UK Student
Visa
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Visa
applications have to be made on IM2A forms, which are available free
of cost at the British Embassies. This form has to be filled up by
the student and submitted to the embassy, along with the Visa
application fee and the required documents as mentioned below.
Immigration Rules for Students
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You must
intend to study at a publicly funded university or college, a
bonafide private institution or a fee-paying independent
school.
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You must
be able to and intend to follow a full time degree course, or
a weekday, full time course at a single institution involving at
least 15 hours of organized, daytime study per week.
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You must
be able to pay for your course and the living expenses of
your husband or wife and children (if they are with you)
without working in UK or claiming public funds.
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You must
not intend to work in UK unless you are accepted for a
course lasting longer than six months, when you may work
part-time or
during vacations.
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You must
intend to leave UK at the end of your studies.
Documents Required
For a Student Visa
- A letter of
acceptance on the course
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This will be
a letter from your institution confirming that a place has been
offered to you and that the course is full-time as defined by the
immigration law. The letter should state how long the course will
last. Where your course is more advanced and specialized, the letter
should also state what level of English is needed for the course
(giving minimum test marks, if appropriate) and confirm that you
satisfy this requirement.
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- Evidence that
you can pay the course fees and support yourself and your
family, if applicable
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Depending on
your circumstances, this could include evidence of government
sponsorship, a letter from a sponsor in UK confirming they can
support you, together with evidence that they can do this, and/or
your own bank statements. You should also provide a letter from your
place of study stating the full cost of the course, what
arrangements are acceptable for payment and whether you have already
paid fees or a deposit.
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Accommodation
Although the immigration rules do not require unaccompanied students
to show that accommodation has been arranged, your place of study
may have given you information about its availability, and you
should bring this to the attention of the ECO. If your family is
coming with you to the UK, you will need to show that there will
adequate accommodation for them. If your place of study cannot
confirm that family accommodation will be available, you may have to
consider travelling to the UK alone and making arrangements for your
family to join you when you have found somewhere to live.
The Interview
Interview is a part of your visa application process.
The interview is to give you the opportunity to clarify for the ECO
certain parts of your application. The ECO will be aiming to satisfy
him or herself that your study plans are genuine and workable.
The interview is a normal part of the process, but you may feel
quite nervous before it and find it an uncomfortable experience.
ECO’s are trained professionals who will try to make the process as
painless as possible, but the questions are necessarily very direct
and personal.
You should prepare for such an interview carefully. In particular:
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Be
familiar with all your study plans; why you chose the particular
institution and course; how the course will help your future
career;
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Be clear
about the cost of living and the course and your finances: do
you have enough money to complete the course? Can you prove it?
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Be as
clear as you can about your likely future career in your
country: what are you going to do on your return
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