Do you need a Student Visa?
For visa purposes for studying in the UK, the world is divided into 3 areas:
1. EU/EEA/Switzerland
People from these countries can come and go as they please and do not concern us for visa purposes.
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech,Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
2. Visa nationals (VN)
These are people who need a visa to enter the country for any reason, and are required to get it before they leave home (this is called ‘pre-entry).
Please click here to view a list of VN countries.
3. Non-visa nationals (NVN)
These people require a visa, but have lighter regulation than visa nationals. Most visas do not require pre-entry clearance, for example, so a NVN can get their visa on arrival. The most important exception is a General Student Visa, for which pre-entry clearance is always required.
Please click here to view a list of NVN countries.
What type of Visa do you need?
1. Student Visitor Visa
The Student Visitor category has been introduced for visitors who wish to take short courses of study of up to six (6) months duration in the United Kingdom, e.g. short-term English language courses, but do not wish to take part-time work or extend their visas.
Student visitor basic requirements:
To come to the United Kingdom as a Student visitor, applicants must meet the following requirements:
•They are seeking entry as a student visitor for a limited period which is not exceeding six (6) months,
•They have been accepted on a course of study which is to be provided by an organisation that is included on the Register of Education and Training Providers,
•They intend to leave the United Kingdom at the end of the visit,
•They do not intend to undertake employment or any business in the United Kingdom,
•They do not intend to study at a maintained school,
•They can maintain and accommodate themself and their dependants
•They are not a child under the age of 18.
What can you do with a student visa?
If successful, visa holders will be allowed to enter the UK for up to six (6) months to pursue the short term course.
They are not allowed to undertake part-time work and will not be able to extend their stay in the UK as a student visitor.
2. General Student Visa
This is the visa which is most likely to be requested by someone coming for a longer course, and the only one suitable for someone coming for more than 6 months. It is, however, also available for people doing a short course.
Please contact us for further information of visit: www.ukvisas.gov.uk
