UK Student Visa Information

This page provides concise visa guidance for students wishing to learn English in the United Kingdom. Information correct as of December 2012. Please note this information is for guidance only and is subject to regular change. British Study Centres cannot be held liable for any inaccuracies. For up-to-date information, please refer to the UKBA website.

British Study Centres is recognised as Tier 4 Highly Trusted Sponsor (HTS) by the UK Border Agency.

Visa Countries

Students from EEA & Switzerland »

Students from European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland do not need a visa to study in UK.

These include: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are EEA member states, but they are not members of the European Union (EU). Switzerland is not a member of the EU or the EEA. However since 1 June 2002, Swiss nationals have had rights which are similar to those of nationals of EEA countries.

Visa Nationals »

Students from visa national countries always need a visa to come to the UK. This will be a label on one of your passport pages.

Visa national countries include: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, People's Republic of China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the, Congo, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea (North), Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Sao Tome e Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Surinam, Swaziland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

A complete list can be found on the UKBA website.

Non-Visa Nationals »

Non-visa nationals do not need to apply for a visa before coming to the UK if they get a Student Visitor Visa. All other types of visa (Tier 4, Tier 5, or Extended Visitor Visa) need to be applied for before coming to the UK.

Non-visa national countries are those not listed as EEA and Switzerland or visa national countries.

Visa Types

Student Visitor Visa (SVV) »

For students who would like to study for up to 6 months in the UK. On an SVV students may not work nor extend their visa.

Visa Nationals: Students from visa national countries must apply for an SVV before coming to the UK. An SVV is a label affixed to the passport.

Non-Visa Nationals: Students from non-visa national countries do not need to apply for a visa before coming to the UK. They must bring all the school documents in order to show the immigration officer at the UK border, who will then stamp a visa into their passport. Please remember to tell the Immigration Officer that you need a Student Visitor Visa (SVV).

Extended Student Visitor Visa (ESVV) »

For students who would like to study from 6 to 11 months. On an ESVV students may not work nor extend their visa. Visa and non-visa nationals must apply for this visa in their country before coming to the UK.

Tier 4, General Student Visa (GSV) »

For students who would like to study for longer than 11 months. This visa can also be given for course duration of less than 11 months. With this visa the student may extend their period of study. Students on a GSV are not allowed to work.

Both non-visa and visa nationals need to apply for this in their own country before coming to the UK. Students who wish to study in the UK under a General Student Visa will be required to have taken a 'Secure English Language Test' showing that they have reached minimum level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

The UKBA require that British Study Centres, as an organisation licensed to sponsor students, ask for documentation to show that students have a minimum level of English B1 on CEFR. This evidence can include the following:

–  TOEFL (IBT) certificate
–  TOEIC certificate
–  BULATS certificate
–  IELTS certificate
–  University of Cambridge ESOL certificate
–  Pearson Test certificate

Please see the full list of UK government approved English language test providers for more information.

The school will issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). This is not an actual certificate – it is a number on the UK Border Agency (UKBA) website. The procedure will be as follows:

–  Apply for the course in the normal way.
–  We send back the normal course confirmation documents and the CAS reference number.
–  Please quote the CAS reference number on the application.

A CAS costs £13. This is a fee which we, the school, are obliged to pay to UKBA and which we will pass on to applicants.

Tier 4, Dependant Visa »

This visa is accepted for language studies.

Diplomat Visa »

This visa is accepted for language studies.

Tier 1, Work Visa »

This visa is accepted for language studies.

Tier 5, Youth Mobility Scheme »

Students on this visa can study and work. Technically students can also do internships through us.

Residence Visa »

This visa is accepted for language studies.

Business Visitor Visa »

This visa is not accepted for language studies.

Academic Visitor Visa »

This visa is not accepted for language studies.