Visa requirements

If you are planning on studying or working abroad you’ll need to find out if you require a visa. Depending on your nationality, many countries have different visa requirements and it’s important to know exactly what documentation you’ll need to enter your destination country.

Going to an EU country

Provided you have a UK passport, you can live, study or work within the European Union and you won’t need a visa. 

As the UK is part of the EU, if you are a UK national you’ll pay the same course fees as nationals of your destination country.

What papers will you need?

If your study or work placement in an EU country lasts for three months or less, and you are a UK national, you’ll simply need your passport or identity card.

Some EU countries stipulate a period within which you have to get in touch with the authorities to let them know that you are in the country. This may be less than three months.

If your stay for study/work in an EU country is longer than three months you may need to show:

• your passport or identity card
• proof of enrolment from your chosen EU institution or employer
• proof of health insurance 
• evidence that you have enough income to support yourself (this could be from various sources, including parents or bank savings).

Some EU countries require you to register after three months of studying or working there, to prove that you have a right to live in that country.

Going to a country outside the EU

If you are going to study or work outside the EU, you may need to get a visa. Each country has its own regulations, so your best approach is to check your destination country’s embassy or consulate website for the latest information on visa requirements. In some instances you will need to get in touch directly with your destination university or college to find out about visa requirements.

There are various websites, such as UKCISA, that provide comprehensive (but not exhaustive) country guides and visa requirements.