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New versions of Tier 4 application forms and points-based system dependant form
05 October 2009
The UK Border Agency has revised its application forms and guidance for migrants who want to study in the United Kingdom under Tier 4 of the points-based system and for dependants of points-based system migrants.
From 5 October 2009 new versions 10/09 of Tier 4 (General), Tier 4 (Child) and PBS dependant application forms have been published on this website and they will replace the old versions 06/09.
In line with paragraph 34I of the Immigration Rules, the previous versions of each of these forms (06/09) will continue to be valid for applications made up to 21 days after 5 October 2009 (until 26 October 2009).
A summary of the main changes made are:
Tier 4 (General) and Tier 4 (Child) application forms
- The forms have been reformatted for ease of use. Annexes for questions that do not apply to all students have been created in each document;
- We have updated the questions we ask in part C about lost passports, travel documents and identity cards for foreign nationals to include a request for a crime reference number;
- The forms now include a confirmation of acceptance for studies, where appropriate as an alternative to a visa letter;
- We have updated the information on identity cards for foreign nationals to reflect changes to the way that biometric information is recorded in a new part of the form, part F;
- The section on public funds has been updated to reflect the addition of the health in pregnancy grant and income related employment and support allowance to the list of public funds that are relevant for he purposes of the Immigration Rules;
- The help text has been separated from the form that needs to be sent in by the student, to clarify what we need to see and to reduce postage for the applicant. The help text leaflets are available with the application forms from the website.
PBS Dependant Form
- We have updated the information on identity cards for foreign nationals to reflect changes to the way that biometric information is recorded in part F;
- The section on public funds has been updated to reflect the addition of the health in pregnancy grant and income related employment and support allowance to the list of public funds that are relevant for he purposes of the Immigration Rules.
In addition from the 5 October 2009 new versions of the guidance notes for Tier 4 (General) and Tier 4 (Child) student applications have been published.
A summary of the main changes made are:
Tier 4 Guidance
The Tier 4 guidance has been restructured for ease of use:
- The guidance now includes information on confirmations of acceptance for studies;
- The new guidance also includes our new policy for students who wish to change their Tier 4 sponsor;
- The requirement that applicants demonstrate that they have held maintenance funds for 28 days has been implemented for applicants applying from outside the United Kingdom;
- Earlier changes to our policies on translations, official financial sponsorship, and maintenance have now been fully incorporated into the guidance.
PBS Dependant Guidance
- A clarification on our policy for dependants who are already doctors in training;
- The new guidance also includes a clarification on the amount of money a dependant of a Tier 4 applicant must hold for maintenance, where the main applicant has an established presence studying in the United Kingdom;
- The requirement that dependants of a Tier 4 applicant demonstrate that they have held maintenance funds for 28 days has been implemented for dependants applying from outside of the United Kingdom.