UK Student Visa: Complete Guide And Steps On How To Apply To Study Abroad

Do you want to study in the UK? Find out whether you need to apply for a UK student visa, and how the application process works.UK student visa requirements and general immigration criteria are managed by UK Visas and Immigration, which has an easy-to-navigate site to help you determine whether you need a UK student visa. The following article is meant to offer a complete guide to making your UK visa application process as easy and less stressful as possible. Read Through…

Find Out What Type Of Visa You Need To Study In The UK

These are the 2 types of visas for which you might need to apply to become a UK student, though Brexit has created a lot of confusion, especially among international students who want to study or are already studying for a degree in the UK. But we will do our best to clarify the changes involved and who needs a visa to study in the United Kingdom:

• Short-Term Study Visa (available for 6 or 11 months) – for students who plan to study a short language course or take up a short period of research as part of a degree programme.
• Tier 4 (General) Student Visa – for students who enrol in an academic degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD). The Tier 4 Student Visa does not have a fixed period of availability; the length of your studies determines the length of the visa.

Applying For Your UK Student Visa: Steps To Take On To Apply

There are several steps to apply for a UK Student Visa. UK Study Visa applications are processed usually within three or four weeks of the completed application being lodged. The first step is to check if you qualify for the student visa or not. You need to show that you have a confirmed place at the school, university or college where you intend to study. It is called a ‘confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS).

The other is having Enough money (also known as ‘maintenance or funds) to cover your course fees and living costs in the UK.

Read About: Study In The USA: F-1 And M-1 Visa For International Students

Documents Required For A UK Student Visa

1. Completed visa application form
2. Passport or Valid travel documentation
3. Passport-sized photograph
4. Proof that you can support yourself during your stay in the UK
5. Parental consent, if you are under 18 years old
6. Tuberculosis test results (for citizens of certain countries)
7. Proof of paying the visa application fee
8. Immigration Health Surcharge
9. Self-assessment form Appendix 8 with attached documents. (not required if you apply online)
10. Other requirements may vary depending on your country of origin.

Applying For Your Student Visa

If you are 16 years and above and want to study a course at a higher education level in the UK lasting longer than six months, it is most likely that you will need to apply for a student visa through the Student Route. Follow this step-by-step guide to applying for your student visa:

• Step 1: Apply to your chosen university (or universities) and receive an unconditional offer.
  
• Step 2: Once you have received your unconditional offer, and you have accepted it, your university will give you a document called a Certificate of Acceptance of Studies (or CAS).
  
• Step 3: Once you have your CAS, you can begin the visa application process. You can apply for your visa up to six months before your course starts. You will need to pay an application fee (£363 for students) and have a current passport.
  
• Step 4: As part of your application, you will need to pay a fee called an Immigration Health Surcharge. This gives you access to the UK’s National Health Service. Students receive a 25 per cent discount on the usual cost, so the rate for student visa holders is £470 per year.
  
• Step 5: As part of your student visa application, you may need to prove your knowledge of the English language. Different universities have different requirements, so make sure you check what form of English language evidence you will need with your university.
  
• Step 6: You will need to complete your application and have it accepted before you arrive in the UK.

For European Students, You have to be acquainted with the following
European students: If you are from an EU country such as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you can use the UK Immigration: ID Check app on a smartphone to complete the identity stage of your application.

European students: Also if you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you may be able to apply for a refund of the cost of the Immigration Health Surcharge. Check the GOV.UK website to find out if you are eligible to apply for a refund.

Read Also: How To Apply For A Canadian Visa:7 Keys To Get A Student Visa Now For Canada

Working in the UK as an International student, is it possible?

Statistics have it that many international students in the UK take a part-time job, work placement or internship alongside their studies. For most courses, you will be allowed to work for up to 20 hours per week during term time in most case.

However, before you consider looking for work, check your visa and biometric residence permit and check your university’s rules to see if there are any restrictions to the type of work or the number of hours you can do.

Note: As a European student, if you do decide to do part-time work in the UK, this could affect your eligibility for a refund on your Immigration Health Surcharge payment, so make sure you consider all of this when thinking about if you need to work alongside your studies in the UK

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