Tier 4 to Short Term Student Visa

[akd145]

Hello all,

I have a bit of a strange situation. I am currently on a Tier 4 Student Visa because I have been participating in a study abroad program through my home university in the states. My current visa will expire on August 9th. I had planned to go home, however I applied to a summer research program with another university here in the UK and was accepted. Unfortunately, I found out it will go until the 9th of September, so I would need to be here for another month after my Tier 4 expires. To avoid over staying and because based on my circumstances I am not eligible for an extension on my current visa, I had planned to leave the UK when my visa expires and renter a few days later on a short term study visa. I have been told this is possible by the university I will be doing research with, but I am slightly nervous that the border control agent will suspect that I am attempting to live in the UK through “frequent and successive” short term student applications. As such I have done research on all of the things I would need to bring with me to prove that I am not attempting to do this and I will be going home. I plan to bring a plane ticket back to the states, the proof that I have been accepted to this research program, proof that it is relevant to my course of study back home, proof that I can support myself financially, and info from my home university saying when they expect me back and that I have already started paying for my schooling with them that year.

Will this be enough to be readmitted? Is it too risky? Any experiences, information, or opinions on the matter would be greatly appreciated! I don’t want to have a mark on my immigration record, but I also don’t want to give up on this opportunity if I don’t have to.

Many thanks!

[sah10406]

I am slightly nervous that the border control agent will suspect that I am attempting to live in the UK through “frequent and successive” short term student applications.

This doesn't apply. You are only making one short-term student application, not a series of them.

As such I have done research on all of the things I would need to bring with me to prove that I am not attempting to do this and I will be going home. I plan to bring a plane ticket back to the states, the proof that I have been accepted to this research program, proof that it is relevant to my course of study back home, proof that I can support myself financially, and info from my home university saying when they expect me back and that I have already started paying for my schooling with them that year.

That is all useful to show you are a genuine short-term student, but the "frequent and successive" issue is irrelevant.

[akd145]

Wouldn’t it still be potentially suspicious to a border control agent that I left for a a few days just to come back in?

[sah10406]

Wouldn’t it still be potentially suspicious to a border control agent that I left for a a few days just to come back in?

No. Given your concern, I advise you discuss it with the international student adviser at your university, who can allay your fears.

[akd145]

Thank you for your responses!

[akd145]

For reference I have spoken to my university and they said it would be possible to do this, but they were unable to say if I would be able to get back in without problems for sure or not.