- UK Study Visa Changes
- Do you need a Study Visa?
- Finding the right School or University
- Entry Requirements for non-visa national Students
- Study Visa Requirements
- Applying for a Study Visa
- Study Visa Facts
- Dealing with Immigration Officials
- Study Visa Refusals
- Entering the UK to study
- Refusal of Entry into the UK
- Professional Advice and Assistance
- Renewing Study Visas
- UK Training Permits
- UK Work Experience
UK STUDY VISA CHANGESIt could not be a better time to plan a British education.
A new UK government campaign is hoping to attract an extra 75,000 foreign students to the UK. A three-year global marketing campaign is to launch in January 2000 through the British Council in key countries around the world.
As part of this package the following improvements to the study visa system will be made:
- the visa application process is to be streamlined
- better advice is to provided to potential students
- longer periods of leave to enter or remain may be granted requiring fewer renewal applications.
- students will be allowed to combine study with part-time or temporary during free time and vacation periods
All foreign nationals require a study visa except:
EEA/EU NATIONALS (Austria; Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom)
NON-VISA NATIONALS
FINDING
THE RIGHT SCHOOL OR UNIVERSITY
There are organisations that provide assistance in locating the correct
school or educational establishment and assist with registration. Some
also provide testing and assessment, guardianship and maintain detailed
information on many UK schools & educational establishments.
ENTRY
REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-VISA NATIONAL STUDENTS
Non visa nationals entering the UK to study must satisfy an immigration
officer that they meet the relevant study visa requirements.
Failure to present the correct supporting documents on arrival may result in refusal of entry.
STUDY VISA REQUIREMENTS
The principal requirements for admission to the UK as a student are that:
The applicant has been accepted for a full-time course of study (being a minimum of 15 hours-organised daytime study per week)
The requirements to be met by persons seeking leave to enter the United Kingdom as a student are that they:
- have been accepted for a course of study at:
- a publicly funded institution of further or higher education; or
- a bona fide private education institution which maintains satisfactory records of enrolment and attendance; or
- an independent fee paying school outside the maintained sector; and
- a publicly funded institution of further or higher education; or
- are able and intends to follow either:
- a recognised full time degree course at a publicly funded institution
of further or higher education; or
- week day daytime course involving attendance at a single institution
for a minimum of 15 hours organised daytime study of a single subject
or directly related subjects; or
- a full-time course of study at an independent fee paying school; and
- a recognised full time degree course at a publicly funded institution
of further or higher education; or
- if under the age of 16 years are enrolled at an independent fee-paying school on a full-time course of studies which meets the requirement of the Education Act 1944; and
- intends to leave the United Kingdom at the end of their studies; and
- do not intend to engage in business or to take employment, except part-time or vacation work undertaken with the consent of the Secretary of State for Education and Employment; and
- are able to meet the costs of their course and accommodation and maintenance and that of any dependants without taking employment or engaging in business or having recourse to public funds.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Documentary proof of acceptance and financial capability is required in
all cases.
It is advisable to prepay all fees and accommodation costs and to submit proof of payment with visa application or at entry into the UK.
APPLYING
FOR A STUDY VISA
Applications for study visas require important supporting documents. Without
these documents they will not be issued.
Check with professionals or with your local Embassy, Consul or High Commission exactly what supporting documents will be required for your application.
Begin preparation in good time as some of the required documents must be obtained from the UK.
To apply for a study visa the applicant must
- be outside the United Kingdom and Islands at the time of the application
- apply to the British Embassy, Consulate of high commission in the country or territory where they live. This is defined as the place where they are present in any capacity other than as a short-term visitor and have permission from the relevant authorities to be so. (Note that some discretion is allowed officials in this regard)
- pay any fee required
- answer all questions asked on the visa application form and by officials honestly
- provide documentary evidence where requested to back up any statements they make.
STUDY VISA FACTS
Processing time for study visa applications varies in each country . Some
embassies receive considerably more applications than others. In most
cases it will take no longer than a month to process the application.
Student status does not lead to permanent residence (indefinite leave to remain). However, students who reside lawfully in the UK for a ten year period may be granted permanent residence by virtue of the length of their stay. Each case is considered on its merits.
See our UK Residence & Citizenship Overview for more information.
DEALING
WITH IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS
Most immigration officers and Embassy staff are friendly and helpful.
Keep your interaction with them friendly, respectful and to the point.
Ask for specific information and check when your application should be submitted to allow ample time for processing. We recommend you keep copies of all application forms and other documents you submit, and make notes of any specific questions you are asked and your answers to these. Good records will provide an accurate basis for appeal in the event that your application is refused.
If you have any doubts or require further advice or assistance contact an immigration solicitor.
STUDY VISA REFUSALS
In some cases officers may contact you to advise that they do not feel
they can approve your application as submitted. This gives you opportunity
to submit additional facts and documents in support of the application,
or to withdraw the application before it is refused.
If this occurs we recommend you immediately contact immigration solicitors for advice.
IMPORTANT
A refusal is serious and may affect your (and your family’s) ability
to travel to the UK in future.
In many cases an immigration solicitor will be able to overcome the refusal or help you obtain a new visa.
ENTERING THE UK TO STUDY
NON-VISA NATIONAL students must carry copies of all documentary evidence
with them when travelling to the UK, including documents confirming their
acceptance as a student and proof of financial ability to support themselves
(receipts for prepayment of schooling and accommodation, etc.).
VISA NATIONAL students who have already been issued with a visa (an entry-clearance) are advised to carry the supporting documents with them as well. The immigration officer may ask searching questions at the port to ensure that their intentions are genuine.
Failure to produce the right documentation can result in refusal of entry.
REFUSAL OF ENTRY INTO THE UK
Careful preparation of the necessary documents can avoid this unpleasant
situation.
If you are refused entry into the UK it is best to contact an immigration solicitor immediately from the airport. In most cases they will be able to assist you to enter the UK but this can take some time and there will be professional fees to pay.
PROFESSIONAL ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE
Applications for study visas can be complex and require careful preparation.
Mistakes can lead to visa refusal or refusal of entry when arriving in the UK.
Care must also be exercised by other family members in applying for UK visas while a family member is studying in the UK as immigration officials are especially vigilant of any possibility that they may remain in the UK without permission.
If you have any doubts it is best to take professional advice from an immigration solicitor before making applications.
DJ Webb and Co. have many years of experience in dealing with all types of student and other visa applications. We can quickly help prepare your applications and supporting documentation.
Contact DJ Webb & Co. Immigration Solicitors.
RENEWING STUDY VISAS
Applications for the renewal of study visas can be made in the UK to the
Immigration and Nationality Directorate in London. The application must
be submitted prior to expiry of the student's leave to remain.
ACCOMPANYING PARENTS
Young children who are at school in the UK may be accompanied by a parent
on condition that the child is aged twelve or younger.
IMPORTANT
Where a parent applies to accompany a young student care must be taken
to convince immigration officials that the parent will leave the UK after
the period of study. This is especially important where the standard of
living in the student’s country of origin is substantially lower
than that in the UK.
UK TRAINING PERMITS
It is also possible to obtain entry into the UK under a training scheme
where the training leads to a professional qualification or an occupational
skill.
See UK Training & Work Experience for more information.
UK WORK EXPERIENCE
Entry into the UK is possible in some cases for the purpose of gaining
work experience.
See UK Training & Work Experience for more information.