Visa Web chat transcript 12/07/16
-------------------------1. Hsein Ping: Hi, I have a question
* Ruth Lauener: Hi Hsein - please go ahead :)
2. Hsein Ping: I am holding a Malaysian Passport. In the "Issuing Authority", I suppose to fill up
"Immigration Department of Malaysia". However, I unable to fill up the full "Immigration
Department of Malaysia". It has words limit to enter. What should I do?
* Fang Zheng - International Student Adviser: @Hsien Ping, thank you for your question. You could
just enter 'immigration dept of Maylaysia'
3. Mahnoor Khan 2: Hello. My name is Mahnoor. Thank you for the lovely seminar, it was very very
helpful. However, unfortunately, I missed out a few parts due to a poor net connection. I hope you
can answer my questions in this regard. My first question was about the Financial requirements and
if you could please restate them.
* David - International Student Adviser: @Mahnoor Khan 2 - the slides will be made available online,
so you do not miss the information. Ruth will share the link shortly...
* Ruth Lauener: Hi Mahnoor - the link is
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/international/help/international-online-chats and the slides should be
available in the next 24 hours
4. Olga: Deat team, I have unconditional offer but havent received an invitation to upload dox for
CAS, to whom should I commumicate regarding CAS application?
* Fang Zheng - International Student Adviser: @Olga: Within 5 working days of you accepting an
Unconditional offer of a study place at the University of Sheffield (and paying any associated fee
deposit) or three months before the start of your course (whichever is later). Further info is available
at http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/international/welcome/cas-application
5. Mahnoor Khan 2: And what exactly I need to provide in the bank statement?
* David - International Student Adviser: @ Mahnoor Khan 2 - For specific criteria the bank statement
needs to show, please check pages 48-52 of the Tier 4 Policy Guidance:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/514308/T4_Migra
nt_Guidance_Apr_2016.pdf
6. Ahmed: Hello,I have a question regarding my visa application and financial statement.The needed
amount of money need to be in my account is 29000GBP.I have been to my local bank on 11/7/2016
to put 20000GBP and the rest amount which are 9000GBP will be available in my account on
30/7/2016.So, i will have the account on 11/7/2016 with 20000GBP, but the FULL amount of
financial evidence will be on 30/7/2016 in my account.Here is my question, when should i start my
visa application ? as i know it is a must to apply after 28 days of your money in the bank. SO, am i
going to start my visa application on 11/8/2016 or 30/8/2016 ?!
* Fang Zheng - International Student Adviser: @Ahmed: if the full amount is only available on 30/07,
you should wait for 28 days and submit your visa application on/after 28/08
7. Amartya: If my start date is 26 September, and the course is for nine months; What should be the
applied dates in VISA?
* Fang Zheng - International Student Adviser: Hi Amartya: do you mean when you can apply? if this
is the case, you can apply 3 months before your course starts
8. Mahnoor Khan 2: Also, when do i pay the deposit and tuition fee
* Ruth Lauener: Hi Mahnoor - which course are you coming to study? I can then advice you better
once I know this.
9. David - International Student Adviser: Important update for September everyone! – If you collect
your BRP during Orientation Week, you will be given a place in a fast-track queue during Registration
Week. Hopefully something which will make Intro Week a little bit easier for you
* David - International Student Adviser: .
10. Stephanie Saw: Hello! I had a TB test 3 years ago when I applied for my Tier 4 visa back in 2014.
Is it still valid or would I need to retake it when I apply for a new Tier 4 visa?
* David - International Student Adviser: @ Stephanie Saw - No that TB test certificate will now be out
of date, you will need to get an up to date certificate.
11. SUHAAS RAJAN: Hi . My name is Suhaas from India.I have already applied for my CAS last week
through my Sheffield account. How long will it take to get processed.?
* Fang Zheng - International Student Adviser: Hi Suhaas Rajan: Please see the detailed CAS
application process at http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/international/welcome/cas-application
12. Hsein Ping: To Fang Zhen, I typed it, the maximum is "Immigration dept of "
* Fang Zheng - International Student Adviser: Hi Hsien Ping, in this case, please type 'dept of malysia'.
You could also include full details in the section 'additional information'
13. Ahmed: most of the university scholarships will be announced on 29/7/2016 / if one recieved
one of these, how many days will be needed to be reflected on the CAS ?
* Ruth Lauener: Hi Ahmed - once you have accepted the scholarship this will usually be added to
your CAS withing 48 hours (if your CAS has already been issued).
14. tumurtogtokh: Hello, Thank you for the presentaion. I am a sponsored student. My sponsor will
pay full tuition fees and living expenses based on the university invoice. So its sponsorship letter
doesn't say an amount of money they will pay. will it be ok? Also, in m CAS, they are nothing said
about I am a sponsored student. Is it ok? Thank you.
* David - International Student Adviser: @tumurtoghtokh - Please see paragraph 190 on page 48 of
the Tier 4 policy guidance - it lists all the criteria the letter must meet:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/514308/T4_Migra
nt_Guidance_Apr_2016.pdf
15. Ava: Hello, My CAS letter was issued , but now I want to increase the amount of tuition fee
deposit. How can I do it? and could you please tell me how much does it take that a new CAS will be
issued?
* Ruth Lauener: Hi Ava. If you would like to pay some more towards your fees then you can do this
by making a payment to the University in the same way that you paid your deposit. Any amounts
paid will then be added to the CAS within 48 hours (if your CAS has not already been used). You
won't need a new CAS.
16. Mahnoor Khan 2: And how do I get the BRP delivered to the University?
* David - International Student Adviser: @ Mahnoor Khan 2 - The instructions can be found here:
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/international/immigration/overseas/bid
17. Stephanie Saw: Regarding collection of BRP, what are the collection options again?
* Fang Zheng - International Student Adviser: Hi Stephanie, you could either collect it from a post
office (those close to the address you input on your visa application) or from the University. Please
see further details at http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/international/immigration/overseas/bid
18. Mahnoor Khan 2: Ruth, I'm joining the MA English Literature Course
* Ruth Lauener: Hi Mahnoor - ok great. Your unconditional offer letter should give you the deadline
for paying your tuition fee deposit (you only have to pay this once your offer is unconditional). In
terms of paying your tuition fees - you can choose if you want to pay this in full before your
arrive/on registration. You can also choose to pay in 2 or 4 instalments over the year. But there is
no need to pay your fees before you arrive in the UK if you don't want to.
19. Amartya: Also, I have a scholarship that will provide my maintenance; how could I show that
during the VISA process?
* David - International Student Adviser: @Amartya - Please see paragrpahs 177-182 and 188-190 of
the Tier 4 policy guidance:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/514308/T4_Migra
nt_Guidance_Apr_2016.pdf
20. Amartya: But VISA dates I mean the duration of the VISA
* David - International Student Adviser: @ Amartya - Please see
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/international/immigration/overseas/duration
21. Hsein Ping: I am holding a Malaysian Passport. In the "Issuing Authority", I suppose to fill up
"Immigration Department of Malaysia". However, I unable to fill up the full "Immigration
Department of Malaysia". It has words limit to enter. "Immigration dept of" is the already maximum.
What should I do?
* Fang Zheng - International Student Adviser: Hi Hsien Ping, in this case, please type 'dept of
malaysia'. You could also include full details in the section 'additional information'
22. Amartya: Many thanks in advance Fang Zheng
* Fang Zheng - International Student Adviser: :)
23. Ahmed: @Fang: yup, i got it. @Ruth: i have secured my CAS indeed. Thanks
* Ruth Lauener: Great. Good luck with the scholarship :)
24. Hsein Ping: To Fang Zheng: Thanks!!!
* Fang Zheng - International Student Adviser: :)
25. Hsein Ping: I am applying Tier 4 (General) Dependant Partner visa for my wife, the "Main
Applicant" section is fill up my name or my wife name?
* Fang Zheng - International Student Adviser: Hi Hsein Ping, yes, you are the main/lead applicant and
your wife will be applying as your dependent
26. Mahnoor Khan 2: If my father is sponsoring me, do i need to provide a cover letter?
* David - International Student Adviser: @ Mahnoor Khan - Yes, if you are submitting your father's
financial documents you need to submit the extra documents referred to in paragraphs 199-202 of
the policy guidance.
27. Ahmed: so, if you got the scholarship your CAS will be updated to me and will be shown in the
online system of UKVI?
* Ruth Lauener: Yes - that's correct. We would add a 'sponsor note' which you would be able to see
and the UKVI would be able to see also.
28. Ruth Lauener: Hi everybody - thanks for all of your questions. Please keep them coming :)
* Ruth Lauener: .
29. Mahnoor Khan 2: The results for the Merit scholarship I applied for is coming out on July 29th, so
if I get it (hopefully i do), how does that factor into the bank statement or the visa application?
* Ruth Lauener: Hi Mahnoor. If you win the Sheffield scholarship then we would add a sponsor note
to your CAS to show the UKVI how much scholarship we had given you. This would reduce the
tuition fee amount that you needed to show to them. Good luck with the scholarship!
30. Amartya: Thank you David
* Ruth Lauener: :)
31. Stephanie Saw: Thank you David and Fang for that informative session!
* Fang Zheng - International Student Adviser: Thank you for attending the webchat:)
32. Hsein Ping: 2. I am applying a Tier 4 (General) Dependant Partner visa for my wife and my
daughter who expected will be coming along with me. My wife and daughter currently do not have
UK valid visa and I am applying the dependant visa together for her. What should I fill up for "Do
they have a valid visa for the UK?"
* Fang Zheng - International Student Adviser: Hi Hsein Ping, you will need to answer No to the
question, if they do not have a valide UK visa
33. Ava: can I pay all the tuition fee now?
* Ruth Lauener: Hi Ava - yes you can. And if you pay in full then you get a 2% discount :)
34. Ahmed: the master degree in Sheffield is 12 months, but we should secure the fund in our bank
account for 9 months only ?! which is 9135 GBP. am i right ?
* Fang Zheng - International Student Adviser: Hi Ahmed, yes, you will only be required to show
maintenance for 9 months, which is £9135. Please remember, you will also need to show sufficient
fund for any outstanding tuition fees
35. Mahnoor Khan 2: Thank youu, just one last query, Ruth! Do i need to provide a letter from my
father as he sponsoring me?
* David - International Student Adviser: @ Mahnoor Khan 2 - The answer to this is in my reply to
your previous question above.
36. Mahnoor Khan 2: Thank you, Ruth and Davidd! I enjoyed the session and it was very informative.
Thank you again and have a greeat day ahead
* Ruth Lauener: Great - thank you :)
37. Hsein Ping: I am holding full scholarship which covered my maintenance fees. However,I am
applying Tier 4 (General) Dependant Partner visa for my wife, so, which one should I choose in the
section " which area of the maintenance requirement are you applying under? "
* David - International Student Adviser: @Hsein Ping - for this specific question please could you email [email protected] with a screenshot of the question you are referring to?
38. Ava: Thank you for your helpful session.
* Ruth Lauener: No problem Ava - we're pleased you found it helpful!
39. paola 2: In the visa online application form it's needed to put the ammount of living costs and
since I'm a full scholarship holder my sponsor will give me 1015 GBP per month, should I put the
required 9 months or the total 12 months of my scholarship?
* Fang Zheng - International Student Adviser: Hi Paola, this depends on which section you are
referring to. Please check our video tutorial at the following link.
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/international/tier4-app-tutorials-continuing-students/visa-outsideuk
40. Ahmed: the visa interview is online-based or in-person face to face in my local embassey ?
* David - International Student Adviser: @Ahmed - The interview could be done in person, or by
telephone or online software - you will need to follow any instructions you are given and prepare
accordingly. Please see
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/international/immigration/overseas/credibility for more
information.
41. Amartya: To confirm the length of my visa required, may I please request the duration of the
course MA Cities and Global Development?
* Fang Zheng - International Student Adviser: Hi Amartya, if you are studying a Master degree, your
course should be 1 year full time, so visa should be granted 1 month before course start date/7 days
before your intended travel date whichever is later, and 4 months after your course end date.
42. Olu: I am currrently in year 3 of my PhD in another uni, but my supervisor is moving to sheffield, I
wold like to know what to do if I am to move over to sheffield with him to complete my programme
* David - International Student Adviser: @ Olu - please could you use the webform at
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/international/email/immigration-other and give your details so we
can look into the specifics of your transfer?
43. Hsein Ping: I am holding full scholarship which covered my maintenance fees. However,I am
applying Tier 4 (General) Dependant Partner visa for my wife, so, which one should I choose in the
section " which area of the maintenance requirement are you applying under? " Selection are "1.
Own/Main applicant fund", "2. Parent or legal guardian funds", "3. Tier 2 skilled worker with A rated
sponsor", "4. Tier 4 General Student who has official financial sponsorhsip"
* Fang Zheng - International Student Adviser: Hi Hsein Ping, I would advise you to contact the
Student Advice Cenetre as your query may be too complex to answer via the webchat http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/contacts/advice
44. paola 2: Since I'm holding a full scholarship of my country I know that the only requirement for
living costs proof is my sponsors letter, but in a friend's interview the VAC asked for a bank
statement which was not part of the requirements. I would like to know if there is a list of
requirements or if every VAC can ask for different documents
* David - International Student Adviser: @paola - some sponsors do not provide sufficient to cover
the full fees and £1015 per month. If this is the case, extra bank statements would be needed to
cover the shortfall not covered by the sponsor if this is applicable to you?
45. Amartya: Thanks again Fang Zheng :)
* Fang Zheng - International Student Adviser: :)
46. Hsein Ping: In the website:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-fordependants-of-uk-visa-applicants-tiers-1-2-4-5It said that:63. If the Tier 4 (General) student is
studying on a course based:• in London you must have at least £845 per month to support yourself.•
outside of London, you must have at least £680 per month to support yourself.for the duration of
the student’s course up to a maximum of 9 months65. For example, a Tier 4 (General) migrant
applying to study in London at the same time as their spouse and 2 children they would need to
show that they have £845 per month for their spouse and a further £845 per month for each of their
children, in addition to £1265 per month required for their own support. In total the family will
require evidence that they hold £3800 in available funds up to a maximum of 9 months (3 x £845 =
£2535 + £1265). I am curious why there is "in addition to £1265 per month required for their own
support". This is very important to calculate my depandant fund
* Fang Zheng - International Student Adviser: Thank you Hsein Ping for the question. Please contact
the Student Advice Centre so they can look into this for you further.
47. Ahmed: @David @Fang @Ruth: thank you so much. your answer was clarifing helpful/
appreciating
* Fang Zheng - International Student Adviser: :)
48. Fang Zheng - International Student Adviser: Orientation Week is a chance to find your way
around Sheffield, meet other new students and adjust to life in the UK before Intro Week (when the
campus gets very busy!) It's full of useful information sessions, tours of the campus and the local
area, and loads of fun social events.You can find out a bit more about the week on our webpages:
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/newstudents/orientation-week/september
* Fang Zheng - International Student Adviser: :)
49. paola 2: My question about the 9 months or 12 months of maintenance is in the Maintenance
fees covered by the sponsor section, should I put the amount of 9 or 12 months?, they will pay the
whole year
* David - International Student Adviser: @paola 2 - please can you send a screenshot of the question
you are referring to to [email protected] with your details so we can look into
what you should enter. A copy of your sponsor letter letter would also be useful...
50. Hsein Ping: Any idea What are the list of documents need to bring to visa center? I am still in
process of filling up the application form of Visa.
* Fang Zheng - International Student Adviser: Hi Hsein Ping, the document list is available
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/international/immigration/overseas
51. paola 2: David my scholarship is a full scholarship and it covers all the expenses, the cost of the
flight ticket, course fees and maintenance fees and it's described in my sponsors letter
* David - International Student Adviser: @paola 2 - again it owuld be useful to send a copy of our
sponsor letter to us so we can try to assess why further bank statements may be requested by UKVI.
* David - International Student Adviser: Thank you for listening everyone and thanks for your
questions. When you get to the UK please br careful about the work restrictions on your visa, and
remember that if you work less than 20 hours per week for 2 employers, combined this would be
over 20 hours per week and would breach your conditions. Please see
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/international/immigration/work
52. Amartya: I have a university scholarship for maintenane as well; it is 1000 pounds per month if
12 months is considered. I am enrolled in a Master's programme. But I haven't received it in my
account yet. Would a bank statement be applicable for me?
* Fang Zheng - International Student Adviser: Hi Amartya, if you receive less than £1015 per month
from your scholarship, you will need to provide additional bank statement to cover the shortfall
53. Hsein Ping: My CAS stated that my "Course Start Date: 05/09/2016", "End date: 05/09/2015",
"Last date to arrive: 05/10/2016". I talked to my supervisor and I will be arrive UK on 12/10/2016. I
put my "Intended Date to travel to UK: 12/10/2016". Will it be a problem of my BRP or visa to enter
UK? Kindly advice.
* Fang Zheng - International Student Adviser: Hi Hsein Ping, if the latest possible starrt date has been
changed, please get in touch with the Admissions office asap. this information will need to be
updated on your CAS
54. Fang Zheng - International Student Adviser: Hi everyone, thank you for attending today's
webchat, hope to see you soon in Sheffield
* Fang Zheng - International Student Adviser: :)
55. Hsein Ping 2: My CAS stated that my "Course Start Date: 05/09/2016", "End date: 05/09/2015",
"Last date to arrive: 05/10/2016". I talked to my supervisor and I will be arrive UK on 12/10/2016. I
put my "Intended Date to travel to UK: 12/10/2016". Will it be a problem of my BRP or visa to enter
UK? Kindly advice.\
* Fang Zheng - International Student Adviser: hi, please see my reply above. Please make sure the
date is updated on your CAS, otherwise your application maybe refused
* Ruth Lauener: The e-mail address that you should use to contact admissions is
'[email protected]' and they will help you with this.
56. Ahmed: looking forward meeting these awesome helpful guys their in Sheffield too / thanks
everyone
* Fang Zheng - International Student Adviser: :)
57. Hsein Ping 2: Thank you so much!!!!
* Ruth Lauener: :)
58. paola 2: Thank you so much I'll write you an email.
* Fang Zheng - International Student Adviser: Hi Paola, look forward to receiving your message
59. Fang Zheng - International Student Adviser: Thanks everyone!
* Fang Zheng - International Student Adviser: :)
60. Amartya: How would I know if ATAS is applicable for me? Thanks in advance for answering.
* Ruth Lauener: You should check your offer letter - it would be mentioned in there :)
63. Ruth Lauener: Remember - the transcript will be available here within 24 hours if you want to
check back on anything: http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/international/help/international-online-chats
64. Ruth Lauener: Thanks for your questions everybody - we're going to be closing the web chat very
soon. If you have any other questions please fill out the web form here:
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/international/email. Thanks for logging in!