Tier 4 Visas

Tier 4 of the points based system applies to students wishing to study abroad in the UK at universities and colleges and other educational institutions.

The aim of the tier 4 immigration is to provide a more streamlined, transparent route to studying in the UK.

With the exception of tier 1 visas, which directly replace the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme or HSMP, all tier visas for the new system require a certificate of sponsorship from the relevant sponsor.

In this case, the sponsor is the educational institution offering you the place to study.

Each sponsoring institution is required to vouch for the ability of students.

As a tier 4 student visa holder you will be granted leave to enter the UK for the purposes of completing your course at a specified institution.

The duration of your student visa will take into account the time needed to conclude affairs and attend graduation at the conclusion of your course.

You will be able to change from one course to another at the same establishment without needing to submit a new application, however changing your sponsor or obtaining a UK visa extension will require you to lodge another application.

Tier 4 of the new system is not intended as a route to settled status in the UK and does not provide the opportunity to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain and will not lead to British naturalisation.