The UK Border Agency at the British High Commission would like to remind those applying to study in the UK to comply fully with all requirements needed for their applications or they will risk having their applications refused. Students applying to study in the UK will be doing so under the recently launched Tier 4 of the Points Based System.

It is important for applicants to read the Points Based System Tier 4 Policy Guidance carefully before submitting their application. The Policy Guidance and latest information on Tier 4 can be found at www.ukvisas.gov.uk. Information on how to apply and lodge your application can be found at www.vfs-uk-my.com .  

The following are some of the common reasons for Tier 4 visas being refused:

Visa Letters

• Supporting Documentation for Visa Letter – if the applicant is 16 years or older and the Visa Letter states that certain qualifications were used to assess the applicant’s eligibility, then the originals of these documents must be provided as evidence. (This does not apply if those documents relate to the sponsoring institution’s own assessment system).

• Nationality – the Visa Letter must state the same nationality as is on the passport that the applicant will use to submit the application.

• Name – the Visa Letter must state the applicant’s name as it is given in the applicant’s passport.

Evidence of Maintenance Funds

• Bank Statements/Letters – these are often out of date. These must not be older than one month from application lodgement date. These should also state the account name, account number and balance at date of statement/letter.

• Financial Maintenance – we are seeing too many applications with insufficient funds in the bank account.

• Fixed Deposit Certificates as Evidence of Funds – many fixed deposit certificates do not give suitable evidence that the funds shown are genuinely available to the holder. Applicants are strongly advised to obtain a letter from their bank confirming that the funds held in their fixed deposits have been cleared and are genuinely available to them.  This letter should be submitted with your visa application.

Applications for All Students under 18

• Parental Consent Letters – All students under 18 require a parental consent letter signed by BOTH parents (unless one parent has sole custody).
  

Notes for Editors

About the UK Student Visa

Applying for a General Student visa or a Child Student visa under Tier 4 is a simple process and should be done in the country of which you are a national or a legal resident. Applications for a General Student visa must be done online – visit www.vfs-uk-my.com. For your application to be successful you will need to read the Guidance and submit the documentation which is required (as detailed in the Guidance). This will include:

• Your current passport or travel document

• A visa letter from the institution you are planning to study at

• Proof of maintenance funds

• Evidence of any qualifications the sponsoring institution took account of when deciding to accept you for the course you plan to study

• Any other supporting documents relevant to your application

You will also need to visit your nearest Visa Application Centre to provide your biometric details (10 digit finger scans and a digital photograph) as part of the application process. Full details of how to apply are available at:  www.vfs-uk-my.com

The UK Border Agency will refuse your application and you may be banned from coming to the UK for 10 years if you use a false document, lie or withhold relevant information.

Students looking to study in the UK for six months or less, and who do not wish to take any employment while they are in the UK, or to extend their stay while they are in the country, can enter the UK on a Student Visitor visa.

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