International students all have the added step of applying for their UK study visa. With the extensive amount of organisation that goes into preparing to study abroad, the application process for a student visa can often be seen as nothing more than a daunting hassle.
The UK has a points based system for immigration and visas to study in the UK are assessed according to this system. If you are from a country within the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland then you won't need to apply for a visa in order to be allowed to study in the UK. You have the automatic right to reside in the UK for as long as your studies last, but you may want to apply for a registration certificate. Although these are voluntary, they act as confirmation of your right of residence as a student and may help if you are looking to bring non-EEA or non-Swiss relatives into the UK with you for the duration of your studies.
If you are from a country outside of the EEA or Switzerland and you have an existing visa that allows you to remain in the UK, you may be able to study under it in certain situations; otherwise, the visa that you will need to apply for is a Tier 4 student visa. If you are unsure of your ability to study using an existing visa then consult an immigration solicitor, or seek advice from the academic institution that you have been accepted into.
There are a number of requirements that you will need to satisfy before you even consider submitting a Tier 4 application. The basic eligibility criteria are as follows:
• You must already have applied for and been offered a place on a course within the UK
• You must have a thorough grasp of the English language in speaking, reading and writing
• You must satisfy financial criteria to prove you are able to support yourself and pay for your course (this will depend on your individual circumstances)
A full list of eligibility requirements can be found on the visas section of the UK Government website.
Once you are confident of your eligibility there are a number of other things to consider with regards to your application. Some of the most frequently asked questions are regarding the fees involved, which will depend on who you are applying for, as well as the stage you are at in the process and the method you prefer to use to apply. For example, an initial application fee of £298 is payable per person, an extension by post is between £305 and £406, and an extension in person using the premium service is between £680 and £781 [*] You may want to seek professional advice before submitting, as mistakes will be frowned upon and may hinder the success of your student visa application.
You may be wondering how long the process takes? When you have applied for your Tier 4 visa, the processing time can vary depending upon your country of origin. You can apply for your visa up to 3 months before you plan to enter the UK to commence your course. Most visa decisions are made within 3 weeks of application, but you can check for a more accurate processing time here.
When you have made a successful application and your visa has been approved, there are still some restrictions in terms of your conduct whilst in the UK. Your student visa will allow you to study on your chosen course, be a member of any student body (for example, student union representative), and in some cases you may carry out part time work, although this will depend on your course and/or sponsor. You will not be eligible for public funds, including benefits, and you may not work as a professional sports person, including coaching.
Whilst in the UK, you can apply for an extension to your visa and in certain circumstances you may also apply for dependent family members, including children, spouses and unmarried partners to join you in the UK for the duration of your studies.
[*] Prices are accurate as taken from the UK Government website on the 26th of March 2014