Visa and immigration advice

Whether you are new or returning to the University of East London, we can help guide and support you understand UK visa requirements.

Welcome information

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Whether you are new or returning to the University of East London, we can help guide and support you understand UK visa requirements.

Welcome information

International students

If you are a non-UK or Irish national and you do not have a UK visa that allows you to study or you are an EEA national and do not have pre-settled or settled status, you will need to apply for and obtain a visa to study at UEL.

It is important that you understand the immigration requirements before you make a visa application. These pages will help provide you with information and guidance.

Visa advice

The International Student Advice (ISA) service at UEL provide free and confidential advice and information on UK immigration and related matters to prospective and current UEL students, recent UEL graduates and their families. The ISA service are regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) to provide such services.

Please note that it is illegal to give immigration advice unless you are authorised to do so by the IAA. All immigration advice queries should therefore be referred to the ISA service.

The provision of immigration advice is regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA), please click the link below to read our Conditions of Service.

Conditions of Service

Student visa

If you are coming to study a full-time degree course, lasting six months or more, it’s likely that you will need to apply and obtain a Student visa to study with us.

The only part-time courses sponsored by UEL under the Student visa route are some postgraduate research degrees and professional doctorates but only in specific circumstances.

  • What is a Student visa?

    Understand UK Student visa eligibility for UEL: 70-point system (CAS, finance, English), visa length by course, eligible programmes, part-time restrictions, time limits and academic progression.

  • Applying for a Student visa outside UK

    Planning to study at the University of East London? Learn how to apply for your UK Student visa from overseas. Step-by-step advice on documents, financial proof, TB test, ATAS, and more. Get prepared!

  • Applying for a Student visa inside the UK

    Need to extend or switch to a UK Student visa while already in the UK? Learn who can apply, required documents, financial rules, and academic progression. Get step-by-step guidance from UEL today.

  • Dependants

    Bringing your family to the UK while you study at UEL? Check who qualifies as a dependant, the funds you need, documents to prepare, and how to apply. Get clear guidance and start today.

Travelling and preparation handbook

In this handbook, you will find essential information on applying for your Student visa, pre-arrival events, travelling to the UK as well as top tips to help you prepare to live in the UK. Understand your rights, responsibilities and where you can go for support.

International Student Handbook

Standard visitor visa

If you are coming to study one of our short courses, lasting six months or less, for example an academic exchange programme for one semester or require a visa to attend your graduation ceremony, it’s likely you’ll need to apply under the Standard Visitor route to come to the UK. Please click the link below for more information on this visa.

Visitor visa information

Visa compliance

The University of East London is a Higher Education Provider with a track record of compliance as a Student Route Sponsor Licence Holder (formerly known as Tier 4 Sponsor Licence). This permits us to recruit and retain, EU, EEA, Swiss Nationals and Non-EEA students to study at UEL on a Student visa.

In line with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requirements UEL have legal duties and responsibilities to follow as a compliant sponsor. UEL must ensure its international students have the correct immigration permission which allows them to study in the UK. UEL is required to keep copies of this evidence throughout a students study.

For further information about what documents you will need to provide as a condition of your enrolment, please visit the page below.

Right to Study Check

If you require a visa to study in the UK, it is important that you fully understand and comply with the conditions of your visa whilst studying at UEL.

Please take the time to carefully read the responsibilities required by you in the link below.

Your Visa Responsibilities

Current students

Visa guidance for current students

If you are currently enrolled at the University of East London, please visit our intranet pages for visa information and guidance (Safely Collaborate and Share Content | Microsoft SharePoint ).

On the intranet you will find lots of useful information dedicated to current enrolled UEL international students on the following:

  • Rights and responsibilities as a Student visa holder
  • Dependant immigration advice
  • Standard Visitor application advice
  • Working visa routes, including advice on the Skilled worker route and the Graduate worker route
  • Advice on travelling outside the UK and Schengen visa advice
  • And much more

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