CAS-AFTER 21/04/2011

CAS

The Sponsor guidance notes from the UKBA (on page 2 or 3) state that the rules in place when the CAS is assigned will be rules applied to the visa.

As you are on a course on NQF 6 this means you do not have to take a IELTS as long as your CAS is assigned by today… if you have a CAS assigned after today (from the 21st April) you will have to have a IELTS in order to get a CAS unless you go to a University or have a degree equivalent to a UK bachelors degree taught in a UKBA approved english speaking country.
Hope that helps!


Free UKBA advice help line 0094779568350-[free admission free consultancy -- for student visas]

Opening a student bank account in the UK

It can be difficult to open a bank account in the UK and it may take several weeks to open an account:

• Speak to your bank - some have links with UK banks so you can open a UK bank account before you arrive in the country.

• If you are unable to open an account before you leave, bring enough money with you to last the first couple of months.

• If you enter the UK from a non-EU country and are carrying 10,000 Euros or more (or the equivalent in other currencies) you will be required to declare the cash to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). This applies to notes, coins, bankers' drafts, cheques and travellers' cheques. There is no declaration for if you are travelling from the EU.

Once in the UK, you may require the following documents to open a bank account:

• Passport / EU ID card
• Valid visa
• UCAS letter / letter from your university providing evidence of your studies
• A utility bill or tenancy agreement with your name and address

Registering with the police

Some nationalities need to register with the police when arriving in the UK. You should have a sticker in your passport or on your ID card which states this. If you have permission to stay in the UK for less than six months, you will not need to register. The UK Border Agencywebsite has a list of the nationalities required to register.

Paying Council Tax

Council Tax is set by local authorities in London to pay for services they provide such as recycling and the local police.

The amount of Council Tax you will need to pay will vary depending on the size of the house you live in and which Borough of London the house is located in.

You will not need to pay council tax if you live in accommodation provided by the university or if you share accommodation that is occupied only by students.

If you know your UK postcode, you can find out more about payingCouncil Tax.