If you plan to study in the UK, you must decide whether you need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) or a UK Student Visa. An ETA is for short stays and may not cover full-time academic programs. Non-exempt individuals usually need a student visa. This visa requires acceptance to a recognized institution and proof of finances. Our website provides information and tips to help you follow UK study rules. The guide is helpful for both visa and non-visa situations.
The ETA allows visitors to travel to the UK. You can visit Great Britain for short term study or short term course without a visa if you have a valid ETA. Getting a UK ETA online from our website is very quick and easy for visitors.
Citizens from Middle-East countries like Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) must get an ETA. They need it for short-term study in the UK. This rule will apply to all visa-free visitors in the future. If you are not from a visa-exempt country for the UK, you need a visa to study there. You can get a Standard Visitor Visa for study periods up to six months. Starting February 22, 2024, nationals of Gulf Cooperation Council countries must obtain an ETA instead of the EVW.
UK Visas and Immigration makes the rules for student visas. People from Switzerland and EU/EEA countries can study in the UK without visas. However, students from other countries usually need visas. Brexit has led to changes in visa rules that impact both EU and non-EU students.
The student visa was once called a Tier 4 visa. It allows international students aged 18 and older to study in the UK. They can study full-time, part-time or long-term in higher education. This article will explain how to get a UK Student Visa.
If you are over 18 and taking short courses, you can get a Short-term Study Visa UK. It lets you stay up to six months for most programs. For English language courses, you can extend it to 11 months. Make sure your school has a Student Sponsor License for longer courses. Depending on your age and school, you can choose a Child Student Visa (ages 4-17) or a General Student Visa (ages 16 and up).
To get a study visa for the UK, international students must usually meet these criteria:
Additional documents may be necessary if you:
If you have documents in a language other than English, you must translate them. To show accuracy, the translated papers must have the date, the translator’s name, and signature.
You must prove your English skills with SELT. You must have this unless you are from an English-speaking country like the US or have a UK degree of equal value.
EEA, EU, and Swiss students in the UK can work part-time. They can work up to 20 hours per week during term time (up to 10 hours for ages 16-17) and full-time during breaks. UK Student Visa holders have restrictions. They cannot work full-time, get public funds, play professional sports, or be self-employed. Students need a National Insurance Number and proof of the right to work to start working.
If you have a student visa in the UK, the length of your stay depends on your course and previous studies in the UK. If you’re 18 or older and in a degree-level course, you can stay up to five years. For sub-degree courses, it’s up to two years. Taught postgraduate programs usually allow one-year stays. The length of stay might change based on your situation. Contact our customer service for exact details.
To get a UK visa, you must show you’re good in English. You can take a SELT test or show UK school certificates. If you want to study for a degree, you need a B2 level. For studies below degree level, a B1 level is enough. Universities check your English skills for degree studies and want a B2 level. Some applicants, such as Canadians, don’t have to prove English skills.
In the UK, universities usually need an IELTS score of at least 6. However, pathway and foundation courses may accept a score of 5.5. Some UK schools may not require IELTS if a student did well in English in 12th grade.
We can assist you with the entire process. We will provide updates on the latest visa requirements. Additionally, we will assist in preparing your documents. Our experts will guide you to official websites and authorized representatives. We can certify, translate, and courier your documents for you.
You can short term study or short term course in the UK for up to 6 months with an ETA. The UK Government introduced the ETA for Qatar nationals first. They can apply for this visa starting from November 15, 2023. Starting February 22, 2024, you can apply for an ETA from our website to travel to the UK.
Dos and Don’ts for UK Student Visas
Do:
Don’ts:
To get a UK Student Visa, you need an offer from a licensed sponsor for a full-time course in the UK. You also need to pass an English test. You need enough money for tuition and living. It would help if you showed you plan to leave the UK after your studies.
Financial requirements for a UK Student Visa vary based on location and dependents. In London, courses cost £1,334 per month. Outside London, they cost £1,023. You also need extra money for dependents.
Many international students choose to study in the UK. Getting a student visa to study there can be hard and take a long time. You can contact our customer support for any help.
If you apply from outside the UK, submit your application six months before your course starts. You will receive a decision in 3 weeks. If you apply from inside the UK, submit your application three months before. Make sure your current visa is still valid. You will get a decision in 8 weeks.
If you have a student visa for full-time degree studies, you can work up to 20 hours per week during the term. This includes both paid and unpaid work for one or more organizations.
New Home Office rules restrict students from bringing family (dependents) on student visas. The rules have exceptions for certain research postgraduate students. Undergraduates and taught postgraduates are not allowed to bring family starting from January 1, 2024.
Your student visa will expire when your course ends. So, stay informed for planning. You might extend it for further studies or switch to another visa for work—contact our customer support for details.
Tier 4 visa holders in the UK can extend their visa to keep studying or start a new course. To qualify, you must have a student or Tier 4 visa, an offer from an approved sponsor, and show academic progress. If you plan to stay less than 12 months, you must prove you have enough money.
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