UK visa regulations
Visa requirements for the United Kingdom
<< Back
It is advisable not to seek entry as a visitor if your intention is to study for longer than six months. In certain cases it may not be possible to switch from visitor to student visa status after entering in the UK.
Preparing for Visa Application
1) Contact the British Council Office and have a preliminary fact-finding meeting with the Education Counselling officer. Find out if your visa application will be processed in one day or if applicants are expected to attend two interviews. If you are recalled for two interviews, find out the expected number of days before the second interview is granted. Also check the office hours when the British Embassy remains open.
2) Considering the above, apply for your visa well in advance to ensure that you reach the UK before the commencement of the course.
3) Visit the British Embassy/High Commission in person. To avoid spending a long time queuing, try to reach the office before opening time.
Interview with the Visa Officer
1) The visa officer would like to confirm that
a) you are a bona-fide student
b) you can meet the cost of your course and are able to pay for your living expenses without working in the UK or claiming welfare benefits and
c) you intend to leave the UK at the end of your studies.
To prove your case, you are advised to take with you appropriate documentary evidence.
For a) take with you all letters/documents sent by the Institute including the Certificate of Enrolment and your proof of payment of the appropriate fees. Also take with you, past record of examinations taken, schools/colleges attended etc.
For b) take evidence of the availability of funds. This means a bank draft or a receipt from the College of the amount of maintenance funds that you might have sent. In addition, a letter of sponsorship from your sponsor, a brief profile of the sponsor including the profession that he is engaged in, his personal or business bank statements.
For c) take evidence of your links with your family living in your country, and details of property owned by your family.
2) If your course of study at the British institute is also offered by educational institutions in your country, the visa officer may like to know the following:
a) why you wish to travel abroad to do the same course
b) how studies abroad would help your career opportunities in your country.
3) The visa officer may like to be satisfied that you are fully aware of the course, its duration, and its usefulness for you. (S)he may also like to ascertain that you have the necessary qualifications, and ability and motivation to complete the course.
4) The interview(s) with the visa officer is held in English. If your English is weak and you are enrolled on a course which is NOT English Language, you will have serious difficulties in obtaining the visa. This is also the case if you have IELTS or TOEFL certificates but are weak in your oral English. You might want to take speaking classes in the run up to your visa interview.
5) The visa officer would also like to be satisfied that you have made appropriate arrangements for your stay in the UK. Make sure that you have evidence of the availability of accommodation for at least a few days upon arrival in the UK.
<< Back
It is advisable not to seek entry as a visitor if your intention is to study for longer than six months. In certain cases it may not be possible to switch from visitor to student visa status after entering in the UK.
Preparing for Visa Application
1) Contact the British Council Office and have a preliminary fact-finding meeting with the Education Counselling officer. Find out if your visa application will be processed in one day or if applicants are expected to attend two interviews. If you are recalled for two interviews, find out the expected number of days before the second interview is granted. Also check the office hours when the British Embassy remains open.
2) Considering the above, apply for your visa well in advance to ensure that you reach the UK before the commencement of the course.
3) Visit the British Embassy/High Commission in person. To avoid spending a long time queuing, try to reach the office before opening time.
Interview with the Visa Officer
1) The visa officer would like to confirm that
a) you are a bona-fide student
b) you can meet the cost of your course and are able to pay for your living expenses without working in the UK or claiming welfare benefits and
c) you intend to leave the UK at the end of your studies.
To prove your case, you are advised to take with you appropriate documentary evidence.
For a) take with you all letters/documents sent by the Institute including the Certificate of Enrolment and your proof of payment of the appropriate fees. Also take with you, past record of examinations taken, schools/colleges attended etc.
For b) take evidence of the availability of funds. This means a bank draft or a receipt from the College of the amount of maintenance funds that you might have sent. In addition, a letter of sponsorship from your sponsor, a brief profile of the sponsor including the profession that he is engaged in, his personal or business bank statements.
For c) take evidence of your links with your family living in your country, and details of property owned by your family.
2) If your course of study at the British institute is also offered by educational institutions in your country, the visa officer may like to know the following:
a) why you wish to travel abroad to do the same course
b) how studies abroad would help your career opportunities in your country.
3) The visa officer may like to be satisfied that you are fully aware of the course, its duration, and its usefulness for you. (S)he may also like to ascertain that you have the necessary qualifications, and ability and motivation to complete the course.
4) The interview(s) with the visa officer is held in English. If your English is weak and you are enrolled on a course which is NOT English Language, you will have serious difficulties in obtaining the visa. This is also the case if you have IELTS or TOEFL certificates but are weak in your oral English. You might want to take speaking classes in the run up to your visa interview.
5) The visa officer would also like to be satisfied that you have made appropriate arrangements for your stay in the UK. Make sure that you have evidence of the availability of accommodation for at least a few days upon arrival in the UK.
