Immigration | How to apply for a student visa

Dear Mr Bassie,

How does one apply for a United Kingdom student visa? I would appreciate any guidance you can provide.

A.S.

Dear A.S.,

Persons may apply for a student visa to study in the United Kingdom (UK) if they are 16 years old or older and:

• Have been offered a place on a course by a licensed student sponsor.

• Have enough money to support themselves and pay for their course. The amount required will vary depending on their circumstances.

• Can speak, read, write and understand English.

• Have consent from their parents if they are 16 or 17 years old, and can provide evidence of this when applying.

If applicants are 16 or 17 years old and wish to study at an independent school in the UK, they may be eligible for a Child Student Visa instead.

Please note that this visa has replaced the Tier 4 (General) Student visa.

Applying

The earliest applicants can apply depends on whether they are applying from inside or outside the UK.

If applying from outside the UK, the earliest they can apply is six months before their course starts. If applying from inside the UK, the earliest they can apply is three months before the course begins.

Applicants must apply before their current visa expires, and their new course must begin within 28 days of the expiry of their current visa.

How Long It Takes to Get a Decision

Applicants will usually receive a decision on their visa within:

• Three weeks, if they are applying from outside the UK.

• Eight weeks, if they are applying from inside the UK.

Applicants may be able to pay for a faster decision. They will be informed of this option when submitting their application.

How Long Persons Can Stay

The length of time a person can stay in the UK depends on the duration of their course and any previous studies completed in the UK.

If applicants are 18 years old or older and enrolled in a degree-level course, they can usually stay in the UK for up to five years. If their course is below degree level, they can usually stay for up to two years.

Applicants are advised to review the official guidance to determine exactly how long they may remain in the UK.

Fees

It costs £558 to apply for a Student Visa from outside the UK, and £558 to extend or switch to a Student Visa from within the UK.

Applicants must pay the visa fee for each dependant who joins them.

Healthcare Surcharge

Applicants must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of their application. The amount payable depends on the length of their visa.

If the application is successful, applicants will be informed of the conditions attached to their Student Visa, including what they are permitted and not permitted to do while in the UK.

I hope this helps.

John S. Bassie is a barrister-at-law who practises in Jamaica. He is a justice of the peace, a Supreme Court-appointed mediator, a fellow and chartered arbitrator of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a past global president of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (UK).Email: lawbassie@yahoo.com.