UK Tier-4 (General) Student Visa Instructions
(Students applying OUTSIDE the United States)
BU Study Abroad London Programmes – Summer 2020
Visa Application Deadlines and Linked Page Index
1. Before March 1
st
: Upload Your Passport & Receive Your CAS Number .................................. 1
2. Before March 5
th
: Determine Visa Mailing Method ................................................................ 1
3. Before March 15
th
: Apply Online for Your Visa ....................................................................... 1
4. Before March 15
th
: Schedule Biometrics Appointment through VFS Global ........................ 10
5. Before April 1
st
: Attend Your Biometrics Appointment ......................................................... 12
6. Before April 14
th
: Mail Your Visa Application Materials ........................................................ 13
7. Before May 1
st
: Upload Visa to London Personal Page ......................................................... 13
1. Before March 1
st
: Upload Your Passport & Receive Your CAS
Number
Upload a signed, color copy of your passport to the London Personal Page “Passports & Visas”
tab, and input passport information in the fields provided on the right-side of the tab.
Once the upload is complete and verified by the London staff, you should receive
your “Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies” (CAS) number on your London Personal Page
within 5-7 business days.
2. Before March 5
th
: Determine Visa Mailing Method
Use the Tier-4 Visa Flow Chart created by Program Managers to select the best method of
application submission for your circumstances. Options include standard service with
independent mailing or group mailing OR expedited services.
3. Before March 15
th
: Apply Online for Your Visa
Create an account for your visa application on the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) website.
Use the Sample Form below as a guide to completing your application accurately.
UKVI APPLICATION QUESTIONNAIRE
Account Creation
Confirm your visa type
Tier-4 (General) Student Visa
Enter the country in which you are making
your application
USA
Check the available biometric enrolment
locations
All students should select “I have checked
available biometric enrolment locations and
can travel to a location in my selected
country. If no location is available in that
country, then I confirm that I can travel to a
location in the redirected country”.
Apply Now
Select “Apply Now”.
Email Address & Password
Please use an email that you frequently
check and note your password for future use!
Additional Email
We recommend you put “No”
Telephone Number
Please use current mobile number that you
use “whilst out of the UK,” including country
code (+1 for US).
Any other telephone numbers
We recommend you put “No”
Personal Details
Do you have a Confirmation of Acceptance
of Studies Number?
*If you have not received your CAS number,
do not proceed with your visa application*
All students answer “Yes”.
Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS)
Reference Number
Enter the 14-digit CAS number from your
“Passports & Visas” Tab of the London
Personal Page starting with the letter “E”.
What is your name as given in your current
passport or travel document?
Enter your Given Name (First) and Family
Name (Last).
Have you been known by any other names?
Most students answer “No”.
What is your gender, as shown in your
passport or travel document?
Enter gender as appropriate.
What is your relationship status?
Most students will answer “Single”.
U.S. Address
Enter your US address. International
students should enter their US-based
address.
How long have you lived at this address?
Enter length of time as appropriate.
What is the ownership status of your home?
Most students answer either “I rent it” or “I
live with my family”.
Passport/Personal Information
Passport or travel document reference
number
Enter your passport number
Issuing Authority
Enter the country or province your passport
was issued from
Issue Date
Refer to passport for issue date.
Expiry Date
Refer to passport for expiry date.
Do you have a national identity card?
All US citizens and most international
students answer “No” unless given a
nationality identity card by their government.
Country of Nationality
Enter your nationality
Country of Birth
Enter country where you resided at birth.
Place of Birth
Enter state/city where you were born.
Date of Birth
Enter date of birth in DD/MM/YYYY format.
Please note European date format.
Other Nationalities
Answer as appropriate
Travel & Family Information
Spoken language preference?
Enter “English” or other language as
necessary.
Are you coming to the UK to study at a
higher education institution?
All students will answer “No”
Are you attending a short-term study
abroad programme in the UK as part of a
university course in the USA?
All students will answer “Yes”
Does anyone rely on you for financial
support?
All students answer “No”.
Parent/Guardian Information
Enter details for two parents, including:
Given Name, Family Name, Date of Birth,
Nationality, and Nationality of Birth.
Do you have any family in the UK?
Most students answer “No”.
If yes, enter immediate family details as
appropriate. Do not indicate “Yes” for any
family other than the categories mentioned!
Will you be travelling to the UK as part of an
organised group?
ALL STUDENTS ANSWER “No”.
Will you be travelling to the UK with
someone who is not your partner, spouse or
dependant?
All students answer “No” regardless of whom
they are traveling with.
Do you know where you will be staying in
the UK?
All students answer “Yes”.
Enter a UK postcode
“SW7 4JU”
Select the below address information from
the dropdown list.
Boston University
43 Harrington Gardens
Town/City: London
Will you be staying anywhere else in the
UK?
ALL STUDENTS ANSWER “No.”
Travel History
Have you been to the UK in the past 10
years?
Answer as appropriate.
Have you been issued with a UK visa in the
past 10 years?
Answer as appropriate.
How many times have you visited the
following places in the past 10 years?
Answer as appropriate and to the best of
your historical knowledge.
US citizens should not include the US in their
response as having “visited.”
Have you visited any other countries in the
past 10 years?
Answer as necessary; when international
travel history is complete answer “No” to
continue.
Date you plan to arrive in the UK
London Grad Mass Comm: 19/05/2020
London Internship: 31/05/2020
Immigration & Criminal History
Have you ever been: refused a visa for the
UK, deported from the UK, removed from
the UK, required to leave the UK, refused
entry at the UK border
Most students answer “No”.
Have you ever: entered the UK illegally
remained in the UK beyond the validity of
your visa or permission to stay
breached the conditions of your leave, for
example, worked without permission or
Most students answer “No”.
received public funds when you did not
have permission; given false information
when applying for a visa, leave to enter, or
leave to remain; breached UK immigration
law in any other way
At any time have you ever had any of the
following, in the UK or in another country: A
criminal conviction; A penalty for a driving
offence; An arrest or charge for which you
are currently on, or awaiting trial; A caution,
warning, reprimand or other penalty; A civil
court judgement against you, for example
for non-payment of debt, bankruptcy
proceedings or anti-social behaviour; A civil
penalty issued under UK immigration law;
No, I never had any of these
Most students answer “No, I never had any
of these”, but please do report any speeding
tickets or other offences you have received.
Parking tickets do not need to be reported.
In either peace or war time have you ever
been involved in, or suspected of
involvement in, war crimes, crimes against
humanity, or genocide?
All students answer “No”.
Have you ever been involved in, supported
or encouraged terrorist activities in any
country?
All students answer “No”.
Have you ever been a member of, or given
support to, an organisation which has been
concerned in terrorism?
All students answer “No”.
Have you, by any means or medium,
expressed views that justify or glorify
terrorist violence or that may encourage
others to commit terrorist or other serious
criminal acts?
All students answer “No”.
Have you ever been a member of, or given
support to, an organisation which is or has
been concerned with extremism?
All students answer “No”.
Have you, by any means or medium,
expressed any extremist views?
All students answer “No”.
Have you, as a part of your employment or
otherwise, undertaken paid or unpaid
activity on behalf of a non-UK government
which you know to be dangerous to the
All students answer “No”.
interests or national security of the UK or its
allies?
Have you ever engaged in any other
activities which might indicate that you may
not be considered to be a person of good
character?
All students answer “No”.
Is there any other information about your
character or behaviour which you would like
to make us aware of?
All students answer “No”.
Previous employer information
Most students indicate “I have not worked in
any of the jobs listed above”.
Visa Sponsor Information
What is your sponsor license number?
3UNW4WWE2 (same for all students!)
Sponsor’s address?
Use the below address information exactly as
presented:
Boston University London Programmes
43 Harrington Gardens
Kensington
Town/City: London
Postal Code: SW74JU
Will you be studying at a school or higher
education institution?
All students answer “higher education
institution”.
Is this the site where the majority of your
study will take place?
All students answer “Yes”.
Did you apply through your course through
UCAS?
All students answer “No”.
Do you need to obtain permission from the
ATAS?
All students answer “No”.
Maintenance & Fees
Will you be receiving money from an official
financial sponsor for your continuing
studies?
ALL students answer “No”.
Name of sponsor institution
Boston University London Programmes
Course Name
London Graduate Mass Communication
Program OR London Internship Program
Qualification you will get
London Grad Mass Comm – “RQF7/SCQF11”
or
London Internship - “RQF6/SCQF9/10”
Are you going to be a student union
sabbatical officer?
All students answer “No”.
Course Start Date
London Grad Mass Comm: 19/05/2020 or
London Internship Program: 31/05/2020
Course End Date
London Grad Mass Comm: 07/08/2020 or
London Internship Program: 24/07/2020
Have you or your parent(s)/legal guardian(s)
already paid any money to your sponsor for
accommodation?
All students answer “Yes” even if your bill is
not yet paid to BU or your home institution.
How much has been paid?
London Grad Mass Comm – 1,336 GBP
London Internship - 1,879 GBP
How can you prove this amount has been
paid?
All students answer “My sponsor has
confirmed this information on my CAS”.
What are your course fees for your first
year?
London Grad Mass Comm – 14,775 GBP
London Internship - 4,158 GBP
Have you or your parent(s) or legal
guardian(s) already paid any of your course
fees?
All students answer “Yes” even if your bill is
not yet paid to BU or your home institution.
How much has been paid?
London Grad Mass Comm – 14,775 GBP
London Internship - 4,158 GBP
How can you prove this amount has been
paid?
All students answer “My sponsor has
confirmed this information on my CAS”.
Are any of the maintenance funds required
for this application in the form of a student
loan?
All students answer “No” even if they may
have a student loan for the program.
Are all of the maintenance funds required
for this application in a bank account with
your name on it?
All students answer “Yes” even if your fees
are being paid by your parents or by financial
aid.
If you needed to add more information but
were not able to, you can write it here
“None.”
REVIEW AND CHECK YOUR ANSWERS!!!
Documents showing the required
maintenance funds
Most students will select “Statements from a
bank or building society account” or “Letter
from a bank, building society or other
recognised financial institution”. Insert the
name of your financial institution.
Mandatory Documents
Tick the box to confirm your understanding
of the mandatory documents to send to the
visa processing centre. Refer to the UK Visa
Application Document Checklist to double
check that you have the correct documents.
Conditions & Declaration
Review and accept the conditions by the UKVI to advance in your application.
Review and accept the declaration by the UKVI to advance in your application.
IMMIGRATION HEALTH SURCHARGE
Immigration Health Surcharge
Students studying less than 6 months in the
UK are not charged an Immigration Health
Surcharge, but must register regardless.
Scroll to the bottom and click “Go to IHS
Website”.
Pay towards your healthcare in the UK…
Scroll to the bottom and click “Continue”.
IHS - Your Details (Enter only the missing information)
Are you applying from within the UK?
No
Are you applying to stay in the Isle of Man,
Jersey or Guernsey?
No
Course Start Date
London Grad Mass Comm: 19/05/2020 or
London Internship: 31/05/2020
Course End Date
London Grad Mass Comm: 07/08/2020 or
London Internship Program: 24/07/2020
Are you applying to continue on the same
course for which you were last given Tier-4
Leave to Enter or Remain?
All students answer “No” (even if you have
been granted a Tier-4 visa before).
Is your course at NQF7?
London Graduate Mass Communication
Program students answer “Yes”.
London Internship Program students answer
“No”.
Is your course a Master’s degree?
London Graduate Mass Communication
Program students answer “Yes”.
London Internship Program students answer
“No”.
Is your course for 13 months or less?
Yes
Please select the location of your course
All students select “Other”.
Summary
Scroll to the bottom and click “These details
are correct”.
Declaration
Scroll to the bottom and click “I agree”.
Total Charge
Total charge should be USD 0.00
Complete
Record your IHS reference number and click
“return to my visa application”.
BIOMETRICS RESIDENCE PERMIT
Biometrics Residence Permit
Students studying less than 6 months in the
UK do not need to collect a Biometrics
Residence Permit, but must indicate a post
office regardless in order to continue their
application.
Scroll to the bottom and click “Collect from a
UK Post Office” then “SW7 4JU” as the Postal
Code. If done correctly, the location will
show as:
Post Office - Kensington
208 - 212 Kensington High Street
London
W8 7RG
Click “Save and Continue”.
VISA PROCESSING SERVICES
Choose a service
Please use the document linked below to
help you select the most appropriate service
and cost for your unique visa application:
How Should I Submit My Tier-4 UK
Visa Application?
Most students will select either “Standard
Service” (no additional fees) or “Priority
Service” (additional fee applies).
Please DO NOT purchase “Priority Service”
“Bronze,” “Silver,” or “Gold” services until
first emailing your Program Manager.
PAYMENT PROVIDER
Choose your card provider
It is best practice to contact your
bank/credit card company BEFORE
submitting the payment, as the charge
comes from the UK and may be flagged by
your bank as fraudulent if not cleared in
advance.
Select card type, then “Continue to
WorldPay” to be redirected to the payment
portal.
DOWNLOAD & PRINT
Print Application & Document Checklist
At this stage, you can no longer go back and
make changes to your application. Contact
Download and print your:
your Program Manager if you notice an
error.
PLEASE NOTE – YOU ARE NOT FINISHED
WITH THE VISA APPLICATION AFTER
SUBMITTING THE ONLINE APPLICATION.
PLEASE PROCEED TO COMPLETE THE
PROCESS.
• Tier 4 Visa Application (found at
bottom of this page)
• Download and print “Document
Checklist”
** Once you have paid the visa fee (approximately $450 - $500) you will reach
the “Further Actions” page that has an option for you to schedule your
biometrics appointment. Please click the “provide documents and biometrics”
box that will redirect you to the VFS Global website **
4. Before March 15
th
: Schedule Biometrics Appointment through VFS
Global
Once you are redirected to the VFS Global website, you will be asked to register
with VFS Global. Once you are registered and signed in, you will complete these
steps:
Location Details (choose location to have
biometrics taken)
a. If applying in U.S., choose “United States
of America”
b. Then, if applying from Boston, choose
“USCIS Boston” (students applying
WITHIN U.S. but OUTSIDE of Boston,
choose USCIS location as appropriate)
*Please note that location cannot be
changed in this system once selected. If
you want to have your appointment while
home on break or outside of Boston,
select that location instead.
Customer Details
Auto populates information from UKVI
application
Choose Services
**Use the Visa Submission Flow Chart to
determine which service to purchase and
how to submit your visa application**
a. Choose “Return Courier Service” if you
are mailing your visa application through
a BU Study Abroad Group Mailing (more
information in Step 4 below)
b. Choose “Round-Trip Courier Service” if
you are mailing your visa independently
c. Choose “Priority Visa Service” if you
would like to pay extra to expedite your
visa application (6 – 10 business day
processing time versus the standard
processing time of 14 – 21 business days)
Document Upload
a. If prompted, upload scanned PDF versions
of your “Mandatory Documents” you
were asked to include from your
“Document Checklist”. This is most
commonly:
i. A copy of your passport photo and
passport information page
ii. A copy of your U.S. immigration
documents (I-20 copy, or
permanent resident [Green Card]
copy)
b. Click “I have previewed the attachments
and confirm that it meets the
specifications given above”
c. Click “Upload Documents”
5. Before April 1
st
: Attend Your Biometrics Appointment
During this appointment, no evaluation of your visa application will take place. Electronic
fingerprints and a photo will be taken and stored in the US State Department database.
• If you chose a “Standard Services” or “Priority Service” Appointment
To attend this appointment, you will need to bring:
✓ Your actual passport, signed
✓ Registration Details Page (printed from VFS website. An email will NOT
substitute)
✓ Printed Tier 4 visa application (from your UKVI account)
• If you chose a “Premium Services (Bronze, Silver, Gold)” Appointment
To attend this appointment, you will need to bring:
✓ Your actual passport, signed
✓ Photocopy of your passport
✓ Biometrics Appointment Details (printed from your UKVI account. An email
will NOT substitute)
✓ Printed Tier 4 visa application (from your UKVI account)
✓ Additional, mandatory documents indicated on your application (will be listed
on last page of application, if applicable)
✓ Receipt of your “Premium Service” payment
✓ Printed return shipping label
Choose an appointment
Choose a date and time to attend your
biometrics appointment in person.
• Once scheduled, print Registration
Details document which has biometric
appointment details and address (this
has been emailed to you as well)
** Students who book a Premium Appointment will be required to submit their visa
application materials in person at the Premium Application Centre, and are finished after this
step **
_____________________________________________________________________________
6. Before April 14
th
: Mail Your Visa Application Materials
Submit your full visa application via mail to the UKVI Scanning Hub in New York. If you are
applying in the US, you must use this processing center. The only way to submit your full visa
application is by mail – in person appointments, drop-offs, and pick-ups are not allowed in
NYC. Applications are typically processed in 14-21 business days upon arrival at the
processing center.
THERE ARE TWO METHODS FOR SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION:
1. Use a group mailing through the BU Study Abroad office. (*RECOMMENDED*)
** Students using Priority Visa Service need to mail independently (scroll to method 2) **
BU Study Abroad will collect visa applications and mail them on a rolling basis to the UKVI
Scanning Hub in New York on FIVE mailing dates:
o MAR 18 (Biometrics: 3/11 – 3/18)
o MAR 25 (Biometrics: 3/18 – 3/25)
o APR 1 (Biometrics: 3/25 – 4/1)
o APR 8 (Biometrics: 4/1 – 4/8)
o APR 13 (Biometrics: 4/6 – 4/13)
You will need to purchase return shipping so the UKVI Scanning Hub can mail your
passport/visa back to you.
Use this checklist to assemble your application and drop it off at the BU Study Abroad
Office/mail independently.
7. Before May 1
st
: Upload Visa to London Personal Page
An image of your visa needs to be uploaded to the London Personal Page. Staff will review
your visa to ensure there are no errors.