Tier 4 (Student) Question for couple

Hi, my husband and I will both be students (postgrad) in Oxford and London, respectively. Due to living costs and the fact that I will only have classes 2 days/week, we hope to live in Oxford. Here's where it gets complicated...

- Do we have to submit individual Tier 4 applications because we are both students? Or could one apply as the primary applicant, one as dependent?

- We would prefer to do the latter, due to the maintenance funds requirement. If we applied individually, the requirement would be much higher than if applying jointly, particularly if I'm required to state "London based study". If we were required to do so, we will probably have to take out a short-term loan to show proven funds by the date of application (really long story --> anticipated summer jobs with stipend paid at end will cover most tuition costs).

- My term calendar is from the end of September to late June. Is it at all possible to apply for a full twelve months' stay? I won't have any dissertation work continuing beyond June. I know this might be pushing it, but it would be great to be eligible to work, even if only a few hours a week.

- Additionally, both of our schools have different term calendars (his ends three weeks earlier than mine). We would like for our visa dates to match.

I really, really appreciate your advice on this matter. I've tried contacting my local ABriggs with these questions and they responded with an info sheet on Tier 2 applications (rather odd and makes me apprehensive to ask them anything further). Please let me know if you think I should contact someone else -- I'd be happy to look into it.

Thanks a million!
Rose

Tier 4 is not active until sometime after the end of March and the final policy guidelines are not available yet, plus no one has even started to go through this process.  Right now, the standard Student Visa rules are in force: http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/applyingbeforemarch09/.  This makes it very hard to even answer some of these questions, especially what controls there will be on dependents.

Tier 4 is not active until sometime after the end of March and the final policy guidelines are not available yet, plus no one has even started to go through this process.  Right now, the standard Student Visa rules are in force: http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/applyingbeforemarch09/.  This makes it very hard to even answer some of these questions, especially what controls there will be on dependents.

Theoretically, under the current student visa, would we have to apply as individual applicants?

No, you could decide which of you has the stronger application and have them apply as a student and the other as a dependent.

Vicky

I'm applying for a student visa, too. (LSE in the fall). Someone on the forum said that the student visas are good for two years, assuming one year of for a Masters and a year after for working.  I didn't ask about longer than one year Visas as I'm just going for the Masters right now. Is that still right?

I have the different start date issue as well, but mine are because my children will be coming and starting school in the beginning of September.

It's all so confusing, especially with the changes that are coming.

'Someone' is wrong.  You get a student visa for the duration of the course, plus a few months, and then you MAY be able to apply for the post study work visa.  This is not automatic though.

Vicky

Yes, and PSWs currently fall under Tier 1 and more information can be found here: http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/tier1/poststudy/

There are specifically designed to bridge someone from post study until when they qualify for either a Tier 1 General or Tier 2 Skilled Worker visa.

You right (of course  ) I'm sorry, the date span from 2009-2011 confuses me. It's the year of the program, plus that 4 month 'bridge.'  I'm not worried about the extra year, I just need it to span from a few weeks before the kids school starts until the end of the following summer when my dissertation is due. So I think that will be fine.

I'm going to work through this with the school a little later, after the March changes.

Muchas gracias to everyone for all their patience!