Student Visa Application - Timing of Travel

[Ancestor]

Hi there

Could a learned or experienced member please assist me with a few questions I have re my daughters Student Visa application that we will be submitting shortly.

I have done extensive reading on the matter and would like to get some clarification over some issues please.

My wife and I are in the process of waiting for our UK Ancestral Visa’s to be issued, with the intention of me or us travelling end June/July there, myself as principal applicant and my wife as a dependant applicant. My daughter being over 18 years of age, who is currently studying an Optometry Degree here in South Africa, has been given 2 offers to continue her studies at 2 different university’s in the UK, commencing September 2012, one being an “Unconditional Offer” and the other a “Conditional Offer”, both conditional on her providing her original certificate of her final school results.

We are first waiting on our Ancestral Visa’s to be issued before we start the process of accepting and then applying for her Student Visa, once her CAS has been issued, so as not to complicate any of the 2 separate visa applications.

First prize is that as a family we are all able to travel together end of June/July when my Ancestry Visa effective date starts to setup home etc. and for me to get employment. My understanding is that, though, once my daughter has been granted her Student Visa, she would only be able to enter the UK a month before her course starts in September, thus the earliest being August ? Is this the case ?

Is there any way we can get it right for her to travel with us end June/July ?

May I, as she has been offered places to study already, apply for a Prospective Student Visa or Student Visitor Visa (giving her 6 months) ?

And simultaneously or thereafter before travelling to the UK apply for her Student Visa and once there, then just switching over to her Student Visa ? as I would not want to wait until there in July before applying for the Student Visa as will be too short a time before the course starts ?

The only other option if no other way re this would be that once our Ancestral Visa’s issued, then apply for her as a Visitor Visa (which I would have to book her a return air ticket for) and thereafter apply for her Student Visa, and either we all travel over together and her return to come back over on her Student Visa (which would be a waste) ?
or for me to go over on my own end June/July and her and my wife to come over in August ?

When she applies for her Student Visa, it would be alright for me to say that she will be staying with my wife and I in terms of her accommodation and living expenses, with having our Ancestral Visa entry clearance issued already ?

Any thoughts or suggestions on these issues would be much appreciated.

Thanking you.

[Ancestor]

Hi All

Could I please ask a learned member of the forum to comment/advise on my post above to which as yet I have had no reply.

I have today been granted and issued my Ancestral Visa along with my wife as dependant both effective from 25/6/2012 and am now beginning the process of, as soon as my daughters CAS letter arrives, applying for her Student Visa, but as below am trying to work out family travel plans.

I would appreciate comments on my post above.

One other question, when I do her application it asks re her accomodation, which will be dependant on when I find suitable place once I/we travel over there. Any advice ?

Thanking you

[John]

I do not see a problem you travelling to the UK on or shortly after 25.06.12, and once your daughter has her Tier 4 visa, you and you wife coming to the UK in August or even in September.

Has your daughter now received her CAS?

As regards accommodation for your daughter, I do not see it doing any harm pointing out that you and your wife have visas already in your passports, and that your daughter will be living with you in the London area.

But actually, what are you planning on doing? You arrive in the UK and stay where initially? An hotel? And then you find somewhere for you and your family to live?

[Ancestor]

Thanks John

Much appreciated for the response and advice and I think that that is the only choice we have is that I will travel to the UK shortly after 25.06.12 and once my daughter has her Tier 4 visa, her and my wife come over together within the 1 month before her course starts on 01.09.12.

We were hoping to get the timing and planning right to try for the whole family to travel over altogether, but have realised that I don't think this will/would be possible.

We have accepted her offer to study and have been in contact with the Uni and are waiting for there issue of the CAS, which as yet we have not received.

We are planning on and looking for me initially if travelling over on my own, for me to stay in a motel type or B & B accomodation and then look for a home for the family such as a family rental apartment/flat/house. During this time I will be finalizing employment options etc. and hopefully secure adequate home for us before they come over.

Thanks again for your input.

[John]

Is there any reason why the University has not issued the CAS? Are they waiting for fees to be paid, for example?

If not, keep hassling them!

[Ancestor]

Hi John

We accepted my daughter's unconditional offer at London Uni on 29.04.12 and have since had e-mail correspondence on the 02.05.12 from the Admissions Officer confirming he has received in the post the requested certified copy of my daughters academic qualifications to confirm those put in her UCAS application, and that they have been forwarded through to his colleagues in the Optometry department.

They probably will expect a fee deposit to be paid which is fine as will do when requested.

I will wait till the weekend and if heard nothing yet, will get my daughter to mail the Admissions Officer again for an update.

Kind regards.