How the service works When students apply to a college either directly or via an agent, they will normally be required to submit an application form, details of their qualifications, a copy of their passport and increasingly, a deposit. If this documentation is considered satisfactory the college will issue a CAS which the applicant will use to apply for a visa. Some education providers may do more than this but by itself, this would not meet the UKBA requirement that a sponsor must be satisfied regarding a student’s intent and capability to follow a course.

Working with VisaGuard

Working with Visaguard, the education provider will receive an application in the same way but before issuing a CAS, as part of the admissions process, will require the student to make an appointment with VisaGuard for an interview. This is done online via the Visaguard website.

The interview will be conducted via Skype in accordance with a set of questions agreed with the education provider and drawn from UKBA good practice guidance and our own experience of conducting such interviews whilst working in the UKBA. The interviews do not include any form of immigration advice to the student.

Once the interview has been completed, we will email you a transcript and recording. As the education provider, you then decide whether to offer the student a place on the course and if so, issue the CAS. As good practice, we recommend that you retain the transcript on file as evidence of the steps you have taken to satisfy yourself regarding the student’s intent.

Other services

We offer a full range of immigration support to education providers via our sister company Veristat Limited. Click here for further details.

Click here for an informal discussion on how we can help you meet your responsibilities for assessing intent.