Student visa to the UK

The mandatory documents include your passport and an official letter from the educational institution confirming your enrollment (it must state the course name, tuition fees, duration, and accommodation details). If the visa is for a child under 18, you’ll also need a travel authorization and written consent from parents or legal guardians to submit the application. Depending on the case, additional documents may be required – such as a tuition payment receipt, a bank statement showing income and transactions for the past 6 months, proof of taking the SELT language exam, sponsorship documents, and more. Each case requires a different set of documents, which we’ll define precisely after a personal consultation.

Applications are usually processed within 3 weeks after biometric data is submitted. Visa stamping may take an additional 3 weeks. Based on our experience, we recommend submitting your documents no later than 3-6 months before your course begins.

Yes, you can request expedited processing by the immigration office for an additional fee – £500 for 5 business days or £1000 for 1-2 business days. However, keep in mind that not all visa centers offer this option, and in many cases, they limit the number of expedited applications they can accept per day.

We’ll complete the application form and prepare the documents within 3-5 business days after receiving all the necessary information and materials from you.

For a standard student visa lasting more than 11 months, you must prove your English language proficiency. You can take the SELT exam or use other accepted methods, which are explained in detail here.

You need to print the application and appointment confirmations, then visit the UK visa application center where your fingerprints will be taken, your photo will be captured, and your passport will be collected for visa stamping. For children under 5, fingerprints are not required. However, they must still attend the visa center with a parent to be photographed. Children over 5 provide fingerprints just like adults.

Yes, after submitting your biometrics, your international passport is collected for the duration of the decision-making and visa stamping process. However, if you wish, you can pay extra for the “keep my passport” service. In that case, your passport will be returned on the day you provide biometrics. Once your visa is approved, you’ll need to submit the passport again for visa stamping.

When a decision is made, you’ll receive an email. Typically, if your visa is approved, the email will have no attachments. If it’s denied, the email will include a detailed explanation of the reasons. However, you’ll know for sure whether the visa is granted once you receive your passport.

In general, this visa does not grant the right to work. However, there are exceptions. With a standard student visa, you may work as a student union sabbatical officer during academic leave. With a child student visa, starting at age 16, you may work part-time during the term (up to 10 hours per week), full-time during holidays, and take part in internships related to your course (but not exceeding 50% of the course duration).

Under a standard student visa, your partner and children (dependants) can apply to join you or stay longer in the UK. However, you must meet one of the following criteria: – You are a government-sponsored student starting a course longer than 6 months – You are a full-time student enrolled in a postgraduate program (RQF level 7 or higher) lasting 9 months or more To accompany a child on a child student visa, a parent must hold a Parent of a Child Student visa and be the only parent accompanying the child. If you are over 12 years old, your parent will not be eligible for this type of visa unless you have a younger sibling under 12 who holds a child student visa.

As of March 18, 2022, travelers to the UK are no longer required to present COVID vaccination certificates, take COVID-19 tests, or self-isolate upon arrival. You can check current requirements here.