Visa Information

International House Trust Limited is an A rated sponsor under Tier 4 Students of the UK Border Agency’s points based system (licence no 5BY3ENNA5). This is the top rating for people coming to the UK to work, train or study.

This information is for guidance only. Please contact your local Embassy or consult the UKBA website for up-to-date information and advice on visa-related issues. If you can't find the information you need here, take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions about Visas for the answer.

You can also download this visa guidance information in a PDF document (549 KB).

Students from the EU, EEA or Switzerland do not need a visa to enter the UK and do not need to read any of this information about visas (for a list of the countries in this category, please see the table below .) Students from all other countries need a visa which permits study in the UK. There are three main types of student visas:

• The Extended Student Visitor Visa (ESVV)
• The Student Visitor Visa (SVV)
• The General Student Visa (GSV)

Please note that you can’t enter the UK on a Visitor’s Visa if your intention is to study. If you do not have a valid visa, you will not be allowed to study at International House. Please note that you need to bring your passport on the first day of your course as well as your course confirmation letter.

If you do not bring your passport on Day 1, you will be asked to go home and fetch it before entering your first class.

EEA, EU & Switzerland

If you are from one of the following countries, you do not need a visa for the UK. If you come from any other country, you will need a visa.

The Different Types of Student Visas

If you are not from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you need to decide what kind of visa will be best for you. The following notes should help you understand the system and decide what to do.

The Student Visitor Visa (SVV)

This visa is for students who want to study in the UK for a period of 6 months or less. If you are a visa-national, you need to apply for this visa in your country ( check if you are in this category ). If you are a non-visa national, you can get your passport stamped as a Student Visitor free on arrival ( check if you are in this category ). A SVV does not give you the right to work in the UK and can’t be renewed or extended. There is no level requirement and you are free to study any number of hours per week.

Please note: If you are a non-visa national, you can simply get your passport stamped as a Student Visitor on arrival in the UK. However, it might be better for you to apply for a 6 month Student Visitor Visa from your country. It is not essential, but it could reduce the risk of you being refused entry.

The Extended Student Visitor Visa (ESVV)

This is a new kind of visa (as of 10/01/2011) which allows students to study in the UK for a period of 6 to 11 months. Both visa and non-visa nationals have to apply for this visa before leaving their home countries. All other conditions are the same as for the SVV, but please check the UKBA's Studying in the UK advice for updated information.

Please note: No student will be able to get their passport stamped with an ESVV on arrival in the UK. ALL students have to apply for this kind of visa before travelling to the UK.

The General Student Visa (GSV)

The General Student Visa can be obtained for a period of up to 3 years (if you are 18 years or older) and can be extended from within the UK (please consult the UKBA's Conditions of Stay advice for up-to-date information). To obtain this visa, you need to provide evidence that your current level of English is B1 and that you are able to start a course at B2 level (of the Common European Framework of Reference). See the full list of UKBA approved tests . You also need to study a minimum of 15 hours (20 lessons) per week.

Please note that a GSV must always be obtained in advance. The current fee for a GSV is £255 (as of 15/04/2011), but please check the UKBA's Visa Fees to confirm this.

What if I don't have the level of English to apply for a GSV but I want to go to University in the UK?

In this case, you can study English on an ESVV for a maximum of 11 months, do an English language test and then apply for a GSV from your home country.

Download a table to help you compare the different types of Visa (167 KB).

What kind of visa should I apply for?

The kind of visa which you apply for depends on:

• How long you intend to study in the UK
• What kind of course you are going to study (Please note that if you are intending to follow a University Foundation Programme, you can’t apply for the new ESVV. You could either apply for a 6 month SVV or a GSV)
• How many hours per week you are going to study because if you want a GSV you have to study a minimum of 15 hours (20 lessons) per week
• Your level of English (if you would like a GSV, you need to provide us with a secure English language test which shows that your level is at least B1 - Intermediate.

Am I a visa or non-visa national?

If you have decided to come to the UK on a SVV (for a maximum of 6 months), you need to know if you are a visa or a non-visa national. Visa nationals need to apply for the 6 month SVV before travelling to the UK, but non-visa nationals can get their passport stamped as a Student Visitor on arrival.

Please Note: Both visa and non-visa nationals need to apply from their home countries if they want a GSV or an ESVV.

Visa Nationals

If you are from one of the countries listed below, you ALWAYS need to apply for a visa before leaving your country. The UK Border Agency's 'Do I need a visa?' information may help you decide if you are a visa or a non-visa national.

Non-Visa Nationals

If you are a non-visa national, you can get your passport stamped as a student visitor (allowing you to study for a maximum of six months) free on arrival in the UK. However, remember that it might be safer for you to apply for a visa from your country regardless.

Please note: If you are a non-visa national and only have an Entry Clearance Student Visitor Visa stamp in your passport, you should carry the following documentation if you decide to travel out of the UK during your course: your course confirmation letter, your visa letter and any other International House documentation which you may have. Please see somebody at reception if you are unsure of what you should carry with you.

What should I do when I have decided what kind of visa to apply for?

1.Send us a copy of your passport

We need your passport to issue you with an accurate visa letter. If you are still not sure which visa you should apply for, please email the Student Services Team ( info@ihlondon.com ) and we will try our best to advise you. The UKBA's 'Do I need a visa?' information may also help you in deciding what action you should take.

If you would like to apply for a GSV, you also need to send us proof that you are currently at a B1 Level of English (on the Common European Framework of Reference) and that you are able to start a course at B2 level.

Below is a list of UKBA-approved English Language Tests that have been assessed as meeting the requirements for the GSV. No proof of level is needed for the SVV or the ESVV.

• Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)
• Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)
• Cambridge English: First (FCE)
• Cambridge English: Preliminary (PET)
• Cambridge English: Key (KET) (including CEFR level A1 certificates)
• Cambridge English: Business Higher (BEC Higher)
• Cambridge English: Business Vantage (BEC Vantage)
• Cambridge English: Business Preliminary (BEC Preliminary)
• International Legal English Certificate
• International Certificate of Financial English
• IELTS
• BULATS Online (certificated version)
• ESOL Skills for Life- Entry Level Certificate as well as Level 1/ Level 2
• City and Guilds ESOL and SESOL
• Pearson Test of English (Academic)
• TOEIC
• TOEFL
• Integrated Skills in English (ISE)

If you do not have one of these tests to prove that your level of English is at B1 level, you will need to apply for a SVV or an ESVV.

Please Note: You need to include EXACTLY the same documentation in your application for a GSV as stated on your CAS statement (Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies). Each transcript of your results must be the original (not a copy) and must clearly show your name, the name of the academic institution, the title of the test and the confirmation of the award.

2. We will provide you with a visa letter (for ESVV and SVV) or a CAS statement (for a GSV)

If you are applying for a GSV, we will provide you with a CAS statement which you will use (together with your proof of level) to apply for a visa from your home country.

Remember that both visa and non-visa nationals need to apply for an ESVV from their home countries but that non-visa nationals can get a 6 month SVV stamp on entry into the UK.

When should I apply for my visa?

Please note that it can take quite a long time for your visa application to be processed. Therefore, we advise that you consider this when you book your course. Check the UKBA website for information on visa processing times in your country .

More questions? See our Frequently Asked Questions about Visas to find the answer.

You can also download this visa guidance information in a PDF document (549 KB).

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