Extending & Applying for a New Tier 4 Visa in the UK
If you are already studying in the UK and you plan to start a new course at Durham University you may need to apply for a new Tier 4 Student Visa.
If you have a Tier 4 Student Visa for another institution in the UK you may need to get permission from the UK Border Agency (UKBA) to change your visa to Durham University or you may need to apply for a new Tier 4 visa.
More information about coming to Durham from another university.
How to apply
If you are applying for a student visa in the UK you must submit your application before your current visa expires.
You should start to prepare your application at least 8-12 weeks before your current visa expires.
Complete the current Tier 4 (General) Student visa application form and provide the relevant supporting evidence.
Follow the steps below to help you apply for your visa successfully:
- Download and print the current version of the Tier 4 (General) Student Visa application form.
- Read the UKBA Tier 4 Policy Guidance & Help Text
- Book a place on the Tier 4 Workshop (Durham University students only).
- Request your Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) from the University.
- Apply for your Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Certificate (if required).
- Make sure you have the required money in your bank account.
- Gather together the other documents you might need to support your application.
Further help is available from the UKCISA guide to Making a Tier 4 (General) application.
'Low Risk' students
If you are from one of the countries listed below, you may not be required to produce any additional documents with your Tier 4 visa application:
Argentina, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Croatia Hong Kong Japan New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan (if you hold a passport issued by Taiwan that includes the number of the identification card issued by the competent authority in Taiwan) Trinidad and Tobago, USA.
Please note that you are still required to fulfil the requirements (including having sufficient money in your account) even if you are not asked for documentary proof.
Before you apply
- Check that you meet all the requirements.
- Provide evidence in the format required by the UKBA (as explained in the Policy Guidance and application form).
- Make sure the details in your form match the information on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
- Complete all sections of the form fully and accurately.
- Allow plenty of time to make your application and to start gathering documents.
It is likely that your application will be refused if you do not fully meet all the requirements or if you provide evidence which is not exactly what the UKBA asks for.
How do I send my application to UKBA?
There are 2 ways of extending or applying for a new student visa in the UK:
- By post to UKBA by Special Delivery from a Post Office.
- Apply in person at a UKBA Public Enquiry Office. If you choose to apply in person you should make an appointment well in advance of your visa expiry date.
Information on posting your application or applying in person.
Dependants
If you have dependants applying with you at the same time, their applications must also be completed well before their current visas expire.