All posts by Sonia Palmer

Tier 4 visa application fees increasing on 18th March 2016

On 18 March 2016 visa application fees are set to increase.

The full list of proposed new fees can be found here.

These are the ones that will directly affect you if you need to extend your visa, or replace your BRP:

  • Tier 4 visa extension (including dependants) will increase to  £448
  • BRP Replacement will increase to £56

Please speak to the International Experience Team if you have further questions

Visa application fees

On 6 April 2016 visa application fees are set to increase.

The full list of proposed new fees can be found here.

These are the ones that will directly affect you if you need to extend your visa, or replace your BRP:

  • Tier 4 visa extension (including dependants) is likely to increase to  £448
  • BRP Replacement is likely to increase to £56

We will keep you updated on when the changes are confirmed.

Right to Rent Checks

Are you living in privately rented accommodation?

If so then you need to be aware that from 1st February 2016 onwards, landlords of private rental accommodation will be responsible for carrying out ‘right to rent’ checks to ensure that their tenants have the right to reside in the UK. The requirement to carry out right to rent checks applies to all adults (aged 18 and over).

Therefore all students living in private rented accommodation will need to present their original passport, or a combination of acceptable documents to prove they have the right to reside in the UK for the duration of their tenancy agreement.

International students will also have to present their visa and biometric residence permit (see List B).

Landlords are required to keep copies of the documents they check.

This will not affect students living in halls of residence as they are not subject to right to rent checks.

If you have further questions about this you can speak to an International Experience Adviser in a daily drop in appointment.

Increase in Maintenance Funds

Important Notice – the established presence concession is being withdrawn from 12 November 2015.

ALL students will need to show £1,015 per month for living expenses (£680 per month for dependants) up to a maximum of 9 months = £9,135 (£6,120 for dependants).

This amount is required to be held in your account for 28 days prior to making a visa extension application.

Visa maintenance amounts due to increase

IMPORTANT ADVICE!

The rules about how much money you need to hold are changing on 12 November 2015.

Read the following information carefully! Make sure you prepare the necessary funds if you are extending your visa.

Tier 4 visa applications made after 12 November 2015
‘Established presence’ will be removed from the rules. Instead all students must show £1,015 per month of study for living costs (up to 9 months £9,135).
Each Tier 4 dependant must show £680 per month (up to 9 months £6120).

If you have any questions about the visa rules, please contact the International Experience Team at Student Services, Level 5, Owen tel 0114 225 3813. Email : internationalexperience@shu.ac.uk

Your Responsibilities as a Tier 4 Student

If you are a Tier 4 student, please see our shuspace page and familiarise yourself with the information on there which concerns your responsibilities.

It is important that all international students on a Tier 4 visa know their responsibilities while they are a student at Sheffield Hallam University.  You can also read about the University’s responsibilities on these pages.

Working During Your Studies – Important Information

If you are in the UK with a short term study stamp or a short term study visa, you are NOT allowed to work in the UK.

If you do, you are breaking immigration rules and this can affect your immigration history and possibly your chances of returning to the UK.

Students on a Tier 4 General visa are allowed to work:
a) part-time during term-time (10 hours per week for courses below level 6 and 20 hours per week for courses at level 6 or above);
b) full-time during vacation periods (Easter, Christmas, and during the summer for undergraduate students).

You can also work full time at the end of your course once you receive your results, until the end of your visa (or up to 4 months whichever is shortest).

If you are unsure about your eligibility to work in the UK, contact an International Student Adviser at internationalsupport@shu.ac.uk or come to a drop in appointment in Student Services, Level 5, Owen Building.