proof of residence

Hello,

I have a question which I have been unable to find the answer to on previous threads. 

As I understand it, part of the Student Visa application requires you to show proof of residence in the UK (where you will be living).  Did anyone have difficulty with this?  It seems that it would be hard for me to sign a lease on an apartment when I don't know what date or even if the visa application will be approved.  If it's university housing, does the university help arrange this (provide you with proof of residence)? 

The main reason behind this question:  My wife will be going to school in Liverpool next September.  We'd like to try and get the student visa approved for a July arrival (previous threads have stated that this is often approved even though it's greater than 30 days).  I guess I would have to pay for an apartment/flat for July and just cross my fingers that the visa app is approved for July arrival??

Thanks for your help!

Hi Jim,
I didn't have housing arranged before I arrived in Bath. I used a friend's address who lived in the next town over. They never even questioned it. Is there an international advisor at the university you can speak to? I believe you can even list a hotel or B&B where you will be staying until you find something permanent.

Good luck!
Kim

Where did you get this idea?  There is no requirement to show the entry clearance officer that you have arranged accommodation in the UK.  You do have to show that you can afford to pay for your accommodation, but you don't need to have already organised it.

If you are already in the UK, and you want to invite your spouse to come and live with youdy in the UK, you *do* need to show that you have adequate accommodation for both.

Hope this is helpful.

When you apply for a student visa the application asks you what your address is going to be in the UK. No one asked me this when I entered the country and it wasn't listed anywhere on the visa once I received it, but it was on the application. 

You do need to give an address in the UK for the student visa...they need to make sure that you won't be on the streets.  You can probably get away with giving the name of a hostel you intend to stay in until you get sorted, as long as you can show that you have the money to afford the stay.

Don't you also have to put a UK address on a landing card?

Vicky

The multi-purpose VAF1 non-settlement visa application form, for students, visitors and many others, has a standard question for all applicants in Section 5.  It asks for the address and phone number of where you will be staying in the UK.  Students can just give the name, address and phone number of their university or, if they know it, where they will actually stay when they first arrive. 

If you have to fill in a landing card, you will need to put where you are staying either temporarily or permanently.  Again, this can be the university address.  Even those students who don't know their address should know which university they are attending!

No specific *proof* of residence is required for a student visa.  But you do need to give a contact address.

Thanks everyone...this is very helpful. 

It's not as bad as I thought!

The only thing is that the ECO needs to be happy that you an afford the cost of your stay, so it is a good idea to show where you will be staying so that he can see whether or not you can afford it.

This probably isn't as crucial for Americans as it is for people of other nationalities though. An Indian or a Nigerian would almost certainly be refused a student visa if he didn't prove that he had accommodation, whereas an American won't be dealt with nearly so strictly.

Vicky

Oh no.  That is the kind of "advice" that leads to my students being refused their visas!

Anyone applying for a UK student visa, including a US national, needs to show the ECO that they can pay all their tuition fees and basic living costs (including rent) without working.  The ECO will not waive this requirement for a US national, or any other national.

Nor would there be any additional requirement for Indian, Nigerian or any other nationals to show that they have arranged accommodation.  Not having arranged accommodation is not a grounds for refusal for a student visa.

I do get anxious about this top-of-my-head immigration advice, sorry.  Several of my US students in particular have had terrible "advice" from people whose heart was in the right place, but who didn't know their facts.  It has led to refusals of visas, refusals of entry into the UK, and even a removal last year.

This isn't 'top of my head' immigration advice, I am a qualified immigration consultant and I think that you are misunderstanding me.

I am trying to say the following:

1)  All applicants need to prove that they can afford to maintain and accommodate themselves when in the UK

2)  In order to do this, the ECO's often ask for evidence that accommodation has been arranged, in order that they can see how much the student is paying for accommodation, and can match that up with funds available.

3)  I have seen refusals of student visas which say that, because no evidence of accommodation was provided, the ECO is not convinced that the applicant has worked out how much his living expenses will be, and therefore the refusal is based on a doubt that he can afford to accommodate himself.  It may not be legitimate, but if all refusals were legitimate, there would never be successful appeals.

I therefore advise nationals from developing countries to provide evidence of accommodation, as it is better to be safe than sorry, and it is better not to give the ECO any possible grounds for refusal.  This is especially true when the applicant is staying with family, as is often the case, and will probably not be paying rent.

Vicky