The Tier 4 differentiation arrangements permit applicants from low-risk countries designated in Appendix H of the Immigration Rules to submit fewer supporting documents with their application.
Requirements for Appendix H nationals
To qualify for the arrangements as an Appendix H national, a Tier 4 applicant must:
– be sponsored by a sponsor with Tier 4 sponsor status
– be applying for entry clearance from their country of nationality or country of residence or for leave to remain in the UK
– be a national (or citizen) of a country listed below (in Appendix H)
- Argentina
- Australia
- Bahrain
- Barbados
- Botswana
- Brunei
- Cambodia
- Canada
- Chile
- China
- The Dominican Republic
- Indonesia
- Japan
- Kuwait
- Malaysia
- The Maldives
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Qatar
- Serbia
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Thailand
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United Arab Emirates
- United States of America
Documents not required under the differentiation arrangements
Applicants who meet the requirements of differentiation will not normally have to submit:
- Certificates or documents used by the Tier 4 sponsor to assess academic ability
- When applying in the UK, evidence that they have completed their previous course in the UK
- English language tests
- Evidence of their funds
Tier 4 (General) applicants do not need to submit evidence of relationship to a parent or legal guardian who is providing financial sponsorship.
Mandatory documents
Under the differentiation arrangements, all Tier 4 applicants must still submit the following with their application:
- Their passport
- biometric residence permit (if applicable)
- Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
Tier 4 (General) and Tier 4 (Child) applicants aged 16 or 17 must also provide their police registration certificate (if appropriate).
Tier 4 (General) students must provide an original Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) clearance certificate (if required).
All Tier 4 (General) and Tier 4 (Child) applicants must also provide a valid Tuberculosis screening certificate (if required).
However, the Home Office can still request the supporting documents if for example:
- there is a record of the student on the police national computer or on internal Home Office security systems
- the student’s nationality is removed from the list of ‘low risk’ nationalities
- the Home Office is making a random check on documents
If the applicant does not comply with the request, the Home Office will refuse the application.
If you wish to apply for a Tier 4 visa and have any questions, our team of experts will be happy to assist you.
