Visas and immigration

It essentially retains the key elements of the Tier 4 (general) route and is open to Non-EEA/Swiss nationals who wish to study at UK institutions for more than six months. EEA/Swiss students arriving in the UK on or after 1 January 2021 can also apply under the student route from 5 October 2020. 

From 5 October 2020, all visa applications made (inside or outside of the UK) will be considered under the new student route. From 1 January 2021, the new student route will also apply to any EEA/Swiss national arriving to study in the UK for more than six months. 

Key features of the new student route

• Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the required 70 points (see below).
• You can apply for entry clearance (visa) up to six months before your course start date.
• If you are applying for permission to stay and you have already lived in the UK lawfully for at least 12 months and have valid leave/permission at the time of your application, you will not be required to meet the financial requirements again.
• Some applicants who have met the English language requirement in a previous application will not be required to do so again (see below).
• Applicants applying for permission to stay in the UK must meet the academic progression requirements.
• Applications will cost the same as the current Tier 4 applications: £348 for those applying overseas and £475 for applications made in the UK (standard submission method).
• There are no study time limits for students pursuing postgraduate courses.
• Applicants who will be studying at degree level and above will be exempt from submitting academic qualifications or references with their application if their higher education sponsor has a track record of compliance and confirms their academic ability on their Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS).
• Differentiated documentary requirements will be extended to EEA/Swiss nationals and eligible family members. See the list of current eligible countries for more information. 

Who can apply to the Student route?

• Non-EEA/Swiss nationals
• EEA and Swiss nationals who do not qualify to apply under the EU Settlement Scheme or who plan to travel to the UK for study after 11 pm on 31 December 2020. 

EEA/Swiss nationals (and eligible family members) who already live in the UK or travelled to the UK by 11 pm on 31 December 2020 should apply under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) and will have until 30 June 2021, provided that they were in the UK before the deadline.

Please visit the UK government's dedicated EU Settlement Scheme website for more information on the scheme and making an application. 

Key requirements:

Applicants must score 70 points. Points will be awarded accordingly:

Applicants will also be required to evidence the following if under 18:

• proof of parental or legal guardian consent and their relationship to you.
• suitable care arrangements are in place for you in the UK.

*Meeting the English language requirement

• IELTS or other English language tests approved by UKVI (SELT) showing CEFR level B1 for Foundation study or CEFR level B2 for study at degree level in each of the four components (reading, writing, speaking and listening). Find the current list of approved English language test providers here.

• For applicants studying at UK bachelor’s degree level or above only: An assessment must be carried out by your student visa sponsor, who must be a Higher Education provider with a track record of compliance. The sponsor must confirm on the CAS that you meet the required CEFR level B2 in English language in each of the four components (reading, writing, speaking and listening).
• GCSE/A Level English/ Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5/ Scottish Higher or Advance Higher in English language or literature awarded by Qfqual or the Scottish/Welsh equivalent regulated awarding body and the qualification was achieved while studying in the UK and you were under age 18 at the time. 
• You have a degree that was awarded in the UK or a degree/degree level qualification taught in a majority English speaking country (except Canada) or a degree/degree level qualification which meets or exceeds the recognised standard of a UK bachelor’s degree or above and was taught or researched in English.
• You are a national of a UKVI deemed ‘majority English speaking’ country. 
• You can show that you already met the English language requirement, at the level required for your current application, in a previous successful application for entry clearance or permission to stay.

Please note that students who previously studied in the UK as Tier 4 (Child) will no longer be exempt from meeting the English language requirement on this basis.

**Meeting the financial requirements

You will also be required to show that you have at least £1,334 for each month of your studies up to a maximum of nine months, which totals £12,006 to cover your living costs in the UK.

You will also need to show that you have sufficient funds to cover your course fees. The amount you will be required to show will depend on whether you have paid your course fees in full or partially. Ravensbourne will state the amount you have paid in advance on your CAS.

General requirements

• An applicant must not fail for refusal under the general grounds for refusal as set out in the Immigration Rules.
• You must not be in breach of the Immigration Rules (including overstaying some exceptions apply).

• You must submit a valid application. A valid visa application will be considered where the applicant has submitted the correct application form with a valid CAS reference number. 
• A valid visa application will only be considered where the applicant has submitted the correct application form with a valid CAS reference number which was assigned before the application was submitted, paid the correct application fee, enrolled their biometrics if required to do so (not applicable to most EEA/Swiss nationals), paid the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), provided evidence of a valid identity document (passport) and any other required documents and submit the information to UKVI.

Out of country (outside the UK) application-entry clearance

• Meet the requirements detailed above.
• If you have lived for the last six months or more in certain countries, you will need to submit a tuberculosis certificate with your application. A list of the relevant countries and guidance on this requirement can be found on the UKVI’s website.

In-country (inside the UK)-permission to stay

Anyone can switch into the student route, provided they meet the requirements for the route unless you are in the UK as a visitor, short-term student, parent of a child student, seasonal worker, domestic worker in a private household, outside the immigration rules or on immigration bail.

• You will be able to apply for permission to stay in the UK up to three months in advance of the start of your new course.
• You must meet the general requirements for a valid application (see above).
• You must also meet the academic progression requirements if you previously studied in the UK as a Tier 4 student. You must have completed the course of study for which you were last granted permission on the Tier 4/student route unless one of the exceptions apply or you are applying to progress to a higher-level course.
• There must be no more than 28 days between the end of your current/previous immigration permission and the start date for the new course stated on your CAS. 
• If you were required to submit your fingerprints for a previous application, UKVI may be able to reuse them for your current application. If UKVI is able to reuse your fingerprints, they will email you with instructions on how to submit an image of your face and your supporting documents. This will mean that you do not have to attend a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Centres (UKVCAS) or a Service and Support Centres (SSC) service point appointment to provide biometric information. Please carefully follow the instructions your receive from UKVI or relevant UKCAS/SSC concerning your application.

EEA/Swiss nationals

In most cases, applicants will be able to use the ‘UK Immigration ID Check’ app, which will use a chip in their passport to verify their identity. However, if the chip is broken or they are unable to use the app, they will have to enrol their biometrics at a Visa Application Centre in the country where they reside.

Applicants who applied via the UK Immigration ID check app will receive electronic notification of UKVI’s decision. This will set out the full conditions of their immigration status and will serve as evidence of their immigration permission and right to study/work in the UK.

Please visit our Student route visa application guides page for further information on making an application under the Student route. You should also visit the UKVI and UKCISA websites for further guidance and information. 

The EUSS is the immigration route for the European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals and their family members ( also a family member of an eligible person of Northern Ireland) who was resident in the UK by 11 pm on 31 December 2020 and who wish to remain there after that date.

New and continuing students who plan to study remotely (outside the UK) in term 1

If you are able to demonstrate residence in the UK, please apply under the EU settlement Scheme (EUSS) if you have not already done so. 

Irish citizens

Irish citizens will be exempt from the UK’s new points-based immigration system and so will still be able to live, work and study in the UK under the Common Travel Arrangements agreement. 

Irish citizens are not required to apply under the EUSS. However, their family members who are not British or Irish are required to apply under the EUSS, unless they already have leave in a different immigration category.

You will be able to select either settled or pre-settled status when you apply under the scheme. Which status you are awarded depends on how long you have lived in the UK at the time of your application. Your rights will be different depending on which status you are given if your application is approved. 

For more information on eligibility and requirements for applying under the EUSS please visit the UK government’s dedicated EUSS page. 

Key features

Eligible EEA and Swiss nationals who have entered the UK by 11 pm on 31 December 2020 have until 30 June 2021 to apply under the EUSS. From 1 July 2021, if you have not applied under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) you risk becoming an overstayer and may have to apply under the new Immigration Rules, if permitted to do so, if you wish to remain in the UK beyond 30 June 2021.

EEA/Swiss citizens

An 'EEA/Swiss citizen' who already has settled status in the form of a right to permanent residence will still need to apply under the EUSS. However, if you already have confirmation of indefinite leave to enter or remain, you are not required to apply under the EUSS.

If you would like to have the option of staying outside the UK for up to five, rather than two, consecutive years you may wish to apply under the scheme. It would also be useful for non-EEA/Swiss family members to also apply under the scheme, even if you don't have plans to leave the UK.

Settled status

This will normally be given to individuals who are able to show that they have lived in the UK for a continuous five-year period (known as ‘continuous residence’) and have met the other eligibility criteria. 

If you are granted settled status, you will normally be able to remain in the UK indefinitely. You will also be able to apply for British citizenship, if eligible.

Individuals that are granted settled status are normally permitted to be absent from the UK for up to five consecutive years (four years for Swiss nationals and their family members) without losing their status. 

Pre-settled status

Individuals that do not have five years of continuous residence in the UK may be granted ‘pre-settled status, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria.

Individuals who are granted pre-settled status are normally permitted to be absent from the UK for up to two consecutive years without losing their status. However, if you spend more than six months outside of the UK in any 12-month period, unless exempt, you risk losing your period of ‘continuous residence’ which may delay when you can qualify for settlement based on the ‘five years of continuous residence’ requirement.

Please visit the EUSS page for more information on the different categories and rights and conditions that are associated with settled/pre-settled status. 

Healthcare

You will not be required to show that you held comprehensive sickness insurance during your time in the UK when applying under the EUSS. However, it is a requirement that EEA/Swiss students and their family members have Comprehensive Sickness Insurance to be able to access health care in the UK.

If you successfully apply for the EUSS you will have the right to access UK healthcare. Go to the UKCISA webpage for more information.

No, if you do not intend to remain in the UK beyond 30 June 2021 there is no requirement for you to apply for settled/pre-settled status. You may, however, choose to apply under the scheme before the deadline in case your circumstances change and you decide to remain in the UK beyond 30 June 2021.

While it was possible for you to undertake your studies at Ravensbourne remotely from overseas (subject to your course team's approval), you should be aware of how this could impact your immigration status when you are ready to return/travel to the UK.

Depending on whether you can establish that you have had a period of residence in the UK before 31 December 2020 you may need to apply for a student visa to come to the UK to continue with your studies at Ravensbourne from 1 January 2021.

You can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme from overseas provided that you can prove a period of residence in the UK on or before the 31 December 2020 (11 pm) deadline. Please visit the UK government's dedicated EU Settlement Scheme website for more information on the scheme and making an application. 

If you already applied for pre-settled status, you need to check that your absences are permitted. Usually, absences for up to six months are permitted. Absences of up to 12 months because of coronavirus-related reasons may be considered an important reason, and therefore would be permitted. However, you should get confirmation from the Home Office/UKVI.

EEA/Swiss nationals can still use their passport or national identity document to evidence their rights in the UK until 30 June 2021. Non-EEA/Swiss family members can evidence their status by their passport, biometric residence permit, or biometric residence card.

From 1 July 2021, EEA/Swiss nationals and family members will be able to evidence their settled/pre-settled status and rights to work, study etc in the UK by using the online service. You will be able to request a share code from the online service to prove your status to others (employer, landlord etc).

We also recommend keeping a printed and/or electronic copy of the approval of your settled or pre-settled status for your records.  

If you were in the UK on 31 December 2020 but have not yet applied for settled/pre-settled status, you should make sure that you travel with evidence to demonstrate that you were present in the UK on or before 31 December 2020.

We also recommend that you obtain a student letter from Ravensbourne confirming your enrolment status, along with any other proof of UK residence you have to take with you in your hand luggage in case you are questioned at the UK Border.

Once you have applied for settled/pre-settled status and it has been approved, you will be able to confirm and prove your status using the online service. 

We also recommend that you carry a printed copy of the approval of your settled/pre-settled status in your hand luggage in the event that it is requested by a UK Immigration Officer.

• Work (including self-employment and voluntary work) is permitted. However, work as a professional sportsperson is not permitted.
• Application fee: 700
• Applicants will have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge at the full rate of £624 per year.
• Students do not need to be sponsored by their Tier 4/Student visa sponsor (Ravensbourne) but their institution must confirm to the Home Office/UKVI that they have completed their course by the date of the application.
• You will need to include your Confirmation of Acceptance of Study (CAS) number for the application form. Please refer to your CAS letter or contact us if you need this information.
• Supplementary study will be permitted, except study with an education provider who is a Student sponsor (e.g Ravensbourne), and which meets the approved qualification and level of study requirements of the Student route (e.g. RQF levels 3-7). This means that if the study met the requirements for a student visa application you are expected to apply for a student visa to do it, rather than study on the Graduate Route.
• The graduate route does not lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (Settlement) in the UK but graduates will be able to switch into a skilled work route (which may lead to settlement) from the graduate route.
• Only dependents currently in the UK on a Tier 4/Student visa are eligible to apply as a dependant of a graduate.
• If you were fully financially sponsored for your studies you will need written permission from your official sponsor stating that they give their permission for you to remain living in the UK for the Graduate Route Visa.

For more specific information on making an application to the graduate route please visit UKVI's page. Please refer to the Graduate Route caseworkers guidance for specific information on eligibility and other requirements.  

Please also visit the UKCISA website for further details on the Graduate route and other post-study visa options. 

• You must be in the UK to make your application (see physical presence requirements below).
• You must have valid leave at the time of making your application.
• You must meet the general eligibility grounds for the visa.
• You must have successfully completed your UK course (degree/masters/approved postgraduate programme) before making the application. Ravensbourne will need to send confirmation of this to UKVI. You must have completed your degree course. Do not apply for the visa until you have been informed that by Ravensbourne that UKVI has been informed that you have completed your course. 

Physical presence requirement for Graduate visa eligibility-COVID-19 concessions

Students would normally be expected to undertake all of their studies (if the course length is 12 months or less) or at least 12 months (if the course length is longer than 12 months) in the UK to be eligible for the graduate route visa. However, due to COVID-19 any distance learning undertaken overseas during the concession period will not prevent them from applying for the graduate visa. The following concessions will apply depending on the length of your course:

• Students on courses lasting longer than 12 months are eligible for the graduate route even if they undertook distance learning outside of the UK between 24 January 2020 and 6 April 2022. They must return to the UK to make the application and must have valid Tier 4/Student leave at the time of making the application. Ensure that you arrive in the UK before your visa expires. 

• Students who began courses lasting 12 months or less in 2020 and distance learning took place entirely overseas must enter the UK  by 27 September 2021 or before their current visa expires, whichever is sooner. If you already came to the UK under your current Tier 4/Student route permission but then you switched to distance learning from home (overseas), you just need to return to the UK before the end date of your visa.
• Students who began courses lasting 12 months or less in Spring 2021 and distance learning took place entirely overseas must enter the UK by 27 September 2021 or before their current visa expires, whichever is sooner. If you already came to the UK under your current Tier 4/Student route permission but then you switched to distance learning from home (overseas), you just need to return to the UK before the end date of your visa.
• Students on courses lasting 12 months or less who began studying by distance learning overseas in Autumn 2021 or Spring 2022 will still be eligible to apply for the graduate route but must enter the UK by the relevant deadlines.