ATAS with student visas and extensions?

[dboone]

I only noticed a mention of this in the FLR(S) guidance notes as I was preparing to send in my extension application - there's no mention anywhere on the form itself. Apparently students in certain fields have to apply for some sort of "Academic Technology Approval Scheme" certificate to submit with their student visas and extensions?

Can anyone provide details? This is going to cause major problems for a lot of people applying for extensions; it's not mentioned anywhere but one paragraph in the guidance notes, and it's only come into effect from November 30th, apparently. My visa expires on the 1st of January, and I just now noticed this ATAS thing. With Christmas intervening, I don't know if I'm going to be able to get this thing in time to get my extension application in.

[VictoriaS]

http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/siteco ... icles/atas

http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/policy ... les/part3/

I would try to get it sorted this week, and if necessary make the application without it and send it on later.


Victoria

[dboone]

Many thanks, Victoria.

I'll probably have to submit the application and send the certificate later, given that the ATAS office is closed from the 22nd-27th. It's lucky that I noticed that paragraph in the guidance notes; I hadn't seen any other indication that this was required now, and hadn't been informed of it by my university or by the Home Office on the numerous occasions that I've spoken to them for clarification on required documents. I'm guessing that there are going to be a lot of postgraduate students rudely surprised with rejected extensions because of this.