The Process of Applying For A UK Student Visa
It is essential to conduct research if you are an overseas student hoping to obtain your higher education credentials from the UK. The requirements vary depending on the nation you are from and the type of passport you have. Here are a few of the processes you must complete in order to apply for a student visa in the UK.
Obtaining a UK student visa is a crucial step on the path to realizing your dream of attending college in the UK. If you don't know how to apply, when to apply, or the dates, the UK student visa procedure can occasionally seem overwhelming.
You can learn everything you need to know about the UK student visa application procedure in this post. Your local counselor will assist you with your application and give you the most recent details regarding the UK visa requirements as well as any entrance criteria. They will also walk you through the application procedure.
When to apply:
Apply three months before the start of your study to get an idea of how long it will take to process your student visa for the UK. Before your existing visa expires, you must apply.
Visa Type:
Knowing which type of UK student visa, you qualify for 2 types of UK student visas. These are:
- short-term study visa.
- Tier 4 (General) student visa.
- Tier 2 dependent visa
1. Short-Term Study Visa:
You may be eligible for a short-term study visa if you are over 18 and intend to visit the UK simply to enroll in a brief course. It lasts for six months, but if you choose to take English language lessons, it can be extended by another five months. You must provide evidence to get a short-term study visa.
- You have been accepted on a course in the UK.
- You have enough money to cover the cost of your studies.
- If you are able to cover your living costs for the duration of your studies,
- You can pay for your return journey after studying.
2. Tier 4 (General) Student Visa:
You must first confirm that the educational institution you have selected maintains a Tier 4 Sponsor License for courses lasting more than 6 to 12 months. If they do, you must apply for either a Tier 4 child student visa (for those between the ages of 4 and 16) or a Tier 4 general student visa (for those who are 17 and above).
If you are planning to apply, you need to provide proof.
- Your English language proficiency is
- You have been offered a course.
- You can pay your tuition fees.
3. Tier 2 dependent visa:
Children and their partners who are joining or accompanying family members in the UK who are applying for or already possess a Tier 2 visa are eligible for the dependant visa under Tier 2.
A person may bring their dependents to the UK if they are residing there under Tier 2.
The following people are eligible for tier 2 dependant visas:
- Spouse
- Child aged under 18 at time of application
- Child over 18, if they are currently in the UK as a dependent
Knowing The Requirements:
The student must first find out how long it typically takes to get a visa for their country of residence. The student must make sure they have enough time between the start of the semester and the approval of their application for a UK student visa. There are a few general requirements, such as: Of course, the requirements for each student vary depending on their country.
- If you are not from an English-speaking country, then you will need to prove that you have adequate English language skills, by obtaining a certificate from one of the secure English language tests (SELT).
- bank statements to prove that you can afford your stay and education in the UK.
- Details of your passport
- Recent passport-sized photographs
- Your university acceptance letter as well as all other original academic documents that the student submitted at the time of their university application
- CAS number and original academic documents mentioned on your CAS.
- Details about your tuition fees
- ATAS certificate (if applicable)
- Your sponsor’s information
NHS payment:
As part of your immigration application, you might have to pay a healthcare surcharge. You must pay an additional fee when submitting your immigration application online. However, if you are applying by mail, you must first pay the surcharge online.
Once both the healthcare surcharge and your visa or immigration application have been approved, you may begin using the NHS.
Charge :
If the granted visa includes a portion of the year that is 6 months or less, the annual fee is currently £470. They will also be responsible for paying the fee if you have dependents.
The fee is calculated based on the start and end dates of the course, taking into account the brief post-study period that will be granted to students at the conclusion of their visa.
If the leave spans a portion of a year that is 6 months or less, £235 will be due for that portion of the year. The full annual amount of £470 will be due if the leave spans a portion of a year that is longer than six months.
Undergraduate:
If you are a student in an undergraduate program, then £624 per year for all other visa and immigration applications, for example, £3,120 for a 5-year visa.
Post-graduate:
As an international student enrolled in a one-year postgraduate program, you must pay £470 annually, or £940 for a two-year visa. If it's more than 18 months but shorter than 2 years, it's the price of 2 full years.
Documents:
- Your national ID cards
- Your current passport
- Bank statements
- A detailed plan of your studies and where to stay
- Accommodation letter
- A medical test report that says you are fit to travel.
Interview date:
After submitting the required documents at the visa application center, you will be directed to a video conference room where students will have a Skype or video interview with an entry clearance officer from the UK.
Once you have completed and paid for your visa application, you will have to book an appointment for biometric data. As an international student, you can fix your appointment at the visa center if they have any slots. You will have 240 calendar days from the date you submitted your application.
Immigration Service:
A biometric residence permit (BRP) card is issued by the home office to students as evidence of their immigration permission.
After making a successful immigration application, students will be issued with one of the following documents: a vignette for the full length of permission, or a 90-day vignette or a biometric residence permit (BRP).
The following information outlines the steps to take if you are in possession of one of these documents and it is lost, stolen, or damaged, or it contains errors you will receive a new passport while you are in possession of the document.
Premium services:
Individuals applying for UK entry clearance sometimes require a very quick decision from the home office. If students qualify for the premium and same-day visa services and your application is straightforward, you should receive a response within 24 hours.
When students are already dealing with an urgent situation, trying to get a fast turnaround on your visa will only add to the pressure. Premium services are in high demand, so it is very important to get in touch as soon as you can.
Payment procedure:
- Currently, the fee for the short-term study visa costs £97 and £348 for a Tier 4 general student visa. As a student, you need to know the UK student visa application fee.
- It costs £363 to apply for a student visa from outside the UK and £490 to extend or switch to a student visa from inside the UK.
- for online payment using a MasterCard or Visa card. Or through cash at the visa application center and selected branches of a standard chartered bank.
Interview for Visa:
Credibility Interviews are required by UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) to make sure that you are the original student. You may be asked some questions by the interviewer; it is also a part of your application. There are a number of questions you can ask in an interview.
- Your reasons for coming to the UK
- Your educational history
- Plans for your studies
- After studying your plan,
- Your working plan during the study
- Your personal information
- Financial circumstances
- What do you expect?
When you arrive in the UK, you will be met by somebody from the UKVI. They will scan your passport and cross-check your details. They will need to see all your documents, so make sure they are not packed inside your suitcase. When they ask for a passport, you can show it to the officer.
Visa decision waiting times:
You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks once you either attend your appointment at the visa application center or use the ID Check app if you are applying for a short-term study visa, student visa, or child student visa.
If you verify your identity at a visa application center, then you may be able to get your visa faster. other services depending on what country you are in.
The Process of Applying for A UK Student Visa
Notes:
- The UK Home Office has formally announced that they have opened their new post-study work visa (graduate route visa) for international students. This will officially allow international students to stay in the UK for work after completing their study courses.
- The graduate route is designed in such a way that international students who have earned their degree from a recognized university in the UK can stay here and look for work for at least two years.
- You may be able to switch to a student visa if you already have permission to be in the UK. You need to have a visa like that—an A visit visa.A short-term student visa
- A Parent of a Child Student Visa
- A seasonal worker visa
- A domestic worker in a private household visa
- leave outside the immigration rules.
After you submit all of your information, you will have to wait for three weeks, until the decision is made and communicated to you. after confirming they will inform you via email. Then students have to collect visas from the visa center. We wish you the best of luck in your study. If you still have confusion related to the process of applying at UK university feel free to book a session with our expert counselors.