National Insurance Number

[Peted]

I left the UK at my own expenses, without the knowledge of the Home Office, about 12 years ago. Prior to that, I was there as a student, but worked more than 20 hours per week and also overstayed my visa for about 11 months. Then I decided to leave and left. Que questions are:

- Am I able to return to the UK as a student now, after more than 10 years?
- The form does not ask directly whether I've ever overstayed. So, do I need to give them this information in "additional information" in the form? Is it compulsory to inform since they do not ask directly? Will if affect my application if I do or don't?

- I went to a GP (general doctor) back then, also got treated (one tablet only) at a public hospital for a simple infection. Do I need to tell them this?

I'll be very glad if you can help me by answering these questions.

[sah10406]

Am I able to return to the UK as a student now, after more than 10 years?

It depends in the first instance whether a Tier 4 sponsor institution is willing to issue a CAS. They would normally only do that for a course at a higher level than your previous student visa. They will also probably want to check why you are returning to education after such a long break, to anticipate any problems with your credibility in a visa interview.

The form does not ask directly whether I've ever overstayed. So, do I need to give them this information in "additional information" in the form? Is it compulsory to inform since they do not ask directly? Will if affect my application if I do or don't?

It is not compulsory, but it is also your opportunity to explain and apologise for any previous immigration problems.

I went to a GP (general doctor) back then, also got treated (one tablet only) at a public hospital for a simple infection. Do I need to tell them this?

Yes, there is a question about medical treatment.

[Peted]

Hi,

Thanks a lot for your account. I already have an acceptance from a higher education istitution (HEI) to take my PhD. Back then, when I was in the UK, I was just an English language student. Once I returned to my country, I continued my studies until I got a masters and today I'm a university professor who need to take a PhD. I hold a scholarship from the government of my country, which will cover all tuition fees and maintenance for myself and my dependant for the entire duration of the PhD.

I was trying to avoid any reference to my previous overstay, but I'm concerned that if I don't mention it in "additional information" they may see it as using deception, which scares me because that would lead to a 10-year ban. On the other hand, I fear that if I mention it, drawing their attention to it, then they may refuse my application. Of course, if they ask me anything related to it in the interview, then I'll definitely say everything.

[Peted]

The form does not ask directly whether I've ever overstayed. So, do I need to give them this information in "additional information" in the form? Is it compulsory to inform since they do not ask directly? Will if affect my application if I do or don't?

It is not compulsory, but it is also your opportunity to explain and apologise for any previous immigration problems.

If I do not mention anything, will it be deception?

[sah10406]

If I do not mention anything, will it be deception?

I advise you discuss it with your Tier 4 sponsor. They have an international student adviser whose role is to advise their sponsored students on their Tier 4 applications, including issues like this.

[Peted]

In the Tier 4 application form, they ask whether I've got a National Insurance Number. Why do they ask this? What can my NI reveal to them? What information will they be able to see with this number?

I have one, but it was issued when I was in the UK as a student, more than a decade ago. I don't have this number on me anymore. So, while I need to tell them I have one, I'm unable to provide the number because I lost the card and do not know the number by heart.

They also ask for the address where I'll be staying in the UK. Well, I'm still applying for the visa and have not arranged acommodation yet, I'll wait for the entry clearance outcome (I overstayed and left about 14 years ago in the UK) because I'd lose money if I paid for accomodation and the entry clearance were refused. So, what can I do?

Thank you so much!

[sah10406]

Again, I advise you discuss it with your Tier 4 sponsor. They have an international student adviser whose role is to advise their sponsored students on their Tier 4 applications, including issues like all those you are asking about.

[Peted]

Hi!
I know I cannot apply more than 90 days before the date in my CAS. However, there are 2 dates: course start date (08/01/18) and latest start date (22/01/2018). So, from which point can I apply? Is it from 08 Oct, or from 22 Oct?
I've sent the university a message with this question about 20 days ago. No answer yet.
If any of you could say anything about this I'll be very thankful.

[Peted]

Hi!
I know I cannot apply more than 90 days before the date in my CAS. However, there are 2 dates: course start date (08/01/18) and latest start date (22/01/2018). So, from which point can I apply? Is it from 08 Oct, or from 22 Oct?
I've sent the university a message with this question about 20 days ago. No answer yet.
If any of you could say anything about this I'll be very thankful.

[Waqasrafiq2]

Hi!
I know I cannot apply more than 90 days before the date in my CAS. However, there are 2 dates: course start date (08/01/18) and latest start date (22/01/2018). So, from which point can I apply? Is it from 08 Oct, or from 22 Oct?
I've sent the university a message with this question about 20 days ago. No answer yet.
If any of you could say anything about this I'll be very thankful.

From 8 october . Start date counts 08/01/18.

[Peted]

Hi!
I have applied and was interviewed yesterday. Now re-checking everything I've noticed I made a horrible mistake. In the application, they ask whether I have a national insurance number and I said yes. They also ask me to explain why I had it issued, and I explained. They also ask for the national insurance number, and this is where I made the stupid mistake. I got my P45 from 15 years ago (when I left the UK last time) and I copied the wrong number and gave them. I gave them the "reference number" from the P45 instead of the National Insurance Number.

Do you think they will see this as deception? Is there anything I can do? Please, any word would help.

[sah10406]

Do you think they will see this as deception?

No.

Is there anything I can do? Please, any word would help.

No.

[Peted]

Do you think they will see this as deception?

No.

Thank you for your answer. But why do you think they may not think I did it on purpose?

[sah10406]

But why do you think they may not think I did it on purpose?

Because you didn't, because it is an error that I am sure people have made before, and because they will look up the real number anyway and see that you have nothing to be deceptive about.

[Peted]

Thank you a lot!!

[Peted]

Last week (5 working days ago) I got this "a decision has been made on your application" e-mail. The same day, my Tier 4 dependant got an e-mail saying his application had just been assigned to an ECO. The day after (Tuesday) he also got the decision made e-mail.

In both decision mad e-mails (his and mine), it is stated that the documents were being sent to the VAC and we'd be able to track the delivery (DHL) 2 working days after the e-mails. Well, it's been a week already and nothing shows up when we use the tracking number yet.

Do you think this delay has anything tl do with a possible negative outcome? (e.g. they're taking more time to write personalised refusal letter instead of the pre-prepared approval letter)?

And isn't it unnusual (bad) that they did not assess both our applications at the same time? (Decision made e-mails did not reach us on the same date).

What coul this delay from the VAC in posting our passports possibly mean?

Any thoughts will be appreciated.

[sah10406]

What coul this delay from the VAC in posting our passports possibly mean?

It means they have delays in their mail room.

[Peted]

Thanks for replying sah10406!
I hope that's all it means, not meaning a refusal, which could take them more time to process after the decision made e-mail.
Also hope that the fact that mine and my dependant's application were assessed separately (his after mine) is something usual and not bad.

Regards

[rk89]

Thanks for replying sah10406!
I hope that's all it means, not meaning a refusal, which could take them more time to process after the decision made e-mail.
Also hope that the fact that mine and my dependant's application were assessed separately (his after mine) is something usual and not bad.

Regards

Can you please let everyone know the outcome. It would help others too.

Thanks

[Peted]

My Tier 4 general student visa was granted. My dependant oartner's was refused. I've posted another whole thread on this: "Tier 4 dependant refused/another CAS needed?"
Please have a look there. Sah has already kindly made several comments.