Tier 4 Doctorate Extension Scheme

for DPhil students to look for and undertake work or set up a business
What is the scheme
This scheme allows students who are nearing completion of a PhD (DPhil) to apply for a 12 month
period under Tier 4 to look for and undertake work. You will be able to work full-time under this
scheme either for an employer or to be self-employed.
If you wish to apply, the University must issue you with a new CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for
Studies) number with an expected end date of when we think you will complete your course, and you
must then apply for a visa extension before this date, before your Leave to Supplicate date and before
your current visa expires.
As each student will have different circumstances and a different time schedule you should read the
instructions below very carefully and take special note of the timeframes involved.
Who can apply
To be eligible you must meet the following criteria:

You must be a DPhil student who has not completed their DPhil studies as marked by when
your Leave to Supplicate is granted.
You must be within 60 days of completing your DPhil;
You must be studying on a visa that allows you to apply for an extension under Tier 4, for
example you must already have a Tier 4 or student visa, or be studying on Tier 1 (Post Study
Work) or Tier 2;
Students holding a student visitor visa will not be eligible to apply;
You must apply in the UK;
You must have 1,600 (1,640 from 1 July 2014) in funding and be able to provide the
specified evidence, as set out in the Home Offices Tier 4 Policy Guidance. If the funding is in
a bank account, the balance must have been at least 1,600 (1,640 from 1 July 2014) for 28
days. You will need more funding if dependants are applying.

When you can apply

To apply for a Tier 4 Doctorate Extension Scheme visa, you must obtain a CAS from the
University (see details below);
You must apply before the end date stated on your new CAS, which will be your expected end
date taking into account when you had your viva, any possible corrections and the conferral
date of your award. This is an estimate of when the University thinks you will complete your
course. To find out more about how this date is calculated, please see note b below in How to
apply;
The CAS cannot be issued to you more than 60 days before your expected end date;
You cannot apply for your visa before you have your CAS.
You cannot apply for your visa after you complete your DPhil. At Oxford this is known as
Leave to Supplicate this is the date the relevant board meets to agree that your Doctorate
can be awarded.

Other conditions

You must be prepared to maintain contact with Oxford as your sponsor three times a year by
email;
You must also notify the University once you have applied for your visa;
You also need to send us a scan of your visa when you receive it;
Last updated 29 May 2014

We will email you at the end of each Oxford term to confirm you still need your visa and our
sponsorship.

How to apply
a. Tell your Department and Student Immigration before your viva that you are interested
in the Doctorate Extension scheme
We need to know that you are interested in the scheme so we can ensure a new CAS is issued to you
promptly and before you complete the DPhil in order for you to make a visa application.
When your viva date has been agreed you should complete and email the attached CAS request form
to the Graduate Studies Assistant in your department and tier4compliance@admin.ox.ac.uk. The
Graduate Studies Assistant will then ensure that they issue you with the CAS at the right time for you
to apply for your visa and before you complete (receive Leave to Supplicate). Please be aware that in
most cases the Graduate Studies Assistant will not issue your CAS until the outcome of the viva
becomes available. Your department and Tier 4 Compliance will need to deal with exceptional cases
where a CAS is required before the viva on an individual basis. If you have already had your viva, you
should contact us immediately if you wish to apply.
b. Defining the expected end date for your new CAS
The University will need to issue you with a CAS number to apply for a visa extension under this
scheme confirming the date we now expect you will complete (receive Leave to Supplicate). Your
CAS can only be issued when the University estimates you are within 60 days of receiving your Leave
to Supplicate.
The expected end date is likely to be different from the end date on the last CAS you used for your
current visa (if you had one). The date will be agreed between the Graduate Studies Assistant in your
department and Tier 4 Compliance taking into account your viva date and viva outcome. It will also
take into account the timeframe for possible corrections being agreed and when the examining
board/committee for your department will formally confer your award (grant Leave to Supplicate).
Please note that by the time it is possible to give an expected end date, this may be much less than
60 days away.
For more information, please see the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website:
http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/International-Students/The-next-stage/Working-after-your-studies/DoctorateExtension-Scheme/When-you-can-apply/#Expected-end-date.
c. Prepare your application in advance
Because of the close timing between your viva and receiving Leave to Supplicate you will need to
prepare your visa application in advance and be ready to apply quickly. You should look at the Home
Office website for further information on the application procedure and required documents.
You will need to complete the Tier 4 application form available on the Home Office website.
In particular, you should note that you will be required to show you can cover your living costs for
two months (1,600 or 1,640 from 1 July 2014) in the exact format required by the Home
Office as set out in the Tier 4 Policy Guidance document.

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If you are or have within the last 12 months been financially sponsored by a government or
international scholarship agency for both fees and living expenses, you will need their permission in
writing for your visa application.
You must apply for the visa before the expected end date on your new CAS, before your Leave to
Supplicate date and before your current visa expiry date.
You can remain in the UK while your visa application is being processed and will be able to work fulltime once you have finished your DPhil (received your Leave to Supplicate), even before your visa
has been granted.
d. The application process
The visa extension costs the same as a student extension application; currently 422 by post or 822
if you apply in person. You need to complete the Tier 4 General Student application and mark where
indicated that you are applying for the Doctorate Extension Scheme.
For advice or help with the application process, including the option to use the Universitys free check
and send service, email student.immigration@admin.ox.ac.uk.
e. Visa duration
The visa will be granted for a period of 12 months from the expected end date stated on the new
CAS. You will not be able to make a further application under this scheme but if you find employment
you may be able to extend your stay in the UK by applying for Tier 2 or Tier 1 (Graduate
Entrepreneur) if you are starting a business.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. My visa will expire before I can apply for the DES visa. What can I do?
You will probably have to make a normal student extension under Tier 4 for more time to
complete your course and then apply for the DES visa at the appropriate time.
2. Can I apply from outside the UK?
No. You must make an application from within the UK. Overseas applications are not allowed.
3. Do I need to give biometric information again?
Yes. A digital facial scan and fingerprints need to be given each time you make a visa
application.
4. Do I need to register with the police?
If your current visa states that police registration is required then you will need to register your
new visa and any changes in address etc (see the back of the certificate).
5. What happens if I still have a long period remaining on my existing visa when I am due
to complete e.g. 11 months, can I just use my existing visa to remain and look for work
after I have completed?
No, if your Tier 4 visa was issued with a CAS number once your degree is awarded (Leave to
Supplicate), the University is obliged to report your early completion to the Home Office and
your visa may be cut short (curtailed) by the Home Office to 60 days. You should instead
apply under the Tier 4 Doctorate Extension scheme before you complete to give you the
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correct permission to remain and look for work.

6.

Can my expected CAS end date be after my current visa expires?

Yes, your CAS can have an expected end date that is after your current visa expiry date, but
you will still need to apply for the visa before your visa expires. Your visa will then be
processed with the assumption that you are due to complete in the near future.

7. What kind of employment am I not allowed to take up?

You cannot work as a doctor or dentist in training or a sportsperson (including coaches). You
are permitted to take up any other form of employment or be self employed. Note that if you
wish to progress to Tier 2 or Tier 1, you must at this stage be in employment or have started a
business that meets the requirements for these visas.
8. Can my dependants apply at the same time for this extension?
Yes, your dependants can apply from within the UK at the same time as you and obtain a visa
for the additional 12 months. Dependants who are outside the UK can apply to join you in line
with the current immigration rules. You will need to show an additional 900 (945 from 1 July
2014) funding for each dependant. Dependants are your partner (spouse, civil partner, longterm unmarried partner) and children under 18, unless already with visas as your dependants.
9. What level of funding do I need to show?
You will have to provide evidence of funds for your living costs in line with the requirements for
students with established presence. See the Tier 4 Policy guidance for further details. In most
cases, this would be 1,600 (1,640 from 1 July 2014) for living costs. If the funding is in a
bank account, the balance must have been at least 1,600 (1,640 from 1 July 2014) for at
least 28 days. You will need more funding if dependants are applying.
10. How long will the visa take to process?
The Home Office give a guide to processing times by post as 4 to 14 weeks. Recent
applications have been processed in one month. If you attend in person, you receive a
decision on the day, retain your passport and receive your visa in the post a few working days
later.
11. Can I use the Universitys check and send service?
Yes, the Universitys Visa and Immigration Advisers (student.immigration@admin.ox.ac.uk)
can check your visa application form and documents and then submit the application to the
Home Office. See: http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/visa/during/extend
12. What options are available after the Doctorate Extension Scheme?
As long as your DES visa is still valid (not expired) you can switch into Tier 2, Tier 1 (Graduate
Entrepreneur) or Tier 1 Entrepreneur from within the UK. You would need to meet the
requirements for the relevant tier. There is no option to extend the DES visa for longer than
12 months.

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What should I do next

Please complete the attached CAS request form (please see the final page of this document) and
email a copy to your Graduate Studies Assistant and copy tier4compliance@admin.ox.ac.uk.
A list of Graduate Studies Assistants can be found here:
www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/graduates/contacts/.
Further information
If you have any questions about applying for your visa under the Doctorate Extension Scheme, please
email student.immigration@admin.ox.ac.uk.
For more information about the Scheme, please also see:
- the University website: http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/international_students/working/#d.en.116820
- and the UKCISA website: http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/International-Students/The-next-stage/Workingafter-your-studies/Doctorate-Extension-Scheme/.
Checklist for students wishing to apply
1. Do you hold a valid visa which allows you to apply under this Scheme?
2. If you have a financial sponsor, do you need to obtain permission from them
before applying under the Scheme?*
*If you are required to and can obtain such written permission, will you be able to
receive it in time to apply for your visa?
3. Have you checked the financial requirements for the visa application for yourself
and any family members, i.e. 1,600 (1,640 from 1 July 2014) for living expenses
and 900 (945 from 1 July 2014) for each dependant, held for 28 consecutive
days?
4. Have you been given a viva date?
5. Will you be able to apply for your visa from within the UK before you complete
your DPhil?
6. Have you made any travel plans during the time when you might need to apply for
the visa?
7. Have you completed and sent your CAS request form to your GSA and
tier4compliance@admin.ox.ac.uk?
8. Are you aware of the different visa application options (by post or in person) and
the visa fees?
9. Are you aware that you can apply through the Universitys check and send
service? Please email student.immigration@admin.ox.ac.uk for more information.
10. Have you considered other visa options, e.g. a Tier 2 visa and concluded this is
the one for you at this stage?

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Tier 4 Doctorate extension scheme for international students to search for work
CAS REQUEST FORM
This form should be submitted before your viva examination. Please email this form to the Graduate
Studies Assistant in your department and copy tier4compliance@admin.ox.ac.uk.
A list of Graduate Studies Assistants can be found here: www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/graduates/contacts/.
Please note your CAS will not normally be issued until your GSA has been notified of your viva
outcome.
Please confirm you have read the above information notes about the Doctorate Extension Scheme
and reviewed the checklist above for students wishing to apply
Personal details
First Name:
Family Name:
Your Student ID number (6 digits): this can be found
on your university card above the expiry date

Current visa status:

Please list the start & end dates and visa type e.g.
Tier 4
Travel plans: Do you have any travel plans outside of the
UK in the near future?

Course details
Programme Title:
Department:
Viva date:
Contact details
The University, as your sponsor, is required to maintain contact with you so you must notify us of any change
of contact details immediately. Failure to stay in contact means the University may have to make a report to the
Home Office and your visa may be cancelled. In the first instance we will always contact you by email.

Email:
Alternative email (if available):
Telephone:
Mobile:
Further information
Comments:
Please write any further information you may need to tell
us here

Declaration
I will notify my department and tier4compliance@admin.ox.ac.uk once I have applied for my visa.
I will send a copy of my visa once granted to Tier 4 Compliance to enable them to comply with the
Home Office sponsorship duties.
I understand that the University will need to contact me at least three times a year to confirm that I
am still in the UK and seeking, or engaged in employment. This contact will happen at the end of
each Oxford term (i.e. March, June, and December).
I agree that I will keep my student contact details (email and telephone contact numbers) up-todate with the Student Immigration Office (tier4compliance@admin.ox.ac.uk) at all times. Failure to
reply to email requests for confirmation from the University could result in a report being made to
the Home Office and the visa being cancelled.
Signed: ..

Dated: ..

I have read and understood the above declaration and confirm all the information provided above is accurate to
the best of my knowledge. Electronic signature or typed name above is acceptable.
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