the International Student Office if you have any concerns or questions about the above notice.

...and after graduation

For information about options for working in the UK after your studies please visit the UKCISA website.

Further information about Working in the UK can also be found on the UKBA website.

Changing address

Don't forget to inform your bank if you change your address at any time during the academic year or during the summer. Failure to do so will mean that you do not receive your bank statements, which you may need when applying for a visa extension later and banks will probably charge for additional copies to be printed out.  You should also inform the Police station in Guildford if you are registered with the Police, so that they can amend your Police Registration Certificate accordingly.