Applying for a student visa

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In order to travel and study in the UK for a period of more than six months, you must apply for a Student Route Visa.

In order to be eligible for a Student Route visa, you must have:

  • An unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed Student Route sponsor
  • Enough money to support yourself and pay for your course but the amount will vary depending on your circumstances

Student Route Visa

You can apply for a Student Route visa to study in the UK if you’re 16 or over and you:

  • have been offered a place in a course
  • can speak, read, write and understand English
  • have enough money to support yourself and and pay for your course - the amount will vary depending on your circumstances
  • are from a country that’s not in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland
  • meet the other eligibility requirements

On this visa you can:

  • study
  • work as a student union sabbatical officer
  • apply from inside or outside the UK
  • apply to extend your stay
  • work - depending on what level your course is and what kind of sponsor you have
  • you can bring family members (dependents).
  • You can arrive up to 1 week before your course starts if your course lasts 6 months or less or up to 1 month before your course starts if your course lasts more than 6 months

 

Student Route (Child) Visa

  • You can apply for the Student Route (Child) visa if you’re aged between 4 and 17 and you want to study at an independent school in the UK. You must also:
  • have a place in a course
  • have the consent of your parent or guardian
  • have enough money to cover your course fees and living costs
  • be from a country that’s not in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland
  • meet the eligibility requirements

On this visa you can:

  • study at an independent school
  • apply from outside the UK
  • apply to extend your stay
  • You can also work, if you’re 16 or over. Work includes part-time during term for up to 10 hours per week, full-time during vacations, on a work placement as part of your course (but not for more than 50% of your course time) or as a student union sabbatical officer for up to 2 years
  • stay for course length or up to 6 years plus 4 months if you applied under the age of 16
  • stay for course length or up to 3 years plus 4 months if applied at 16 or 17.
  • You can arrive up to 1 week before your course starts if your course lasts 6 months or less or up to 1 month before your course starts if your course lasts more than 6 months

 

Short-term Student Visa

You can apply for a short-term study visa if:

  • you’re completing a short course of study in the UK
  • you’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland
  • you meet the other eligibility requirements

On this visa you can:

  • complete a short course of study in the UK, such as an English language course or a training course
  • complete a short period of research as part of a degree course if you are studying abroad
  • stay 6 months - for any short course (including English language courses), or short period of research if you’re 18 or over
  • stay 11 months - if you’re 18 or over and taking an English language course

 

Conditions while applying:

  • You can apply from 3 months before the start of your course
  • You must paythe UKVI fee. 
  • You can arrive in the UK 1 week before your course starts if your course lasts 6 months or less or 1 month before if your course lasts more than 6 months
Documents to be provided:
  • A current passport or other valid travel documentation
  • Proof that you can support yourself and pay for your course- this will vary depending on your circumstances
  • Proof of parental or other legal guardian consent if you’re under 18
  • You need a page on your passport that’s blank on both sides for your visa
  • You may also need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances
  • Your documents will usually be sent back within 14 days.