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Tier 4 Doctorate Extension Scheme (DES)
The Doctorate Extension Scheme (Tier 4), announced on 5th April 2013, is designed to give students who have almost finished their UK PhD or other doctorate qualification an additional 12 months of Tier 4 (General) immigration permission in which to look for and start work in the UK.
Information about the scheme and how to register your interest
Please keep checking this website for updates.
(17 Apr 2013)
Tier 4: Credibility Interviews
From 2013 if you apply for a Tier 4 visa* outside the UK you may be required to undertake a Credibility Interview as part of your application.
The interviews are part of the Home Office's measures to ensure the UK remains open to all genuine international students. Only a small amount of applicants will be selcted for interviewa. This is part of the normal application procedure and should not present any problem for those meeting the application requirements.
Reports of interviews already taken place in Pakistan are inconclusive and The British Council in China recently announced that from April 2013, interviews will be piloted at Visa Application Centres across China.
Durham University exepects ticipate applicants who meet all the application requirements to encounter any problem as a result of the credibility interviews.
Any additional information about credibility interviews will be published on this page as it becomes available.
* You are NOT affected by credibility interviews if you are already in the UK or you are a national of a country already considered by the UKBA to be 'low risk'.
List of 'low risk' countries not affected by credibility interviews
(8 May 2013)
ATAS Clearance Delays
Please be aware that some students have experienced delays when applying for ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance.
If you are required to have ATAS clearance as part of your Tier 4 (General ) visa application, you should apply for your ATAS clearance as early as possible so that you have it before you send your visa application.
(6 Mar 2013)
Scams targeting students
Information about recent scams targetting students and what to do if you are contacted.
(1 Feb 2013) » More about Scams targeting students
Tier 4 visa extensions: Apply early
If you need to extend your Student Visa to complete your current course, you can apply as soon as you have your CAS and other requirements for your application.
It is advisable to start preparing your application at least 12 weeks before your current visa expires so that you give yourself enough time.
Where possible, you should request your CAS at least 12 weeks before your current visa expires.
(15 Jun 2012)
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