Visas

There are two categories of student visas for US citizens studying in the UK, the Student Visitor and Student Visa.

 

Overview:

Students completing programs of less than six months can enter the UK as a Student Visitor. Student Visitors must be at least 18 years old. Student Visitors may not work (paid or unpaid) during their stay in the UK and must intend on leaving the UK upon the completion of their studies. It is not possible to change to another visa category while in the UK as a Student Visitor.

Students completing programs of any length may enter the UK under the Student visa category. Holders of a Student Visa may work (paid or unpaid) during their stay in the UK (up to 20 hours per week during term time and 40 hours per week during the holidays). They can apply for a visa extension or apply to change to another visa category while in the UK. Note that unlike the Student Visitor category, this category is also open to individuals aged 16 and above who are enrolled at a fee-paying secondary school or sixth form college.

For both categories, individuals must also be accepted to a program or course approved by the DIUS. A list of approved institutions is available online.

 

Application Process:

Student Visitor category:

Individuals from Visa Waiver countries (including the US) who will study in the UK for fewer than six months do not have to apply for a visa in advance of traveling to the UK.  Rather, they need to present the documentation listed on the UK Border Agency webpage and pay the appropriate visa fees upon entry to the UK.  Effective June 1, 2008, the fees are £67.

Typically, you will be able to enter the UK one week prior to the beginning of your program and should leave no later than one week after the end of your program.  Please note there are restrictions on travel outside the UK whilst a Student Visitor.

 

Student category: 

Individuals who will study in the UK for fewer than six months but who wish to work, or those who will study in the UK for more than six months must apply for and receive a visa (entry clearance) before traveling to the UK.  Students must apply as a Tier 4 (General) Student.  US citizens should first submit a visa application online and pay the appropriate fees. Effective June 1, 2008, the fees are £145.

Please note you should allow at least three weeks for the entire process.  However, applications should not be submitted more than three months prior to entry to the UK.  

After submitting your application and payment online, schedule an appointment for biometric data collection at an Application Support Center.  Following collection, post your visa application and supporting documentation listed on the UK Border Agency webpage to the appropriate British Consulate.

Typically, if you are a student participating in a programme that has a duration of less than six months, entry clearance will start seven days prior to the start date of your studies and end one month after the end of your course.  Students participating in a programme lasting between six and twelve months, entry cleance will start a month prior to the beginning of the course and will end two months after the end of the course.

 

Enquiries:

Our staff are not trained to handle specific enquiries related to visas in the UK. Detailed information about the visa requirements and application process for both categories can be found on the BritainUSA and UKVisas websites.

For further visa enquiries, you may wish to read the FAQs on the BritainUSA website or contact Worldbridge at +1 900 656 5000 ($3 per minute) or +1 212 796 5773 ($12 flat fee). Please note Worldbridge staff may not provide information about a pending visa application.