Ever since Brexit, the UK student visa application process has changed for citizens of certain countries. However, for those looking to study at this attractive location full of world-renowned universities, knowledge of the steps is more important than ever. Fortunately, it is simpler than obtaining a US student visa.
In this article, we will talk about what you will need to apply for a UK student visa and describe the general process. As always, it might vary according to your home country.
Before we start with any steps, let us overview the documents you will need to have prepared in order to apply for the visa. These are cited directly from the UK government’s website:
Additionally, you might require:
Finally, in case you are under 18, you will need written consent from your parents and legal guardians for your visa application, living arrangements in the UK, and your travel to the country.
In this section, we will move on to the specific steps of the visa application process.
You must choose the university where you wish to enrol before even beginning the visa application procedure. One of the papers we have specified above, the certificate of acceptance (CAS), will be sent to you if your attempt is successful. Keep in mind that the institution must give you an unconditional offer, which you must accept, in order for you to receive this.
To study in the UK, you will most likely require one of these two types of visas:
This is where you actually begin the UK student visa application process in earnest.
In the UK, there are two ways to obtain a student visa. You can submit an application in person at the British Embassy in your home country or online on the official website of the UK government.
You might need to submit a visa application at a visa application centre in order to get a biometric residence permit depending on your nationality.
NOTE: You must include a fee known as an Immigration Health Surcharge with your application. It grants you access to the National Health Service (NHS) of the UK. Students pay 25% less than the standard rate, making the annual fee for those with student visas £470.
After you have completed the UK student visa application form and submitted your documents, all that is left to do is wait until your visa request is either granted or denied, though in some situations the embassy might require you to come for an interview. If your request is denied, make sure to check what documents or information you might have been missing or have entered incorrectly.
Do not wait until the last minute to apply for a visa, either. The time it takes to get a Tier 4 Student Visa is typically 3 weeks. However, depending on where you are coming from, you should begin the visa application procedure three months beforehand. Additionally, for some countries, it is necessary to obtain the visa at least six months before the start of your programme.
Many international students in the UK also hold down part-time jobs, take part in work-study programmes, or do internships in addition to their studies. The majority of courses during the academic year allow you to work up to 20 hours a week. Before you even think about looking for job, check your visa, biometric residence permit, and university policy to see if there are any restrictions on the kind of work you may perform or the amount of hours you can work.
Hopefully, if you have followed the advice laid out here, you should be able to get your visa and be off to study at your dream university. Keep in mind, however, that there are some differences in the process depending on where you are from. For any additional questions you might have, it is helpful to contact your local UK embassy.
The UK is a great choice for any international student who is pursuing academic excellence and/or exposure to a rich and vibrant culture. It is fortunate that their visa application process is one of the more accessible ones.
We wish you the best of luck!
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