Student Visa Requirement Guide OUTSIDE the UK May 2024

Download as pdf or txt
Download as pdf or txt
You are on page 1of 27

Student Advice Service

Your immigration and funding specialists

Student visa - Requirement guide


For students applying outside the UK – May 2024

Published May 2024. University of the Arts London has made every reasonable effort to ensure the accuracy and currency
of this document. Information can change at very short notice, so we ask that you seek further advice from us before acting
on its content. University of the Arts London does not take any responsibility for the content of external websites.
Student Visa Guidance on applying OUTSIDE the UK

Content

Before applying things to know 3


What is a visa? 3
EEA and Swiss nationals 3
What is Student sponsorship? 4
When should I apply? 4
How long will it take to process my application? 4
Step 1: Prepare your documents 5
Do I need to provide original documents? 5
Do I need to provide translations? 5
What documents are required? 6
What is a CAS? 7
Who will send my CAS and when will I receive it? 7
English Language Requirements 8
How much money do I need? 9
How do I ensure that my tuition fee payments are shown on my CAS? 10
How can I show that I have the required amount of money? 10
Step 2: Complete the online application form 14
How much is the visa application fee? 14
Step 3: Pay your Immigration Health Surcharge 15
Step 4: Attend your biometric enrolment appointment 16
Step 5: Submit your documents 17
Special differentiation arrangements for low-risk nationals 18
Step 6: Receive your visa decision and travel to the UK 19
When will my new Student visa start and expire? 20
Visa Refusal 20
Appendix A – Sample Bank Statement 21
Appendix B – Sample bank letter 22
Appendix C – Sample Certificate of Deposit 23
Appendix D – Sample parents’ letter if using their money 24
Appendix E – Sample parents’ letter of consent for those under 18 25
Further help and guidance 26
Student Visa Guidance on applying OUTSIDE the UK

Before applying – things to know

What is a visa?
A visa also referred to as ‘Permission to Enter’ when applying from outside the UK,
permits you to enter the UK. Your visa application will be assessed by the British
authorities in your country of nationality or where you are legally resident. Your visa will be
a vignette (sticker) covering one page of your passport.
When you arrive in the UK, the vignette in your passport will be stamped with the date,
location and details of the Border Force Officer who looks at your passport. If you pass
through E-gates, it will not be stamped but this is not an issue as long as you keep your
flight ticket and boarding pass to show at Enrolment.
If your permission to be in the UK is for more than 6 months, you will receive a 90-day
vignette (sticker) in your passport. You will use this to enter the UK and then collect a
card called a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). This will contain your biometric
information and details of your full length of permission to stay in the UK.

EEA and Swiss nationals


You should only apply using the Student visa route if you moved to the UK to live on or
after 1st January 2021. If you entered the UK before this date, you should have already
applied to the EU Settlement Scheme . The application deadline for the EU Settlement
Scheme was 30 June 2021.
If you’re a non-EEA family member of an EEA national living in the UK, please contact us
for advice.

3
Student Visa Guidance on applying OUTSIDE the UK

What is Student sponsorship?


Your visa is issued under the University’s student sponsor license. As your sponsor, we
have a legal duty to do all that we can to ensure that students enrol and comply with the
conditions of their Student visa.
Further information about your responsibilities and the conditions of your visa can be
found on our website. Search for ‘immigration and visas’ at arts.ac.uk.

When should I apply?


You should apply as early as possible however, you cannot apply more than 6 months
before the official course start date listed on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies
(CAS). You should only apply when:
• you meet the financial requirements set by the Home Office
• you have the correct supporting documents
• you have received your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

How long will it take to process my application?


The average processing time is 15 working days, but you should check processing
times in your country using the online tool at the gov.uk website.

4
Student Visa Guidance on applying OUTSIDE the UK

Making your Student visa application

Step 1: Prepare your documents

Do I need to provide original documents?


This varies from country to country as some application centres allow you to scan and
upload your documents, but some require you to bring your original documents to your
biometric appointment.

Do I need to provide translations?


If a document is not in English or Welsh, the applicant must provide a fully certified
translation from a professional translator or translation company that can be independently
verified by the Home Office. The translation must include all of the following information:

• confirmation that it is an accurate translation of the document


• the date of the translation
• the full name and signature of the translator or an official from the translation company
• the translator or translation company’s contact details

5
Student Visa Guidance on applying OUTSIDE the UK

What documents are required?

Document Information

This is not a document, but a unique number provided to you


CAS by UAL, which you must enter on your online visa application
form.
Must be valid on the date you submit your online visa
Passport application form and the date on which you plan to arrive in
the UK.
Documents must meet specific requirements to be
Financial
considered acceptable by UK Visas and Immigration. The
documents
exact requirements are discussed in this guide.
All the documents listed in the ‘Evidence used to obtain offer’
section of your CAS statement, which include certificates or
transcripts of qualifications that were used to assess your
Qualifications suitability for the course. If an English language test is listed
here, you must provide this certificate. Note that you are not
required to submit a portfolio, even if your CAS
statement lists one.
Your CAS will state how your English language ability has
English language been assessed. Some students will be exempt from being
ability assessed using an English language test and will have to
provide different evidence.
If any of your documents are not in English or Welsh, you
Official translations must provide translations, which meet specific requirements.
If you will be under 18 on the date you submit your online visa
Parents’ consent application, your parents or legal guardians must provide a
letter and evidence of letter of consent for your studies in the UK, confirming your
relationship relationship. You must also provide evidence of your
relationship with them.
If a government or an international scholarship agency is
currently providing financial sponsorship or has provided
financial sponsorship within the last 12 months for studies in
Financial sponsor’s
the UK, they must provide a letter of consent. Financial
consent letter
sponsorship means that all of your tuition fees and living
costs are covered. The Student Advice Service can provide
detailed requirements for the letter.
A TB (Tuberculosis) test result if you have been residing in a
TB test result country that requires this. See gov.uk/tb-test-visa for further
details.

6
Student Visa Guidance on applying OUTSIDE the UK

What is a CAS?
Your CAS number is a unique number assigned to you when the University provides
information about you and your course to UK Visas and Immigration. You are sent a CAS
statement by email, which contains this number and other relevant information about you
and your course. You should use this information to help you complete the relevant
sections of your visa application form.
You will need to enter your CAS number in your online application form and the Entry
Clearance Officer will use this number to check the information held on their system about
you, your course and documents they are expecting you to provide as part of your visa
application.
You are not expected to send a printed copy of your CAS statement as it is already held
electronically on the UKVI computer system.

Who will send the CAS and when will I receive it?

Your situation Your CAS will be provided by

Students starting a
new course, who Admissions Team: admissions@arts.ac.uk
applied directly to
UAL

Current UAL The Immigration Compliance team (ICT) will contact


students continuing you via the Student Portal at least 3 months before
on the same course, you are due to resume your course. You will also
repeating a unit or receive a notification to your UAL email address.
returning from Time
Out If you do not receive an invitation, please contact the
Immigration Compliance team via email:
CASrequest@arts.ac.uk.

You will be eligible for a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number when:

 your deposit payment has been received


AND,
 you have met all the conditions of your offer.
Continuing students are not required to pay a deposit and will have already met the
conditions of their offer.
CAS numbers will normally be emailed to eligible students from three months before the
course start date.

7
Student Visa Guidance on applying OUTSIDE the UK

English Language Requirements

You will meet the visa English language requirement if any of the following apply and you
provide any necessary evidence. How your English language ability was assessed will be
indicated on your CAS. It’s important to understand that these are the requirements for
the visa application only. UAL has its own English language requirements which must be
met as part of the conditions of your offer. You must read the University website to
understand what documents the University will accept to assess your English language
level, which may differ from the list below.
• Higher Education Provider with a track record of compliance has assessed you as
meeting the required level
Evidence: confirmed on the CAS ‘HEI sponsor has made assessment’, no other
evidence required.
• National of a majority English-speaking country Evidence: your passport

• Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider to the required
level. Tests are only valid for 2 years.
Evidence: Enter your UKVI URN number on your visa application form

• Study abroad student studying in the USA on a course of study at degree level
Evidence: confirmed on the CAS, no other evidence required.
• Met in a previous application. This means that your previous visa application must
have been successful and show the required level of English ability for the course
level you are now applying for.
Evidence: None required as the UKVI caseworker will check on their available
systems.

• Have a GCSE, A level or Scottish Higher qualification from an OFQual in English


language or literature, gained through education undertaken while you were aged
under 18 and in a UK school.
Evidence: Exam certificate, transcripts or printout from awarding body’s online
checking service.

If you’re a student continuing on the same course who needs to extend your visa due to
repeats, Time Out, or doing a placement year, you will not need to submit another SELT
test if that was how your English language ability was assessed when you applied to study
at the University. However, if you have taken Time Out for 2 years in a row, please contact
ImmigrationCompliance@arts.ac.uk for confirmation.

8
Student Visa Guidance on applying OUTSIDE the UK

How much money do I need?

One of the main reasons for a Student visa refusal is because the
applicant provides financial documents that do not meet the strict
requirements set out by the Home Office.

On the date that you pay for your visa application, you are required to have a specific
amount of money for your living costs and to be able to pay your tuition fees for the first
year of your course. The date you attend your biometric appointment is irrelevant, it’s the
date you pay the visa application fee which is the key date.
There are only two exceptions to this rule: If you are applying for permission to stay (from
within the UK) and you have been living in the UK with a valid visa for 12 months or more
on the date of the application, you do not need to show funds. You’re also exempt if you’re
applying as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer.

Length of course Money required

Tuition fees for the first year of your course as listed


9 months or more on your CAS plus £12,006, of maintenance.
Tuition fees for the first year of your course as listed
on your CAS plus £1,334 per month for each month
Less than 9 months of your course for maintenance. Partial months
should be rounded up.

Your CAS will state your total tuition fees for the first year of your course and how much
tuition fees you have paid to the University. Any tuition fees left to pay must be shown as
available to you in other evidence.

9
Student Visa Guidance on applying OUTSIDE the UK

How do I ensure that my tuition fee payments are shown


on my CAS?
If you make any further tuition fee payments after your CAS has been emailed to you, this
must be confirmed on your CAS. Otherwise, you must provide a receipt issued by UAL
confirming the amount of fees paid. You will find this receipt in your student portal.

How can I show that I have the required amount of


money?

You can show that these funds are available to you in the following ways:
1. Cash funds in your personal bank account e.g. savings or current account.
2. Cash funds in your parent’s/legal guardian’s personal bank account.
3. Official financial sponsorship.
4. Specific types of student loans.

1. Cash funds in your personal bank account


If you will be using your own money to meet the financial requirements, you must provide a
document that confirms:

28 You must have held the required amount of money for

days 28 consecutive days up to the date of the closing


balance

31 The closing balance date or the date of the last transaction

days
listed on the document must not be older than 31 days on
the date you pay for your visa application.

10
Student Visa Guidance on applying OUTSIDE the UK

You can use a bank statement or a letter from your bank and it must contain the following
information:

• Your name or your parent’s or legal guardian's name


• The full account number
• Should be on official stationery or an electronic record
• Include information about the bank such as contact details or branch code
• The date of the statement or the letter, must not be older than 31 days on the date
you pay for your visa application.
• That you have the required amount of money and it has been kept in the account
for 28 consecutive days. It must not have dropped below the required amount at
any point during those 28 days or your visa application will be refused.
• It must be a personal bank account or building society including a current, deposit,
savings, pension or investment account from which the funds can be withdrawn
immediately.
• Bank letters must be signed and on headed paper with contact information
Shares, bonds, overdrafts, credit cards and pension and investment funds from which
funds cannot be withdrawn from immediately are not acceptable sources of funding.

2. Cash funds in your parent’s/legal guardian’s bank


account
The bank statement or bank letter must meet all the requirements detailed above but be an
account held in your parent’s or legal guardian’s name. You must also send in additional
documents:
• Your original birth certificate, government-issued household register, adoption
certificate or a court document naming your legal guardian.
If a birth certificate is not issued by your country, you should submit the relevant
document issued by that country as proof of your birth and the names of your parents
• A letter from your parent/legal guardian confirming your relationship to them and that
the funds can be used for your studies in the UK.

See Appendix A for a sample bank statement

See Appendix B for a sample bank letter


See Appendix C for a sample certificate of deposit

See Appendix D for a sample parent’s letter

11
Student Visa Guidance on applying OUTSIDE the UK

3. Official financial sponsorship


Financial sponsorship is where an applicant is given money to cover some or all of their
tuition fees, living costs, or both. A Student visa applicant can receive official financial
sponsorship from:

• His Majesty’s Government


• your home government
• the British Council
• an international organisation
• an international company
• a university
• an independent school.
You must provide an original letter of confirmation from your Financial Sponsor on official
letter-headed paper. The letter must show:
• your name
• the name and contact details of your official financial sponsor
• the date of the letter
• the length of your sponsorship, and
• the amount of money the sponsor is giving to you or a statement that your official
financial sponsor will cover all of your fees and living costs.
If you are receiving a scholarship from UAL, you will be sent an original letter from the UAL
Funding team confirming your scholarship. This can be used for your visa application.
If your financial sponsor is only covering some of your course fees or living costs, you must
show that you have the rest of the money needed from other acceptable sources.

12
Student Visa Guidance on applying OUTSIDE the UK

4. Student Loan
Only the following types of student loans can be used for your visa application: a student
loan provided by your national government, a government-sponsored student loan
company or is part of an academic or educational loans scheme. You must submit an
original letter from the loan provider, which confirms the following:
1. be dated no more than 6 months before the date of application, and the date of the
letter is dated no more than 6 months before the date of your visa application; and

2. confirm the loan is a student loan provided to the applicant by either the relevant
government or a government-sponsored student loan company or an academic or
educational loans scheme; and
3. confirm there are no conditions on the release of the loan funds other than a successful
application to study in the UK as a Student or Child Student; and

4. confirm the amount of the loan; and

5. confirm the loan is to the applicant; and

6. confirm the funds will be:


(i) available to the applicant before they travel to the UK; or
(ii) paid directly to the student sponsor before the applicant travels to the UK, with any
living cost portion of the loan being made available to the applicant by the time they
arrive in the UK; or
(iii) available before the applicant begins their course if the loan is provided by the
applicant’s national government;

US Federal Loans
If you are receiving a US federal loan by applying for FAFSA, an original letter from the
UAL Funding team will be posted to you confirming your Federal loan. This can be used
for your visa application. If you are taking out an educational loan from a private US lender
such as Sallie Mae, you must obtain an original letter from Sallie Mae which confirms all of
the required information detailed above.
If your student loan only covers some of your course fees or living costs, you must show
that you have the rest of the money needed from other acceptable sources.

If your money is not in GBP£


You must use oanda.com to convert the amount of money shown in your financial
document to GBP£. You should include a printed conversion with your supporting
documents, using the conversion rate on the date you pay for the visa application.

13
Student Visa Guidance on applying OUTSIDE the UK

Step 2: Complete the online application form

All applicants are required to complete an online application form on the GOV.UK
website: Student visa: Apply - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Our guide to completing the application form is available on our website:


https://www.arts.ac.uk/study-at-ual/international/immigration-and-visas/student-visa
Checking Service
If would like the Student Advice Service to check your form and documents before paying
for your visa application, please email student.advisers@arts.ac.uk with the following
documents and wait for our feedback before submitting your visa application online.
At peak periods it will take up to 5 working days to receive feedback on your documents.
1. A copy of your CAS statement
2. Passport and current UK visa (if applicable)
3. Financial documents including any necessary parental evidence
4. Qualifications listed on your CAS
5. Confirm in which country you'll submit your visa application
6. A copy of your part completed visa application (up to the 'Declaration' section)
7. Your Student ID number

How much is the visa application fee?


You will be required to pay the visa application fee online once you have completed the
online form. The date you pay for your visa is your visa application date and you must
meet all the requirements on this date. The visa application fee depends on what type of
application you make:

£490 Standard Service

Some Visa Application Centres may offer additional


Varies services for extra fees which allow your visa application
to be processed quicker than a standard application.

14
Student Visa Guidance on applying OUTSIDE the UK

Step 3: Pay your Immigration Health Surcharge

Anyone applying for a Student visa will need to pay a healthcare surcharge (called the
‘immigration health surcharge’ or IHS) as part of your immigration application. This will
allow you to access the National Health Service in the UK.
At the end of your Student visa application, you will be directed to the IHS website which
will link your visa application form with your IHS number.
The amount you must pay will depend on the length of your visa, not your course duration.
The IHS website will calculate the amount you need to pay, and you must pay the required
fee to proceed to the next step with your visa application.

£ 776 £ 388
Per full year or Per part year less
part year more than 6 months
than 6 months

Example:

Course duration Visa length* Immigration Health Surcharge


Sep 2024 to Jun 2027 Sep 2024 to Oct 2027 3 full years at £776 per year and

2 years, 10 months 3 years, 1month 1 part year at £388 = £2,716

*Your visa will be valid from up to one month before your course begins and up to 4
months after your course finishes.
You can find further information about the Immigration Health Surcharge online including
refunds on the GOV.UK website.

15
Student Visa Guidance on applying OUTSIDE the UK

Step 4: Attend your biometric appointment

All applicants are required to book an appointment to attend a Visa Application Centre
(VAC) to enrol their biometric information and complete the final steps of their visa
application. You will book an appointment at your nearest location as part of the online visa
application process.

If you’re an EEA or Swiss national, you will not need to submit biometric
information at a Visa Application Centre. You will use the UK immigration: ID
Check app on your phone to upload your biometric passport and a photo.
Your visa will be issued as a digital immigration status, which you can view
online.

What will happen at the appointment?


At your appointment, you will provide your fingerprints and a digital photograph. Some
applicants will also be required to attend an interview called a credibility interview during
their biometric appointment.

Credibility Interview
If you are required to attend an interview, you will be interviewed in English via a video link
with a UK Visas and Immigration Officer in the UK. They will ask you questions relating to
your course, why you chose to study in the UK, why you chose to study at UAL and your
future career aspirations. They are checking that you are a genuine student and your visa
can be refused if your answers do not satisfy the Entry Clearance Officer assessing your
visa application.

16
Student Visa Guidance on applying OUTSIDE the UK

Step 5 : Submit your documents

After you submit your biometrics and complete your interview (if required to), you will then
either:
• Submit your application summary sheet and supporting documents at the VAC during
your appointment. You may also have the ability to scan and upload your supporting
documents. OR
• You will post your application summary sheet, biometric enrolment receipt and
supporting documents to the British Embassy. You may have the option to scan your
supporting documents instead. Your application form will guide you on the process to
follow in your country of application.
Find out more about your local Visa Application Centre and how to contact them:
https://www.gov.uk/find-a-visa-application-centre

17
Student Visa Guidance on applying OUTSIDE the UK

Special differentiation arrangements for low-risk


nationals
If your nationality or passport appears in the list below and you will be applying for a visa
in the UK (or in the country/territory where you live), you do not need to submit the following
documents:
• Proof of meeting the financial requirements.

• Qualifications listed on your CAS in the ‘Evidence used to obtain offer’ section.
• Proof of meeting the English language requirement.

EU, EEA and Swiss nationals benefit from the differentiation arrangement. ST22.1
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/appendix-student

Australia The Dominican Republic Oman


Bahrain Hong Kong SAR Peru
Barbados Indonesia Qatar
British National (Overseas) Japan Serbia
Botswana Kazakhstan Singapore
Brazil Kuwait South Korea
Brunei Macau SAR Taiwan passport with
residence number
Cambodia Malaysia Thailand

Canada Mauritius Tunisia


Chile Mexico United Arab Emirates
China New Zealand United States

However, you must still meet all the requirements of the visa application on the
date you pay for your application. The Entry Clearance Officer can contact you and
request to see your documentary evidence whilst assessing your application, so we
advise that you obtain the necessary documents and keep them in a safe place.

18
Student Visa Guidance on applying OUTSIDE the UK

Step 6: Receive your decision and travel to UK

Once a decision has been made to grant you entry clearance, you must complete the
following steps:
• Check your vignette and your decision letter to make sure the details are correct.
If not, contact the Visa Application Centre before travelling to the UK.
• Travel to the UK during the validity of your vignette. You must not travel before your
vignette is valid. If your vignette expires before you can travel, you will need to apply
online for a Transfer of conditions (vignette transfer). You should select the following
options:
• Confirm your visa type: BRP Vignette Transfer
• Category of application: To transfer or replace your visa (vignette)
In the additional information section you should explain that you have been granted a
Student route visa to study in the UK but you need a new 90-day vignette as you have
not been able (or will not be able) to travel to the UK before the end of the 90-day
vignette that you have been issued.
• Within 10 days of arriving in the UK, collect your Biometric Residence Permit from the
Post Office you selected during your visa application form. You will only be required
to collect a BRP if your permission to be in the UK is for longer than 6 months.
• Check the details on your Biometric Residence Permit, if there are any errors
follow the guidance on the Gov.uk website or contact the Student Advice Service
within 10 days of receiving your BRP.
• The police registration scheme ended on 4 August 2022. You no longer need to
register with the UK police, even if you were told to in a previous visa application.

19
Student Visa Guidance on applying OUTSIDE the UK

When will my new Student visa start and expire?

Permission granted for less than 6 months:

Visa vignette
Course duration Visa vignette start date
expiry date

Less than 6 months 7 days before the course start 7 days after the course
(not Presessional course) date end date

1 month before the course start


Less than 6 months date or 7 days before the 1 month after the course
(Presessional course) intended date of travel, end date
whichever is later

Permission granted for 6 months or longer:

Course duration Visa vignette start date BRP expiry date

1 month before the course start


6 months or more but less date or 7 days before the 2 months after the end
than 12 months intended date of travel, of the course
whichever is later
1 month before the course start
date or 7 days before the 4 months after the end
12 months or more intended date of travel, of the course
whichever is later

Visa Refusal
If your visa application has been refused, email your CAS and each page of your visa
refusal letter to student.advisers@arts.ac.uk immediately for further advice. Use ‘visa
refusal’ in your email subject line.

20
Student Visa Guidance on applying OUTSIDE the UK

Appendix A – Sample bank statement

The Royal bank of Oz


It should be on official stationery and include
1 Anywhere Street London
contact details or branch information.

Phone: +44 0207 000 000


It must have your full account number

Account number: [Your full account number]


[Your name] It must have your name or your parent’s name
Date: [Date of the statement]

Money In Money Out Balance


Date Description
(£) (£) (£)
17/07/2024 Transfer 35,000 35,000
20/07/2024 Rent deposit 500 34,500
25/07/2024 lunch 10 34,490
10/08/2024 books 20 34,470
13/08/2024 From Dad 8000 42,470
07/09/2024 Rent 500 41,970
08/09/2024 dinner 10 41,960
10/09/2024 Closing Balance 41,960

Count backwards 28 days The closing balance


date cannot be older The required
from the closing balance
than 31 days on the amount of funds
date, e.g. 10/09/2024.
date you pay for your must have been
visa application, e.g. held during these
this bank statement can 28 days e.g.
be used for a visa between
application as long as it 13.08.2024 and
is paid for by 10.09.2024
11/10/2024

21
Student Visa Guidance on applying OUTSIDE the UK

Appendix B - Sample bank


letter
The Royal bank of Oz It must have the bank name and logo.

It must be dated and not older than 31 days


[Date of the letter] on the date you pay for your visa application.

To whom it may concern,

It must have your name or your parent’s


name.

This letter confirms that (your name) is holding a (specify account type e.g Current / Savings
/ Fixed Deposit) account in our bank. The account number is (your full account number)
It must have your full account
number.

The total amount held on (date of the letter) is (specify currency e.g. EUR / CNY and
amount XX XXX). The lowest amount held over the previous 28 consecutive days
was (specify currency e.g. EUR / CNY and amount XX XXX)
It must say how
much money is in
the account on the
date of the letter
and the lowest
Yours sincerely amount held over
the previous 28
consecutive
v days.

[Signature of the bank staff]


[Bank staff name]

22
Student Visa Guidance on applying OUTSIDE the UK

Appendix C - Sample Certificate of Deposit

It must have the bank name and logo.

2
0
The ‘issue date’ must
2
not be more than 31
1
/ days old on the date
0 of your visa
8 application.
/
3
1 2024/08/31

20243 2024

31/08/2024 30/09/2024

It must have your name or your parent’s name.

350,000 CNY 2024/07/31

It must have The ‘deposit date’


the full must be at least 28
account days before the ‘issue
number. date’ of the certificate.

23
Student Visa Guidance on applying OUTSIDE the UK

Appendix D - Sample parents’ letter if using


their bank statements

[Date of the letter]

Dear UK Visas and Immigration,

I confirm that I am the [mother/father/legal guardian] of [your name].

I give consent for the funds in my bank account to be used by my child whilst they
study in the UK.

Yours faithfully, [Signature]

[Name of your parent]

24
Student Visa Guidance on applying OUTSIDE the UK

Appendix E – Sample parents’ letter consenting to


your studies in the UK (only required if you are
under 18)

[Date of the letter]

Dear UK Visas and Immigration,

We confirm that we are the [parents/legal guardians]* of [your name].

We give consent for our child to make a Student visa application and give consent for their
independent living arrangements in the UK.

Yours faithfully,
[Signature] [Signature}

[Name of your parents][Name of your parents]

*Please note that if only one parent signs the letter, they must confirm that they have sole
custody of the student. If they do not have sole custody, both parents must sign and
agree to the letter.

25
Student Visa Guidance on applying OUTSIDE the UK

Further help and guidance

UK Visas and Immigration:


Student Visa route – Policy Guidance

Appendix Finance

Appendix ST

Appendix English Language

University of the Arts London


Visa Document Checking Service
If you are studying on one of the following courses, you will be contacted by email
with information about how your documents can be checked and when to attend
workshops for completing the online application form.
 Presessional English
 EPIC
 Preparation for Foundation, BA and MA
 Orientation to Foundation
 FAD+
 Pre-Foundation English
If you are not studying on one of the courses above and would like the Student
Advice Service to check your form and documents before paying for your visa
application, please email student.advisers@arts.ac.uk with the following documents
and wait for our feedback before submitting your visa application online.

At peak periods it will take up to 5 working days to receive feedback on your


documents.

1. A copy of your CAS statement


2. Passport and current UK visa (if applicable)
3. Financial documents including any necessary parental evidence
4. Qualifications listed on your CAS
5. Confirm in which country you'll submit your visa application
6. A copy of your part completed visa application (up to the 'Declaration' section)
7. Your Student ID number.

26
Student Visa Guidance on applying OUTSIDE the UK

If you have any queries about your CAS, you should email the person who
sent your CAS to you. The Student Advice Service do not have access to
your CAS.

Contact us
 Email: student.advisers@arts.ac.uk – Please always include your full name and
UAL student ID number.
 Telephone: +44 20 7514 6900 (Currently the lines are open between 10 am and
4 pm).
 Search ‘immigration’ on www.arts.ac.uk to access our application guides or visit
the Student Advice Service web page.

UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA)


UKCISA provide up-to-date immigration, fees and international student experience
information for students and colleagues working with them.
https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/.

Published May 2024. University of the Arts London has made every reasonable effort to ensure the
accuracy and currency of this document. Information can change at very short notice, so we ask
that you seek further advice from us before acting on its content. University of the Arts London
does not take any responsibility for the content of external websites. Front cover illustrations by
Ewelina Skowronska, Camberwell College of Arts, MA Illustration, 2015.

27

You might also like