Differentiation arrangements
Some students do not need to submit their qualification or financial (maintenance) evidence with their visa application and some dependents do not need to submit their financial evidence. This is called the ‘differentiation arrangement’.
You can apply under the arrangement if you have a passport issued by one of the countries or territories listed in paragraph ST 22.1 of Appendix Student of the Immigration Rules , and apply for Student immigration permission from the country or territory where you are living, or from the UK.
Dependents can also apply under the differentiation arrangement and will not be required to provide evidence that they meet the financial requirements if:
- Both you and your dependents have a passport issued by one of the countries or territories listed in paragraph ST 22.1 of Appendix Student of the Immigration Rules; and
- your dependent is applying at the same time and in the same location as you; and
- your dependent is applying for entry clearance in the country of their nationality or where they are resident, or they are applying for permission to stay from within the UK.
Yes! The differentiation arrangement does not mean exemption from the qualification requirement and Student and Dependent financial requirements .
The caseworker at the Home Office processing your application reserves the right to request your qualification and financial evidence as part of their decision-making process.
If you cannot provide the evidence upon request or if the documents do not meet the requirements it will lead to your application being refused. Therefore, it is very important that you meet the requirements and get the evidence ready before you apply.
The Home Office does not routinely request these documents from Student or Dependent applicants who apply under the differentiation arrangement, but they do carry out routine spot checks.
If you need clarification or require assistance, please contact the International Student Advisory Team.