UK Student Visa

The United Kingdom is one of the most opulent and leading destinations when it comes to studying in abroad, with more than 500,000 international students travelling to the United Kingdom and getting enrolled each year in the best universities performing consistently well.

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Plans for an individual of 30 years age travelling to USA for 15 days

Studying in the United Kingdom allows the students to enhance their skills, knowledge and thinking and drive their blooming career fruitfully in future.

To stay and study in the United Kingdom, international students must have a UK student visa.

When a student is planning to pursue academics from the United Kingdom, it is then the students need to apply for a UK student visa.

Essentially, any student who is a non-British citizen and is willing to study in a school or university in the United Kingdom either for a long-term or a short-term course need to apply for a UK student visa. Depending upon the curriculum of the course, the students are likewise permitted to conduct researches basis the equivalent.

Having a UK student visa allows you to live and study in the country throughout the course.

Types of UK Student Visa

Now, let us have an understanding of the different types of UK student visa, one may apply depending upon the purpose of their study, which is:

Short term Study Visa

This type of UK student visa needs to be applied by those students who are intending to travel to the United Kingdom for undertaking a short-term course, for instance, some language course, etc. Besides, having a short-term study visa also allows students to research as part of the respective course. Anyone willing to apply for this visa needs to be a minimum of 16 years of age and this visa is generally valid for up to 6 months. One could get an extension of up to 11 months, in case the course being undertaken in the English language.

General Student Visa (Tier 4)

This type of UK student visa need to be applied by those non-British citizens who wish to study in the schools or universities of the United Kingdom to pursue a long-term course, for instance, a graduate or a post-graduate degree respectively. Anyone who is intending to pursue a course relevant to the reason stated above needs to be a minimum of 16 years of age. The person must be proficient in speaking, writing and reading the English language. In case, if the course undertaken by the student goes beyond 6 months under such a situation, this Tier 4 visa will get an extension.

Child Student Visa (Tier 4)

This type of UK student visa need to be applied by those who fall under the category of minor and wish to study in the school or educational institution of the United Kingdom. This type of visa could be applied for those who fall under the age bracket between 4 to 17 years of age. Besides, under certain conditions, the holder of this visa can work either part-time or full-time and may get an extension upon the visa.

The Validity of the UK Student Visa

In the below grid, find the validity for different types of UK student visa:

Types of the UK Student Visa	Duration
Short term Study Visa	06 to 11 months
General Student Visa	06 months (If required, may get an extension)
Child Student Visa	Under the following conditions: 06 years (If the age of the student is below 16 years of age) 03 years (If the age of the student is either 16 or 17 years)

Visa Guide

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Do’s and Don’ts Under the UK Student Visa

In the below grid, find out the things that an individual is allowed and restricted to under different types of UK student visa:

Types of the UK Student Visa	Do’s	Don’ts
Short term Study Visa	Undertake a short-term course in the UK, for example, English language, training course. If studying abroad, research as part of the course curriculum for a shorter span.	Study at any of the state-funded schools. Work or carry any business activity. An extension of visa. Bringing dependents or family members. Attain public funds.
General Student Visa	Wish to study. Allowed to work as a student union sabbatical officer. Can apply for both that is within and outside the boundaries of the UK. Applicable to extend the stay tenure. Work depending upon the course.	Get public funds. Undertake jobs like a professional sportsperson or a sports coach. Studying in a maintained school, like a local authority funded school.
Child Student Visa	Study in an independent school. Can apply from outside the boundaries of the UK. Can extend the stay. If an applicant is 16 or above: Do a part-time job during the term for 10 hours each week. During vacations for full-time. For up to 2 years, as a student union sabbatical officer. As part of the course, on a work placement, which should not take above 50% of the course time.	Learning at a maintained school. Receive public funds Full-time job or self-owned. Working as a doctor/dentist in any training Working as a professional sportsperson. Working as an entertainer. Settling in the UK on this visa. Bringing family members/dependant.

Rules You Must Know Before Applying for UK Student Visa (Tier 4)

The person needs to have a total of 40 points to get a UK student Visa (Tier 4). The same can be achieved by the following:

The confirmation of the course acceptance from the university the person is planning to take admission. UK Visa and Immigration should approve the university. The universities falling under the list issued by UK Visa and Immigration will give the students directly 30 points.
The person needs to provide sufficient proof of funding, which will be paid for the tuition fees of the course and living expenses for every month. For this, the person will receive a total of 10 points.

Eligibility Criteria to Apply for a UK Student Visa

In the below grid, find the eligibility criteria to apply for different types of UK student visa:

Types of the UK Student Visa	Eligibility Criteria
Short term Study Visa	Have been offered a course in a recognized place of study in the UK. Financially independent or dependent on one’s own family/friends. Can bear self travel-related expenses, which include the return or onward journey. In case, if one is under 18 years of age then ahs arrangements in the UK in regards to stay and travel and must be in the knowledge of either of the parents or guardian. The education provider must hold a Tier4 education license or the course need to be held on at an educational institution enlisted provided by different governing bodies. Must be a minimum of 16 years of age and learning English as a foreign language if applying for an 11-month study visa. In case, if one is planning to visit the UK for a shorter span to carry research and is already enrolled with an overseas degree course then the course needs to hold the same value as of a UK degree, carrying the work of research in a recognized body of the UK and need to be a minimum of 16 years old.
General Student Visa	Offer letter confirming the admission into a course with a licensed Tier 4 sponsor. Adequate finances to manage for self and payment of course fees.
Child Student Visa	Offer letter confirming the admission into a course with a licensed Tier 4 sponsor. Adequate finances to manage for self and payment of course fees.

How to Apply for the UK Student Visa

The process to file a UK student visa is convenient and can easily be done by visiting the official website of the UK government and apply for the equivalent online. Follow the steps given below to file a US student visa online:

Understand the type of UK student visa that you need to apply for the travel basis the purpose of the travel.
Visit the official website of the government of the UK (GOV.UK)
Select the ‘Visas and Immigration’ page.
Select your UK visa category and accordingly apply for the right type of UK student visa.
Keep your documents handy.
Fill up the UK visa application form and provide correct information.
Next, pay for the type of UK student visa.
Get an appointment at the UK Visa Application Centre.
Attend your UK student visa appointment and give the necessary biometric information.
The UK student visa will be given to the applicants who clear the visa interview.

Exceptions under UK Student Visa

In case, if one wishes to apply for UK student visa online, the residents of North Korea cannot apply for the equivalent.

A resident of North Korea needs to apply offline to get any of the UK student visas.

Documents Required to Apply for UK Student Visa

In the below grid, find the list of documents required at the time of applying for the UK student visa:

Types of the UK Student Visa	Documents Required
Short term Study Visa	Current Passport One blank page in the passport for the visa. Bank statement or payslips of the last 6 months. Details of lodging and travel plans. If visiting the UK for more than 6 months, tuberculosis tests results. In case, if one is below 18, contact details of parent/guardian at the native country. Certified translation for documents, which are not in English or Welsh.
General Student Visa	Current Passport One blank page in the passport for the visa. Evidence to substantiate that one can manage the expenses incurred during the course taken. Evidence to support the relationship with the parent/guardian if below 18 years of age. Test results for tuberculosis if one is from a country where TB is common. Additional documents depending upon the situations.
Child Student Visa	Current Passport One blank page in the passport for the visa. Evidence to substantiate that one can manage the expenses incurred during the course taken. Evidence of consent with a parent or the guardian. Evidence of the relationship with the parent/guardian. Test results for tuberculosis if one is from a country where TB is common.

UK Student Visa Fees

To obtain a UK student visa, certain fees need to be paid up along with the visa application.

In the below grid, look at the application fees that one will have to bear along with the UK visa application:

Types of the UK Student Visa		Cost (In Pounds)
Short term Study Visa	6 months	97
Short term Study Visa	11 months	186
General Student Visa		348
Child Student Visa		348

UK Student Visa for Indian Students

The Indian students who wish to pursue their academic in the United Kingdom may apply for the UK student visa depending on the category, which suits their needs as mentioned above.

Provide all relevant details and pay the visa fees online. Do not forget to take a print of the duly completed visa application form. Complete the formalities online as it gives you the benefit of saving the application progress and it can be continued later if required.

Track the UK Student Visa Online

The UK student visa status can easily be tracked online. All one needs to have either the passport number or the reference number of the visa.

Track the status of the UK student visa online the official website of the United Kingdom government. Below are the easy steps to track the status of the UK student visa online:

Step 1: Visit Official Website.

Step 2: Provide any of the following details:

Case Identification Number
Unique Application Number
Payment Reference Number
Biometric Resident Permit Number
Immigration Health Surcharge Number

Step 3: With the above details, an applicant can enter and track the status of the application.

Travel Insurance for the UK

Pursuing academics from the United Kingdom is surely a turning point in the lives of the students.

The students need to buy travel insurance for the UK eventualities do not come knocking. Spending a huge amount on the academics, one surely will not want to take any risk, which could hamper or affect the dreams and create any unwanted financial hole in the pockets.

Therefore, it is recommended that every student necessarily buy travel insurance for the UK and secure themselves against any fiscal cost from any unforeseen events. For instance, medical treatment in the UK is on an expensive side, so having the right travel insurance will cover the student from any medical-treatment related expenses. Travel insurance will be the reliable helping hand in case of emergencies, such as loss of passport/delayed baggage, trip cancellation/curtailment, any personal liability, and so on.

It is better to be safe than sorry. Buy the student travel insurance.

UK Student Visa Processing Time

The UK student visa applications are ideally processed within three weeks post the application has been lodged.

Moreover, if required, on may choose and the priority service and avail the UK visa on payment of 50 pounds within 5 working days. Besides, one also has an alternative of super-priority within which one may get a visa on payment of 800 pounds within 1 working day.

Note: One needs to be eligible to avail such benefits for a UK visa.

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