UK STUDENT VISAS

 

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

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• Have been offered a place on a course by a licensed student sponsor

• Have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course - the amount will vary depending on your circumstances

• Can speak, read, write and understand English

• Have consent from your parents if you’re 16 or 17 - you’ll need evidence of this when you apply

 

This visa has replaced the Tier 4 (General) student visa.

 

When to apply

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When you can apply depends on whether you’re applying from inside or outside the UK.

 

Applying from outside the UK

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The earliest you can apply for a visa is 6 months before you start your course.

You’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.

 

Applying from inside the UK

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The earliest you can apply is 3 months before your course starts.

You must apply before your current visa expires. Your new course must begin within 28 days of your current visa expiring.

You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.

 

How long you can stay

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How long you can stay depends on the length of your course and what study you’ve already completed.

If you’re 18 or over and your course is at degree level, you can usually stay in the UK for up to 5 years. If it’s below degree level, you can usually stay in the UK for up to 2 years.

 

Staying longer in the UK

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You may be able to:

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• Extend your visa if you’re eligible, for example, to continue your studies in the UK

• Switch to a Student visa from another visa if you’re already in the UK

When you can travel to the UK

You can arrive in the UK before your course starts. This can be either:

• Up to 1 week before, if your course lasts 6 months or less

• Up to 1 month before, if your course lasts more than 6 months

 

Fees

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• £348 to apply for a student visa from outside the UK

• £475 to extend or switch to a Student visa from inside the UK

You must pay the visa fee for each person that joins you.

 

Healthcare surcharge

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You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application.

 

Your partner and children

 

You may be able to bring your partner and children (‘dependants’).

What you can and cannot do

 

You can

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• Study

• Work as a student union sabbatical officer

You may be able to work - how much depends on what you’re studying and whether you’re working in or out of term-time.

 

You cannot

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• Claim public funds (benefits) and pensions

• Work in certain jobs, for example as a professional sportsperson or sports coach

• Be self-employed

• Study at an academy or a local authority-funded school (also known as a maintained school)

If your application is successful, you’ll be told what you can and cannot do on a Student visa.