Have your heart set on one of the UK cities that speaks for its academics, student accommodation, culture and lifestyle? Well, university life in the UK has been witnessing thousands of students every year from across the globe. During the admission process and finalizing affordable student housing, another daunting task is to apply for a UK student visa.
You already know if you plan to study abroad, the UK is one of the best cities in the world. Studying in the UK not only offers good higher education but you can experience a unique student life. However, to embark on this beautiful journey, international students need a student visa. And, our blog will help you navigate the intricacies of the UK student visa. So, go through our blog and you will have your answers!
Types of UK Student Visas
Before diving into the whole process of applying for a UK Student visa, there are primarily three kinds of student visas. This includes:
- Tier 4 a.k.a Student Visas: This visa is specifically for students over 16 years who are looking for international education in the UK.
- Short-Term Student Visas: Just like short-term student accommodation, there are short-term student visas for students looking for short-term courses.
- Child Student Visas: This visa is generally given to students aged 4 to 17 years for attending independent school.
In our blog, we will be focusing on Student Visas (Tier 4) as majorly students apply for a UK student visa.
Know Your Eligibility
The whole process of applying for a UK student visa is a time-consuming process. So, try to know under which category you will fall and apply accordingly. The basic requirements to meet the eligibility grounds for student visa include:
- Acceptance Letter: You cannot apply for a student visa without an acceptance letter. In short, you should be accepted by a licensed student sponsor from the UK.
- Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS): Post your offer, your university will issue a CAS which is a unique reference number. This reference number is essential for further application.
- Financial Requirements: It is mandatory to show enough funds in your bank account to support yourself while studying abroad. Every city has its requirements. If you are planning to go to London, you must show a minimum of £1,334 per month for up to 9 months. Besides London, you must show a minimum of £1,023 per month. This is an important requirement to show that you can take care of student housing, food & other expenses.
- English Language Proficiency: You are required to prove that you are proficient in the English language. Hence, you will need a test like IELTS, etc or meet certain requirements.
List of Documents
Once you have all the required documents set in a folder, you can go through a smooth application process. Here’s what you typically require to apply for a UK student visa application:
- A valid passport with at least one blank page for visa.
- Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies as issued by your university.
- Proof of finances through bank statements and other financial statements.
- Academic documents like the university acceptance letter, high school certificates, etc.
- English proficiency test results unless you are exempted.
- Tuberculosis test results, depending on your origin. This is necessary if you are planning to live more than 6 months in the UK.
- Proof of parental or legal guardian.
How to Apply for a UK Student Visa?
The process of applying is quite simple. You can first visit the UK government website and check the application process for a student visa. Once you are done with checking all the necessary requirements, prepare all your documents. This includes your passport, recent photographs, fingerprints, acceptance letter, financial stability proof and more. Further, apply for a student route visa.
Average Cost of a UK Student Visa
Be it student apartments, tuition fees or student visa to study, you will find plenty of expenses. However, there are different costs for UK student visas, depending on the kind. The average cost for the following are:
- UK Student Visa a.k.a Tier 4 Visa cost £348. Plus, you are required to pay the same amount for each dependent you bring along with you.
- A child Student (Tier 4) visa also costs £348.
- The short-term student visa costs £97 for 6 months and £186 for 11 months.
Booking a Biometric Appointment
After submitting your application, you need to book a biometric appointment with your nearest passport office. This is important to provide fingerprints and recent photographs which are used for creating your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).
Duration of Visa Decision
If your application is right along with your documents, the average duration for approval is up to 30 to 90 days. Once approved, you will receive a vignette (visa sticker) in your passport. As for BRP, you can collect it within 10 days of your arrival. Besides this, in case your application is denied, you need to appeal or reapply for the same.
After approval, the next thing you need to do is pack. Applying for a student visa in the uk requires careful planning and adherence to guidelines. By following our blog, you can simplify your process and focus more on future life in student accommodation. And, remember preparing early and staying organized will guide you well on the path of international education in the UK!
