Before you come to study in the UK it is important that you find out about UK immigration procedures and how they will affect you. You should do this as far in advance of your arrival in the UK as possible.
Student Visas
Since April 2009 new visa procedures have been in place under the Points Based System (PBS) for Tier 4 (students). The UK Border Agency (UKBA) publishes a Quick Guide for Students with details about the eligibility criteria and application process.
Due to the introduction of the new PBS, there may be delays in the visa process in your home country so it is very important that you apply for your visa as soon as possible. You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before your course start date.
You will be required to have 40 points. 30 points come from having accepted an offer of a place at the University of Southampton and having a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) from the University.
The CAS is a unique number which you will enter on your visa application form, it is confirmation from the University that you have an unconditional offer to study here and provides the UKBA with all the required information on your course. The CAS will be emailed to you when your offer to study here becomes unconditional.
The further 10 points come from your evidence of having the financial means to study in the UK (the cost of the course fee plus £600 per month for maintenance or £5,400 per annum if your course is longer than 12 months), you must be able to prove that the required funds have been in your account for 28 days before you submit your visa application. You will be required to provide all this evidence, including your academic documents, when you apply for a visa in your home country.
Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)
If you are planning to study certain postgraduate and undergraduate courses you may need to apply for an ATAS Certificate before you can apply for your visa. To know if you need to have an ATAS Certificate you will need your programme's JACS code. The JACS code should be included in your offer letter, if not a member of the School support staff should be able to provide this for you.
Please check the details available at: www.fco.gov.uk/atas
The application is an online process and is free of charge.
Pre-sessional Students
We recommend that you apply for a Tier 4 visa prior to arrival in the UK for your pre-sessional course. When you have successfully completed your pre-sessional course and have an unconditonal offer for your main programme of study the Visa Guidance Team can help you apply for a renewal Tier 4 visa.
If you study for your pre-sessional course with a student visitor visa you will not be able to apply for a visa for your main programme of study from within the UK. You will have to return to your home country to make an application. If there are delays with your visa it may mean that you are unable to start your main programme of study in time or you may miss the induction.
If you have any queries regarding your immigration status please contact the Visa Guidance Team.
Coming to Southampton from another UK University
If you already have a Tier 4 visa to study at another UK University and have decided that you would like to study at Southampton you may be required to apply for a new visa.
Under the new rules, if your visa was issued after the 5th October 2009, you cannot start at a new University until you have a valid visa sponsored by the new University.
If you start your course without a valid visa, with the correct sponsor, your visa may be cancelled and you will have to leave the UK.
If your visa was issued before the 5th October 2009 you must report the change of University by emailing migrantreporting@ukba.gsi.gov.uk stating:
- The University you are currently studying with
- The University you wish to move to
- The course you wish to undertake
- The date you expect to start the course
- The date the course is due to end
For more information contact the Visa Guidance Team.
Visa, Passport and Identity 'Check-in'
The UK Border Agency requires the University to take a copy of the passports and visas of all students who have a Tier 4 visa.
In addition, the University must tell the UK Border Agency if students holding a Tier 4 visa to study at the University of Southampton do not arrive.
If you have a Tier 4 visa you will therefore need to attend a Visa, Passport and Identity 'Check-in' with Registry Services as soon as you arrive in Southampton (or if you are already in Southampton and are renewing your visa, as soon as you receive your renewal visa). This is in addition to the identity check your School will carry out.
For instructions about how to 'Check-in' please click here.
Police Registration
If your visa requires you to do so, you must register with the police within 7 days of arrival in the UK. If you do not, you will be breaking the law. The Visa Guidance Team can provide more details on this.
New Chinese Visa application process - guidelines
More information can be found on the Britain in China website.
Further information on immigration and visa application procedures
- Our Visa Guidance Team offers free and confidential advice to all our international students
- UK Border Agency: a joint Home Office and Commonwealth Office unit which runs the UK's visa service through diplomatic post overseas
- UKCISA UK Council for International Student Affairs: gives advice on immigration procedures as well as on funding and fees status issues
- UK Embassies overseas: links to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's list of British Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates overseas
- Worldwide embassies listings and links: The Tagish site's directory of embassies of all nationalities worldwide, including foreign embassies in the UK
- The British Council overseas branches.
- Our overseas representatives