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Student Visa

EU Settlement Scheme

Post Studies Visas: Graduate Route

Student Visa

International students may need a visa to study in the UK before they start their studies with us.

The information provided below is given in good faith and has been carefully checked. However, Trinity Laban accepts no legal responsibility for its accuracy. UK Visas and Immigration regulations are revised regularly and you must refer to the latest Student policy guidance available on the UKVI website.

If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss student and you are resident in the UK or have arrived by 31 December 2020, you may not need a Student visa. Please see the information about  the EU Settlement Scheme.

Can Trinity Laban sponsor me for a visa?

Yes. Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance is licensed to sponsor you for a Student visa.

What sort of visa do I need?

The type of visa you need to apply for will depend on the length of the course you are intending to study. In most cases, you will need a Student Visa. You can check if you need a visa.

The Home Office’s UK Visas and Immigration Department (UKVI) regularly makes changes to its immigration guidance and you are advised to check the latest advice on gov.uk before submitting any application.

How do I get my Student visa?

You can find details of the application process on UKCISA website. Please note that Trinity Laban is unable to send your application to the Home Office on your behalf.

1. Apply for your CAS number

If you have been offered a conditional or unconditional guaranteed place, the Admissions Team will contact you at the end of May to initiate the application process. You need to have an unconditional offer before we can progress with your application.

You will be requested to complete a questionnaire with the information needed to raise your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies).

You will also be required to provide additional documentation and information, including the following:

  • A copy of your passport personal details page
  • A copy of your academic qualifications
  • A copy of your English language qualifications (if required)
  • A certified translation if the original documents are not in English.

Please note: We cannot issue you with a CAS number until you have met all of the entry requirements for your programme and your offer is unconditional. We may request additional documentation to ensure that you will meet the UKVI requirements.

2. Apply for your visa 

We will send you a CAS number and statement with some of the information you will require to complete your visa application.  Once you have your CAS number you will be able to apply for your visa.  Please note that it may take up to 15 days to issue your CAS, once we have all the documentation we require.

To begin your application you should visit the UKVI website, which will take you through the process.

What supporting documentation do I need to apply?

The UKVI may ask for certain original documents to support your application. You may need to provide the following in order to make a successful application:

  • Academic Qualifications

You will need to provide the original academic qualifications (transcripts, degree certificates) that were used to gain your unconditional place at Trinity Laban. Please note that photocopies are not acceptable. If your documents are not in English, you will need to have them translated and certified by an official.

  • English Language Qualifications

You may need to provide proof of your English language ability (if it is not your first language).

If you are studying at degree level or above (e.g. BACD, BMus, you will need to attain a minimum level of IELTS 5.5 in all four areas of testing (reading, writing, speaking and listening) in order to meet the basic requirements for a Student visa. A minimum of IELTS 4.5 is required if you are studying below degree level (e.g. Foundation programmes). Please note that, in that case, you will require an English test taken at an approved centre.
Please note that your programme of study at Trinity Laban may require higher results than those accepted by the UKVI for your visa application.

  • Evidence of Money

In some cases, you may have to prove that you are able to pay for your studies and your living costs without being employed in the UK. You will need to show that you have enough money to cover the course fees and living costs. The amount required for maintenance is £1,334 for each month of your course, up to a maximum of 9 months.

You must show evidence that:

  • you have paid all or part of your course fees and up to £1,334 towards accommodation fees to Trinity Laban; and/or
  • you have enough money to cover your remaining course fees and living costs, if any; and/or
  • you are receiving official financial sponsorship

The maximum amount to be deducted on your CAS for accommodation is £1,334; even if you have paid more than that amount in advance for accommodation.

Important: In most cases where students have their visa application refused, it is because there was a problem with their proof of finances. It is really important that you understand all the rules regarding maintenance funds. Your bank statements, if required as part of your application, need to show that the money has been in your account for at least 28 days prior to your application. Your account balance cannot drop below this amount for even one day!

The UKVI has strict rules about what types of documents are acceptable as proof of money and from which institutions. You must always check your documents against the latest version of the Home Office Student policy guidance.

  • Credibility Interviews

Depending on the country you are applying from, you may be required to attend an interview to verify certain parts of your application. These interviews are usually quite short and you will often be required to provide original copies of your supporting documentation and your passport.

How long will it take to get my visa?

The length of time for a visa  application varies from country to country. You can find out more information about this on gov.uk.

We advise that you begin the process of application as soon as you are able but please note that a CAS can only be issued six months before the start of a programme.

What will my visa look like?

If you have applied outside the UK, and gave your biometric information at a visa application centre, you will receive a letter from the UKVI and a sticker or vignette in your passport, which is valid for 30 o 90 days, to travel to the UK. Once you’ve arrived you will need to collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) at the Post Office indicated in your letter within 10 days of your arrival, or after your quarantine period has finished, if you had to self-isolate to follow UK governments guidelines. We can help you with this upon arrival if you have any concerns.

If you used the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app, you will receive a digital immigration status which you can view and prove online.

Your Student visa will cover the full length of your programme plus an additional period after the end date:

  • if your course is more than 6 months, but less than 12 months – two months after the end of the course
  • if your course is 12 months or more – four months after the end of the course

If you decide to extend your studies, you can apply for a visa extension. If, for any reason, you have to interrupt your studies, you will normally need to leave the UK and apply for a new visa when you are ready to resume your programme.

Applying for a visa inside the UK

If you want to extend your programme or study for a new one in the UK you may be able to apply for an extension of your visa.

The earliest you can apply is 3 months before your course start.

UKVI aims to process all visa applications submitted in the UK within eight weeks. You should not travel outside the Common Travel Area (United Kingdom, Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) until you have received a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

What if my application for a visa is unsuccessful?

If you are refused a visa, you should contact admissions@trinitylaban.ac.uk immediately, with full details of the reasons for refusal and a copy of the letter from the Entry Clearance Officer.

In most cases (unless UKVI has made a mistake) you will need to make another application with a new CAS (and pay the fee and healthcare surcharge again).  Please make sure that you have addressed the problems which led to your first application being refused. Trinity Laban reserves the right to not issue a further CAS unless we are satisfied that the problem has been addressed and that a subsequent application is likely to be successful.

Do you offer Student Visa for part-time programmes?

Trinity Laban, alongside many other Higher Education Institutions, will not provide a CAS/Student Visa for Part-Time study unless there are exceptional reasons, which will be considered by Admissions on a case-by-case basis.

Part-time study includes a number of significant restrictions by UKVI:

  • Part-time students are not permitted to engage in any form of work in the UK, including unpaid work placements and internships.
  • Part-time students are required to pay the full Immigration Health Surcharge for the program’s entire duration.
  • Part-time students cannot bring dependents to the UK.

 

You can find more information in the UKVI policy guidance for Student visa applications on the UKVI website. As the policy guidance can be complicated to understand, you may find the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website a helpful source of information.

EU Settlement Scheme

The United Kingdom (UK) left the European Union (EU) on 31 January 2020. See here for an explanation of the current situation in regards to the UK’s departure from the EU.

The EU settlement scheme is designed to offer EU, non-EU EEA and Swiss citizens living in the UK before the end of the transition period (see Brexit – immigration), and their eligible family members, the opportunity to protect their residence in the UK after the transition period has ended.

The settlement scheme is not only for those who intend to settle in the UK after studying. It is immigration permission, which can lead to settlement, but does not have to be used to gain settlement. With permission under the scheme there will be no restrictions on study (where you study or what you study).

Further details about EUSS, please visit GOV.UK and UKCISA.

Settled status:

You will be eligible to apply to stay in the UK indefinitely (known as settled status) if by 31 December 2020, you have been continually living in the UK for 5 years. If you have had absences from the UK during the 5-year period of up to 6 months, or one period of up to 12 months in specific circumstances including serious illness or study, you can still apply for the scheme.

Pre-settled status:

You will be eligible to apply for limited leave to remain in the UK (known as pre-settled status) if you arrive by 31 December 2020, but have not yet have been continuously living in the UK for 5 years. This enables you to stay until you have reached the 5-year threshold, after which time you will be eligible to apply for settled status.

To be eligible for the EU Settlement Scheme you should be either:

  • an EU national with a valid passport
  • a citizen of Norway, Lichtenstein, Iceland (non-EU EEA citizens)
  • a Swiss citizen
  • an eligible family member of the above

and be resident in the UK or arrive in the UK by 31 December 2020.

As long as you arrive in the UK by 31 December 2020 the deadline to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme to remain resident in the UK is 30 June 2021.

How do I apply?

You can submit your application for settled or pre-settled status online, via the Home Office website. If you make a mistake on your EU settlement application or further information is required, the Home Office will contact you before making a decision on your application, so you can correct the error or provide further information.

If your application is successful, you will not receive a physical document unless you are a non-EEA family member and do not already have a biometric residence card. Instead, you’ll be able to get proof of your status through an online service.

As part of the application you will be required to evidence the following:

  • Your identity and nationality

You will be asked to upload a valid EU passport or UK issued biometric residence card  digitally using an app on an Android phone or tablet,  or an iPhone 7 or above (you can use someone else’s phone to do this). Please note that this process will only work if your document has a biometric chip, if you do not, you will be able to send your documents by post instead.

You can also make an appointment to scan your ID document at a number of service locations across the UK.  Please follow this link and enter your postcode to find your nearest location.

  • Your residence in the UK  

If you are applying for settled status, you will need to show that you have been living in the UK for 5 continuous years. If you have a National Insurance number and worked in the UK, your application will automatically link to HMRC UK tax records to establish the duration of your residency. Please see the Home Office website for other types of acceptable evidence of residency.

  • Your photograph

As part of the online application, you will be asked to upload a recent digital photo of your face.

  • Criminal convictions

If applicable, you will be asked to provide any information about criminal convictions and these will be checked against UK crime databases.

What if I have not arrived in the UK by 31 December 2020

If you arrive in the UK from 1 January 2021 and you do not already have the right to live and study in the UK, you will need to apply for a Student visa. To make an application for a Student visa you will need to meet specific requirements, complete an application, pay an application fee, and have a current passport or other valid travel document.  As an EU national, most people will be able to complete their application, including identity verification, using a smartphone app. Some applicants may need to attend a Visa Application Centre, if they are unable to access the app, or if they do not have a biometric passport.

A guide to the UK’s points-based immigration system for EU students provides further details on the requirements for a student visa.

 

FAQs

Does the EU Settlement Scheme apply to citizens of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland?

Yes, the scheme is also open to resident citizens of the other European Economic Area (EEA) countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and of Switzerland, and their family members.

My passport expires in less than 6 months, can I still apply for the EU Settlement Scheme?

Yes, your passport only needs to be valid at the time of application. ‘Valid’ here means that the document is genuine and has not expired or been cancelled or invalidated.

Should I apply for the EU Settlement Scheme even if I do not plan on staying in the UK after the transition period?

We encourage you to apply under the EU settlement scheme in case you decide to return to the UK at a later date. The application is free and is quite straightforward and a quick process.

If I will have been living in the UK for 5 years by 31 December 2020, can I apply for settled status now?

You cannot apply for settled status based on a future date. You must have completed 5 years of residency in the UK at the time of application in order to be eligible for settled status, otherwise you will only be eligible for pre-settled status. We would recommend you apply now for pre-settled status and when you have reached the 5 years make a further application for settled status.

If I already have a permanent residence document (and have already provided proof of 5 years residency) do I need to apply for settled status?

Yes, you will still need to apply for settled status.

As an EU citizen, should I apply first before my non-EU spouse applies?

The main EU family member should apply first and then the non-EEA family member.

My spouse is British and I have been studying in the UK for over 5 years. Do I have any advantage in the application process?

No, you will still need to apply for settled or pre-settled status.

Do I need to apply if I am married to a British citizen? 

You will still need to make an application to regularise your status in the UK post-Brexit, but you will have a choice to make an application under the EU Settlement Scheme or under the UK Immigration rules.

I hold an Irish (Republic of Ireland) passport. I saw online that Irish citizens do not have to apply for settled status. Is this correct?

The Common Travel Area (CTA) is a long-standing arrangement between the UK, the Crown Dependencies and Ireland. The CTA established cooperation between respective immigration authorities enabling British and Irish citizens to move freely between, and reside in, these islands. British and Irish citizens enjoy additional rights in Ireland and the UK. These include the right to work, study and vote in certain elections, as well as to access social welfare benefits and health services.

If you are a British citizen or an Irish citizen you do not need to take any action to protect your status and rights associated with the CTA. After the UK leaves the EU, you will continue to enjoy these rights, no matter what the terms of the UK’s exit. Both the UK and Irish governments have committed to taking all necessary measures to ensure that the agreed CTA rights and privileges are protected in all outcomes.

Can I leave the UK and return before December 2020 if I haven’t applied for settled status?

We encourage you to apply under the EU settlement scheme to avoid any problems. The application is free and it is quite a straightforward and quick process.

I plan to leave the UK for a short break and return to the UK after 31 December 2020, what should I do?

We encourage you to apply under the EU settlement scheme to avoid any problems. The application is free and it is quite a straightforward and quick process.

We do advise that if you are planning on leaving the UK before 31 December 2020 and returning after this date then you should apply under the EU settlement scheme.

If you are travelling in the coming months and have not yet applied for pre-settled/settled status, we recommend that you carry in your hand luggage a copy of your Statement of Student Status, which can be obtained from the Registry.

When is the final deadline to make an application?

As long as you are living in the UK before 31 December 2020, the deadline to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme is 30 June 2021.

Can I apply for the EU Settlement Scheme from outside the UK?

The government has confirmed that applications under this scheme will be able to be made from outside the UK for those who are normally resident in the UK.

Further Information for applicants to the EU Settlement Scheme who are applying from outside the UK can be found on the Home Office website.

Should I apply if I haven’t yet been in the UK for 6 months?

You can apply under the EU Settlement scheme even if you have been in the UK for less than 6 months, but only if you arrived in the UK prior to 31 December 2020.

If I have applied and obtained pre-settled status, do I have to apply again for settled status?

Yes, you will need to apply for settled status once you reach the 5-year residency mark.

 

Further Information

UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA): Brexit: EU Settlement Scheme

Home Office: Settled and pre-settled status for EU citizens and their families

Free Movement blog: How to apply for “settled status” for EU citizens

Study UK: EU Student Advices

Post Studies Visas: Graduate Route

A new immigration route opened on 1 July 2021 for international students who want to work after finishing their studies. The Graduate Route is a new work route for those who have successfully completed a course of study at UK bachelor’s degree-level or above with an approved UK Higher Education provider.

You can find more information about this immigration route on UKCISA website.