UK Student Visas
The UK offers a range of immigration and visa services which enable non-EEA nationals to temporarily relocate to the UK. Studying in the UK is a consistently popular option for overseas students and while a UK visit visa allows its holder to study for up to six months, longer courses will require a specific UK study visa.
Find out whether you qualify for a UK study visa today by visiting the online assessment area. Our assessment forms are quick and easy to complete and one of our friendly immigration consultants will respond to your enquiry.
UK Student Visa Benefits
In the UK, student visas are issued as temporary visa services however, although they do not provide the opportunity to apply for permanent residency in the UK they do allow their holders to switch into another visa category. Provided that a candidate meets the necessary requirements, for example the 75 point minimum for the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) or having an offer of employment for a work permit, a study visa holder may be able to transfer to another immigration service which may ultimately lead to Indefinite Leave to remain in the UK (ILR).
Although study visas allow their holders to live and work in the UK for the duration of their course, although any work carried out by the candidate must be limited to 20 hours per week in term time. Study visas are granted for a period of one year in the first instance, after which a UK student visa extension may be obtained as necessary in order to compete the course.
Applying for a Study Visa - Eligibility
In the UK, a student visa application, like an application for a UK work permit requires a sponsoring institution to be in place. Where work permit applicants require a firm offer of employment before an application can be submitted, study visa applicants must be in possession of a confirmed offer of a place on a course of study. The course of study must be full time and the offer must be from a recognised UK educational institution.
Candidates must be able to financially support themselves throughout their time spent living in the UK and although an applicant’s spouse may join them in the UK, this does not extend to common-law or conjugal partners. The spouse of a main applicant will be granted the same duration of leave to remain in the UK as the principle applicant, however, they will only be permitted to commence working in the UK if the main applicant's course exceeds 12 months.
Student Internship Visas
The Student internship visa is designed for applicants who are already engaged in a degree course overseas and allows them to relocate to the UK for a short period of paid employment. Like a UK working permit, a sponsoring UK company must apply on behalf of the candidate and although a student internship visa is only issued for three months, applicants may switch to a longer term immigration service if they meet the necessary requirements.
Making a UK Student Internship Visa Application - Eligibility
A student may only obtain one student internship visa and may not reapply for the scheme a second time. The visa is valid only for the sponsoring employer in the specified position although candidates may supplement their income with out of hours work in a relevant field up to a maximum of 20 hours per week. The position being offered by the sponsoring company must offer equal remuneration to that which a resident UK citizen or permanent resident would receive in a similar role and must be at or above NVQ level 3.
Candidates applying for a student internship visa must provide evidence of their status as a student and must be able to fund themselves whilst in the UK. Although the spouse or partner of the main applicant may accompany them, they will not be permitted to work in the UK.
IGS – The International Graduate Scheme
The International Graduate Scheme (IGS) allows candidates who have graduated with a degree or higher qualification in the UK since 1st May 2007 to remain in the country in order to pursue a career. Applicants must have completed their course successfully within the 12 months prior to their application and will be granted 12 months of leave during which time they may switch to a long term UK visa service subject to meeting its requirements.
If an applicant’s spouse and/or dependents are already in the UK at the time of application, then they will be permitted to remain. However, applicants based outside the UK when the main candidate applies will need to apply for UK entry clearance.
Postgraduate Doctor Visa and Postgraduate Dentist Visa
Non-EEA medical and dental graduates studying in the UK may switch directly into postgraduate study via a Postgraduate Doctor Visa or Postgraduate Dentist Visa respectively. Beyond this, like the IGS visa, a candidate may use their 3 year duration of leave to remain in the UK to switch into a long term visa for living and working in the UK.
Your can take the first step towards your UK study visa today by completing one of our online assessment forms.
