After accepting your offer from the university, you need to apply for a Tier 4 Student Visa before coming to the UK. We recommend you to do it as soon as possible (ie. 3 months before your course start date) after accepting your offer as this process takes at least 3 working weeks to complete. Here is a checklist of documents that you need to prepare beforehand.
Documents you need to apply for your Visa Application
- CAS (A Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies) Statement
Will be issued to you if you have an unconditional offer or you have accepted your offer
It will be sent to you via your email, so please check!
- Passport or travel document
A current passport or travel document
Note: If your passport is going to expire within the period that you will be studying in the UK, we recommend you to renew it. If not, you have to go through the whole visa process again.
- Financial documents
Need to provide evidence to show that you meet the financial requirements set by UKVI
You may show this using either Sponsor Letter (Officially sponsored) or Bank Statement (Self-financed)
The funds must be in your bank account or your parent’s bank account for 28 days before the date you apply for the visa online – not the date of the appointment at the visa application centre
More details here: http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=28713
*Singapore is considered a low-risk country, hence you need not submit the documentation as part of your application. However, you will still need to sign a declaration in the Tier 4 visa application form to state that you have the necessary evidence available.
- Photocopy of NRIC
- Printed online visa application
Visa application portal (Tier 4 Visa): https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/apply-visa-type/tier4
You may follow the step by step guide by UoM: http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=24375
Take note: the term ‘sponsor’ in the visa application refers to the visa sponsor (ie. University of Manchester) and not your financial sponsor
Once the application is complete, the system will prompt you to book a visa appointment with VFS Global (Book the next available slot before September)
- Printed visa appointment letter
- IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge) Reference number
Students who are on a Tier 4 Student Visa coming to the UK for 6 months and longer are required to pay an IHS as part of your visa application
IHS gives you access to the NHS (The National Healthcare Service UK) in the UK at no additional cost
After you have completed your visa application online, you need to book a visa appointment with VFS Global. Their office is located at 135 Cecil Street, #08-01 MYP Plaza, Singapore 069536. The nearest MRT stations are Telok Ayer and Tanjong Pagar.
Please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment and bring along the necessary documents such as:
- Printed appointment letter/receipt
- Printed online visa application form
- Your valid passport or travel document which must have at least one page that is blank on both sides
- Your supporting documents, if you have not already uploaded these yourself
CAS Statement
IHS Reference Number
Photocopy of NRIC
Also, please dress reasonably as your photo will be taken for your visa and Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).
The visa application process may be the most tedious thing to do before you leave for the UK. So please give yourself sufficient time to prepare the necessary documents! Hope this information is useful and if you have any questions, feel free to drop us a message on any of our social media platforms! (IG: @sssmuk, FB: Singapore Students’ Society of Manchester)
Looking forward to seeing you guys soon ☺ Meanwhile please take care and stay safe!
Written by: Alanis, General Secretary