UK - Student Visa
Student Visa GuidanceThis guidance explains what you will need to do if you want to travel to the United Kingdom (UK) to study, and what the Immigration Rules say. It is only a guide but it aims to answer some common questions in Frequently Asked Questions. Student rules changes from May 2009.
For more watch video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Prospective students or those already in the UK on a student visa now need to comply with Tier 4 of the new UK immigration points based system in order to or continue to study in the UK.
The purpose of this article is to comment on two very important points that prospective applicants need to consider and is not a substitute for becoming acquainted with all the requirements to be fulfilled under the Tier 4 route.
Requirements
- - Sponsorship from an approved educational provider – 30 points
- - Maintenance to cover costs fees and living costs – 10 points
For Approved Colleges updated list CLICK HERE
Time limits
For information on student visa please go through below frequently asked question or you can also consult with OCS-Consultants through email or phone.
How do I qualify to travel to the UK as a student?
You must be able to show that you have been accepted on a course of study or for a period of research at an educational establishment that is on the UK's Department approved list of Colleges, Universities and Skills Register of Education and Training Providers.(Sponsorer)
You must be able to show that you are going to follow:
- - A recognised full-time degree course or postgraduate studies, or
- - A period of study and/or research in excess of 6 months where this forms part of an overseas degree course, or
- - A course run during the week involving at least 15 hours of organised daytime study each week, or
- - A full-time course at approved college.
- - Have funds/show money (28 days old) to pay for your first year course and support yourself and any dependants for first 9 months, and live in the UK without going into business or getting a job, or needing any help from public funds
- - Be able and intend to follow your chosen course, and
- - Intend to leave the UK when you complete your studies, if your course of study is below degree level.
If you successfully complete a degree level course or above, awarded by a Scottish institution, you may be able to apply to live and work in Scotland for up to two years after achieving your qualification under the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme. If a government or international sponsorship agency sponsored your studies at a medical or dental school, you need to have the sponsor's permission to study a Foundation Programme in the UK.
Do I need a visa to study in the UK?
You will need a visa if you:
- - Are not an EEA national
- - Are stateless (you don't have a nationality)
- - Hold a non-national travel document, or
- - Hold a passport issued by an authority that is not recognised in the UK.
How do I apply for a visa?
You can apply in a number of ways, for example, by post, by courier, in person and online. Staff at the visa application centres will tell you about the ways in which you can apply or you can consult with OCS-Consultants for more guidance.
If you cannot apply online you will need to fill in a visa application form (VAF 3 - Student). You can get a form free of charge from your nearest visa application centre or you can consult with OCS-Consultants for more guidance about your visa application. You should apply for a student visa in the country of which you are a national or where you legally live.
What supporting documents should I include with my application?
You should include all the documents you can to show that you qualify for entry to the UK as a student. If you do not, immigration department may refuse your application.
As a guide, you should include:
- - Any relevant diplomas or educational certificates that you have
- - A letter from the university, college or school confirming that you have been accepted on a course of study and/or a period of research in the UK, and a statement of charges for the course and/or period of research (if appropriate)
- - If you are following a certain type of postgraduate study, an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) Certificate
- - Evidence of government sponsorship (if appropriate)
- - Bank statements as evidence to show that you can pay for your studies for first year and show that you can support your and depends living for first nine months, (from 1st October 2009 funds should be 28 days old) ;and
- - If you are being privately sponsored (for example, by a college in the UK) a letter from your sponsor giving details of how they will support you during your studies, and evidence that they can do so.
Immigration Department will refuse your application if they find that any documents are forged. It is better to explain why you do not have a document than to submit a false document with an application. Your application will be automatically refused and you may be banned from coming to the UK for 10 years if you use a false document, lie or withhold relevant information. You may also be banned if you have breached immigration laws in the UK.
What will happen when I make my application?
The Entry Clearance Officer will try to make a decision using your application form and the supporting documents you have provided. If this is not possible, they will need to interview you.
Please check your visa when you get it. You should make sure that:
- - Your personal details are correct
- - It correctly states the purpose for which you want to come to the UK, and
- - It is valid for the date on which you want to travel. (You can ask for it to be post-dated for up to three months if you do not plan to travel immediately).
Can I extend my stay as a student?
If you enter the UK with a student visa or prospective student visa, or if you want to study on a course at degree level or higher, you can apply to the UK Border Agency. The UK Border Agency will charge you a non-refundable fee for any application to extend your stay in the UK.
If you enter the UK with a student visitor visa, you will not be allowed to extend your stay.Can I work?
You can take part-time or holiday work, but you must not:
- - Work for more than 20 hours a week during term time unless your placement is part of your studies, has been agreed with your educational institution and leads to a degree or qualification awarded by a nationally recognised examining body
- - Do business, be self-employed or provide services as a professional sportsperson or entertainer, or
- - 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 recognised degree course at either a UK publicly-funded institution of further or higher education or an approved private educational institution that has satisfactory records of enrolment and attendance
- - You hold a valid work permit for employment
- - You have been sponsored by a government or agency and you have their written permission to remain in the UK in a different category, and
- - You have not broken immigration law.
Can I bring my husband, wife or civil partner and children with me?
Your husband, wife or civil partner and any of your children under 18 can come to the UK with you during your studies, as long as you can support them without needing any help from public funds. And you need to show funds at @ 533 per dependant per month for the minimum duration of 9 months.
Will my husband, wife or civil partner be allowed to work?
Your husband, wife or civil partner will be allowed to work in the UK if they give you permission to stay in the country for at least twelve months.
Will I need to register with the Police?
Nationals of certain countries are required to register with the police if they are entering the UK for more than six months. Your visa will state if this is necessary.In London, police registration is made at the Overseas Visitors Registration Office, (OVRO), Brandon House, 180 Borough High Street, London, SE1 1LH, Tel. 020 7230 1208. If you are not in London you can register at the nearest police station specified as a registration office. You will be charged for the initial registration certificate.
Note: you should not buy a ticket, or pay all or part of the cost of a study course if your visa application being delayed or refused would mean that you lost your money.
When should I apply?
You should apply in good time for your entry clearance so that you are not delayed in getting into the UK. However, you cannot have your clearance post-dated by more than three months. It can get very busy in visa sections, especially over the summer when lots of students are applying.
Health insurance If you come from a country with a health-care agreement with the UK, or if you are enrolled on a course for more than six months, you may be able to get medical treatment on the National Health Service (NHS). Short-term students who are in the UK for six months or less are not entitled to free medical treatment and you will have to pay for any treatment you get. Please make sure you have enough health insurance for the whole of your stay.
Warning - Drugs warning
Anyone found smuggling drugs into the UK will face serious penalties. Drug traffickers may try to bribe travellers. If you are travelling to the UK, avoid any involvement with drugs.
Warning - False documents
It is better to explain why you do not have a document than to submit a false document with an application. Applicants will be automatically refused and may be banned from coming to the UK for 10 years if they use a false document, lie or withhold relevant information. They may also be banned if they have breached immigration laws in the UK.
Travellers to the UK who produce a false travel document or passport to the UK immigration authorities for themselves and/or their children are committing an offence. People found guilty of this offence face up to two years in prison or a fine (or both).