Applying for a Student Visa.

Applying for a visa will take around three weeks but as you can apply up to three months before you travel it’s recommended that you allow yourself plenty of time.

Student visas should be one of the most straight forward visas to apply for; you will need to apply if -

• You are planning to undertake a course in the UK.
• Reside outside the EEA or from Switzerland.
• And you fulfil the criteria.

Couple of caveats on this, if you are planning on an academic visit you will need a standard visa, and if you already qualify for British citizenship you must go down the route of applying for citizenship.

When you are here you can undertake your course or do research, but you can’t study at any state schools, bring in any family members, work, apply for funding in the UK or extend your visa.

So are you Eligible?

On your application you must prove that you have been accepted to study in the UK, and show that you can financially support yourself whilst here, this includes funding for your return journey.

Under 18’s must show evidence of permission to travel from your parents/guardian and residency whilst in the UK.
Place of study.

You will need evidence that the place you will study qualifies, this will normally be because they hold a tier four sponsor licence, or that they are one of the other educational services that can accept foreign students, but you must ask them the question, and obtain any evidence to fulfil the criteria.

Exceptions

As mentioned your can visit as part of a research program or to complete an overseas course, you should talk to your Educational Institution for guidance as they will understand the process and be able to help with your application.

So you have checked your eligibility and ready for your application.


Handy check list of information and documents you must provide.

You

• Passport or other (at least one page needs to be blank both sides)
• Financial evidence
• Confirmation of residency whilst in the UK
• If you are travelling from certain countries you will need to supply medical evidence (check on the application)
• Details of patents/guardians if under 18

Your education details.

• Proof of the acceptance – as much information as you can on this as it can sometimes help; details such as cost and residency are often covered.
• Duration of the course
• Any supporting financial information.

This is just a guide if you think you have information that will support your application submit it, and at all times submit the originals.

If you are under 18 you will need to supply more information, check on the application and it’s a good idea to check with the Education institute.


Applying

You must do so online via the government’s web portal https://www.gov.uk/apply-uk-visa

And as part of your application you will need your bio-metric information recorded at a visa application centre (details available during the application process)

With all these things there is a cost involved to apply

• £93 for a 6 month visa
• £179 for an 11 month visa


If you are unsure about the process you can choose to contact a solicitor for help, use the search facility and select immigration.