Applying for Entry Clearance (non - EEA Nationals)
Please note that the information contained on this site is correct at the time of writing. However, due to on-going amendments to the new points based immigration system, the processes described may be subject to change at short notice. Always read the UK Boarder Agency website before submitting an application for entry clearance.
Anyone from outside the EEA who would like to come to the UK for more than six months and all visa nationals must apply for entry clearance before travelling. To confirm whether or not you require entry clearance, refer to the UK Border Agency website www.ukvisas.gov.uk
The Points Based System
To gain permission to enter the UK as a student, non-EEA
nationals must obtain enough ‘points’ under the Points Based
System (PBS) before applying. This means you must:
• be intending to study a full-time course at a recognised
institution and have accepted an unconditional offer for this
course (30 points)
• meet the maintenance requirements (10 points)
• be able to satisfy the immigration rules that relate to
students
Under this new system, all current students will also be
subject to strict immigration rules to which they must adhere
in order to remain in the UK as a student.
You will need to provide the following important documents
in order to apply for entry clearance as a student:
• Your passport, two recent
passport photographs and the relevant fee (currently £220 in
your local currency)
• A Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies. This will be
issued by Canterbury Christ Church University as proof that you
have been offered and accepted a course of study and should
include full details of your programme, including the start and
end dates.
• Evidence of the qualifications required to secure your place
at Canterbury Christ Church University as listed in the
Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies.
• Evidence of your ability to meet, without working in the UK,
the full costs of your course, fees, living costs and
accommodation, and the costs of any dependants accompanying you.
If you are on a course of less than one year you will
need to show you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition
fees for one year, plus £600 for each month you are in the UK,
up to a maximum of nine months, plus £533 for each dependant for
each month they will be with you in the UK, up to a maximum of
nine months; if your course is longer than one year you
will need to show evidence that you have the money to cover your
first year’s fees, plus £5,400 living costs for your first year.
You should check the UK Border Agency website for more detailed
information on which documents are acceptable as evidence you
meet the requirements.
• Graduate students coming to study certain science or
mathematics-based courses will also be required to provide an
Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.
Information about ATAS and a list of affected courses can be
found at
www.fco.gov.uk/atas. If you are required to provide an ATAS
certificate then you must ensure you have obtained this before
making your application for entry clearance.
• Applicants are now required to supply biometric data
(fingerprints and iris scans) with their applications. Details
of how to provide these can be found on the website of your
local British Diplomatic Post.
• Applicants in some countries are required to undergo health
screenings. Check with your local British Diplomatic Post if you
are required to do this.
Visas are issued for a specific institution. When you are issued with your entry clearance it should state Canterbury Christ Church University's Sponsor Licence Number on the visa. If you decide to change your course or place of study you will need to obtain a new visa. Under the new system the Canterbury Christ Church University is required to inform the UK government if a student:
• fails to enrol on their course
• stops attending their course
• is absent without consent
• withdraws from the course or defers their studies
• changes their course or course length
If you know you are going to be late and will miss enrolment, you must contact Canterbury Christ Church University to see if it is possible to make alternative arrangements. If you decide to change your course or institution and have already applied for your visa, you should seek advice from the International Student Adviser.
If you need more detailed information regarding your individual circumstances, or your application for entry clearance has been refused, you can contact the International Student Adviser for assistance.
Students coming for courses of six months or less
If you are coming to the UK in order to study a course of six months or less, you can apply to enter the UK as a ‘student visitor’. If you are a visa national you must obtain prior entry clearance in this category; non-visa nationals can apply on entry to the UK if they wish (e.g. at the airport).
Non-visa nationals applying as a “student visitor” at the port of entry should be very clear with the immigration officer encountered that they intend to undertake a short course of study; providing evidence of this as well as proof of sufficient funds. Remember that studying is no longer permitted on standard visitor visa. You should therefore check that your leave to enter stamp clearly states ‘student visitor’.
You should be aware that student visitors are not permitted
to:
• work in the UK
• extend their stay for longer than six months
Therefore, if you think you would like to work, or that you might wish to stay for longer than six months, you should apply for entry clearance as a student.
Longer stays for student visitors studying General English
If you are studying General English only, you can apply to enter the UK as a student visitor for a period of up to eleven months. If this is the case, you must apply for entry clearance before travelling. It will not be possible to extend your stay in the UK after you have arrived.
