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Renewing/extending your visa

Tier 4 applications from 6 April 2012

New immigration rules came into force on 6 April 2012, some of which will affect those applying for a Tier 4 (General) student visa.    In summary the main changes for Tier 4 applicants, both overseas and in the UK, are

  • A new maximum 5 year time limit for study on courses at degree level (undergraduate and masters).  There will be some exceptions, including those studying for a DPhil
  • The amount of maintenance you need to show has increased from £600 a month to £800 a month
  • You will only be able to offset a maximum of £1,000 against the amount you have to show for maintenance (only applies if you will be or are currently living in University accommodation) even if you have paid more than this to the University

Using the UK Border Agency (UKBA) "Batch Scheme"

The Student Information and Advisory Service is able to assist you to make an application to extend your student visa whilst in the UK using the "Batch Scheme" operated by the UKBA. Under the scheme we check your application form and supporting documentation, then submit these documents to the UKBA on your behalf by post.

What kinds of applications can we send to the batch scheme?

We will only deal with applications from students requiring an extension to continue their studies (i.e. Tier 4 (General) Student visa application forms) and those for family members. We cannot send other kinds of application, for example, work visa applications, to the UKBA for you.

Obtaining a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number

Students renewing their visa in the UK need to apply for a Tier 4 (General) Student visa. The UKBA requires you to be formally sponsored by a licensed UK higher education institution - the University of Oxford in our case. The CAS is a unique number which will enable UKBA officers to access information which your College and the University has provided about your course.

The following information is relevant if you need more time to complete an existing course.  If you are starting a new course, the process for obtaining a CAS should be started automatically. You will have the opportunity to check that the information contained in the CAS is correct before final submission.  The final CAS will be sent to you by email once preparation is complete and is valid for 6 months from the date of issue.

In order to obtain a CAS number, email your department, if you are on a graduate course or recognised student, or your college if you are on an undergraduate course or visiting student. The following information is required so that a CAS number can be generated for you:

In the subject box please type:' Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies' AND YOUR FULL NAME
Include the following information in the text of the message:

  • OSS Number
  • Programme of Study
  • Country of Birth
  • Passport number
  • Passport Expiry date and Passport Country of Origin

Please also state whether your current visa was issued for your current programme of study and its expiry date. You must also state whether you intend to apply to renew your visa from within the UK. Make sure that you do this in good time before you need to make your application as it may take several days for the process to go through.

What you have to do next

1.  Check if you need an ATAS certificate (see section below)

2.  Complete the Tier 4 (General) Student Visa and read the Policy Guidance which are available from the UK Border Agency website. UKCISA also provide some useful information about making an application within the UK, with particular reference to applying under the batch scheme or applying in person.

3.  You should not make any travel plans until your visa has been processed and you have all your documents back.  Applications through the batch scheme can take up to 8 weeks, sometimes longer, to process; however, outside the batch scheme they can take 14 weeks or more.

4.  Once you have ALL the supporting documents, including the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), and photographs, take a photocopy of your completed application form, passport identity page, current student visa, letters, bank statements etc. before making an appointment.

5.  Contact us to make an appointment to have these papers checked prior to submission under the scheme. Please bring along your form, passport(s), photos, original documents and the photocopies at the agreed time.  Please note that we cannot check your documents without an appointment.  We will also check your documents if you make an application in person at a Public Enquiry Office (PEO).  In this case you do not need to make the copies but you do need to make an appointment with us.

Issue of Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) and enrolling biometric information

When you make an application for a student visa extension, you also apply for a Biometric Residence Permit (formerly an Identity Card for Foreign Nationals or ICFN) or BRP card.

A sticker (vignette) will no longer be placed in your passport. The BRP card is your visa and you will need to carry both your passport and BRP card when you travel. You are not required to carry your card at all times in the UK, although you may be asked to produce it during your stay in the UK to prove your entitlement to study or work.

To obtain the BRP card you are required to give your fingerprints and a facial image known as "biometric information". Those who pay the higher fee and attend "in-person" to obtain a Tier 4 visa will have their biometric information taken at the appointment.

If you apply by post, then the following procedures apply:

Enrolling Biometric Information

Biometric information has to be  given at one of 104 post offices across the UK.  The option of enrolling your biometric information at one of the UKBA offices will no longer be available. More information about the process will be included in a letter sent to you after you have submitted your application and is also available from the UKBA website.

You will be charged an additional handling fee of £19.20, payable to Post Office Ltd. to use this service.  You can pay this fee by cash or debit card.

My visa is not expiring, do I still need a Biometric Residence Permit now?

You apply for a Biometric Residence Permit when you need to make an application for a visa from within the UK.   Applying for a Biometric Residence Permit is part of the application process.

Where can I find out more about Biometric Residence Permit cards?

The following websites contain further information:

Academic Technology Approval Scheme

If you are studying on a course that leads to a postgraduate qualification in certain science, engineering or technology disciplines you might have to obtain an ATAS certificate before you can apply in the UK for an extension as a student, if you do not already have one.   Without a certificate your application will be refused if one is required.

How do I know if I need an ATAS certificate?

All subject areas studied at UK Universities are identified by a JACS code. The UK government has used these codes to identify the areas of study for which students require an ATAS certificate. It will state on your CAS if you need an ATAS certificate.  However, there are some circumstances when you do not need to apply for an ATAS certificate before making an extension application.  Please see the information on the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website for information and the Foreign & Commonwealth webpages.

How to apply for an ATAS certificate

There is no charge for an ATAS certificate and you can apply online. To do this you will need  to agree a description of your research topic with your Oxford department. Your department will provide you with the information you need, together with your JACS code. Contact your department if you have not received this.

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