If you plan to further your education, study a course, or study in an independent school in the UK, you will have to get a UK Student Visa. The UK student visa is of three major types. These are General Student Child student visas, and short-term. All are allowed by the British government depending on the type of studies that you are going there to do. The three also differ in duration and other things. To gain them also depends on what you are, the place you are from, and what you do. You will also be requested to prove how you can take care of yourself and others that you may take along.
If you are new to registering for a student visa to study as an international student in the United Kingdom and don't know how to process it, this article is right for you. It is built up for newbies and there is no hidden thing that won't be revealed. It is a step-by-step instruction for beginners. Just focus to learn what you are looking for.
In this article, you are going to learn the two basic student visas and how to register for them. We are going to outline the requirements documents that you need to have before you start registration. We are still going to reveal the amount of money that is used for the student visa processing. You are still going to learn the right time to start the registration and the number of days before it will be available and many other related things you need to know. Apart from visa application, see the other 5 essentials you need to have before you study in the UK
Who is this guide for?
This step-by-step guide is for everyone who wants to know how to register to get a student visa. Whether you are from Norway, Switzerland, African countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, or any other country even if you are from the UK.
Types of UK student visa
1. General Student visa.
The general student visa is meant for students who want to study a UK course. This means that anyone who owns this visa is eligible to study any of the courses he or she chooses as long as they meet up with the standard requirements of the school they or want to attend.
The general student visa is backed up with a CAS card from your course sponsor. You must have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed student sponsor to be eligible for this type of visa.
Another thing that is to consider is whether the student is of age before he or she applies for it. Anyone who wishes to use this type of visa is required to be at least 16 years upward. He or she must have enough money to support herself and pay for your course - the amount will vary depending on your circumstances. The student that has this will not be allowed to work unless they switch visas.
What you can do with the student visa
If you own a student visa, you can do the following in the UK:
1. You can only as a student union sabbatical officer (you may be able to do other work. But it depends on the type, of course, you are studying.
2. You can Study with this visa.
What you can not do with the student visa
1. work in certain jobs, for example as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.
2. study at an academy or a local authority-funded school.
3. You will not be eligible to receive public funds.
4. You can not work as self-employed.
Registration requirements for student visa
1. You must prove that you can take care of yourself while you study.
2. Provision of a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider.
3. Provision of the latest international passport or any travel document.
4. Provision of proof of parental or guardian consent if you are under 18 years of age.
5. Provision of proof of parental or guardian relationship if you are under 18 years of age.
6. You will need to submit a tuberculosis test result
7. A written consent application from the person that will be in charge of your course and living fee payment.
8. You must also prove that you can write and speak the English language fluently. To know this the UK visa registrars will set an exam called a Secure English Language Test (SELT).
9. You must not be under 18 years of age.
These are the major required documents that are needed by the UK visa registrars. Other minor things link biometric verification will be done during your registration. How much do you need to pay? Where and when can students register? These questions will be answered below.
2. Child student visas
Unlike the Student visa, the Child Student Visa is given to children who want to school in the UK as an independent students. Those that apply for this visa will only be able to study in UK local State schools. The child student visa is only given to children between 4 to 17 years of age. If you are a child that falls between that age range, you can go ahead to apply asap. But before you can apply you need to meet up with certain requirements. Below are the requirements that you need to possess before you can apply for this type of visa.
Registration requirements for child student visa
1. You must prove to have an unconditional offer of a place on a course at an independent school.
2. You must provide proof of consent from either your parent or guardian.
3. You must prove that you have enough to support yourself during registration.
4. You must not be over 18 years of age.
How long you can stay with the child student his
The time you are allowed depends on your age: below are each time limit for a child who is under 16 and 17 years old.
Child below 16 years: you are eligible to study for up to 5 years plus extra 6 additional months
A child who is 16 or 17 years: you are eligible to study for up to 3 years plus 4 extra 4 additional months.
What you can do with the child student visa
1. You can work part-time while you are still in school.
2. You can work full time during vacation.
3. on a work placement as part of your course (but not for more than 50% of your course)
What you can not do with the child student visa
Owning this visa will prevent you from the below privileges:
1. You will be able to study in a funded school. E.g. Gaining a scholarship or studying in a free school.
2. You will not be able to further your education in any of the UK colleges and universities.
3. You will not be allowed to work full-time or start a business of your own. For example, being self-employed.
4. Your parents will not be able to join you unless they apply for a parent-child student visa.
5. You can not apply for settlement.
6. You will not be eligible for public funds.
Child student visa fee
Any International student will need to pay a non-refundable fee of £394. This fee applies to everyone no matter where you are from. While the student who wants to apply from inside the UK(who has been living in the UK but he/she is not a citizen) will pay a non-refundable fee of £490
Course you can study
You can study any course that is taught in the British curriculum, the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) at level 3 or below, and independent school education inspection standards.
Study English in the UK (Short-term study visa)
This has the shortest duration of all the student visas. The short-term student visa is meant for only the student who wants to study the English language course. The students who own these types of visas are eligible to stay for 6 to 11 months, afterward, the visa will expire. But you will also have an extra 6 months after the expiration date to sort out other things like whether to switch to another visa or return to your home country. If you know your course is different, you can always adjust and apply for a different one.
Short-term visa fee
You are required to pay a non-refundable fee of £200 for a Short-term study visa. You also need to pay another fee like your surcharge fee. The surcharge fee is approximately £490.
What you can not do in the UK if you have a short-term visa
1. You can not apply for public funds.
2. You are not eligible to do any work.
3. Your family members are not allowed to join you if you are on a short-term visa.
4. You can not switch from this visa to another while you are still in the UK.
5. You can not also study another course apart from the English language course, and lastly
6. You will not be allowed to study in a free-funded school.
Registration requirements for a short-term visa
The document you need to provide during the time you want to apply depends on whether you are below 18 years of age or above
1. evidence that you can support yourself during your trip, for example, bank statements or payslips for the last 6 months.
2. Your International passport.
3. An acceptance letter from the University you plan to attend.
4. At least two of your Parents' or guardians' contact details must be provided.
5. Provision of proof that you have paid for your course.
6. A tuberculosis test.
If you are below eighteen (18) years of age, the following are your requirements:
1. Name of your parents, their date of birth, and the house address you will stay at when you get to the UK.
2. written consent from any of the parents.
3. Details of your relationship with the person who’ll be looking after you.
4. Consent in writing so they can look after you during your stay in the UK.
If you are traveling with adults, you will need to provide the following documents.
1. The name of the adults you are traveling with.
2. The person must also register for a visa unless you won't be allowed to study in the UK.
When to apply for a student visa
Early applications are often recognized by UK visa officers. To get quick and better results, you need to apply for a student visa quickly as possible. As an international for you to get a quick response, you will need to apply 6 months before the start of your course but if you live inside the UK, you are required to apply 3 months before your course starting date. So you should do well to apply as soon as possible.
A Visa decision usually comes out after three weeks of processing.
Ready to apply or not? Let me see what you think.
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Student guide