|
UK
Visa Information - Application Requirements for British Visas
Learn4good provides general information on study, travel, work visa and
business visa requirements and the addresses of embassies worldwide. You
should contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date
information or visa forms.
For Hotels, Hostels, Car Hire, Jobs and
Schools in this country, see the menu options above. See our Travel Forum
to create a travel topic and ask questions to fellow travelers.
Who requires a Visa?
What documents will be required?
Time required to issue a Visa
How do I apply?
What is the cost of a Visa?
How long is the Visa valid for?
Other information
Can I work in UK?
Embassy contact information
Travel Guide
English Schools in England & UK
Who requires a visa?
UK immigration services also refer to visas as “entry clearance".
Citizens of countries not listed below
may not be required to obtain entry clearance to study in the UK, prior
to arrival.
Nationals not requiring prior clearance
will still need to satisfy immigration services of their eligibility,
upon arrival in the UK.
If you have any doubts, it is recommended
to apply for a visa before booking airline tickets.
Nationals of the following countries will
require a visa to enter the UK:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan,
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon,
Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China (PR), CIS, Colombia,
Comoros, Congo (Dem. Rep.), Congo (Rep. Of), Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia,
Cuba, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea,
Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Gabon,
Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia,
Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Korea (DPR), Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia,
Libya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mongolia, Morocco,
Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New
Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal,
Sierra Leone, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Surinam,
Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, United
Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Yemen, Serbia & Montenegro and Zambia.
What documents will be required?
Even if a visa will not be required, students
should still be able to provide UK immigration with documentation explaining
their stay (a letter of acceptance, proof of funds, etc.).
Please contact the appropriate embassy for further information.
The following documents may be required
for visa applications:
Valid passport
Completed application form
2 passport sized-photos
Letter of acceptance
Evidence of financial support
Evidence of accommodation arrangements for duration of trip
Letter of intent for post-course period (presentable upon arrival)
Time required to issue visa:
Contact nearest Consulate for further information.
How do I apply?
You will need to complete visa application forms IM2A and. IM2S. You can
also get the forms from your nearest UK Overseas Mission where there is
a visa section. You should check with your nearest British mission whether
they can deal with your application. If they cannot they will tell you
where to apply.
Applications may be made to the Visa Section of a British mission in person
or, in some instances, by post *.
*Please contact your nearest British mission to enquire about postal applications.
What is the cost of a visa?
Approx £35; varies with nationality
How long is the visa valid for?
6 months or longer, depending on type of visa obtained
Other information:
A passport is not required for travel
between Great Britain and Ireland, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands
or the Isle of Man.
Passengers transiting the UK destined for the Republic of Ireland are
advised to hold return tickets to avoid delay and interrogation.
What will happen when I make my application?
The Entry Clearance Officer will check
that he or she has all the information that is needed to make a decision.
If more information is required you may be asked to return with additional
information before your application is accepted.
After looking at your application the Entry Clearance Officer may offer
you the opportunity to withdraw your application before you pay the fee.
You do not have to accept this advice. If you wish to continue with your
application it will be accepted and you will be issued with a receipt
for your fee.
Once your application has been accepted you might have to be interviewed.
What are public funds?
The Immigration Rules require that people
who wish to travel to the UK to study are able to support and accommodate
themselves without claiming certain state benefits.
Can I extend my stay as a student?
If you enter the UK with a student visa
and wish to extend your stay for further studies you can apply to do so
at the Home Office Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND)
If you are a visa national, you cannot stay on as a student unless you
entered the UK with a student or prospective student visa.
Can I switch to Work Permit employment whilst in the UK?
You may be able to switch if you meet
the following requirements:
you have completed a recognised degree course at either a UK publicly
funded further or higher education institution or bona fide private education
institution which maintains satisfactory records of enrolment and attendance
you hold a valid work permit for employment
If sponsored by your government or international scholarship agency you
have their written consent
you do not have an adverse immigration history
Work Permit and Visa Processing in the UK
A Program now exists to encourage skilled
individuals at the top of their chosen profession to seek entry in order
to work in the UK, without having a prior offer of employment. In this
way, it differs dramatically from existing Work Permit programs. An application
made under the Program is an application for an immigration status.
Successful application enables you to
apply for entry to the UK for a 12-month period in order to look for work
in your chosen field.
The Program has been very successful since
it’s introduction in 2002; and it is expected that the revised Program
introduced in October 2003 will enable far more applicants to qualify
for entry.
The Program is a points-based system.
There are 5 main categories where points can be scored. Only candidates
with a minimum of 65 points will have a chance of being considered. In
addition, it is important that candidates show that they are able to work
in their chosen field in the UK, able to support themselves and their
family until they find work, and are willing to make the UK their main
home for the period of the Program.
Points Calculation
Qualification (Maximum 30 points)
PhD - 30 points
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Masters Degree (eg MA, MSc or MBA) or
Professional Level Qualification (eg Chartered Accountant) - 25 points
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Bachelors Degree (eg BA, BSc) - 15 points
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
None of above - 0 points
Work Experience (maximum 50 points)
5 years work experience in a "graduate level" job - you don't
have to have been a graduate at the time, but the job must be one that
would usually require a graduate - 25 points
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PhD and three years of graduate level
work experience - 25 points
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 years work experience in a graduate
level job including senior or specialist level work experience for two
years - This is likely to mean a high level management position in a small
or large company or a specialist position requiring a very high level
of technical or artistic skill - 35 points
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 years work experience in a graduate
level job including senior or specialist level work experience for 5 years
- 50 points
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
None of above - 0 points
Earning power (maximum 50 points)
Calculated in regards to country. Aprox.
$100,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Achievement (Maximum 25 points)
In order to score in this category you will need to produce a body of
evidence showing how your work has been acknowledged by your peers and
contributed significantly to the development of your field.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do not claim Significant Achievement unless
you are able to prove that you have contributed significantly to the development
of your field. For example, if you -
a) Have achieved a substantial business success with several branch offices
b) Are a leading published academic
c) Are a recognised and published professional (A couple of university
papers will not count)
d) Are a top classical musician or recognised film producer and earn your
living as such
Significant Achievement - 15 points
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do not claim Outstanding achievement unless
you are able to prove that you have achieved international recognition.
For example, an Oscar, Nobel or Booker prize, holding a recognised world
record or winner of an Olympic Medal, senior politicians, heading or starting
large companies and architectural design of a world renowned building.
Outstanding Achievement - 25 points
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not Applicable - 0 points
You should get a minimum of 65 point to
enter under this programme.
Can I bring my husband or wife and children with me?
Your husband or wife and any of your children
under 18 can come to the UK with you during your studies as long as you
can support and accommodate them without help from public funds.
Will my husband or wife be allowed to work?
Your husband or wife will be allowed to
work in the UK if you are given permission to stay in the country for
12 months or more.
Can I go to the UK to arrange my studies?
You may travel to the UK as a prospective
student to arrange your studies for up to six months. You will need to
show that:
you plan to enrol on a course of study within six months of arriving in
the UK
you can pay for your course and support and accommodate yourself and any
dependants without working or help from public funds
you plan to leave the UK when you finish your studies or when your permission
to stay ends if you are not able to qualify to stay in the UK as a student
Note: You should not buy a ticket, or pay all or part of the cost of a
course of studies, if delay or refusal of your application will result
in financial loss. The entry clearance officer may ask you for other documents:
production of those listed above does not guarantee that a visa will be
issued.
You can get further advice and guidance about visas from:
UK visas
General enquiries: (+44) (0)20 7008 8438
Application forms: (+44) (0)20 7008 8308
E-mail: Visas.ForUK@fco.gov.uk
Can I work in UK?
If you are admitted for a course lasting
more than 6 months, you may, without a work permit or permission from
the local Job Centre, take part-time or holiday-work, but you must not:
work for more than 20 hours per week during term time unless your placement
is part of your studies, has the agreement of the education institution
and leads to a degree or qualification awarded by a nationally recognised
examining body
do business, be self-employed or provide services as a professional sportsperson
or entertainer
work full-time in a permanent job
If you are admitted for a course lasting 6 months or less, permission
to work is granted at the entry clearance or immigration officer's discretion.
UK Visa application guidance information
and application forms
UK Visa information (Adobe PDF file)
UK Visa requirements (Adobe PDF file)
UK Visa application form (Adobe PDF file)
Embassy contact information:
Please contact the nearest UK Embassy for information on what documentation
you may require to enter the UK.
UK visas
General enquiries: (+44) (0)20 7008 8438
Application forms: (+44) (0)20 7008 8308
E-mail: Visas.ForUK@fco.gov.uk
|