UK Visa Information Part 1-
General Details
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Lesson
Summary: |
The UK has grown to become one of
the top destinations to study around the
world.
With traditions of excellence dating back hundreds of years, high
class institutions at every corner and much more flexibility than
many other countries, the United Kingdom has much to offer
international students that other English-speaking countries
cannot offer.
If you want to study in the UK, you may have to think about the
student visa process.
Do You Need a Visa?
EEA
Nationals
If you are a national of an EEA country (European Union plus Iceland,
Liechtenstein and Norway) you can enter the UK as a student with
a minimum of formality, you do not require entry clearance or a
visa. You may be asked to show evidence that you have been
accepted on to a course, and that you have sufficient funds to
support yourself whilst in the UK. You will also need your
passport.
Non EEA
Nationals
If you are not from the
EEA (i.e. you live in a country other
than the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway) you
will have to meet certain immigration requirements. Nationals
from many countries are required to obtain an entry visa
or certificate before coming to the UK. You can do this
at the British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. Nationals
from countries where an entry visa is not compulsory such as some
Commonwealth countries should also consider applying for entry
clearance before leaving home. This is to ensure a Right of
Appeal in the unlikely event that entry is refused.
To come to the UK as a student you
will have to produce the following
documents:
* A passport
* A letter of unconditional acceptance for a
full-time course
* Evidence of your ability to meet, without
working in the UK, the costs of your course, accommodation and
maintenance and to support any dependants accompanying
you
* You'll find complete information about
applying for a visa here.
Important things to
note:
Student visas are normally granted for an
initial period of one year, usually determined by the length of
the course to be studied.
When you arrive in the UK, an immigration
officer may question you, so take all relevant
documents in your hand luggage.
Do not enter the UK on a
visitor's visa with the intention of changing to a student visa
at a later date. This is because unless you are from a country
whose nationals do not need to obtain a visa before coming to the
UK, you will not be able to change to a student visa and will
have to return home to make an application.
Work Issues
Can You Work With a Student Visa?
You may take part-time or holiday
work but you must not:
* work for more than 20 hours per week during
term time unless your placement is part of your studies, has the
agreement of your education institution and leads to a egree or
qualification awarded by a nationally recognized examining
body
* do business, be self-employed or provide
services as a professional sportsperson or entertainer
* work full-time in a permanent job
Can I switch to Work Permit employment
when I am in the UK?
You may be able to switch
if:
* you have completed a recognized degree
course at either a UK publicly funded further or higher education
institution or bona fide private education institution which
maintains satisfactory records of enrollment and
attendance
* you hold a valid work permit for
employment
* you have the written consent of
any
* government or agency which is sponsoring
you
* you have not broken immigration
law
Family Matters
Can I bring my husband, or wife and children with me?
Your husband or wife and any of
your children under 18 can come to the UK with you during your
studies as long as you can support them and live without help
from any public funds.
The authorities must also believe that you are
a genuine student, that you intend to leave at the end of the
course and that you have the required qualifications to take the
course. It is a good idea to keep all documentation in your hand
luggage during travel, as it may need to be produced on arrival
in the UK.
If you are issued with a visa for more than six
months it will be the equivalent of a multiple entry visa. If you
are a national of a country where entry clearance is a
requirement and your course is for six months or less you may
want to consider applying for a multiple entry visa in order to
leave and re-enter the UK during this time.
Getting Into the UK
Passport Stickers, Stamp and Length of
Stay
If you apply for a visa at a British
Embassy, Consulate or High Commision outside the UK, you will
receive a sticker called a vignette, in your
passport with your conditions and length of stay. When you arrive
at the airport, you will receive a stamp to show when you entered
the UK.
If you are applying for entry at a port of
entry (you can only do this if you are from a non visa national),
you will receive a stamp in your passport with your conditions
and length of stay.
Most overseas students are initially
given the right to stay for one year. Do not
worry if you know that you will need to stay longer than this as
you can apply to extend your stay as a student later.
The Immigration Officer will have endorsed your
passport with any other restriction that may apply to you. Some
students will be asked to register with the Police.
How Do You Apply?
You'll find complete information about
applying for student visa's in our
Second Lesson.
| Reference / Images Credits:UK Hero, Work Permit, Graduate Hotline, German WayDon't go Far |
