Important information for students who need a visa to enter the UK

Please look carefully at the information below. If you have any questions please contact us or look at the following websites:
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/
www.ukvisas.gov.uk

Students now have three options for entering the UK as a student:

1. General Student Visa (GSV)

Students who want to study on a General Student Visa can apply by post (the application form can be downloaded from www.ukvisas.gov.uk) or online via the local British Embassy.

You can apply for a General Student Visa for a course of any length. However usually students apply for a GSV if their course is for more than six months.
GSV students can extend their visa in the UK.
If your course is less than 6 months you will probably receive a visa for the length of the course plus 7 days.
If your course is between 6 months and 12 months you you will probably receive a visa for the length of the course plus two months.

You will have to supply biometric data to a UK visa issuing centre before you apply for your visa.

When you make your application you will need:

a) A CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies) statement from a school on the UKBA Register of Sponsors. (King Street College is on the Register)

b) Proof of maintenance funds.
You must have £800 per month for every month you want to study in London up to a maximum of £7,200 for a one year course.
The money can be in your account or, if it is in your sponsor's or parents' account you must have joint access to it.
The money must have been in this account for a minimum of 28 days before you apply for your visa.
If you have not paid for your course in full the balance of the fees must also be in this account.
You can also prove you have the funds by showing a loan in your name or official government sponsorship.

c) Secure English Language Test (SELT)
You must have at least an intermediate (CEFR B1) level of English. We must see one of the following certificates before we can proceed with an application.
The UK Border Agency accepts as proof of level:

IELTS 4.00 (in all skills)
Cambridge PET
TOEIC
TOEFL
Pearson

Please note that we reserve the right to check an applicant's bank statements and verify their SELT before we issue a CAS.
We also conduct SKYPE interviews with GSV students to both confirm their spoken ability and assess their intention to follow the course.

If you are applying for the T4 General Student Visa please continue to the application form:

 

 

2. Student Visitor's Visa (SVV)

If your level of English is low, or you do not have a SELT, or you want a short course you can apply for a Student Visitor's Visa.

The embassy may interview you to assess your financial situation, your need to learn English and whether they believe you will leave the UK at the end of the course.
A student visitor's visa is issued for a period of up to 6 months.
You cannot change your visa status in the UK and you must wait 6 months before applying for a further SVV.
However you can return home and apply for a GSV or ESVV.

If you are a non-visa national, you can get your passport stamped as a student visitor (allowing you to study for a maximum of six months) free on arrival in the UK.

Non-visa nationals

Argentina		Hong Kong		Panama
Australia		Israel		Paraguay
Brasil		Japan		South Korea
Canada		Malaysia		Taiwan
Chile		Mexico		Tibet
Croatia		New Zealand		Uraguay
Honduras				USA

If you are applying for the Student Visitor Visa please continue to the application form:

 

 

3. Extended Student Visitor's Visa (ESVV)

You should apply for this visa if you want to study for between 6 and 11 months, but your level of English is low, or you do not have a SELT.
You must apply in your own country.
The embassy may interview you to assess your financial situation, your need to learn English and whether they believe you will leave the UK at the end of the course.
You cannot extend your stay or bring dependents.
The minimum age is 18.

If you are applying for the Extended Student Visitor Visa please continue to the application form: