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Want to complete existing overseas course electives / Complete a short course of study (less than 6 months) / Carry out academic research
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Those wishing to come to the UK for a period of study, an elective relevant to a course of study abroad, or a period of research (or research tuition) are eligible for the Study Visit Visa.
Study Visit Visas are for those who wish to sutdy in the UK for a temporary period of up to six months. This is a subcategory of the Standard Visitor route.
All visitors must apply separately, even if they are travelling in a group.
This visa type is short-term and can be granted for up to 6 months. It will not provide any other rights of residence or allow you to become settled in the UK.
UK Visas & Immigration requires the following requirements in order to grant you a Study Visit Visa:
Depending on your circumstances, you may need to satisfy different requirements.
Visa nationals are individuals who, due to their nationality, need a Visit Visa in order to enter the UK as a visitor. Visitors who require a visit visa must apply before they travel to the UK.
A list of nationalities that require a Visit Visa prior to visiting the UK as a visitor has been published by the Home Office. Some visa nationals may be able to enter the UK as a Visitor upon arrival under this list. Our expert team will be able to check and confirm whether you require a visa for your visit to the UK.
Non-visa nationals can normally apply for entry as Visitors upon arrival in the UK. Nonetheless, visitors without visas must meet the requirements for entry as Visitors, so upon arrival they should be prepared to explain, for example, the purpose of their trip and how they intend to be accommodated and maintained in the UK, as well as their travel plans for returning home.
Non-visa nationals, including those from the EU or EEA, can enter the UK as a Visitor and do not need to apply for a Visit Visa.
Unsure about whether you require a visa? Speak to our expert team now to confirm if you are required to apply for a visit visa before being granted entry into the UK.
UK Visas & Immigration will need to be convinced that you are truly seeking entry to the UK for a purpose that is permitted by the visitor routes and you will not engage in any prohibited activities in order to qualify for a Study Visit Visa.
The following activities are allowed for holders of a Student Visit Visa:
Since the Study Visit Visa is a subcategory of the Standard Visitor route, Study Visitors may also take part in other activities that are permitted under the Standard Visitor route.
The institution should be an Accredited Institution that is not a State-Funded School or Academy. If you are looking to study in the UK, you need to have been accepted onto a course that will be provided by an Accredited Institution. If you are taking the course from outside the UK as a distance learning course, your course must last no longer than 6 months.
Studying in the UK for up to 6 months as part of a course of study abroad requires that you:
A formal partnership between a UK Higher Education Provider and a UK research institute may allow research or research tuition to be conducted there.
As part of your application for a Study Visit Visa, you will be required to satisfy the Home Office that you are genuinely seeking to enter the United Kingdom for a permitted purpose. In addition, you must assure the Home Office that you will leave the United Kingdom at the end of your visit and will not reside in the United Kingdom for prolonged periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your place of residence.
In assessing your application, the Home Office will consider the following factors:
Home Office officials may doubt your authenticity as a visitor if you do not have many close ties to your country of residence and have several close relatives living in the United Kingdom, if you have previously attempted to deceive the Home Office in an immigration application, and if there are discrepancies in your statement and your sponsor’s statement.
Often, we see that as a result of applicants making applications themselves, UKVI have highlighted discrepancies and treated them as a deliberate attempt to deceive the Home Office. We regularly hear horror stories from clients who innocently made applications without legal guidance as they were intending to save the legal fees but have not understood the immigration rules properly and are now battling to prove that the information they gave was in good faith albeit contained administrative errors.
If you are unclear about whether your intentions meet the requirements or are concerned about the impact of how a previous application may affect your proposed visit, get help from our experts now to get clear, bespoke guidance.
There is no English proficiency requirement for applicants for Study Visit Visa. However, having a limited command of English can cause many problems whilst preparing and making an application and applying the correct rules and considerations.
Our team are bilingual and can provide you with advice and guidance in languages other than English upon request.
While the validity period of your Visit Visa is valid, you can enter and leave the UK more than once; unless your Visit Visa has been endorsed for single or dual entry, you can visit the UK no more than once every six months.
There are no specific requirements as to your financial situation under this visa type, but you will be expected to have enough funds to cover all reasonable costs associated with your visit (e.g., travel, maintenance, and accommodation) without the need to work or access public funds.
A permitted financial institution must hold your funds.
A third party may cover your travel, maintenance, and accommodation costs if the third party has a genuine professional or personal relationship with you, if they do not break immigration laws, and if they are able to support you throughout your visit.
Our expert team can check your plans and guide you through the requirements to ensure that your circumstances can satisfy UK Visa Rules.
As with most things in life, think accountant, doctor, electrician, it is possible to do it yourself if your suitably qualified and competent. You can complete your own visa application if you feel you have the required understanding of the Home Office rules, requirements and specified evidence thresholds. However, it is not ordinarily recommended if you are not totally comfortable with understanding and satisfying UKVI immigration rules.
It is worth noting that this type of visa is the most refused visa type out of all categories.
Almost every visa has an associated processing government application fee.
In the event that you have made an inadequate application or are refused, the processing fee would have already been utilised and therefore, it will not be refunded.
Aside from the application fees, a refusal is likely to have far reaching implications both practical and financial.
If you do not have a strong history of previous compliant visits to the UK, it is unlikely you will be granted a visa for longer than 6 months initially.
The Home Office application fee for a Study Visit Visa is currently £100 for stays up to six months.
Study Visit Visa that are valid for 2 years, 5 years, or 10 years will cost you £376, £670, or £837, respectively, at the Home Office.
Please note that the above fees are administrative only and do not cover our professional fees for legal representation.
We provide a full representation service for one transparent, affordable fee to handle your entire case.
A Study Visitor is not permitted to work in the UK or, with few exceptions, to receive any payment for activities undertaken in the UK.
Thus, Study Visitors are not allowed to take up employment, establish or run a business as a sole trader, work for an organisation or business in the UK, undertake a work placement or internship in the UK, or otherwise provide or sell goods or services in the UK.
Artists, entertainers, and musicians visiting the UK can receive compensation for performances at one or more of the festivals listed on the Permit Free Festival List.
During their visit to the UK, Study Visitors are permitted to perform activities related to their employment overseas, such as responding to emails or answering phone calls. However, the main purpose of your visit to the UK should be to engage in a permitted activity, rather than to remotely work from the UK.
Visitors who are seeking employment or attending job interviews can also come to the UK as Study Visitors. If you are successful in obtaining employment, you will have to leave the UK and get entry clearance before starting work.
If you are looking for long term work in the UK, there are a number of alternative visit types which will allow you to do so.
Our team are experts in this area and will be happy to assess your needs and identify the best route for you.