sunflower89 Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 My SO is applying for a prospective student visa so he can move to the UK before accepting a place at Uni. However, the visa form is the same as the normal student visa and asks him to be able to prove he can fund Uni, even though he's not sure he'll be attending Uni here. He cant apply for funds until he's accepted his place but cant accept his place til he's come here and seen the Uni. Does anyone know of any visa forums to get advice because the people at ukvisa.gov wont give him advice and emails he has sent to them are either ignored or he gets an automated responce which doesnt help. Thanks! Link to post Share on other sites
Author sunflower89 Posted January 8, 2010 Author Share Posted January 8, 2010 Also he's American, coming to UK Link to post Share on other sites
Lucky_One Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 He was coming over for a month in December, right? Didn't he go check out your uni that he was applying to then? Link to post Share on other sites
Author sunflower89 Posted January 8, 2010 Author Share Posted January 8, 2010 He has seen the Uni and been offered a place. Maybe a post he made on another forum will explain a little better than I. Hi! I'm a US citizen and have been accepted to a University in the UK for study this autumn; however, I wish to move to the UK much sooner than the one month allowed under Tier 4 Student Visa, so I want to obtain a Prospective Student Visa and then switch to a Tier-4 visa after I obtain the prospective student visa. I have downloaded the appropriate application forms (VAF3A) and have noticed that the initial forms are identical to the regular visa forms--it is only the Appendixes required under Tier 4 that differ. This concerns me because I do not yet have the funds to pay for my whole course of study but the forms ask all about financial sponsors, the course, and how I will pay for it; how is a prospective student to know these things? I know that someone under a Prospective Student Visa can't work, and I can show I have the necessary funds to pay my living expenses for up to six months while living in the UK, but there doesn't seem to be anywhere on the application to indicate this. Link to post Share on other sites
Rollercoasterr Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 If the student visas for the UK is anything like they are for here, then he has to be able to prove that he's got enough money to fund his school and support himself. If he can't get the funds without being accepted into university, then I'm afraid he'll have to find another route. Here in the states we've got specific guidelines for what is considered acceptable for you to have in finances. Does the UK have something like this? If so, he would have to have at least that in his bank account or in assets. Maybe try the forums at http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk . I just googled "student visas for uk forums" and got a whole slew of them. Good luck! Link to post Share on other sites
TaraMaiden Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 I was under the impression a foreign student can work, but no more than 20 hours/week? Can he not add an explanatory letter? Most universities have a Student Advisory Body. He should call the University of his choice, and speak to them direct....? Link to post Share on other sites
Rollercoasterr Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 I was under the impression a foreign student can work, but no more than 20 hours/week? Can he not add an explanatory letter? Most universities have a Student Advisory Body. He should call the University of his choice, and speak to them direct....? I would check this out. What TaraMaiden said sounds very very likely. Link to post Share on other sites
Author sunflower89 Posted January 8, 2010 Author Share Posted January 8, 2010 Thanks, rollar. That link is really useful! And Tara, he can work 20 hours per week once his studies begin but not for the 6 months that he is here under a prospective student visa. Which sucks, but we can afford it. It's not so much the money that is the issue--Just why they need to know that he can afford it almost a year before he attends. Also, affording it, for a lot of people, is dependant on loans that you recieve once you have confirmation of your place at school. Getting the letters and documents needed to apply for said loans can take forever Just in a hurry I guess, and getting nowhere fast. Link to post Share on other sites
Rollercoasterr Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 Thanks, rollar. That link is really useful! And Tara, he can work 20 hours per week once his studies begin but not for the 6 months that he is here under a prospective student visa. Which sucks, but we can afford it. It's not so much the money that is the issue--Just why they need to know that he can afford it almost a year before he attends. Also, affording it, for a lot of people, is dependant on loans that you recieve once you have confirmation of your place at school. Getting the letters and documents needed to apply for said loans can take forever Just in a hurry I guess, and getting nowhere fast. It's actually a good thing that they are like this. Think about it. Lots of people want to go to a foreign school. But can they afford it? No. If there were no financial guidelines, then everyone could come. Then those that couldn't afford it would run out of money, not be able to work, not be able to go home, and they'd end up living on the streets. Link to post Share on other sites
zebracolors Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 I'm actually American as well, and looking to attend a university in England. Not just to be closer to my LD sweetie, though he is a huge part of it, but to improve my education which I feel is outdated. I've been planning this since November of last year. I was also told that someone with a student visa can work up to 20 hours a week in UK. I too would love to live there hopefully someday on a permanent basis, but how long does a T4 Student Visa let you live there? Also the University I plan to enroll in just said to have all the needed immigration documents as well as the application itself, they didn't mention anything about needing to prove that I could get tuition paid for. So I presume that FAFSA student financial aid will be sufficient proof as long as I have everything else in order. Link to post Share on other sites
zebracolors Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 From 22 February 2010 all students who apply to study in the UK under Tier 4 of the points-based system must possess a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from their sponsor. You will not be able to apply under Tier 4 using a visa letter from that date, even if the visa letter was issued before 22 February 2010. Until 21 February 2010, you can continue to apply under Tier 4 using a visa letter, even if your course of study will start after 22 February 2010. Please see the UK Border Agency website about studying in the UK for more information.-WorldBridge Service Sorry to dig up this old topic, I was curious about the OP and if they got the T4 visa worked out by now. Guess I won't know unless Sunflower chimes in. Looks like in February, some changes to the tier 4 points-based system will go into effect. By now I am close to being able to put in the application to the University I want to attend in England, so this change will apply to me probably. What I don't fully understand is the points based system, and I really need to find someone who can sort of break it down for me. I would hate to be accepted to the University, but then find out I can't go to the UK because I didn't meet all 40 points Link to post Share on other sites
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