You must be able to show that you have been accepted on a course of study at:
- a publicly funded institution of further or higher education (e.g. a university)
- a private-education institution
- an independent fee paying school
And that you are going to follow:
- a recognized full-time degree course
- a weekday full-time course involving at least 15 hours organized daytime study per week
- a full-time course of study at an independent fee paying school
You must also:
- be able to pay for your course and support an accommodate yourself and any dependants without working or help from public funds plan to leave the UK when you complete your studies
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| Do I need a visa to study in the UK? |
You will need a visa if you:
- Are a national of one of the countries listed at the end of this guidance
- Are stateless
- Hold a non-national travel document
- Hold a passport issued by an authority not recognized by the UK
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| From 13 November 2003, nationals from 10 non-visa national countries (United States, Canada, South Africa Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Hong Kong [there will be special arrangements for BN(O)s], Japan, Australia, and New Zealand) who will need to apply for entry clearance if staying longer than 6 months. By 2005 we intend that all non EU/EEA nationals wishing to stay for longer than 6 months will require entry clearance. |
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| How do I apply for a visa? |
VFS is the British High Commission's Commercial Partner. This means that we operate Application Centers on behalf of the 4 Visa Departments in India, for customers to make visa applications to travel to the UK. VFS operates 11 application centers across India and they are located at:
Northern India: New Delhi, Jalandhar and Chandigarh.
Western India: Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad.
Southern India: Chennai, Hyderabad, Cochin and Bangalore .
Eastern India: Kolkata
All applications will be assessed at The British High Commission, New Delhi or the British Deputy High Commission in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. For more information about U.K visa policies and procedures, visit www.ukinindia.com or www.ukvisas.gov.uk
If you would like to apply online please click on the 'Apply Online" link provided. All tour operators and members of the Business Express Program (BEP) must apply online.
If you have already applied for a Visa, you can track your application using our visa application tracker service.
If you are a citizen of one of the countries listed here, and you intend to stay in the UK for 6 months or longer, you must apply for an entry clearance (visa) before you travel. The countries are: Australia, Canada, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea and the USA. |
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What will I need to make my application? |
You will need:
a completed VAF-1 Non Settlement form |
Any dependants under 16 years old, included in your passport and traveling with you can be included on your form. Older dependants should complete separate forms.
- your valid passport or travel document
- two recent passport-sized (45mm x 35mm), color photographs (N.B. some visa sections may require three photographs - you can find out more by using the Do I Need a UK Visa? questionnaire). The photograph should be:
- taken against a light colored (white, off-white etc.) background
- unmounted, clear and of good quality
- printed on normal photographic paper
- full face without sunglasses, hat or other head covering unless for ethnic or religious reasons
Please note that we may not accept photographs which do not meet these specifications.
- the visa fee, which is non-refundable, and must normally be paid in the local currency of the country where you are applying
- any relevant diplomas or educational certificates which you hold
- a letter from the university, college or school confirming your acceptance on a course of study in the UK and a statement of charges for the course
- evidence of Government sponsorship (if applicable)
In addition to the documents listed above you may be asked for:
-- evidence of funds, for example bank statements or pay slips, to show that you can pay for your stay and your course of studies in the UK
-- A letter from your host or sponsor in the UK to say that he or she will support and accommodate you during your course of studies, again with evidence that he or she can do so. |
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What will happen when I make my application? |
The Entry Clearance Officer will check that he or she has all the information that is needed to make a decision. If more information is required you may be asked to return with additional information before your application is accepted.
Once your application has been accepted you might have to be interviewed |
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What are public funds? |
The Immigration Rules require that people who wish to travel to the UK to study are able to support and accommodate themselves without claiming certain state benefits. |
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Can I extend my stay as a student? |
If you enter the UK with a student visa and wish to extend your stay for further studies you can apply to do so at the Home Office Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND)
If you are a visa national, you cannot stay on as a student unless you entered the UK with a student or prospective student visa. |
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Will I be allowed to work? |
If you are admitted for a course lasting more than 6 months, you may, without a work permit or permission from the local Job Center, take part-time or holiday-work, but you must not:
- work for more than 20 hours per week during term time unless your placement is part of your studies, has the agreement of the education institution and leads to a degree or qualification awarded by a nationally recognized examining body
- do business, be self-employed or provide services as a professional sportspersons or entertainer work full-time in a permanent job
If you are admitted for a course lasting 6 months or less, permission to work is granted at the entry clearance, or immigration officer's discretion. |
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Can I switch to Work Permit employment whilst in the UK? |
You may be able to switch if you meet the following requirements:
- you have completed a recognized degree course at either a UK publicly funded further or higher education institution or bona fide private education institution which maintains satisfactory records of enrolment and attendance
- you hold a valid work permit for employment
- If sponsored by your government or international scholarship agency you have their written consent
- you do not have an adverse immigration history
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Can I bring my spouse and children with me? |
Your husband or wife and any of your children under 18 can come to the UK with you during your studies as long as you can support and accommodate them without help from public funds |
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Will my spouse be allowed to work? |
Your spouse will be allowed to work in the UK if you are given permission to stay in the country for 12 months or more. |
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Can I go to the UK to arrange my studies? |
You may travel to the UK as a prospective student to arrange your studies for up to six months. You will need to show that:
- you plan to enroll on a course of study within six months of arriving in the UK
- you can pay for your course and support and accommodate yourself and any dependants without working or help from public funds
- you plan to leave the UK when you finish your studies or when your permission to stay ends if you are not able to qualify to stay in the UK as a student
Note: You should not buy a ticket, or pay all or part of the cost of a course of studies, if delay or refusal of your application will result in financial loss. The entry clearance officer may ask you for other documents: production of those listed above does not guarantee that a visa will be issued.
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