If you are enthusiastic to study in the United Kingdom but don’t know How to Apply for UK Student Visa, you are reading the right informative piece.
The UK Visas and Immigration are responsible for visa processes in the country and if you are not a citizen or permanent resident of EU/EEA states, you are likely to need a UK student visa. You will learn today the step-by-step guide on how you can apply for a UK student visa and how the application process works.
How To Apply For A UK Students Visa (Step By Step Guide)
Obtaining a UK student visa is a paramount requirement to give you access to the country to study despite having been accepted and offered admission to the school of your choice. That is to say, without a UK student visa, you will not be allowed into the country.
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You are liable to apply for a student visa to study in the UK if you’re 16 years old and above and:
- Must have been accepted and offered a place on a course by a licensed student sponsor.
- You have enough finance to support yourself and as well pay for your course.
- You can speak, read, write and understand English. Your English knowledge will be proven by:
- Sitting and passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider.
- If you have a GSCE, A-Level, Scottish National Qualification (Level 4 or 5), Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English, all of which is gained from an approved UK school where you began to study at age 18.
- You have consent from your parents or legal guardian if you’re 16 or 17. You will need to present this as evidence when you apply.
Types Of UK Student Visa
The UK Student Visa is in different categories and it depends on the length of your study. There is the:
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Short-term Study Visa.
If you’re traveling to the UK to study for a short course and you are over 18 years old, you should apply for a short-term study visa. This type of study visa is valid for up to six months and it is appropriate for most short courses it can be extended for a stay of up to 11 months, especially for English language courses.
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Long-term Study Visa.
The Long-term Study Visa is appropriate if you will be studying a longer course in the UK. Make sure your chosen institution is certified a Tier 4 Sponsor License. As such, if you are between ages 4 – 17, you can either apply for a Tier 4 (Child) student visa.
Also, you can apply for a Tier 4 (General) student visa for those that are 16 years old and over.
Requirements For UK Student Visa.
It is prerogative that you apply for the student visa up to 3 months in advance before the beginning of your course. This will give room for your visa application to be processed before your scheduled travel date.
Also, UK student visas are awarded on a points-based system. So, to meet up with the order of all the UK student visa requirements, you’ll need to provide:
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- Details of your passport along with other valid documents.
- A passport-sized, digital-colored recent photograph.
- A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed course provider.
- Financial/bank statement as proof of monetary support to pay for your personal needs and educational fees.
- A valid ATAS certificate (if required).
- Evidence of parental or legal guardian consent if you’re under 18.
- Evidence of your relationship to your parent or guardian if you’re under 18.
- You’ll need written consent from both parents or legal guardians (or one parent if they have sole responsibility) if you’re under 18.
- Tuberculosis test results.
- Provide written consent for your application from your financial sponsor if your study is sponsored and you have received sponsorship for your course fees and living costs in the last 12 months.
Besides, you may be required to provide additional documentation depending on your circumstances.
How To Apply For United Kingdom Students Visa.
Applying for a United Kingdom student Visa is not complex. It is done online. All you need do is to follow the certain steps required of you to apply for a United Kingdom student visa as discussed below.
Step 1: Gain admission.
When you are offered admission into an educational institution in the United Kingdom. You will be eligible to apply for a tier 4 student visa.
Step 2: Gather Required Documents.
Upon the completion of your admission status confirming that you have been offered admission to study in a higher school of learning within the United Kingdom, you will be sent a Confirmation of Acceptance (CAS) letter.
Once you’ve acquired your CAS letter, collate all necessary documents because you will be required to submit these documents after you fill out the online visa application form and book your visa appointment.
Step 3: Fill your Visa Application Form.
Having successfully signed up on the UK Visas and Immigration website, you will be required to fill the visa application form. Take your time to fill this form accurately and ensure all answers provided are true and correspond with information on other documentation you will submit. Any error or false information provided will reduce your chances of being denied the student visa.
Step 4: Schedule an Appointment Date.
You will have to schedule the date for your visa appointment. That is when you will be required to pay the visa fee (if any payment is still required aside from the online payment).
Step 5: Be Punctual for your Interview.
On the scheduled appointment date, go to the visa embassy, consulate, or visa application center in your home country with the required documentation. It is during your appointment that you can submit your documents, and your biometric data will be captured and the interview will be held.
Step 6: Wait for the Results and Retrieve Your Documents.
Once you have completed the interview and all application processes, you will be able to collect your traveling documents or they will be sent to you via a courier service.
Should your visa application be denied, you may appeal this decision. But that does not mean the appeal guarantees that your visa application will be granted.
When To Apply For UK Student Visa.
Application for a UK student visa depends on whether you’re applying from within or abroad.
If you are applying from outside the UK, the latest you can apply for a visa is 6 months before your course starts. Typically, you will get a response on your visa within 3 weeks.
If you are applying from inside the UK, the earliest you can apply is 3 months before the beginning of your course. However, you must apply before the expiration of your current visa.
Also, your new course must commence within 28 days of your current expiring visa. Typically, you will get a response within 8 weeks.
How long You Can Stay In The UK With A Student Visa.
Your length of stay in the UK until you complete your study depends on the length of your course and what study you’ve already completed in the UK.
As such, if you’re 18 or over and you enrolled in a degree course level, you can usually stay in the UK for up to 5 years. If your educational pursuit is below degree level, you can usually stay in the UK for up to 2 years.
UK Students Visa Fee.
The UK student visa fees depend again on where you are applying. The cost of applying for a student visa from outside the United Kingdom is £348, and it cost £475 to extend or switch to a Student visa from inside the United Kingdom. The fee is per person for any dependents.
The Short-term Study Visa fee is £97 for the six-month option and £186 for the 11-month visa.
Also, you will need to pay an annual healthcare surcharge of £150 per year to access the National Health Service (NHS) during your stay (this will rise to £300.
Conclusion.
I believe you have learned all that you need to know on How to Apply for UK Student Visa.
The process is not tedious and can be done online by visiting the official portal. Go through the processes and other information provided to help you complete your application to the end.
