School of Earth and Environment

International Student Visitors

The University arrangements for processing applications and then the subsequent registration of international research student visitors have been made as a result of the introduction of Tier 4 of the immigration rules of the UK Border Agency (UKBA).

Introduction

Schools have often invited international postgraduate research "'student visitors" to the University for periods of time. They have simply been that - "visitors" who were guests in the School concerned - and have not in the past been registered students of the University. However under the new UK Border Agency (UKBA) Points Based System Tier 4 immigration rules, the University has been required to review these arrangements in order to comply with the national requirements.

The opportunity has been taken to reflect upon the University arrangements for hosting international student visitors with a view to improving their overall experience and providing them with an official University Student Status (a University ID card and access to University facilities, such as residential accommodation and support). Unless there is a formal exchange arrangement between the University of Leeds and another university, then it is expected that students should make some payment towards the use of facilities.

There are 3 categories of international student visitors, for visa purposes:

(1) Very short visits (of up to one month)
(Student Visitor Visa) Registration as a student not normally required.

These individuals will require a Student Visitor Visa.

When short visits of up to one month take place it is not proposed that individuals should register as students of the University. It is therefore not necessary for them to complete a University application form and in most cases of this kind no fee will be due to the University. The School will simply need to produce a Student Visitor Letter.

(2) Those "visitors" invited to Leeds for periods of time between one and six months (Student Visitor Visa)

This visa status entitles the holder to remain in the UK for a period of up to 6 months and this CANNOT be extended. No work, paid or unpaid, is permitted.

  • Visitors must complete a simple admissions form called Application for Miscellaneous Research Study (see below) which they will submit to the Research Student Administration and which will then be considered by the School, and any recommendation of an offer will be made and returned to RSA in the usual way. If the period of study is less than 6 months it will be assumed that the student requires a Student Visitor Visa unless Research Student Administration is otherwise notified by the visitor by e-mail that they require a General Student Visa.
  • Schools must then produce a Student Visitor Letter (In place of informal letters of invitation that may have been used in the past). This letter must be provided to the "Student Visitor" to enable them to apply for a visa. If visitor wants a General Student Visa see (3) below, then the School does not produce this letter, as RSA will produce a Confirmation of Acceptance for Study instead.)
  • The individual should apply for a "STUDENT VISITOR VISA"
  • The visitor can then register on-line as a miscellaneous research non-degree (non-award bearing) student via the normal on-line registration route and obtain a student ID card.

In cases where a Student Visitor Visa is issued the University is NOT required to undertake UK Border Agency Tier 4 sponsorship duties eg attendance monitoring or reporting on leavers/non registration.

(3) Those "Visitors" that will be in Leeds for periods of time of more than 6 months (General Student Visa)

In the past there have been at least two categories of such students. The first was those who registered as students for "miscellaneous" (non-award bearing) study and paid a fee. The second category was a group of individuals that were not registered students and were hosted without registration or fee payment within Schools (with sometimes a "bench fee" being charged directly by Schools). The new UKBA points based system will now apply to both of these categories and the University (and School) IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MONITORING THE ATTENDANCE OF THE VISITOR.

The stages are:

  • All individuals in these categories will now have to submit the Application for Miscellaneous Research Study Form (see below) for study at the University. Schools may recommend acceptance of "miscellaneous" study for specific periods of time. Applications will be considered by the School, and any recommendation of an offer will be made and returned to RSA in the usual way.
  • The University will, subject to review, issue an acceptance letter containing the details of the offer. RSA will then issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Study (CAS) Statement to the applicant which contains the CAS number, University Sponsor Licence number and details of the fee to be charged where appropriate. This will enable the student to apply for a GENERAL STUDENT VISA under Tier 4. Details of how to apply for a student visa can be found at the website: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/adult-students/ The CAS has a life span of 6 months but can only be used up to 3 months prior to the start date. Therefore RSA will issue the CAS either at the same time as the offer letter or later depending on the time between application and start (RSA will inform the applicant as to when the CAS will be produced).
  • On arrival the individuals must register via the on-line registration system as miscellaneous non-degree (non-award bearing) students and obtain a Student ID card. The University will also need to take a copy of relevant passport and visa information.

The University is required to undertake Tier 4 sponsorship duties. This means the University has responsibility for reporting non-registration, unauthorised non-attendance, apparent leavers and monitoring the attendance of these individuals.

Examples of attendance monitoring events at research level are:

  • Formal supervision meetings with supervisor
  • School activities associated with registration and other routine communication
  • Induction, English Language Test and training courses
  • Meeting with Supervisor to discuss and review any training plan
  • SDDU courses and Faculty Training (including Research Seminars involving giving presentations)
  • Formal review meetings
  • Meetings with Post Graduate Research Tutor or other relevant staff
  • Attendance at External conference/meetings
  • Other events at School level

Where the School has had no contact with individual research students within any 2 month period (ie, unauthorized absence), the School will need to investigate and give the student the opportunity to resolve the matter. If it cannot successfully be resolved, the School will send a full report to the University indicating that the student should be required to withdraw from the University. The matter will then be reported to the Director of Student Administration and UKBA will be notified of the withdrawal.

Fees for Research Student Visitors

In some situations a formal reciprocal agreement will be in place with the Institution or Country where the student visitor is currently studying. In these cases any fee will be waived, but the existence of the formal reciprocal agreement must be confirmed by the Dean of the Faculty in the relevant section of the Application for Miscellaneous Research Study Form.

For all other students, there is a minimum standard annual pro-rata fee (currently £1,500 for 2010-11) to cover University overheads (schools may, however, charge the normal full time international fee if there will be significant consumption of academic resources and bench fees may also be charged). Schools can agree to pay the fee on behalf of the visitor. In the event that visitors are in Leeds for less than a year a pro rata fee for a certain number of months may be charged. RSA should be advised of the number of months (including dates) via the Application for Miscellaneous Research Study form.

Application for Miscellaneous Research Study (Word)
Application for Miscellaneous Research Study (pdf)

Visit the University of Leeds page of information for student visitors for full information.