Important information about Immigration Rule changes for current International (Tier 4) Students
This information is applicable to anyone who is considering going on placement in future or due to take up an optional Placement year
There has been some changes to the immigration rules in April 2017. If you are an undergraduate or taught postgraduate student studying a course that has an optional placement route, and are thinking of undertaking a placement this change could affect you.
The Home Office have confirmed that a Tier 4 student who decides to add a placement option to their course after they have begun studying in the UK will need to extend their visa from outside the UK before commencing the placement. Your new Tier 4 visa, therefore, will need to cover you for both your placement and any part of your course you have remaining after the placement has been completed.
This is a new rule that only affects you if your current Tier 4 visa was issued on or after 6th April 2016.
Placement type Mandatory or optional / Date your current visa started / Your current course and visa length / What you need to do / When you need to leave the UKto obtain your visa extensionOPTIONAL PLACEMENT
You originally applied to study on a course without a placement. However, you are now considering changing to the version of the course that includes a placement. / Your Tier 4 visa for your current course started before 6th April 2016 / If you decide to transfer to the placement route of the course, your Tier 4 visa will not have enough leave to remain to cover you for that. As such you will need to extend your visa / If you choose to request a transfer to the placement route of the course, you need to be aware of the implications for your visa. These are that, to obtain a new visa to cover you for the course, you will need to leave the UK and extend your visa in your home country. / You need to leave at a time that does not interfere with your studies; the best time would be during University holiday period. We recommend you obtain your new visa before commencing your placement to guarantee you obtain a visa with enough time to complete your placement and the rest of your course. However as your visa started before 6th April 2016 you can use your current visa to complete your placement year but you will still need to return home to obtain a visa to cover you for the final year.
OPTIONAL PLACEMENT
You originally applied to study on a course without a placement. However, you are now considering changing to the version of the course that includes a placement. / Your Tier 4 visa for your current course started on or after 6th April 2016 / If you decide to complete the placement you will not complete your full course including the placement on you r current visa and will need to extend it / If you choose to request a transfer to the placement route of the course you need to be aware of the implications for your visa. To obtain a new visa to cover you for the course, you will need to leave the UK and extend your visa in your home country before beginning the placement. / You must obtain a new visa to cover you for your placement and any remaining study BEFORE you commence the placement.You need to leave at a time that does not interfere with your studies, the best time would be during a University holiday period.
MANDATORY PLACEMENT
You are studying a course that has a mandatory placement that is an assessed and integral part of your course. / Not relevant / Your Tier 4 visa covers you for the full duration of the course and the placement year. / No action required. / Not applicable
MANDATORY PLACEMENT
You originally applied to study on a course that included a mandatory placement but you have changed your mind and decided not to complete the placement or, were unable to obtain a placement. / Not relevant / Your Tier 4 visa will last longer than your current course and you will potentially complete your course early. / You should contact your School Office and arrange to transfer to the non-placement version of the programme.
The University will then report this change in circumstance to the Home Office. / The University is required to ensure your immigration record is accurate and up to date with the Home Office.
This is also important should you wish to return to the UK in the future to work or study as you have a limited amount of time to study at each academic level.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the Home Office refuse my visa to include my placement year and subsequent study?
If you return home to extend your visa and it is subsequently refused you can still return to the UK on your previous Tier 4 visa and complete the course you were originally granted leave for. The Home Office will return your original Tier 4 visa to you but you will need to let us know if this happens so we can advise you accordingly.
What if I cannot travel home in time to renew my Tier 4 visa before my placement starts?
If your original visa started on or after the 6th April 2016 and you are unable to travel back home before your placement starts, you will need to delay or cancel your placement. This is because you cannot begin your placement without obtaining your new visa. You will, however, be able to complete your degree without the placement as normal.
I am thinking about taking a placement but my Tier 4 visa started before the 6th April 2016. How does this affect me?
We recommend you obtain a new Tier 4 visa before you start your placement to ensure you have sufficient leave to cover both your new placement and any remaining study. Please see point 1in the table above for more information.
I am on placement but my Tier 4 visa is long enough to cover me for both my placement and my course. How does this affect me?
If your Tier 4 visa covers you for both your placement and your course then your placement is an integral and assessed part of your course. As suchyou do not need to do anything.
My placement is after my course of study ends and is covered by the wrap-up time on my Tier 4 visa. How does this affect me?
If you wish to use your wrap-up time to complete your placement this is possible.However, you will be unable to apply for an extension to your Tier 4 visa after the placement has ended.
Further information
Where you are required to leave the UK and apply for a new CAS you should do this by following the information here. You will be asked to provide exit evidence as part of this process.
More information about the Home Office rules related to this communication can be found in the Tier 4 Policy Guidance here.
UKVI have the right to change the immigration rules at any time and this can be done at very short notice. The University of Salford is committed to upholding these regulations and supporting you through these changes. We understand that this can be complex and confusing. If you have any questions or you would like to speak to someone about your situation, pleaseuse the contact details below:
Contact details
- Contact the University of Salford Home Office Compliance Team on 0161 295 2060 or email us at
- Make an in-person appointment via the Ask Us Referral Lounge Service by attending University House between 09:00 and 16:30 to request a same-day appointment.
Important note: Whilst every attempt has been made to ensure this information is accurate please be aware this could still be subject to change by the Home Office.