OVERVIEW
Individuals who wish to study or take a higher education course in the UK can apply for a Study Visa. The age of the applicant should be 16 years or over. Applicants who are between four to seventeen years of age should apply for a Child Student Visa to enroll in an independent school in the UK.
UK STUDENT VISA REQUIREMENTS
If you want to qualify for UK Student Visa, you must show UK Visa and Immigration
that:
- You are aged 16 or over (You will be required to provide evidence while applying
for Study Visa) - You have been offered an unconditional place on an approved course with a licensed student sponsor
- You can read, write, speak and understand English to at least CEFR Level B2 (if studying at degree level or above) or CEFR Level B1 (if studying at below degree level)
- You have enough funds to support yourself and afford your course without depending on public funds
- You have the consent of your parent(s) or legal guardian if you are 16 or 17 years old
The above-mentioned requirements may vary from applicant to applicant, depending upon his circumstances. For expert advice, consult an immigration lawyer.
UK STUDENT VISA COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Following are the course Student Visa applicants can apply to enroll into:
- A full-time course that leads to a qualification below degree level (RQF level 3, 4, or 5) with at least 15 hours per week of organised daytime study
- A full-time course that leads to a qualification that is at degree level or above (RQF level 6, 7, or 8)
- A full-time course that is at degree level or above (RQF level 6,7 or 8), that is equivalent to a UK higher education course and is being delivered as part of a longer course overseas
- A part-time course leading to a qualification that is above degree level (RQF level 7 or above)
- A recognised foundation programme for postgraduate doctors or dentists (if you have finished a recognised UK degree in medicine or dentistry, received that degree from a registered student sponsor, and spent your final year and at least one other year of studies leading to that degree in the UK)
- An English language course at level B2 or above in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
IF THE APPLICANT IS FROM THE EU, SWITZERLAND, NORWAY, ICELAND OR LIECHTENSTEIN
You will be eligible to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme, if you or your family member started living in the UK by 31st December 2020. The last date to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme was 30th June 2021. However, you can still apply if
- You have a later deadline
- There is ‘reasonable grounds’ for you being unable to apply by 30 June 2021.
WHEN SHOULD YOU APPLY FOR A STUDY VISA?
The time to apply for Student Visa depends upon the place you are applying from:
APPLYING FROM OUTSIDE THE UK
- You can apply for a Study Visa as early as 6 months before your course starts
- It takes around three weeks to get a decision on your visa
APPLYING FROM INSIDE THE UK
- You can apply for a Study Visa as early as three months before your course starts
- You need to apply before your current visa expires. The new course must start
within 28 days after your current visa expires. - It takes around eight weeks to get a decision on your visa
THE DURATION OF YOUR STAY
The duration of your stay depends on the length of your course and the education
you’ve already completed in the UK. If your course is at degree level or you are aged 18
or over, you are allowed to stay in the UK for up to five years. If it’s below degree level,
you can usually stay in the UK for up to 2 years.
STAYING LONGER IN THE UK
To stay longer in the UK you need to
- Extend your visa if you’re eligible
- Switch to a Student Visa from another visa if you’re already in the UK
- Switch to a Graduate Visa to stay in the UK for at least 2 years once your
course is completed
WHEN YOU CAN TRAVEL TO THE UK
You need to arrive in the UK before the beginning of your course
- You need to arrive up to 1 week before the course starts if your course
lasts for 6 months or less - You need to arrive up to 1 month before your course starts if your
course lasts more than 6 months
FEES
It costs:
- £348 to apply for a Student Visa from outside the UK
- £475 to extend or switch to a Student Visa from inside the UK
Visa fees need to be paid for every individual who joins the applicant
HEALTHCARE SURCHARGE
You need to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application. The amount to be paid depends upon the duration of your stay or on how long your visa lasts. Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.
CAN YOU BRING YOUR DEPENDANTS
You are allowed to bring your dependents (your partner and your children) as study visa holders.
WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT DO
YOU CAN
- Study
- Work as a student union sabbatical officer
You are allowed to work however, it depends on your course and if you are working in or out of term-time.
YOU CANNOT
- Claim public funds (benefits) and pensions
- Work in roles, such as a professional sportsperson or a sports coach
- Start a business
- You are enrolled at an academy or a local authority-funded school
You’ll be told what you can and cannot do on a Student Visa, once your application is successful.
WHO ELSE IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR A STUDY VISA?
You are eligible to apply for a Student Visa if
- You are applying to extend your stay on the Doctorate Extension Scheme (you need permission to be in the UK on a Student Visa (or a Tier 4 (General) Student visa) and your course must lead to a Ph.D.)
- You are taking up a full-time elected position as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer.
PLACE OF STUDY REQUIREMENTS FOR A UK STUDENT VISA
You must stay on the premises of your student sponsor or partner institution while completing all parts of the study that form your course unless you are taking a pre-seasonal course, enrolled in a study abroad programme overseas, or on course-related work placement
CONFIRMATION OF ACCEPTANCE FOR STUDIES (CAS)
You will be provided with a CAS reference number by your education institute once you have been offered an unconditional place on a study course. You need to apply for your Student Visa as soon as possible, preferably within 6 months of receiving CAS.
The Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies is only valid if it has not been used in a previous application. The applicant cannot use the CAS that was either refused or granted. It can only be used as long as the educational institution has not withdrawn the offer
The CAS must include the following information
- Details of the course to be studied
- The level of study, the place of study
- Accommodation cost and fees (and any payments already made)
- How the English language requirement has been met
FINANCIAL REQUIREMENT FOR A UK STUDENT VISA
To Obtain a UK Student Visa, you must assure UK Visas and Immigration that you can
easily afford your course fee and your stay in the UK.
COURSE FEES
If the length of your course includes part of a month, the time period will be rounded up to the next full month.
If the applicant has paid a part or all of the course fee to the student sponsor, it will be compensated against the required funds given it is mentioned on the CAS letter or the sponsor has provided a receipt confirming the amount of dues paid.
Deposit up to a maximum of £1,265, made to student sponsor for accommodation will also be compensated against the required fund.
WHY CHOOSE UK RESIDENCY TO OBTAIN A CHILD STUDENT VISA?
UK Residency is the smart gateway for foreign students who want to move to or extend their stay in, the UK to continue their education. The immigration advisors on our team will lay out the best immigration options for students and help them understand Immigration Rules so that they can start their course of study without wasting any time.
You may qualify for a Tier 4 (General) Student visa if you are over the age of 16 and have been offered an unconditional place on a course with an educational institution holding a Tier 4 Sponsor Licence. Children aged between 4 and 17 years old can apply for a Tier 4 (Child) Student visa.
Get in touch with one of our immigration consultants to discuss options to enter the UK.