Final Stage of Tier 4 (Student) Implemented

The UK Border Agency yesterday (22nd February 2010) implemented the final stage of Tier 4 (Student) of the Points Based Immigration System. The final stage of the implementation will see Visa Letters becoming obsolete and the introduction of mandatory reporting requirements for students who have been assigned a Confirmation of Acceptance.

Visa Letters

Tier 4 Licensed Institutions must now issue students with a Confirmation of Acceptance (CAS) Certificate rather than a Visa Letter if they wish to sponsor a prospective student under Tier 4.

A CAS is a reference number that corresponds to a database entry on the UK Border Agency’s Sponsor Management System. In order to issue a CAS a Tier 4 Licensed organisation must log onto the Sponsor Management System, complete all required fields and pay the CAS issue charge. Once these steps have been completed the Sponsor Management System issues a unique reference number. The Tier 4 License holder then passes the reference number to the student so that he / she can use it when applying for a Tier 4 visa either inside or outside the UK.

If you have been provided with a Visa Letter rather than a CAS and you are about to apply for a Tier 4 visa your application will be refused. If you are in this situation please contact your sponsor and request a Confirmation of Acceptance and the organisations unique Sponsor License Number (SLN). The sponsor should provide you with a ‘CAS Statement’ which includes the following information:

• Name of Student
• Date of Birth of Student
• Full Course Title
• Course Start and End Dates
• Details of any financial sponsorship / deposits taken
• Documents included as part of an application to prove qualifications
• Confirmation of Acceptance (CAS) Reference Number
• ATA Certificate (if applicable)

Tier 4 Reporting Requirements

It has now become mandatory for a Tier 4 sponsors to comply with the reporting requirements of Tier 4, such as those detailed below. Tier 4 Sponsors must report the following information to the UK Border Agency within the required timeframe and using the Sponsor Management System:

• If a Student does not enrol on their course at the expected time the Tier 4 Sponsor must inform the UK Border Agency within 10 working days. A reason for the Student’s non attendance must be provided
• If the Student misses 10 ‘expected contacts’ on their course of study without the Academic Institutions permission the UKBA must be informed within:
  • 10 working days of the 10th day of absence, OR
  • 10 working days of the 10th missed contact
• If the Student stops their studies the Sponsor must inform the UKBA within 10 working days of the event and provide the name and address of the new Academic Institution if known
• If the Academic Institution stops sponsoring the Student for any reason the UKBA must be informed within 10 working days
• If their are any significant changes to the Students circumstances (e.g. the length of course) the UKBA must be informed within 10 working days

Commonwealth Contractors

At Commonwealth Contractors we partner with OISC Registered Private Immigration Firms and Tier 2 Licensed Healthcare and IT Consultancies who may be prepared, where required, to sponsor an individual on a Tier 2 Visa (formerly UK Work Permit).

For more information call Commonwealth Contractors now on 0330 390 9021 or Submit your details now and we will get right back to you. Please send a copy of your current CV if available.