International Student Menu

Extending your Leave to Remain as a Tier 4 Student from within the United kingdom

The UKBA are changing the way you can apply to extend your Tier 4 student visa. You can still use the paper copy of the application form or you can use the ‘Apply Online’ option using the print and send option. If you would like more information about this please contact international.support@lancaster.ac.uk.

1. Download ‘Application Form for a Grant of Leave and Biometric Immigration Document Under Tier 4 (General) Student – Main Applicant’ available from the UK Border Agency WebPages here:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/quickguideforstudent/adultstudents/

2. Request a CAS Reference from the Registry.
The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is an electronic document similar to a database record. Each Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies has a unique reference number and contains information about the course of study for which it has been issued and the student’s personal details. Please note the reference number obtained from the Registry is different from the reference on your Certificate of Acceptance of studies letter received from the Admissions Department. You can order your CAS reference number from us via email (international.support@lancaster.ac.uk) and you will need to supply the Registry with a copy of your current visa and main information page of your passport.

3. Some students may need an ATAS Certificate; The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) was introduced on 1 November 2007 and is designed to ensure that people who are applying to study certain sensitive subjects in the UK do not have links to WMD programmes. We therefore advise you to find out if you need an ATAS certificate by visiting the following pages before applying for a student visa, or extension: You will need your course code (JACS code) which is available from the Registry or Student Support. Even if you already have an ATAS certificate, you need to apply for a new one if you change the details of your course, the educational insitution or the completion date. Therefore if you are applying to extend your visa to complete the degree course, you will need a new ATAS.
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/what-we-do/services-we-deliver/atas/atas-complete-form/

4. It is important that you complete the form fully and include ALL the necessary original documents as indicated in the application form and accompanying guidance notes otherwise your application will be refused:-

Completed form(s) – PLEASE COMPLETE IN BLACK INK. The form can be downloaded here.
CAS reference number from the Registry – write the number on Page 26 L5 of the form.
If you have been studying on your current degree course for less than 6 months, you will also need to provide the certificates/transcripts that you used to apply for your course at Lancaster University. You will also need to provide evidence of the higher maintenance amount, please see the policy guidance for further information.
2 recent photographs with your name written on the back. See the following link for acceptable format of photographs. http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/flr/photoguidance0409.pdf
ATAS certificate if appropriate.
Application fee – (currently £394.00) for main applicant plus £197.00 per dependant if you are sending your application by post. If you would like to make an appointment directly with the Home Office, the fee is currently £716.00. We recommend that you pay by postal order - these are available from the post office on campus athough there is a further charge of £25.00 for these, a postal order is the most secure form of payment and ensures that your payment will be accepted at the Home Office. If you choose to pay by credit card and the payment is rejected at the Home Office your visa application will be returned to you for re-submission.
Passport/travel documents plus any other previous passports used to travel to the UK.
Police registration certificate if applicable.
ID card for Foreign Nationals or Biometric residence Permit if applicable.
If you do not have all the passports/travel documents that you have previously used to enter the UK you will need to provided details of your previous journeys to the UK – for example, ticket booking reference and transport operator details.
Section L - Sponsor details: This is your education provider (Lancaster University). Our Sponsor Licence Number is DV8F761XX.
Original certificates/transcripts - as detailed on your CAS under ‘documents used to obtain offer’.
Documents/evidence of previous studies in the UK if applicable
Financial information – evidence of your ability to meet the costs of the course and living expenses in accordance with the guidance notes. Bank statements must be original statements, showing your name and account number, that have been posted to you OR printed out at the bank and stamped with the bank stamp OR printed on the bank’s headed paper. You must have the required funds in your bank account for at least 28 days prior to sending your visa extension application. The statements must also have your name and account number on and the balance of the statement must be no older than 28 days before your application (for example, if you send your application to the Home office on 30th April your bank balance must be no older than 2nd April).

If you are using bank statements from banks or financial institutions located outside the UK (i.e. not a UK based bank or an international bank, you should check if your bank statements meet the relevant criteria required by the UKBA to assess your maintenance evidence. For the purpose of verifying applicants' maintenance funds under Tier 4 of the points-based system, the UK Border Agency maintains a list of financial institutions in some countries that do not satisfactorily verify financial statements. The following criteria provide an example of the minimum standard for banks in order for the UKBA to satisfactorily verify documentation:

international banks; or
international banks with a UK private banking presence; or
regulated national/state banks that provide a core banking service.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/studying/financial-institutions/

If you are financially sponsored, a letter from your sponsor confirming the amount and what this covers (e.g. tuition fees, accommodation, living costs). You must also obtain a letter from your sponsor confirming that they agree to you extending your stay in the UK. The Home Office definition of a sponsor is:
Parent, Governing body, Educational Institution, Official Financial Institute. If the sponsor is your parent, you will also need to provide a birth certificate to prove the relationship. You cannot nominate a spouse as a financial sponsor although evidence of joint bank accounts is acceptable.
Depending on your particular circumstances you may be required to provide further information.
Read the declaration and sign it. This is a legal document and any false declarations/omissions will result in your application being rejected. The UK Border Agency will take action against any applicant deliberately seeking to deceive the UK Border Agency by any false representations/statement.
If you would like to use the Student Batch Scheme, you will need to make an appointment to bring your completed application and original documents to the Student Based Services.

You can contact us by:

		The Base—a one stop enquiry desk for Student Based Services and is located to the left of the reception desk in University House— call in or telephone 592525
		Speak to us directly via telephone at 01524 592010 for advice or to make an appointment to see one of our Advisors.
		Use our quick response email service at international.support@lancaster.ac.uk

We will check your documents for you and we will post your completed application to the Student Batch Team at the UK Border Agency. Once the UK Border Agency has received your application, they will write to you with details of how to give your biometric information.

You can find further information about the procedure here:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/adult-students/applying-inside-uk/biometrics-id-cards/
Once you have completed your Biometric appointment, your application for Leave to Remain will then be considered. The process can take a long time (between 8 – 12 weeks) and we strongly advise that you do not arrange any travel outside the UK before your ID card and documents have been returned to you.

If you make an application before your authorised stay ends, your existing immigration status will continue until your application is decided, even if the decision is not made until after the end of your permitted stay. If your existing visa or other permission to stay here allows you to work, you can continue to do so until your case is decided.

If you are applying for a new course of study and your current visa expires more than 28 days before the start date of your new course, you CANNOT apply to extend your visa whilst in the UK. You must leave and make a fresh application for a Tier 4 visa from outside the UK. If you apply from inside the United Kingdom your application will be refused.

DO NOT MAKE ANY ARRANGEMENTS TO TRAVEL OUTSIDE THE UK WHILST YOUR APPLICATION IS BEING CONSIDERED. WE CAN NOT ASK THE HOME OFFICE TO ACCELERATE YOUR APPLICATION EVEN IF YOU HAVE ALREADY BOOKED YOUR FLIGHTS. IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY THAT REQUIRES YOU TO LEAVE THE UK YOU WILL HAVE TO WITHDRAW YOUR VISA APPLICATION FROM THE HOME OFFICE AND APPLY TO EXTEND YOUR VISA IN YOUR HOME COUNTRY.

If you have any queries regarding your application to extend your student visa please email international.support@lancaster.ac.uk and we will reply as soon as possible.
Many thanks

OUR DUTIES UNDER THE HIGHLY TRUSTED SPONSOR RULES

Under the new Immigration Points Based system, all Educational Institutions Tier 4 Sponsor Licence Holders now have a duty to keep specific records and also to report any non-attendance.
Records that we must keep:

keep a copy of all non-EU students - passports showing evidence of each student’s entitlement to study
keep each student's contact details and update them as necessary
report any students who fail to enrol on their course to the UKBA
report any students who discontinue their studies (including any deferrals of study) to the UKBA
report any significant changes in students' circumstances, for example, if the length of a course of study shortens, to the UKBA
maintain any appropriate accreditation
offer courses to international students which comply with UKBA conditions.

We must report to the UK Border Agency if a registered student;

fails to enrol with the sponsor no later than 10 working days after the end of the enrolment period
misses 10 expected contacts. In the higher education institutions, where daily registers are not kept we will accept reports of where the student has missed expected interactions, for example, tutorials or submission of coursework
stops attending an institution either because the institution has withdrawn them from the course or because the student has told them they are leaving. This must happen within 10 working days of this being confirmed
defers their studies after their arrival in the United Kingdom. The student’s permission to be in the United Kingdom will no longer be valid as they will not be actively studying. The sponsor must notify the UKBA of the deferral and advise the student to leave the United Kingdom. When the student is ready to continue their studies they will need to make a new visa application.

Further information about the Tier 4 sponsor duties can be found at the UK Border Agency webpages;
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/employers/points/sponsoringmigrants/sponsorshipduties/tierspecificduties/

IMPORTANT INFORMATION – CHANGING YOUR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION

If you applied for your current student visa before 31st March 2009 (Pre-points based system)

You may change your educational institution to study at Lancaster University without permission from the UKBA. You do not need to apply for fresh leave to remain until your visa is nearly due for renewal (we recommend that you apply to extend your student visa at least 2 months before the expiry date). You may apply to extend your visa once you have registered on your new course of study.

If you applied for your current student visa between 31st March 2009 and 4th October 2009

If you have a Tier 4 student visa you may change your educational institution to Lancaster University but you will need to request permission from the UK Border Agency. You will need to either make an application using the T4 (PTS) ‘Application for permission to Switch Tier 4 Educational Sponsor) or apply for a new Tier 4 visa.

On receipt of the application, the UK Border Agency will give permission for you to change sponsors providing:

the new education provider is on the register of Tier 4 sponsors (Lancaster University is a Highly Trusted Sponsor)
The UK Border Agency can confirm that Lancaster University wants to be your new education provider; and
the course meets the requirements for your Tier 4 category. However, Tier 4 (General) students may continue to study a course at or above level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

After you have sent you request to the UK Border Agency, they will write to you saying that they have received it.

You must provide evidence of the request for permission to change educational sponsor to the Registry when you register for your course.
Once you have received confirmation of this permission from the UK Border Agency you must also bring it to the Registry, A43 University House in order to update your registration record.

You can start your new course before the UK Border Agency has decided whether to approve your request - but you do so at your own risk.

Under the Immigration Rules, the UK Border Agency may shorten your permission to stay as a student if you change your education provider without getting their permission.
If your new course will finish after your current permission to stay expires, you will need to make a new Tier 4 application. You will therefore need a confirmation of acceptance for studies from Lancaster University.

If you applied for your Tier 4 student visa on or after 5th October 2009

If you want to leave your current course in order to study with Lancaster University, you must apply for a new Tier 4 visa.

Lancaster University is a Highly Trusted Tier 4 sponsor, and once you have an unconditional offer, we will assign a new confirmation of acceptance (CAS) for studies to you to enable you to make your visa application.

You can start your new course before the UK Border Agency has approved your new Tier 4 visa application if:

You have applied to the UK Border Agency for permission to stay and study with Lancaster University) and;
Your current student visa is still valid;
You must provide evidence that you have made an application for a new Tier 4 visa to the Registry when you register for your course.
You can start your new course before the UK Border Agency has decided whether to approve your new Tier 4 visa application

You will start your new course at your own risk, as the UK Border Agency may refuse your application

If you are already studying in the UK when you decide to change to a different Tier 4 sponsor, you must make your new application from inside the UK.

Taken from: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/adult-students/changes/#

If you are applying for a new course of study and your current visa expires more than 28 days before the start date of your new course, you CANNOT apply to extend whilst in the UK. You must leave and make a fresh application for a Tier 4 visa from outside the UK. If you apply from inside the United Kingdom, your application will be refused.

WHO CAN REGISTER AS A STUDENT AT LANCASTER UNIVERSITY

**EEA and EU citizens have free right of movement within the UK and there is no condition that prevents us from registering you as a student.
If you have a current General Student Visa (Pre-Tier 4) there is no condition that prevents us from registering you as a student.
If you have a current student visa issued before 31st March 2009 there is no condition that prevents us from registering you as a student.
If you applied for your current Tier 4 Student Visa between 31st March 2009 and 4th October 2009 and you have requested permission from the UK Border Agency to change institution and you can provide us with evidence of your request to change institution to Lancaster University, we can register you. Please see notes above.
If you applied for your current Tier 4 student visa on or after 5 October 2009 and you have applied for a new Tier 4 visa to study at Lancaster University and can provide us evidence of your application. Please see notes above.
If you have a current Tier 4 student visa with Lancaster University’s sponsor licence number we can register you.
At the moment, if you have leave to remain in a work category, such as Tier 1 (HSMP) or Tier 1 (Post Study Work) visa or a Tier 2 (General) visa there is currently no condition that prevents study that fits around your main purpose for the visa (i.e. work) You are free to undertake work as well as study and we are not prevented from registering you as a student. If you have a visa that is in a work category your conditions do not prevent you from studying full time. However, you should be aware that if you encounter an immigration official, for example, if you leave the UK and re-enter at any point during your stay, an Immigration Officer may consider that your circumstances have changed since you last applied for immigration permission in a work category and might cancel or curtail that leave on the basis that you should be here with Tier 4 (Student) permission.

Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme. There is currently no condition that prevents study and we are not prevented from registering you as a student however your studies must be privately funded.
If you have a Dependants visa there is currently no condition that prevents study and we are not prevented from registering you as a student.

If you have Indefinite Leave to Remain there is currently no condition that prevents study and we are not prevented from registering you as a student.

If you have Asylum Status there is no condition that prevents us from registering you as a student.

If you are applying for a new course of study and your current visa expires more than 28 days before the start date of your new course, you CANNOT apply to extend whilst in the UK. You must leave and make a fresh application for a Tier 4 visa from outside the UK. If you apply from inside the United Kingdom, your application will be refused.