sa.salford.ac.uksa.salford.ac.uk/cms/resources/uploads/files... · Web viewSeptember 2015....

Attendance Policy for Staff monitoring Tier 4 Sponsored Students

Effective from 28th September 2015

Version Number: 3.0

Laura Dixon: Senior Information Officer

Scott Mitchell: Information Officer

Student Administration

University of Salford Attendance Policy for staff monitoring Tier 4 Sponsored Students Version 3.0

Document Control InformationStatus and reason for developmentIn order for the University to maintain its Sponsor Status with UK Visas and Immigration (formally UKBA) the University is required to keep an accurate record of attendance patterns for students sponsored under Tier 4 of the points based system (PBS) and report where students are not meeting a satisfactory attendance record. In order to facilitate this the original policy was written during August 2012. Further revisions of the policy have been required in order to improve operational management of the policy both within Student Administration and Schools and (previously) research Colleges.

Revision HistoryDate Author Summary of changes Version Authorised

September 2015

September 2014

Aug 2012

S Mitchell & L Dixon

S Mitchell & L Dixon

B Booth

Changes to include the number of missed contacts reduced from 10 and 6 to 6 and 3 for taught programmes up to the point of progression to final stage of Masters programme which has also been reduced from 10 and 6 to 1 and PGR contact points reduced from 3 and 6 to 1 and 3. Further information included about non-compliance. Forms no longer submitted to School Office now via Salford Advantage. Changed name of AMRF to AF. Reporting has changed from at the inter-semester breaks to the point at which a student has missed 10 consecutive contact points

Changes to include sickness and Authorised absence

Initial Attendance Monitoring Policy created

V3.0

V2.0

V1.0

P Cartwright

S Mulholland

Policy Management and ResponsibilitiesOwner: This Policy is issued by the Home Office Compliance Team within Student

Administration. The Directorate of Student Administration has the authority to issue and communicate policy on Attendance Monitoring for Tier 4 sponsored students and has delegated day to day management and communication of the policy to the Home Office Compliance Team and School Administration Staff.

Others with responsibilities(please specify):

All subjects of the Policy will be responsible for engaging with and adhering to this policy.

Assessment Cross relevant assessments Cross if not applicableEquality AnalysisLegalInformation GovernanceAcademic Governance

XXX

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Consultation Cross relevant consultationsStaff Trades Unions via HRStudents via USSUAny relevant external bodies(please specify) …………………………………..

The policy is non-negotiable due to UKVI regulations

Authorised by: The Home Office Compliance Task and Finish GroupMinor changes to the policy may be authorised by The director of Student Administration on behalf of The Home Office Compliance Task and Finish Group

Date authorised:

Effective from: 28/09/2015

Review due: At the point of new system to support or within 1 year whichever is sooner

Document location: AskUs website

Document dissemination and communications plan:Changes to be sent to School Administration Staff, All Student Support Services, Academic Heads of Schools and Post Graduate Research Support Teams. Training sessions on changes to be available to staff who use the systems and ongoing support throughout the academic year.

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Purpose of this Policy

The University of Salford is required to monitor the attendance of all Tier 4 students, in line with UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) regulations as well as the Immigration Rules that underpin immigration into the United Kingdom. As a Sponsor, the University of Salford is committed to meeting all of its duties under its Tier 4 licence. As such, the following attendance monitoring procedures have been put in place, which will assist students in protecting their immigration status.

Scope and exceptions

This policy is to be adhered to by all students currently sponsored by the University of Salford under Tier 4 of the Points Based System that have been issued with a Confirmation of Acceptance to Study and have used this in a successful or on-going Tier 4 application. The students should be currently enrolled on a programme of study with the University of Salford or have a refused Tier 4 application that is currently undergoing an administrative review or appeal with the Courts and Tribunals Service.

Exceptions to this policy have been made for students who currently study on:

Pre-Sessional English Study Programmes: you will be required to adhere to the attendance policy set by the School of Languages;

International Foundation Years: you will be required to adhere to the attendance policy set by the School of Languages;

MSc/MBA/PgDip/PgCert programmes within Salford Business School (SBS): you will be required to adhere to the attendance policy set by the Salford Business School.

Students do not need to adhere to this policy if they currently hold leave to remain in the UK outside of Tier 4 of the Points Based System. Students holding Tier 4 leave would fall under the following categories:

Students who currently hold a Tier 4 visa; Students holding student leave before the introduction of the Points Based System; Students who have made application for Tier 4 leave within the UK using a CAS number from the

University of Salford and have a decision on the application outstanding and are currently enrolled on a course of study at the University of Salford;

Students who have made application for Tier 4 leave within the UK using a CAS number from the University of Salford, had their application refused and have made an application for administrative review or appeal and a decision on the administrative review or appeal is outstanding.

Examples of students holding leave outside of Tier 4 of the points based system can fall under the following categories:

Students holding Dependent leave; Students holding Short Term Study leave; Students holding leave under Tier 1, 2 or 5.

This list above is not an exhaustive list and further information regarding visas allowable for study are included in Appendix One of this policy. Any queries should be forwarded to [email protected]

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1) All Tier 4 sponsored students on taught programmes (UG and PGT)

1.1 All Tier 4 sponsored students on taught programmes (UG and PGT) will be monitored at one teaching event per week. If the student is on the final stage of a PGT programme, monitoring will take place once a month (with approved exceptions for International Foundation Years and English Study programmes in the School of Languages and the PGT programmes of the Salford Business School). Each teaching week or month, where applicable, is known as a “contact point”.

1.2 It is the student’s responsibility to print off a Tier 4 Attendance Form (Attendance Form) each week; however a stock of blank forms will be made available to each school office at the start of each academic year. They must take this form together with their ID card to a teaching event each week. They will present their ID card to a lecturer/technician who will sign their form.

1.3 The Attendance Form, along with additional information for the student, is located on the AskUs website for International students.

1.4 Students will submit their signed Attendance Form via Salford Advantage no later than the Sunday at the end of each teaching week. Students at the final stage of a PGT programme will submit no later than the end of the calendar month.

1.5 PGT students who have progressed to the final stage of the programme will need to maintain contact with their supervisors on a regular basis. They should continue to have their Attendance Forms signed by their supervisors but, in addition to this, are required to demonstrate ‘progress made’ since the previous Attendance Form submission and keep an accurate record of this. Progress can be detailed on the Attendance Form. Once students progress to this stage of the programme these Attendance Forms must only be submitted on a monthly basis.

1.6 PGT students who are writing up their dissertations during an approved extension to their original submission deadline will need to follow the same procedure as per point 1.5.

a) As stated in the academic regulations for taught programmes (ARTP) 2014/2015 (7.4.1) and ARTP 2015/2016 (6.4.5), students entering the extension phase on a PGT programme are not entitled to continued supervision. However there are occasionally exceptions to this, i.e. where lab work is required. In these instances the attendance monitoring policy must be adhered to and the supervisor may be requested to confirm they will continue to provide supervision and comply with the attendance monitoring requirements during the extension phase. However if poor attendance is identified prior to the extension the University reserves the right not to issue any further CAS.

b) Where engagement in study is no longer required, Tier 4 sponsored students must be advised to leave the UK as their continued participation is no longer required. These students must then provide evidence that they have left the UK to [email protected]. Evidence can be:

A scanned entry stamp from their home country; and/or A scanned air ticket.

Student Administration will then exempt them from the Attendance Monitoring procedure and update the BANNER record accordingly. For students completing programmes at Postgraduate taught level in Salford Business School, confirmation of the exemption will be sent to [email protected]

Should these students then be required to return to the UK for a short stay (for example, to submit their dissertation or attend a viva), they will need to apply for a short-term study visa.

1.7 Student Administration will provide School staff with access to the Qlikview reporting tool as well as training

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mailto:[email protected]


and will support to staff utilising the tool to monitor weekly submissions. The tool lists all their Tier 4 sponsored students monitored under this policy unless they fall under one of the specified exemptions.

1.8 Schools will be responsible for contacting students who do not submit their signed Attendance Forms on weekly or monthly basis. Forms need to be received and inputted by close of business on the Tuesday after the week they have been submitted for.

1.9 Contact made to the student can be noted on Salford Advantage and viewed within Qlikview.

1.10 If three consecutive contacts have been missed on a UG programme or up to the point of progression onto the final stage of a PGT programme or one contact point has been missed following progression onto the final stage of a PGT programme, Student Administration will send an email to these students advising that they need to comply with the attendance monitoring policy and further non-compliance will result in the withdrawal of sponsorship of their Tier 4 visa.

1.11 If six consecutive contacts have been missed on a UG programme or up to the point of progression onto the final stage of a PGT programme or three consecutive contacts have been missed following progression onto the final stage of a PGT programme, the student will be requested to attend an interview with a member of UK Visas and Immigration Compliance Team and, unless further evidence can be provided within ten working days of the student being identified, sponsorship will be withdrawn.

1.12 Where six or three consecutive contacts have been identified in relation to the student’s progression status and contextual evidence is provided, this will brought to a panel of three members of staff before considering a withdrawal of sponsorship.

N.B. Even though this is less than ten consecutive contact points as per the Sponsor Guidance published by UK Visas and Immigration, this is three months’ worth of study and any student having no engagement in their programme for this period of time is too high a risk to the University’s Sponsor license.

1.13 Student Administration will send a letter to the student, and advise the school, confirming a withdrawal from the programme of study and withdrawal of sponsorship. The administrator for the student/s will process the withdrawal.

1.14 All Tier 4 sponsored students are subject to the Attendance Policy for Tier 4 Sponsored Students until the end of their programme of study on their student record1 or duration of their visa, whichever is the earliest of the two dates. This is unless they return to their home country, evidence they have left the UK has been provided and their sponsorship has been cancelled where their Tier 4 leave is no longer required. For PGT students writing their dissertations or final project, Student Administration may also need to be informed of the final submission dates before they can be exempted from UK Visas and Immigration Attendance Monitoring requirements.

1.15 Student Administration will carry out an audit of submitted Attendance Forms annually. This will require a sample of forms to be checked by Student Administration from a list of specified students identified by Student Administration. The list will be sent to the schools with a request for the relevant academic signatures with a specified deadline that must be adhered to. The forms will then be checked against the academic signatures provided.

1 The end date may be re-determined by approval of an academic extension, a re-sit requirement or re-take requirement or an interruption of study.

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2) All Tier 4 sponsored students on placements or exchange programmes

2.1 It is a UK Visas and Immigration requirement that all Tier 4 sponsored students on placements must also be monitored for attendance.

2.2 Placement Tutors or co-ordinators must inform Student Administration of a student’s placement location and duration of the placement as soon as the details are confirmed as this must be reported to UK Visas and Immigration within ten working days of the placement commencing. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that their contact details (e.g. term time address and contact telephone number) are kept up to date on the Student Information System by using Self Service.

2.3 The students must follow the same procedure as for those on taught programmes, printing off an Attendance Form each week and have it signed by a nominated line manager or point of contact at the placement venue. Alternatively, copies of timesheets may be provided as evidence of attendance.

2.4 The Attendance Form (or timesheet) must be submitted via Salford Advantage. Placement co-ordinators must be able to verify the signature of the line manager at the placement venue.

2.5 Student Administration will provide Schools with a list of all Tier 4 sponsored students on placement following the deadline for registration during each academic year. The accuracy of this list in some cases will be dependent on the academic record for the year being updated with the correct programme code related to the placement.

3) Reassessments/retakes and the 60-day regulation

3.1 UK Visas and Immigration regulations state that if any students are not required to participate in their programme of study (either in class or by some other contact) for more than 60 days of the start of the academic period, then these students must leave the UK. In such instances, the University will withdraw its Tier 4 sponsorship of these students, their student records will be set to ‘interruption of study’ and UK Visas and Immigration will be informed of the circumstances.

3.2 The 60-day regulation applies to all students who fail their assessments and have to undergo reassessment (i.e. they do not undertake any study or attend any classes in the intervening period) as in the following, but not exhaustive, circumstances:

a) If the student fails in September and the next available opportunity will be in the following assessment period in January: the student must return to their home country and only return to the UK on a short-term study visa for the reassessment;

b) If the student fails in January (e.g. January intake) and the next available opportunity will be in the following assessment period in June: the student must return to their home country and only return to the UK on a short- term study visa UK for the reassessment.

N.B. In each of the two examples above, the student’s record must be set to ‘interruption of study’ during their period spent back in the home country, their tier 4 sponsorship is cancelled and their leave to remain in the UK will be curtailed by UK Visas and Immigration. In order for the student to re-activate their student record they must complete registration procedures.

3.3 The 60-day regulation also applies to students who only need to retake one Semester in the next academic year as follows:

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a) If the student’s retake is in Semester One and then no further contact is required in Semester Two: the student should complete Semester One as required and then return to their home country for Semester Two;

b) If the student’s retake is in Semester Two but there is no contact required during Semester One: the student must return to their home country for Semester One and only return to the UK for Semester Two.

N.B. In each of the two examples above, the student’s record is set to ‘interruption of study’ during their period spent back in the home country, their tier 4 sponsorship cancelled and their leave to remain in the UK curtailed. In order for the student to re-activate their student record they must complete registration procedures.

3.4 Where a student is not required to engage in study within a 60 day period, students will be asked to provide evidence that they have left the UK (such as a scanned exit stamp in their passport or a scanned air ticket). This will then exempt them from UK Visas and Immigration Attendance Monitoring procedure. The student may then request a new CAS within good time, which can be used to apply for a new visa in order to return to the UK for continuation of their studies.

3.5 Students who remain sponsored under Tier 4 are required to be participating in their programme of study whilst undergoing re-assessments during the teaching period (either in class or by some other contact) and as such, remain subject to UK Visas and Immigration Attendance Monitoring procedures.

4) All tier 4 sponsored students on research programmes (PGR)

4.1 It is a requirement of the University that there will be at least ten formal supervision sessions per year taking place for all full-time PGR students.

4.2 For Home Office compliance purposes, these sessions must take place once a month, every month. In the event that a student misses a monthly meeting, the Research Support Team will contact the student.

4.3 It will be a responsibility of the PGR student to keep a record of each formal supervisory session on the Research Supervision Record Form (RSRF). The RSRF, along with additional information for the student, is located on the AskUs website for International Students.

PGR students can also be referred to more research-specific support pages.

4.4 Students will submit their signed RSRF via Salford Advantage by no later than the Sunday following the end of the calendar month.

4.5 Student Administration will provide the Research Support Team with access to the Qlikview reporting tool as well as training and support to staff utilising the tool to monitor weekly submissions. The tool lists all their Tier 4 sponsored students monitored under this policy unless they fall under one of the specified exemptions.

4.6 Research Support Teams will be responsible for chasing students who do not submit their signed RSRFs.

4.7 Each month the Research Support Teams will collate process and all submitted RSRFs.

4.8 If student absences amount to one contact point Student Administration will send an email to these students advising that they need to comply with the attendance monitoring policy and further non compliance will result in the withdrawal of sponsorship of their Tier 4 visa.

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4.9 If three consecutive contacts have been missed the student will be requested to attend an interview with a member of UK Visas and Immigration Compliance Team and, unless further evidence can be provided within ten working days of the student being identified, sponsorship will be withdrawn.

4.10 Where three consecutive contacts have been identified, this will brought to a panel of three members of staff before considering a withdrawal of sponsorship.

N.B. Even though this is less than ten consecutive contact points as per the Sponsor Guidance published by UK Visas and Immigration, this is three months worth of study and any student having no engagement in their programme for this period of time is too high a risk to the University’s Sponsor license.

4.11 Student Administration will send a letter to the student, and will also advise the Research Support Team, confirming a withdrawal from the programme of study and withdrawal of sponsorship. The Research Support Team for the student/s will process the withdrawal in the normal way.

4.12 All Tier 4 sponsored research students are subject to the Attendance Policy for Tier 4 Sponsored Students until the end of their programme of study (the end date on their student record) or duration of their visa, whichever is the earlier of the two dates, unless they return to their home country, evidence they have left the UK has been provided and their sponsorship cancelled where their Tier 4 leave is no longer required.2

4.13 Student Administration will carry out an audit of submitted RSRFs from time to time. This will require a sample of RSRF forms to be checked by Student Administration from a list of specified students identified by Student Administration. The RSRFs will be sent to the Research Support Team with a deadline that must be adhered to. The forms will be checked against academic signatures held on file.

5) Approved exception for the PGT programmes in the Salford Business School

5.1 The method of block delivery for PGT programmes within the Salford Business School (SBS) has required an approved exception to the University’s Home Office Compliance Attendance Monitoring procedures as outlined above.

5.2 It is a condition of acceptance onto the SBS PGT programmes that students are in attendance for the induction week and registers are taken from this point forward.

5.3 Week one of the semester requires students to attend 2 ½ days of intensive teaching and registers will be taken on each of these days. The students’ next point of formal contact is the submission of their first assessment in week 3 of the semester.

5.4 Week four of the semester also requires students to attend 2½ days of intensive teaching; again, registers will be taken on each of these days. The module completes in week 6 of the semester with a final assessment which is the next recorded point of formal contact.

5.5 The pattern of attendance as outlined above is then repeated in weeks six to twelve.

5.6 Due to the very nature of this new form of delivery in the SBS, the School will be responsible for intensively monitoring and reporting on Tier 4 student attendance. The School will always check supporting contextual information from SLD and personal tutors when investigating any issues of non-attendance. Each week the SBS will

2 The end date of their programme of study may be re-determined by a requirement to re-submit their thesis either following major corrections or full 12 month resubmission of thesis or an interruption of study.

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collate all PGT registers of their Tier 4 students and send them to Student Administration. For audit purposes, Student Administration will keep a record of all submitted registers and any evidence submitted as contextual data to support authorised absences.

5.7 If absences amount to three consecutive missing points up to the point of progression to the final stage of the programme or one contact point following progression to the final stage of the programme, the SBS will send a letter to these students and a copy to Student Administration for auditing purposes. The letter should warn them that if their non-attendance continues, the University will have no other choice but to report them to UK Visas and Immigration unless there is contextual data which prove that the absences were authorised. This information then needs to be evidenced and forwarded to Student Administration for central recording (template provided by Student Administration).

5.8 If no contact is made by the sixth consecutive expected contact point up to the point of progression or third consecutive expected contact point following the point of progression, the SBS will inform Student Administration who will write to the student requesting that they arrange an appointment within a set deadline.

5.9 Actions taken following identification of six or three consecutive missed contact points will follow the same procedures as all other students on taught UG or PGT programmes of study.

6) Approved exception for the International Foundation Years (IFY) and English Study Programmes (ESP)

6.1 The nature of IFY and ESP programmes has also required an approved exception to the University’s Attendance Monitoring Policy for Tier 4 Students.

6.2 Attendance is recorded by teaching staff for all students in the classroom by using registers. During the first few weeks, teaching staff should require student ID cards in order to verify the identity of their students until they become known by sight.

6.3 Attendance is monitored on a weekly basis, with each register checked for completion and for any patterns of absence (e.g. three consecutive absences, any overall percentage less than 80%, or a pattern of absence that causes concern).

6.4 Any student who falls into one of the three categories above will then trigger the reporting process specific to IFY and ESP programmes, with any students meeting the trigger points set out by Salford Languages being withdrawn from their programme of study and reported to UK Visas and Immigration via Student Administration.

6.5 Attendance monitoring for students on IFY and ESP programmes is being administered entirely by staff in the School of Languages; as such, they have their own policy and procedure in place for dealing with this Tier 4 Sponsor requirement.

7) International students exempt from Tier 4 Attendance Monitoring requirements

7.1 Students studying with the University of Salford on leave outside of Tier 4 of the Points Based System are exempt from this policy.

7.2 Leave outside of Tier 4 of the Points Based System is classed as:

a) Students holding an immigration category valid for study outside of Tier 4;b) Students who have returned to their home country and sponsorship of any Tier 4 leave has been held;c) Dependents of Tier 4 visa holders.

7.3 Students holding Tier 4 leave are classed as:

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a) Students who hold either temporary or permanent leave sponsored under Tier 4 of the Points Based System;

b) Students who have applied for leave using a Confirmation of Acceptance to Study from the University of Salford and still have a decision on their application outstanding;

c) Students who have applied for leave using a Confirmation of Acceptance to Study from the University of Salford, have had their application refused and still have a decision on their an appeal or Administrative Review outstanding3.

7.4 Points 7.1 and 7.2 of this policy are not intended to be exhaustive. Any queries should be directed to [email protected].

8) Reporting

8.1 Reporting students to the Home Office for non-attendance will occur at the point the student misses 10 consecutive contacts.

3 Judicial Reviews do not allow the student to remain in the UK lawfully and therefore any students undergoing a Judicial Review will be either interrupted or withdrawn from their programme of study unless they can provide evidence that their review has been successful and leave has been granted.

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Appendix One – Visas Valid for Study

Visa Code Description Instances Where UsedD1 Doctorate Extension Scheme To be used where the student has been granted a Tier 4 visa under the University’s Doctorate Extension Scheme.

If the University of Salford is sponsoring a student, the Tier 4 visa will display our licence number (9DFMKXFW4).F1 Student Visa Tier 4 To be used where the student has been granted a Tier 4 visa and is studying and enrolled on any programme of

study with us. If the University of Salford is sponsoring a student, the Tier 4 visa will display our licence number (9DFMKXFW4).

The visa start date should the date indicated on the Visa or BRP, the visa end date should be the end date indicated on the Visa or BRP.

F2 Dependent of Student To be used where the student has been granted a visa as a dependent of somebody else with Tier 4 leave. This would normally state “PBS Dependent” on the visa.


F3 Short Term Study Visa To be used for any student that has been issued with what was commonly known as a “Student Visitor Visa”. These can either be issued as a vignette style visa or be given in the form of an entry stamp at the UK Border for low risk nationalities. They are only valid for 6 months from the date of issue.


It was confirmed by the University of Salford’s Premium Account Manager on the 21st April 2015 that anyone holding Indefinite Leave does not require an ATAS for an ATAS related course of study.

F4 Prospective Student This route is no longer applicable and has not been in use since October 2013F5 Other Dependent To be used where the student has been granted a visa as a dependent of somebody else with any leave outside

of Tier 4.


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University of Salford Attendance Policy for staff monitoring Tier 4 Sponsored Students Version 3.0Visa Code Description Instances Where UsedF6 Tier 5 There are three main types of Tier 5 visa:

Tier 5 (Youth Mobility); these are issued to people aged between the age of 18-30 and are from a countries that are part of the Youth Mobility Scheme. The current countries that are under the scheme are:

AustraliaCanadaJapanMonacoNew ZealandHong KongRepublic of Korea (South Korea); andTaiwan.

You can also apply for the scheme if you are a British Overseas citizen, a British Overseas territories citizen and a British National (Overseas) citizen.

In all cases students studying on this type of leave can study full or part time. There are no general obligations the student must meet in order to retain this type of visa. The visas will normally be valid for two years in total.


Tier 5 (Temporary Worker – Creative & Sporting); these are normally issued to people if they have been offered work as a sports person or creative worker and are normally valid for 12 months. Students with this type of visa can normally study full or part time as long as they meet the primary obligations of their visa, i.e. work for the company that is sponsoring them.

The visa start date should the date indicated on the Visa or BRP, the visa end date should be the end date indicated on the Visa or BRP

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University of Salford Attendance Policy for staff monitoring Tier 4 Sponsored Students Version 3.0Visa Code Description Instances Where UsedF6 (cont) Tier 5 (continued) Tier 5 (Temporary Worker – Government Authorised Exchange); these are normally issued to people who

come to the UK as part on an approved government exchange programme and are being sponsored by a licensed sponsor. Leave can be granted for either 12 or 24 months dependant on the exchange programme. Students can study full or part time as long as they are meeting the primary obligations of their visa, i.e. work for the company that is sponsoring them.


F7 Tier 1 There are two main types of Tier 1 visa:

Tier 1 (Entrepeneur); these are normally issued to people who wish to set up a business within the United Kingdom. Leave granted is normally for a maximum of 3 years and 4 months. Students can study full or part time as long as they are meeting the primary obligations of their visa, i.e. working for the business they have intended to set up.


Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent); these are normally issued to people who are recognised leaders or emerging leaders in your field of work. There is a two stage process for application, the first being an endorsement from the Home Office as a leader or emerging leader. Leave is granted for a maximum of 5 years and 4 months and the number of places available on this application route is limited. Students can study full or part time as long as they are meeting the primary obligations of their visa, i.e. working in their field of expertise.


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University of Salford Attendance Policy for staff monitoring Tier 4 Sponsored Students Version 3.0Visa Code Description Instances Where UsedF8 Indefinite Leave to Remain This is normally granted to people seeking settlement within the UK. Although the term “indefinite” means that

the person granted this type of leave are able to remain in the UK indefinitely, the BRP cards issued to endorse this type of leave will have an expiry date. They are required to re-apply before the expiry date of the endorsement. Students can study full or part time on this type of leave without any restrictions.


It was confirmed by the University of Salford’s Premium Account Manager on the 21st April 2015 that anyone holding Indefinite Leave does not require an ATAS for an ATAS related course of study.

F9 Student Visa (Pre-Tier 4) These were granted to students who were sponsored by the University of Salford before the points based system was introduced in 2009. It is very unlikely that you are going to be presented with a visa from a student holding this type of leave.


G1 Tier 4 another institution If the University of Salford is sponsoring a student, the Tier 4 visa will display our licence number (9DFMKXFW4). If the student presents us with a Tier 4 visa with a different sponsor number it is likely that their leave is being sponsored by another institution. Care must be taken if this type of leave is presented to you and in all instances should be referred onto the Home Office Compliance Team particularly if the student has a large amount of time left on the visa (the visa may have been cancelled by the relevant sponsor and may no longer be valid).

The University does not enrol students holding Tier 4 leave sponsored by another institution and will therefore ask the student to make an on time Tier 4 application and present us with evidence of this before allowing the student to enrol and populating a check in date in SGASTDN.

In any instance, this type of visa should only be populated into the GOAINTL record by the Home Office Compliance team as a reference as to why a student was unable to enrol and check-in. The visa start date should the date indicated on the Visa or BRP, the visa end date should be the end date indicated on the Visa or BRP.

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University of Salford Attendance Policy for staff monitoring Tier 4 Sponsored Students Version 3.0Visa Code Description Instances Where UsedG2 Family Reunion Visa This type of visa is normally granted to people who have applied to join or stay in the UK if the student was

separated from a partner if they were forced to leave their home country or Asylum or 5 years humanitarian protection has been granted but they do not yet have British Citizenship. Students can study full or part time.


G3 Tier 2 Tier 2 visas are normally granted where the student is being sponsored by an employer to work full time. Study is permitted on this type of visa as long as the primary obligations are being met by the student, i.e. working full time for the sponsor that is employing them. Generally, if you come across this type of visa it will be for a part time programme.


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University of Salford Attendance Policy for staff monitoring Tier 4 Sponsored Students Version 3.0Visa Code Description Instances Where UsedG4 Visa Application With UKBA T4 We can allow students to study with us where a physical visa is not held as long as the student has made an on

time application to UK Visas and Immigration. Where an applicant has made an application to UK Visas we normally ask for the following evidence in place of a physical visa (the following list is in the order that the student normally receives this in):

The application cover sheet and a post office receipt (where applicable); this indicates the date of application and the date supporting documents have been sent to UK Visas (the student normally has 15 days to submit any supporting documents to UK Visas)

A letter confirming receipt of the documents; this is normally sent to the student within two weeks of the application and supporting documents being submitted to UK Visas. There seems to be inconsistency with how these letters are now managed by UK Visas and in most cases these appear to no longer be issued, instead the student will receive their request to enrol for their biometrics instead.

A Biometric Appointment Request and Post Office Receipt; the student will be requested to make an appointment with a local post office to take biometrics (fingerprints) for their residency permit. The student must enrol for the biometrics within 15 working days, the post office receipt should confirm the date of enrolment.

A decision letter; a decision on a Tier 4 application is normally made within 8 weeks of submission provided the student enrols for their biometrics on time. A decision will either be that applicant has been successful or refused. If the applicant is successful they will be sent their Biometric Residency Permit within ten working days.

The GOAINTL record must be updated and inputted in the following way:

Visa Start Date – This must be the date the application was made to the Home Office Visa End Date – This must be 8 weeks from the visa start date Visa number – This must be the word “Evidence” followed by the date the latest piece of evidence was

received.

By updating it in the above format it allows us to see if the application is taking longer than expected and chase up with UK Visas and it also allows us to see the last time the student provided us with an update. We would not chase up a student who has provided an update within the last month.

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University of Salford Attendance Policy for staff monitoring Tier 4 Sponsored Students Version 3.0Visa Code Description Instances Where UsedG5 Limited Leave to Remain There are various instances where limited leave can be granted to a student, the reasons and restrictions are

normally detailed on the visa.

Studying on limited leave can be acceptable in most circumstances. The visa start date should the date indicated on the Visa or BRP, the visa end date should be the end date indicated on the Visa or BRP.

G6 Visa not required (EEA) Students may arrive at the University with a passport that was issued from an EU or EEA country but they may be resident in a country outside of the EU/EEA. In all cases the student will be entitled to study in the UK.


Visa Start Date – This will normally be the date of issue of the passport Visa End Date – This will normally be the end date of the passport Visa Number – This will normally be the issuing country of the passport

G7 Visa/passport with DVLA Students may be required to send their visa or passport to the DVLA to apply for a driving license within the UK. This is generally not used as the student must be able to demonstrate they currently hold leave in order to enrol or where their previous leave has expired, if the documents are with the DVLA this is often hard to determine.

G8 No visa required/no attendance

This is normally inputted onto the students record if the students visa has expired, they still have time remaining on the course but they have left the UK upon receipt of exit evidence from the student. Exit evidence would normally be:

Flight tickets; and/or Entry stamp from their home country (where applicable


Visa Start Date – This will normally be the date the student left the UK based on the evidence received Visa End Date – This would only be entered where the student is required to return to the University, i.e.

after an interruption of study. The date entered would be the return date Visa Number – This must be the word “Evidence” followed by the date the latest piece of evidence was

received.

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University of Salford Attendance Policy for staff monitoring Tier 4 Sponsored Students Version 3.0Visa Code Description Instances Where UsedG9 Sponsorship Withdrawn Where students have had sponsorship withdrawn by us in most instances. The reason for withdrawal must be

noted on SKAICAS but the GOAINTL record must be updated in the following way:

Visa Start Date – This will normally be the date sponsorship was withdrawn Visa End Date – This should be left blank

H1 Sponsorship Withdrawn – Exit Evidence

Where students have had sponsorship withdrawn by us at the student’s request, normally where they have returned to their home country and still have time remaining on their Tier 4 visa but do not wish to return to the UK and has provided evidence of their return. Exit evidence would normally be:

Flight tickets; and/or Entry stamp from their home country (where applicable

The reason for withdrawal must be noted on SKAICAS but the GOAINTL record must be updated in the following way:

Visa Start Date – This will normally be the date the student left the UK Visa End Date – This should be left blank Visa number – This would be the date the student has provided exit evidence

H2 Dissertation or Thesis Submitted

Where students have submitted their final piece of assessed work (on a Masters level programme) or final hard bound thesis following viva and any corrections (on research related programmes). However if the piece of assessed work or thesis has been submitted two weeks earlier than the completion date indicated on SKAICAS then the student may need to be reported and sponsorship withdrawn as the student has completed early. If this is the case the student must be set to G9 instead.

If this code is applicable then the BANNER record must be updated in the following way:

Visa Start Date – This will normally be the date the student submitted the final piece of assessed work Visa End Date – This should be left blank

It is normally beneficial to update the GOAINTL record to this visa type where the student may require an exemption from attendance monitoring duties and is pending award/graduation.

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University of Salford Attendance Policy for staff monitoring Tier 4 Sponsored Students Version 3.0Visa Code Description Instances Where UsedH3 Visa Application – batch

schemeThis is normally used where the student has submitted a visa application via the University’s batch scheme. The date inputted onto GOAINTL for this type of record should be the same as a G4 – Application with UKBA T4 record. However, documents are sent directly to the University as opposed to the student

H4 Appeal against UKVI T4 The right of appeal is gradually becoming less common with refusals on Tier 4 applications. Appeals normally have to be submitted within 10 working days of a visa refusal in order to be classed as “on time” and timeframes can vary across the UK but the Courts and Tribunals service recommend that on average standard appeals can take up to 20 weeks from the date of submission. If the application for appeal (at any stage) was submitted on time, students can continue to study until the outcome of the appeal is known.

If an appeal is rejected, the student can sometimes appeal to an upper tribunal and then the court of appeal if it is then rejected by the upper tribunal. The final stage may be a Judicial Review but students no longer have study rights when they submit a Judicial Review.

We chase students for an update on appeals where contact/updates have not been made/received within the last month.


Visa Start Date – This must be the date the application was made to the Courts and Tribunals Service Visa End Date – This must be 20 weeks from the start date Visa number – This must be the word “Evidence” followed by the date the latest piece of evidence was

received.H5 Derivative Residence Card This is normally issued to primary carer for someone who has the right to live in the UK, a child of a primary carer

for someone who has the right to live in the UK or a child of a former EEA worker who is currently studying at a school, college or university within the UK.

Students can study on this visa. The visa start date should the date indicated on the Visa or BRP, the visa end date should be the end date indicated on the Visa or BRP.

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University of Salford Attendance Policy for staff monitoring Tier 4 Sponsored Students Version 3.0Visa Code Description Instances Where UsedH6 Appeal Against UKVI Non T4 Appeals normally have to be submitted within 10 working days of a visa refusal in order to be classed as “on

time” and timeframes can vary across the UK but the Courts and Tribunals service recommend that on average standard appeals can take up to 20 weeks from the date of submission. If the application for appeal (at any stage) was submitted on time, students can sometimes continue to study until the outcome of the appeal is known but in some instances we would need to know the type of application the student has submitted and to see the refusal in order to see if the student has retained any study rights.

If an appeal is rejected, the student can sometimes appeal to an upper tribunal and then the court of appeal if it is then rejected by the upper tribunal. The final stage may be a Judicial Review but students no longer have study rights when they submit a Judicial Review.

We chase students for an update on appeals where contact/updates have not been made/received within the last month.


Visa Start Date – This must be the date the application was made to the Courts and Tribunals Service Visa End Date – This must be 20 weeks from the start date Visa number – This must be the word “Evidence” followed by the date the latest piece of evidence was

received.I1 Administrative Review As the right of appeal is gradually being removed from Tier 4 applications, UK Visas and Immigration have

replaced this with the “administrative review”. The student has ten working days to submit the administrative review. If the original visa application was submitted on time and then the subsequent administrative review was submitted on time, the student retains any study rights. Administrative reviews are expected to take 28 days from the date of submission to review.


Visa Start Date – This must be the date the application was made to UK Visas and Immigration Visa End Date – This must be 28 days from the date the student has submitted the application Visa number – This must be the word “Evidence” followed by the date the latest piece of evidence was

received.

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University of Salford Attendance Policy for staff monitoring Tier 4 Sponsored Students Version 3.0Visa Code Description Instances Where UsedI2 Discretionary Leave Asylum If someone applies for Asylum but the application is refused, the person applying may be given Discretionary

Leave instead. This is normally only applicable for a 5 year period. The person holding discretionary leave then has the option to apply for a renewal. In order to retain any study rights the student has make an renewals to UK Visas and Immigration on time.

Students can study on this visa. The visa start date should the date indicated on the Visa or BRP, the visa end date should be the end date indicated on the Visa or BRP.

I3 General Visitor Visa Students cannot normally study on any visitor visa routes outside of the short term study visa route. However, UK Visas do allow students to study for a maximum of 31 days over the lifecycle of the General Visitor Visa provided study is not their primary reason for travel to the UK.

The GOAINTL record must be updated and inputted in the following way if we have allowed the student to study on this visa:

Visa Start Date – This must be the start date of study, not the start date on the visa Visa End Date – This must be 31 days from the start date of study, not the end date on the visa

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University of Salford Attendance Policy for staff monitoring Tier 4 Sponsored Students Version 3.0Visa Code Description Instances Where UsedI4 Application with UKVI Non T4 Applications outside of the Tier 4 route can still allow the student to study in some cases but we would need to

know the type of application that has been made and be able to establish if the student made the application on time. Most applications outside of the Points Based System can take up to 6 months to process.

The GOAINTL record must be updated and inputted in the following way if we have allowed the student to study whilst an application outside of Tier 4 is pending:


Visa Start Date – This must be the date the application was made to the Home Office Visa End Date – This must be 6 months from the visa start date Visa number – This must be the word “Evidence” followed by the date the latest piece of evidence was

received.

By updating it in the above format it allows us to see if the application is taking longer than expected and chase up with UK Visas and it also allows us to see the last time the student provided us with an update. We would not chase up a student who has provided an update within the last month.

I5 Diplomat Visa This type of visa is issued to diplomats and their dependents who are posted to the UK. Students can study on this type of visa. The visa start date should the date indicated on the Visa or BRP, the visa end date should be the end date indicated on the Visa or BRP.

I6 Temporary Visa (30 day) Tier 4 Students applying for Tier 4 visas outside of UK will be required to provide a visa that is only valid for 30 days. They are then required to pick their permanent Biometric Residency Permit, normally, from the University. In some instances they will be required to collect these from the Post Office. We would generally encourage students to collect their BRP first and then enrol onto the course. However, in instances where the student may still be waiting for their permanent BRP the student will be able to enrol on the temporary visa. The visa start date should the date indicated on the Visa or BRP, the visa end date should be the end date indicated on the Visa or BRP.

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University of Salford Attendance Policy for staff monitoring Tier 4 Sponsored Students Version 3.0Visa Code Description Instances Where UsedI7 Asylum Application This is where an asylum application is pending a decision from UK Visas and Immigration. The University

currently allows students with pending asylum applications to study.

The GOAINTL must be updated in the following manner:

Visa Start Date – This must be the date the application was made to the Home Office Visa End Date – This must be left blank Visa number – This must be the word “Evidence” followed by the date the latest piece of evidence was

received.

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University of Salford Attendance Policy for staff monitoring Tier 4 Sponsored Students Version 3.0Appendix Two – Summary of Submission Type and Regularity of Submission

Student Type Where to submit form

Regularity of Submission

Warning Sent To Student

Student Interviewed

Student Reported & Sponsorship Withdrawn

Undergraduate – All Schools

Salford Advantage

Weekly Between three and five consecutive contacts missed

After six consecutive contacts missed

Within ten working days of six consecutive contacts being missed where sufficient evidence cannot be provided to explain missed attendances

Postgraduate completing PgDip element of programme – All Schools except Salford Business SchoolPostgraduate completing PgDip element of programme – Salford Business School

School Office

Postgraduate completing final stage of programme – All schools except Salford Business School

Salford Advantage

Monthly Between one and two consecutive contacts missed

After three consecutive contacts missed

Within ten working days of three consecutive contacts being missed where sufficient evidence cannot be provided to explain missed attendancesPostgraduate completing

final stage of programme – Salford Business School

School Office

Postgraduate Research – All schools

Salford Advantage

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University of Salford Attendance Policy for staff monitoring Tier 4 Sponsored Students Version 3.0Appendix Three – Process Flow For Processing Salford Advantage Submissions

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Appendix Four – Process Flow For Chasing Missed Submission

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Related Documentation

The Attendance Policy for Tier 4 Sponsored Students: This can be accessed by clicking here or visiting: http://www.askus.salford.ac.uk/page/attendance-requirements-for-tier-4

Tier 4 Attendance Form: This can be accessed by clicking here or visiting: http://www.askus.salford.ac.uk/page/attendance-requirements-for-tier-4

Research Supervisory Record Form: This can be accessed by clicking here or visiting: http://www.askus.salford.ac.uk/page/attendance-requirements-for-tier-4

Sickness Self Certification: This can be accessed by clicking here or visiting: http://www.askus.salford.ac.uk/page/attendance-requirements-for-tier-4

Salford Advantage: This can be accessed by clicking here or visiting: https://myadvantage.salford.ac.uk/students/login?ReturnUrl=%2fForm.aspx%3fid%3d275062

Accessing Salford Advantage: A documented written to aid you with your submission via Salford Advantage can be accessed by clicking here or visiting: https://myadvantage.salford.ac.uk/Form.aspx?id=275062

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https://myadvantage.salford.ac.uk/Form.aspx?id=275062



https://myadvantage.salford.ac.uk/students/login?ReturnUrl=%2FForm.aspx%3Fid%3D275062

https://myadvantage.salford.ac.uk/students/login?ReturnUrl=%2FForm.aspx%3Fid%3D275062

http://www.askus.salford.ac.uk/page/attendance-requirements-for-tier-4

http://www.advice.salford.ac.uk/cms/resources/uploads/files/Self%20Certificate.docx


http://www.advice.salford.ac.uk/cms/resources/uploads/files/2015-16%20Research%20Supervision%20Record%20v2.doc


http://www.advice.salford.ac.uk/cms/resources/uploads/files/Attendance%20Monitoring%20Record%20Form%2015_16.docx


http://www.advice.salford.ac.uk/cms/resources/uploads/files/Attendance%20Policy%20For%20Tier%204%20Sponsored%20Students_11_09_15(1).docx

sa.salford.ac.uksa.salford.ac.uk/cms/resources/uploads/files... · Web viewSeptember 2015....

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