Extending your Tier 4 visa in the UK
If your leave to remain as a student (pre Tier 4) or Tier 4 student will expire before you finish your studies in the UK, you will need to extend it. You must submit your application to extend your visa before it expires. The UK Border Agency (UKBA) advises you to apply up to 4 months before your current visa expires. Do not wait until the last minute, as you will need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number from the university before you can submit your application.
If you are applying for a visa to continue a course you have already started at Kent, you must get your CAS from the Student Records Office. If you are starting a new course, Admissions will automatically issue you with a CAS. It normally takes 5 working days for Student Records to produce a CAS, but you may have to wait longer at busy times of year. To enquire about a CAS:
Both we and the UK Border Agency are extremely busy from September to January due to the high number of student visa applications. At busy times, it will take several months for your application to be processed by the UKBA.
You can make an appointment with a student adviser who will check your application form and supporting documents. We can also send the form to the UK Border Agency on your behalf via the student batch scheme or you may send it yourself or make your application in person at a UKBA Public Enquiry Office. It costs a lot more to make the application in person, but you will have your new visa within 10 days.
If we send your application to the UKBA they will return your visa and other documents to us. Please note that at busy times it may only be possible for us to check your application and documents before you post the application yourself.
The UK Border Agency charges a fee to process your application and for each dependant who applies with you. There is no extra charge for our service. Please note that the application forms are 43 pages long! Sadly, this means that we cannot provide free copies of the form. You can buy a copy from Kent Union reception for £2.15 or download and print off (double - sided if possible!) your own from the UK Border Agency.
It is vital that you read the Tier 4 Policy guidance carefully, get the necessary documents and complete the form before you attend your appointment as we will not have time to complete the form for you. If possible, please come to a Tier 4 workshop before your appointment so that you know how to complete the form and what documents to bring. This will save you and us a lot of time.
We only accept postal orders or banker's drafts for payment of the application fee. You can get postal orders from Post Offices. You should be able to order a banker's draft from your UK bank. Please note that your bank will need at least 24 hours notice and all banks and the Post Office charges an issue fee for these items. You will find information on postal orders and issue fees here.
Further information and guidance
How to complete the Tier 4 application form
Download Tier 4 application form and Policy guidance from UKBA
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Tier 4 (General) Student visa application fees
Postal application: £394
Premium (in person) application: £716
UKBA details of T4 application fees
If your payment is wrong, your application will be invalid.
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You must be able to show that you have the required points under the Tier 4 (General) Student rules. Points are awarded as follows:
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Points required: 40
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Points awarded
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Having a valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies
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30
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Having enough money to cover course fees and monthly living costs (also known as maintenance or funds)
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10
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