The Tier 4 visa life cycle

This is a typical cycle for students beginning at the start of a new academic year. However, visas are issued throughout the year for postgraduate, study abroad and English language students.

All year before the programme begins

The overseas applicant receives an offer. ATAS information is sent if applicable.

The offer at ENU becomes unconditional firm if the conditions of the offer are met.

Not more than three months before the course start date

If a student meets all the requirements in the CAS issuing policy a CAS number is assigned and the applicant is sent a CAS statement with the CAS number.

The applicant applies for a Tier 4 visa, overseas or in the UK.

The CAS is used and the applicant is e-mailed to ask the outcome.

• If the visa application was successful, the applicant is asked to upload their visa.
• If the visa application was unsuccessful, the applicant is referred to the Visa and International Support Team, advised as necessary, and if appropriate assigned a new CAS when they are ready to re-apply.
  
  

September (not more than one month before course start date)

Induction week

The applicant arrives at ENU and attends a document checking session with their original documents.

October

New students are sent an email from the Head of Visa and International Support Team, informing them about the attendance monitoring policy at ENU.

Continuing students who successfully complete their programme graduate.

Most students will get a visa that covers their entire course, but some will need to renew it because:

• they change to a longer course or are given longer to complete their course
• they repeat a year (or more) of their course
• they suspend their studies and need a new visa to return.
  
  

It is extremely important that students check whether they need to apply overseas or whether they can apply in the UK. The Visa and International Support Team send the application on the student's behalf, or the student applies overseas.

November

A face to face engagement and document check will occur.  These are mandatory for ALL Tier 4 students.  Attendance in monitored and non-attenders will be reported to the Home Office.

January induction

The new applicant arrives at ENU and attends a document checking session with their original documents.

February

New students are sent an email from the Head of Visa and International Support Team, informing them about the attendance monitoring policy at ENU.

March

A face to face engagement and document check will occur.  These are mandatory for ALL Tier 4 students.  Attendance in monitored and non-attenders will be reported to the Home Office.

July

A face to face engagement and document check will occur.  These are mandatory for all PGR and PGT Tier 4 students.  Attendance in monitored and non-attenders will be reported to the Home Office.

Students who successfully complete their programme graduate.

Most students will get a visa that covers their entire course, but some will need to renew it because:

• they change to a longer course or are given longer to complete their course
• they repeat a year (or more) of their course
• they suspend their studies and need a new visa to return.
  
  

It is extremely important that students check whether they need to apply overseas or whether they can apply in the UK. The Visa and International Support Team send the application on the student's behalf, or the student applies overseas.

All year during the programme

Attendance is monitored through fortnightly Pharos reports which are run by the Tier 4 contact in each school throughout the year. This is repeated until the student completes their programme.

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