Visa applications have to be made on IM2A forms, which are
available free of cost at the British Embassies. This form has to be filled up by the
student and submitted to the embassy, along with the Visa application fee and the required
documents as mentioned below.
Immigration Rules for
Students
You must intend to
study at a publicly funded university or college, a bonafide private institution or a
fee-paying independent school.
You must be
able to and intend to follow a full time degree course, or a weekday, full time
course at a single institution involving at least 15 hours of organized, daytime study per
week.
You must be able to
pay for your course and the living expenses of your husband or wife and children (if they
are with you) without working in UK or claiming public funds.
You must not intend to
work in UK unless you are accepted for a course lasting longer than six months, when you
may work part-time or during vacations.
You must intend to
leave UK at the end of your studies.
Documents
Required For a Student Visa |
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- A letter of acceptance on the course
This will be a letter
from your institution confirming that a place has been offered to you and that the course
is full-time as defined by the immigration law. The letter should state how long the
course will last. Where your course is more advanced and specialized, the letter should
also state what level of English is needed for the course (giving minimum test marks, if
appropriate) and confirm that you satisfy this requirement.
- Evidence that you can pay the course fees and support
yourself and your family, if applicable
Depending on your
circumstances, this could include evidence of government sponsorship, a letter from a
sponsor in UK confirming they can support you, together with evidence that they can do
this, and/or your own bank statements. You should also provide a letter from your place of
study stating the full cost of the course, what arrangements are acceptable for payment
and whether you have already paid fees or a deposit.
Although the immigration
rules do not require unaccompanied students to show that accommodation has been arranged,
your place of study may have given you information about its availability, and you should
bring this to the attention of the ECO. If your family is coming with you to the UK, you
will need to show that there will adequate accommodation for them. If your place of study
cannot confirm that family accommodation will be available, you may have to consider
travelling to the UK alone and making arrangements for your family to join you when you
have found somewhere to live.
Documents
Required For a Student Visa |
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The
Interview
Interview is a part of
your visa application process.
The interview is to give
you the opportunity to clarify for the ECO certain parts of your application. The ECO will
be aiming to satisfy him or herself that your study plans are genuine and workable.
The interview is a
normal part of the process, but you may feel quite nervous before it and find it an
uncomfortable experience. ECOs are trained professionals who will try to make the
process as painless as possible, but the questions are necessarily very direct and
personal.
You should prepare
for such an interview carefully. In particular:
- Be familiar with all your study plans; why you chose the
particular institution and course; how the course will help your future career;
- Be clear about the cost of living and the course and your
finances: do you have enough money to complete the course? Can you prove it?
- Be as clear as you can about your likely future career in
your country: what are you going to do on your return
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