Getting a visa

The information on this page is for guidance only. If you are unsure about your visa status, or for the most up-to-date information, please contact your local embassy or visit www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration.

Last updated: April 2021

 

Do I need a visa to study in the UK?

If you are a ‘Non-Visa National’ (eg All EU/EEA countries, Argentina, Brazil, Japan, Korea, Taiwan) you can enter the UK with a ‘Standard Visitor Visa’ that is issued on arrival. You can stay and study for up to 6 months.  You can enter through the e-gates and do not need to speak to immigration staff at the entry point. There will be no stamp in your passport. If you want to study for more than 6 months you will need to apply for either a Short-term Study visa or a Student Visa before you travel – see details below.

If you are a ‘Visa National’ (eg from China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE, Ukraine) you always need to apply for a visa before you travel. If your course is less than 6 months you can enter and study with a ‘Standard Visa’. If you want to study for more than 6 months you can apply for either a ‘Short–Term Study visa’ (up to 11 months) or a ‘Standard Visitor Visa’ (previously known as a ‘Tier 4 visa’)

See a full list here. 

 

Visa Types

Standard Visitor Visa

A Standard Visitor visa allows anyone to:

  • Study on a short course (including English language courses) for up to 6 months at an accredited school.
  • Stay in the UK up to 6 months

This will be the most suitable visa for many of our students.

 

Short-term Study Visa

A Short-Term Study visa allows those over 16 years old to:

  • Study on an English language course for up to 11 months
  • Stay in the UK for the length of the course plus 30 days.

You can apply for a short-term study visa up to 3 months before your date of travel and should get a decision within 3 weeks of application. Check the gov.uk visa processing times for more information.

To apply for this visa you must provide proof:

  • of acceptance onto a course
  • that you have enough money for your stay
  • that you have money for your return journey

If you are under 18 years old you also need to show:

  • you have booked your travel and accommodation
  • you have permission from your parent or guardian

You can find details about eligibility for this visa and the documents you need to provide at www.gov.uk/study-visit-visa/overview.

To apply online for this visa, visit the www.gov.uk/apply-uk-visa website.

 

Student Visa

A Student visa (previously called ‘Tier 4 visa’) allows those 16 years old or over to:

  • Study a full-time course including an English language course (at level B2 or above of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) for up to or more than 12 months
  • stay up to 2 months after the end of the course.

To apply for a Student visa you must:

International House Trust Limited is a licensed sponsor under the UK Visas and Immigration points-based system (license no 5BY3ENNA5) for people coming to the UK to train or study.

Please contact us (info@ihlondon.com) for more information about applying for this type of visa.

Other visas

It is also possible to study on some other visa types, for example:

  • Tier 1 – Investor / Entrepreneur visa
  • Tier 2 – General work visa
  • Tier 5 – Youth mobility visa
  • Diplomatic visa
  • Some Dependent visas

However, IH London is not able to provide advice or assistance in obtaining these.  

 

How do I apply for a visa?

You can check whether you need a visa on the www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa website.

You can find out how to apply for a UK visa on the UK government website at www.gov.uk/apply-uk-visa.

 

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

You usually need to pay the IHS if your visa is over 6 months. It entitles you to use parts of the National Health Service that are free. You will need to pay the IHS even if you have Private Health/travel insurance.  

 

Visa FAQs

You can find answers to the most common questions in this document. 

 

Need further help?

Contact our friendly multilingual team. 

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