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Student Visitor Visa - outside UK

If you want to come to the UK to study at the University of East London (UEL) you will require a visa for study purposes, if you are not a British citizen or are a citizen of the European Economic Area or Switzerland.

In the UK immigration rules there are two routes to come to the UK as a Student

  • Tier 4 (General) Visa - This is the main visa for studying in the UK. A Tier 4 visa allows the holder to come to the UK to study full time at UEL on our undergraduate, postgraduate, pre-sessional English and pre-Masters programmes. A Tier 4 visa will normally be issued for the full length of your course plus some extra time. Employment is usually allowed but restircted on this type of visa
  • Student Visitor Visa - This is a restrictive type of visitor visa which allows part time study and may be suitable for those on UEL distance learning programmes. A student visitor visa is only valid for a maximum of 6 months and non renewable months (11 months if your coming to the UK to study English only – which would not be applicable to UEL students). Employment is prohibited on this type of visa, and Student Visitor Visa holders are not able to bring dependants to the UK with them.

These pages relate to Student Visitor category

  • If you are outside the UK and require more information on applying for a student visa under Tier 4 (General) Visas, click on Tier 4 (General)
  • If you are already in the UK and require information on extending your student visa under Tier 4 click on Student Visas
  • There is also a prospective student visa for those who wish to study at UEL but need to attend an interview before being offered a place on a course.

Student Visitor

Student Visitor Overview

In some cases it may be appropriate for a student to come to the UK as a student visitor. This is the only type of visitors visa which allows study. Other types of vistor visa do not allow study in the UK. The cases where you may consider coming to the UK as a Student Visitor are if:

  • You are studying on a UEL distance learning programme and occassionally need to visit the UK for classes or revision sessions... although the course of study might be longer than 6 months, each period of study is less than six months, or
  • You wish to study part time on a short course at UEL of less than 6 months, or
  • You wish to study full time on a short course at UEL of less than 6 months, or
  • You cannot be issued with a CAS for your studies for any reason

Note: If you are coming to the UEL to study a Pre-Sessional English or Pre Masters programme in order to progress to further full time study, you should not come to the UK as a Student Visitor. Instead you should apply for a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa.

Student Visitor Limitations

If you come to the UK as a Student Visitor, you should be aware of the following limitations:

  • A student visitor visa is valid for a maximum of 6 months, in most cases
  • You cannot extend your stay as a student visitor in the UK beyond 6 months, in most cases.
  • You cannot switch from student visitor to any other type of visa in the UK.
  • You are prohibited from any employment in the UK.
  • You cannot bring dependants in this category.

Requirements for a Student Visitor

A Student Visitor must meet the requirements of the General Visitor rules to come to the UK as well as the specific rules for Student Visitors. These rules include:

  • You want to come to the UK to study at UEL
  • You do not intend to stay in the UK more than 6 months at any one time
  • You do not intend to take any employment whilst in the UK
  • You do not intend to engage in any business whilst in the UK
  • You can maintain and accommodate yourself whilst in the UK
  • You have the funds to leave the UK within the time frame

You will need to show evidence that you meet the above rules whether you apply for a Student Visitor Entry Clearance (Visa sticker in your passport) or your claim Leave to Enter the UK as a Student Visitor (only an option for non-visa national citizens).

Application Fee & Process - Student Vistor Visa (Entry Clearance)

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 Student Visitor. To find out if you must apply for a visa to come to the UK as a Student Visitor see the UKVISAS website

Non-Visa Nationals - Citizens of some countries may be able to come to the UK as a Student 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.

We recommend that everyone coming to the UK as a Student Visitor applies for entry clearance in that category (whether they are a visa national or not). This is because it ensures that you enter the UK in the correct category as well as offering you some protection upon arrival in the UK in case an immgration officer declines you Leave to Enter the UK for any reason.

Depending on where you live, you can apply for a Student Visitor Visa online or via the VAF1D form. There is detailed information on the visa application process on the UKVISAS website.

Application Fee

  • If applying before 6 April 2013: The application fee is £78 (in local currency equivalent)
  • If applying on or after 6 April 2013: The application fee is £80 (in local currency equivalent)

Biometrics

As part of the application process for Entry Clearance as a Student Visitor, you will need to attend an appointment at the Visa Application centre or British Embassy to:

  • provide a digital scan of your fingerprints and
  • have a digital photograph taken.

This process is known as biometric enrolment or biometric data collection. If you apply online you must also make an appointment to provide your biometric data.

More information on the biometrics procedure on the UK Border Agency website

 

Documents Required for Student Visitors

If are applying for Entry Clearance as a Student Visitor, you will need to provide certain documents with your application.

  • Passport
  • Any previous passports used to come to the UK
  • Passport sized photos - see
  • A Student Visitor Letter from UEL confirming your enrolment/ acceptance on to your programme of study. This should be requested by emailing admissintl@uel.ac.uk
  • Bank statements and evidence of income (enough to cover your stay in the UK for course fees and living expenses)
  • Evidence of previous qualifications (official certificates/ transcripts)
  • Evidence of English Language ability (IELTS/ TOEFL etc) - if applicable
  • Evidence of marital status (unless single)

Note on the Letter from UEL

The Letter from UEL must be issued by UEL International - who will first discuss the details of your programme of study with your academic department. Normally the start and end dates of your programme of study will be less than 6 months (except in the case of distance learning).

This letter is vital for any applications for Entry Clearance as a Student Visitor, as well as for those entering the UK without Entry Clearance as a Student Visitor (in the case of non-visa nationals), as it contains all the UK Border Agency required information.

If you are on a distance learning programme and visit the UK on a regular basis (for example three times a year) this should be explained on the UEL letter including, as far as possible, the periods of study when you are expected to be in the UK.

If you are expected to be in the UK on a very regular basis for large periods of time (beyond 6 months), it is unlikely that you will be considered as a Student Visitor but may be able to apply for a Tier 4 visa- if your studies are full time.

When to Apply for Entry Clearance as a Student Visitor

If you are applying for Entry Clearance as a Student Visitor to study at UEL, you should prepare early. This is because the application process can sometimes take a long time.

  • Complete the admissions process to UEL
  • Receive a Student Visitor Letter from UEL
  • Prepare your application at least one month prior to application (collect documents etc)
  • Apply for the Student Visitor visa about one month before the start date of your programme.
  • Arrange and attend appointment to provide your biometric data

Note: Your visa will be issued for a maximum of six months validity

The UK Border Agency 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.

Advice for Making a Successful Visa Application

  • Check the Student Visitor rules and requirements
  • Start preparing your application early. Do not leave it to the last minute. This is because you will need to collect a number of documents, some of which you will have to request from the university, bank etc. Also early applications allow time to resolve any problems in case of returned or refused applications.
  • Read the guidance notes and application forms carefully
  • Complete the application forms
  • Collect together all the necessary documents
  • Take photos in line with the UK Border Agency photo guidance
  • Email isa@uel.ac.uk to clarify any doubts or ask specific questions
  • Pay the appropriate fee
  • Write a list of documents that you are submitting with your application
  • Photocopy everything for your records
  • Submit the completed application and all supporting documents
  • Arrange and attend your biometric appointment

Note for Non-Visa Nationals

If you are a citizen of a country which classifies you as a non-visa national, you are not obliged to apply for entry clearance to come to the UK as a Student Visitor. If you do intend to enter the UK as a Student Visitor without entry clearance, you must first check that at the time that you are travelling to the UK, your country is still omitted from the Visa National list

However, we recommend that everyone coming to the UK as a Student Visitor applies for entry clearance in that category (whether they are a visa national or not). This is because it ensures that you enter the UK in the correct category as well as offering you some protection upon arrival in the UK in case an immgration officer declines you Leave to Enter the UK for any reason.

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 above, in case you need to prove Student Visitor status. You should also ensure that the Immigration Officer at your port of arrival to the UK understands that you are entering the UK as a Student Visitor.

Normally the immigration officer should date stamp your passport on arrival and endorse the stamp with the code VST or STV

Useful Links and Further Information

The UK Council for International Student Affairs have created and information sheet with further details about applying for a Student Visitor Visa - please see Making an Application as a Student Visitor Visa.   

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Updated 15/04/13

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