How do I sponsor a migrant?
Sponsoring adult students under Tier 4 (General)
This section explains the process of sponsoring a migrant to study in the United Kingdom under Tier 4 (General) of the points-based system.
To qualify as a student under Tier 4 (General) of the points-based system, a migrant must score 40 points. The section on Assessing migrants' points contains more information.
To be able to apply for permission to enter or stay in the UK under Tier 4, the migrant will need a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) from their Tier 4 sponsor. The student's application must be made no more than three months before the start date of their course.
The process of sponsoring a general student is made up of four stages.
- Make sure that the course the migrant wants to do is acceptable for a Tier 4 (General) student, and that any work placements meet the Tier 4 requirements. For more information, see Acceptable courses for general students.
- If the migrant is going to do a pre-sessional course to prepare them for their main course of study, make sure that the pre-sessional course meets the Tier 4 requirements. For more information, see Pre-sessional courses.
- You do not need to check that the migrant has enough money (maintenance) to cover their course fees and monthly living costs, but you may wish to do so. For more information, see Assessing general students' money.
- Issue a CAS offering the migrant an unconditional place at your institution. This will enable the migrant to apply for permission to enter or stay in the UK as a student under Tier 4 (General). For more information, see Issuing the confirmation of acceptance for studies.
If the migrant accepts your offer and we give them permission to study in the UK based on your CAS, you will become their sponsor. You must then make sure that you manage your record-keeping and reporting duties for the student. For more information, see Sponsorship duties.
Please note that all applications made on or after 5 October 2009 restrict the student to studying only with the sponsor named on their CAS (or visa letter). This includes studies at any partner institution named on the CAS (or visa letter).
For more information about what a Tier 4 student can and cannot do while you are sponsoring them, see the following sections:
- How long can a student stay in the UK?
- Can a student do paid work and other studies during their course?
- What if the student wants to switch to a different sponsor?
- What if the student needs to re-sit an exam, retake a module or write up a dissertation or thesis?
- Other changes during the period of sponsorship - becoming a students' union sabbatical officer or changing to a new course