The UK Border Agency is very strict in assessing all Tier 1 General visa applications and even minor, or seemingly innocuous issues may form grounds for refusal.
As a general principle, all documentation which will serve as supporting evidence must be original. The formal guidance provides for alternatives in certain situations, allowing copies to be provided instead of originals. However, there is always a set of requirements which need to be met in order for authenticated copies to be accepted. Even a minor omission in this regard will disqualify the document and may lead to the whole application being refused.
All documents need to be in English. If originals aren’t in English, they must be accompanied by certified translations.
The degree certificate used to claim points for a qualification must be recognised by the UK Border Agency database or by UK NARIC. The information from the certificate must match the database details exactly, without any variance. If your certificate does is not registered on the UK Border Agency database, and you feel that the certificate should be, there is an alternative course of action. You will need to obtain a letter from UK NARIC, the organisation which provides an authoritative statement on the UK equivalence of your degree or qualification.
The application submission date is defined as the date when the application form is posted to the UK Border Agency or, submitted in person. It is not necessarily the date the application is received by the UK Border Agency. This date will determine whether an application is made in time (on or before the visa expiry date) and whether or not the maintenance evidence is too old, as the last bank statement cannot be older than one month on the day of application. The earnings claim period will also be asserted in relation to the date of submission. The application date is one of the critical factors in ensuring the success of your application. Make sure you retain proof of the date that you post your application.
Each salary or other source of income must be corroborated by two documents originating from two independent sources. For example each pay slip should show exactly the same net payment made as the corresponding receipt on the bank statement. Remember that even minor differences will erase the points you are trying to claim for earnings.
The Tier 1 General Policy guidance should be read carefully and followed rigorously. There is no scope for your own interpretation and nothing can be left to chance.
