Latest Visa Requirements for Studying in the UK
If you are not from the European Union, you should obtain some form of entry clearance from your nearest British Embassy or High Commission. Remember: you should request the right visa to stay in the UK. Make sure that you obtain a student visa, not a visitor visa, as you will not be able to extend your stay as a student with the visitor visa.
If you are from a visa national country you must apply for a visa from the British High Commission or Embassy in your country of residence.
Click here to see a short video (in 8 languages) on UK visasSee http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/wheretoapply for permission to come to the UK as a ‘student’. Permission to come to the UK is called ‘entry clearance’. You should wait until you have obtained entry clearance before you book any non-refundable travel tickets.
The UK Border Agency operates a point-based system for immigration. As an adult wishing to apply for entry clearance to study a higher education programme in the UK, you must apply as a ‘Tier 4 (General) Student’. The UK Border Agency sometimes refers to Tier 4 (General) Students as ‘adult students’. Tier 4 is the part of the immigration system that deals with students.
When you apply for your visa, you will need to provide documents such as a valid passport, birth certificate, sponsor letter from a University or college and evidence that you are able to meet the costs of studying in the UK, including tuition fees and additional living expenses of £600 per month (or £800 per month for student living in inner London).
You need 40 points to be able to apply for a student visa and must provide the proof needed with your application form. If successful you will be issued with a CAS number - this replaces a Visa letter.Points for initial applications and for extensions are awarded as follows:
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For further details of Tier 4 and for guidance on how to apply for your visa please read carefully the UK Boarder Agency’s document entitled "Tier 4 of the Points Based System – Policy Guidance". Copies of the document can be obtained from the UK Boarder Agency’s website or can be downloaded from the following web link:
More Information
VSF GLOBAL - VISA INFORMATION FOR NIGERIANSUK BORDER AGENCY STUDENT POLICY
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In your hand luggage…
Immigration Procedures on Arrival
Registration with the Police
Nationals of certain countries or territories are required to register with the Police upon arrival in the UK. If you need to register, this requirement will be written in your passport.
To register you will need...
Extending your Visa to stay in the UK
In order to remain in the UK as a student, you have to meet and be able to prove the following
UK Border Agency (UKBA) criteria:
(i) You are a full-time student, enrolled on a course of not less than 15 hours per week.
(ii) You have enough money to maintain yourself and any dependant without recourse to public funds and without working.
(iii) You intend to leave the UK on completion of your studies.
(iv) You will study for an approved qualification at a Study centre registered as a recognised sponsor by UKBA
It is essential that you apply to the Home Office to renew your extension of stay before the date that your current permission to stay runs out. Since the Home Office is normally extremely busy processing applications, it is in your best interest to apply for an extension at least one month in advance.
In order to extend your Visa, please see the Registrar or Director of Admissions. You will be given a home Office form for completion.
The address of the Home Office is:
The Home Office
Immigration & Nationality Department
Lunar House, Wellesley Road
Croydon, Surrey CR9 2BY
