How do I sponsor a migrant?
Sponsoring general (adult) students
This section explains the process of sponsoring a migrant to study in the United Kingdom as a general student (also referred to as an adult student) under tier 4 of the points-based system.
Sponsorship management system is launched for Tier 4 sponsors
We have implemented phase 3 of Tier 4 of the points-based system, with the start of a voluntary trial period for education providers to use the sponsorship magagement system.
To qualify as a general student under the points-based system, a migrant must score 40 points. The section on Assessing migrants' points contains more information.
To be able to apply for permission to enter or stay in the United Kingdom under Tier 4, the migrant will need a visa letter or confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) from their tier 4 sponsor. The student's application must be made no more than three months before the start date of their course.
The process of sponsoring a general student is made up of four stages.
- Make sure that the course the migrant wants to do is acceptable for a tier 4 general student, and that any work placements meet the tier 4 requirements. For more information, see Acceptable courses for general students.
- If the migrant is going to do a pre-sessional course to prepare them for their main course of study, make sure that the pre-sessional course meets the tier 4 requirements. For more information, see Pre-sessional courses.
- You do not have to check that the migrant has enough money (maintenance) to cover their course fees and monthly living costs, but you may wish to do so. For more information, see Assessing general students' money.
- Issue a visa letter or CAS offering the migrant an unconditional place at your institution. This will enable the migrant to apply for permission to enter or stay in the United Kingdom as a general student under tier 4. For more information, see Issuing the visa letter or confirmation of acceptance for studies.
If the migrant accepts your offer and we give them permission to study in the United Kingdom based on your visa letter or CAS, you will become their sponsor. You must then make sure that you manage your record-keeping and reporting duties for the student. For more information, see Sponsorship duties.
Please note that all applications made on or after 5 October 2009 will restrict the student to studying only with the sponsor named on their visa letter or CAS. This includes studies at any partner institution named on the visa letter or CAS.
For more information about what a tier 4 student can and cannot do while you are sponsoring them, see the following sections:
- How long can a student stay in the United Kingdom?
- Can a student do paid work and other studies during their course?
- What if the student wants to switch to a different sponsor?
- What if the student needs to re-sit an exam, retake a module or write up a dissertation or thesis?
- Other changes during the period of sponsorship - becoming a students' union sabbatical officer or changing to a new course