Frequently Asked Questions: Travelling - (to and from the UK)
1. Can I travel outside the UK during term time?
We do not advise travelling during term time for two reasons:
- Because you may be questioned by immigration upon your return to the UK, as you will be expected to be studying.
- Because you will be missing classes and the University of East London has a strict attendance policy.
Furthermore, part of the conditions of your student visa is that you attend fully. Failure to meet the attendance policy requirements, could result in your removal from your programme of study. It is only acceptable to travel during term time if you have received the written authorisation by your school and this may only be given in exceptional circumstances.
If you really need to travel during term time, you should contact your school with the reasons to request authorisation. Your school will in most cases require you to provide evidence of the reasons why you need to travel. If your school authorise your absence, you should request a letter from them confirming your status, authorising your absence and stating the date by which they expect you to return.
If you travel during term time, you should carry with you in your hand luggage a student status (which you can request from the Student Services helpdesk), a letter of authorisation from your school and evidence of your finances.
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2. Can I travel outside the UK during official vacation time?
If you wish to travel in the official university vacation times and you have a valid student visa, then that should not be a problem with regards to immigration.
We would advise that if you travel in the official vacation times, that you carry with you in your hand luggage evidence of your enrolment at UEL (you can request a student status letter from the Student Services helpdesk) and a copy of the term dates letter (also available from the Student Services helpdesk) as well as evidence that you have sufficient finances to cover your fees and living expenses.
Please see UEL web pages for official vacation periods.
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3. I want to travel to another country, do I need a visa?
If you wish to travel to another country, you should first of all check with the web site of the consulate of the country in question, to check if you require a visa or not. Always prepare in good time as the visa application process and gathering together all necessary documents may take some time. Normally, if you do require a visa to visit another country the minimum requirements are:
- Complete the relevant application form
- Relevant visa application fee
- Passport and visa for UK
- Evidence of your finances (how much money is required may vary)
- Evidence of your student status (request a Student Status letter from the Student Services helpdesk). First ask your school to confirm that your attendance has been satisfactory and then contact the Student Services helpdesk for a Student Status Letter for the relevant embassy.
- Travel and health insurance
- Evidence of purpose of visit (including return travel tickets)
Please note that the exact requirements will be explained in detail on the relevant country's web site. Most countries will require that you have a minimum period of time remaining on your UK visa as well as on your passport.
If you wish to travel to most countries in the European Union, Norway and Switzerland (known as the Schengen Area), one visa allows you entry to all Schengen Area countries. You must check whether you require a visa for the countries that you wish to travel to. If you do, you must make an application to the first country that you are travelling to or to the country in which you will spend the most time. See UKCISA web pages for more information on Schengen Visas.
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4. I want my family/ friends to visit me in the UK, what should I do?
If your family members or friends wish to visit you in the UK and they are not European Economic Area nationals, they may require a visa to visit the UK. They should apply for a visitor's visa at any British Embassy or High Commission. This will normally be in the country in which they normally live.
Your visitor must apply for a visitors visa in order to visit the UK. If your visitor is a family member coming to the UK to visit you, they must complete the VAF1B (family visitor) Visa Application Form. More information can be found on the UKBA visitor visa pages.
Your visitor will normally need to provide at least the following evidence:
- bank statements, pay slips, or some other evidence to show that they can pay for the trip and that they have enough money to support themselves and any dependants without working or getting any help from public funds, and
- evidence that they intend to leave the UK at the end of their visit (for example, a letter from their employer) and
- a letter of invite from you explaining your relationship with them and the purpose of their visit, (see below) and
- a copy of the bio-data page (the page containing your photograph) of your passport and, if you are not a UK national, evidence of your immigration status in the United Kingdom.
- A letter from UEL confirming your student status.
Your letter of invite should state:
- the visitors name, date of birth and nationality
- your relationship to the visitor (i.e.: child of, friend of etc)
- purpose of their visit (i.e.: attend graduation, holiday etc)
- where they will stay (if staying in your house you should provide the address)
- the length of visit, including arrival and departure dates
- your status in the UK (i.e.: studying and on a student visa)
You do not need any letter from the University other than an invitation from the Graduation team if you are inviting your visitors to your graduation ceremony. For more information on Graduation Ceremonies and invites please see the Graduation team webpages.
If you wish provide your visitors with a letter from the University confirming your student status, you can request a student status letter from the Student Services Helpdesk.
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5. I have finished my course and want to return home for a while. I still have time remaining on my student visa. Can I come back to the UK on the student visa?
Your student visa is issued to you for studies in the UK. You are normally granted sufficient time on your visa to complete your course along with some additional time. Your student visa allows you entry into the UK for studies or study related activities.
Therefore, if after having completed your studies, you wish to leave the UK for a period in order to return again, an immigration officer may not be convinced that you are entering the UK for studies. If an immigration officer is not convinced that you are entering the UK for studies whilst holding a student visa, in some cases he or she might refuse entry into the UK.
Therefore we do not advise that you travel outside of the UK at the end of your studies whilst still on a student visa, if you wish to return to the UK on that same visa.
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6. Returning to the UK for my Graduation Ceremony - what do I need to do?
If your visa has expired and you have left the UK, you may wish to return for your graduation ceremony. If you only only wish to return to the UK to attend the graduation ceremony (you do not intend to study or work), you should return to the UK as a visitor. If you are a Visa National you must apply for entry clearance (visa) as a visitor before returning to the UK.
Visa Nationals - Citizens of some countries must apply for entry clearance (visa) to come to the UK for any purpose and for any length of time. These citizens are known as Visa Nationals. If you are a Visa National, you must apply for entry clearance (a visa issued as a sticker in your passport) to come to the UK as a General Visitor. To find out if you must apply for a visa to come to the UK as a General Visitor see the UKVISAS website
Non-Visa Nationals - Citizens of some countries may be able to come to the UK as a General Visitor without applying for entry clearance (a visa issued as a sticker in your passport). This is only an option for citizens of countries who are Non-Visa Nationals. To find out if you are a Non-Visa National see the UKVISAS website. If you are arriving in the UK without Entry Clearance (as a non-visa national) and claiming Leave to Enter the UK as a Student Visitor you should have in your possession some of the same documents as listed below, in case you need to prove your Visitor status.
Applying for a Visitors Visa
You can apply for a visitors visa at any British Embassy or High Commission, however this will normally be in the country in which you normally live.
More information on applying for a Visitors Visa can be found on the UKVISAS web site (please read this information very carefully)
To come to the UK as a visitor will normally need to provide at least the following evidence:
- Bank statements, pay slips, or some other evidence to show that you can pay for the trip and that you have enough money to support yourself without working or getting any help from public funds, and
- Any evidence that you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit (for example, a letter from your employer), and
- A letter from UEL inviting you to your graduation ceremony. See the Graduation team webpages, and
- Evidence of accommodation during your stay (for example: hotel booking or if staying with friends a letter confirming this), and
- Anything else relevant to your application
UKVISAS provides an approximation of visa processing times - whilst most visa applications are processed within 3 weeks and often quicker, it can sometimes take much longer. Therefore, we advise that you prepare and apply for your Visitors Visa early.
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