Tier 4 application problem

[evannnn]

I am an exchange student from Hong Kong (I don't need to apply for a visa to enter the UK as visitor or short-term student) from Jan until Jun with short term student visa. I am offered to take another exchange semester at the same school from Sep until Dec. I will be going home in Jun right after I finish the first semester to apply for a Tier 4 student visa for the second semester.

My plan is to return to the UK in early July as a visitor, and then leave and reenter the country to activate the Tier 4 student visa one week before my course starts. I would like to know is there any problems if I do so.

Many thanks!

[sah10406]

Why are you making it so complicated? Why not simply return as a short term student for the Sept-Dec course?

[evannnn]

Why are you making it so complicated? Why not simply return as a short term student for the Sept-Dec course?

Because my friends and I plan to travel in the UK and Europe during July and August.

[evannnn]

Why are you making it so complicated? Why not simply return as a short term student for the Sept-Dec course?

And if I come in as a visitor for two 2 months then come back again as a short-term student. I'm afraid that they would see me bypassing proper visa application. That's why I need to go home and obtain a Tier 4 as a proper visa.

[sah10406]

And if I come in as a visitor for two 2 months then come back again as a short-term student. I'm afraid that they would see me bypassing proper visa application. That's why I need to go home and obtain a Tier 4 as a proper visa.

Yet you are not concerned about trying to enter the UK as a Standard Visitor very shortly after being here for 6 months as a Short Term Student?

As long as each visit to the UK is a genuine short visit, with evidence, that should be fine. If you are concerned, apply for a Standard Visitor visa and a Short Term Student visa before entering the UK, rather than relying on being a non-visa national.

[evannnn]

And if I come in as a visitor for two 2 months then come back again as a short-term student. I'm afraid that they would see me bypassing proper visa application. That's why I need to go home and obtain a Tier 4 as a proper visa.

Yet you are not concerned about trying to enter the UK as a Standard Visitor very shortly after being here for 6 months as a Short Term Student?

As long as each visit to the UK is a genuine short visit, with evidence, that should be fine. If you are concerned, apply for a Standard Visitor visa and a Short Term Student visa before entering the UK, rather than relying on being a non-visa national.

Thank you for your advice. I think I would apply for a standard visitor visa. However, I think I would still apply for a tier 4 visa because I have used the short-term student visa once already (even though technically it's not a visa). If it is possible that I apply a standard visitor visa after I apply a tier 4 visa and get back my passport? Would two of them cancel out each other? My plan is to travel to the UK in early July with standard visitor visa then re-enter the country to activate my tier 4 visa.

[evannnn]

I am an exchange student from Hong Kong, starting from Jan to Jun, under the Short-Term Study Visa, which is the one granted to non-visa nationals, not one needs application in advance. I am offered to have another exchange term from Sep to Dec. Therefore, I will be returning home to apply for a Tier 4 visa. Due to the fact that I need to come back to the UK for some personal events, such as travelling, attending wedding, I would like to apply for a Standard Visitor visa because I have stayed in the U.K. for 6 months relying on the non-visa national identity and I don't want to take the risk.

My questions are:

1. Is it possible for me to possess a Standard Visitor visa and a Tier 4 Visa at the same time?
(If I am correct, my Tier 4 Visa will be only valid in Sep while Standard Visitor Visa will last from June unto 6 months)

2. Would the second visa cancel the first one?

3. Should I apply Tier 4 first or Standard Visitor first?

4. If I have stayed in the U.K. for 6 months as a short-term student, is it okay for me to travel to the U.K. based on my non-visa nationals identity?

5. If I have stayed in the U.K. for 6 months as a short-term student, is it okay for me to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa?

Thank you!

[CR001]

I am an exchange student from Hong Kong, starting from Jan to Jun, under the Short-Term Study Visa, which is the one granted to non-visa nationals, not one needs application in advance. I am offered to have another exchange term from Sep to Dec. Therefore, I will be returning home to apply for a Tier 4 visa. Due to the fact that I need to come back to the UK for some personal events, such as travelling, attending wedding, I would like to apply for a Standard Visitor visa because I have stayed in the U.K. for 6 months relying on the non-visa national identity and I don't want to take the risk.

My questions are:

1. Is it possible for me to possess a Standard Visitor visa and a Tier 4 Visa at the same time?
(If I am correct, my Tier 4 Visa will be only valid in Sep while Standard Visitor Visa will last from June unto 6 months)

2. Would the second visa cancel the first one?

3. Should I apply Tier 4 first or Standard Visitor first?

4. If I have stayed in the U.K. for 6 months as a short-term student, is it okay for me to travel to the U.K. based on my non-visa nationals identity?

5. If I have stayed in the U.K. for 6 months as a short-term student, is it okay for me to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa?

Thank you!

It is not necessary to create a new topic in another sub forum (General Immigration) asking the same/similar question to what you have already asked here and where you have received advice.

Topics have been merged.

See also Multiple Posts (click)

[evannnn]

I have stayed in the UK as a short-term student from 10 Jan until 15 Jun and am going to apply for a Tier 4 for my next exchange term from 15 Sep until 13 Dec. I come from Hong Kong, which is on the list that requires applicants to have a TB test.

Do I need to get a TB test if my next course lasts only for 3 month and I have previously stayed in the UK for a long period of time (Jan to Jun)?

Many thanks!

[sah10406]

See https://www.gov.uk/tb-test-visa