On 1 September 2007 a new Student Visitor Visa for the UK was introduced. This is an important and positive development for short term students but you need to know what it means for you.

For students who need a visa to enter the UK (visa nationals), to undertake a short course, the new Student Visitor visa will:

• cost GBP 63, the same as a visitor visa

• be issued normally for six months, even if students intend to take shorter courses

• not allow students to work

• not allow students to extend their stay in the UK beyond six months

• be issued only if students are enrolled at centres who appear on the The Register of Education and Training Providers

• need students to show they meet the visitor rules to enter the UK.

For students intending to stay less than six months who do not need prior entry clearance to enter the UK (non-visa nationals), they should ensure that they ask for the Student Visitor category at the airport or port where they enter the UK.

All students that are going to do a work placement as part of their course, or wish to work or possibly to extend their stay, will need to apply to the nearest British Diplomatic post abroad for a visa to enter the UK as a student, not as a Student Visitor. The full student visa costs GBP 99.

It will no longer be permitted for people who enter the UK after 1 September on a Visitor visa to study while they are in the UK.

Where do you fit in?

The Student Visitor visa is for students undertaking courses of six months or less in length. For longer courses, students will need to apply for a full, standard Student visa.

If you intend to take employment (i.e. 20hrs per week part-time/full time in vacation periods or will be undertaking a work placement (paid or unpaid) as part of a course of study);

Or

You wish to seek an extension of stay beyond your initial grant of leave,

YOU MUST OBTAIN A FULL STUDENT ENTRY CLEARANCE at the nearest British Embassy or Consulate. If not, as a non-visa national you may still qualify for leave to enter as a student visitor without these entitlements or as a visa national you need only apply for a student visitor visa.

Further information

For a list of countries where nationals require a visa, visit http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/doineedvisa/visadatvnationals

Produced in liaison with the Border & Immigration Agency www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk  and UKvisas www.ukvisas.gov.uk