Visit to Study

  • study at an accredited institution (this includes English language courses)
  • do a short piece of research that’s relevant to your course overseas
  • do an ‘elective’ – an optional additional placement, if you’re studying medicine, veterinary medicine and science, nursing or dentistry
  • sit an entrance exam, retake an exam or course module, or do a PhD oral exam (a viva)
  • do an unpaid clinical attachment if you’re a graduate from a medical, dental or nursing school
  • take the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) test or the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test

before visiting the UK for study purposes, you should:

  • check you meet the basic eligibility requirements for a Standard Visitor and any relevant extra eligibility requirements listed below
  • prepare any required documents that prove your eligibility
  • check if you need a visa to visit the UK
  • apply for a Standard Visitor visa online – if you need one

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    What documents can I use to prove I meet eligibility requirements?

    The documentation that you may be required to provide varies depending on the purpose of your study visit. For instance, if you are visiting to do a short piece of research, you must prove that

    • you’re at least 16 years old
    • you’re already enrolled on a course overseas that is the equivalent of a UK degree
    • you’ve been accepted by a UK higher education institution to take part in research that’s relevant to the course you’re studying overseas

    You will also need to provide confirmation from your overseas course provider that the research or research tuition is part of, or relevant to, the course you’re doing overseas.

    If you want to study for more than 6 months, you will need to apply for either a:

    • Short-term study visa – for English Language courses up to 11 months
    • Student visa – for courses run by licensed student sponsors or
    • Child Student visa – to study at an independent school if you’re between 4 and 17 years old.

    Short-term Study visa

    You can apply for a Short-term study visa to study English language in the UK. This visa is for English language courses lasting longer than 6 months and up to 11 months. You can stay in the UK for the length of your course plus an extra 30 days as long as your stay is no longer than 11 months.

    The application costs £186. You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your online application. It usually costs £470. This is so you can use the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK.

    You cannot extend further your initial period of a UK Short-term Study visa.

    You are not permitted to study on any other course or change your course while in the UK:

    • study at a state-funded school,
    • work or carry out any business (this includes paid or unpaid work, work experience or work placements),
    • extend this visa,
    • bring family members (‘dependants’) with you on this visa or
    • apply for most benefits (public funds) or the State Pension.

    To be able to apply, you must be 16 years or older. You must also prove that:

    • you have been accepted onto an English language course that lasts 11 months or less and includes no other subjects,
    • your course is with an accredited institution,
    • you have enough money to support yourself without working or help from public funds, or that relatives and friends can support and house you and you can pay for your return or onward journey.
    • If you are under 18 you must also have made arrangements for your travel and stay in the UK and have the consent of your parent or guardian to study in the UK.
    • You must also provide proof of your earlier education, English language skills, school letter confirming that the UK local authority is informed about your visit along with details of accommodation.
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    Visit as a parent of a Tier 4 Child Student visa

    Parent of a Tier 4 Child Student Visa is a UK short stay visa that is issued to parents intending to accompany their child who is younger than 12 years old, to study at an independent school in the UK. You must be the only parent accompanying your child in the UK. The child’s other parent must live abroad and cannot apply to join you in the UK. You can bring your other children with you if they also have or are applying for a Child Student visa.

    To be able to apply for a Parent of a Tier 4 Child Student Visa, you must prove

    • your relationship with the child,
    • studies of your Tier 4 child,
    • fulfil the maintenance requirements,
    • prove relationship with the remaining dependant family,
    • must not intend to permanently remain in the UK, and
    • have enough money to pay for your travel towards another country when leaving the UK at the end of the visit, in addition to the requirement of the Standard visa.

    If you are applying from outside the UK, you must apply at least 3 months before you are planning to leave your country. This costs £516. It can take up to 3 months for a decision to be made on your application.

    If you are applying to extend from the UK, you must apply minimum 4 weeks expiration of your current Tier 4 Child Parent Visa.

    While in the country, you are allowed to live in the UK for as long as the Tier 4 Child has a valid visa and they are under 12, apply to extend your visa period and get a voluntary Job. You are not allowed to use public funds, switch to another category, apply for settlement, get paid employment, bring other family members (they may be able to apply to come to the UK on a short-term visit visa) or stay in the UK after completion of your child’s studies.

    The period of stay you can be decided as a Parent of a Tier 4 Child is the following: 6 or 12 Months – when applying for the initial visa (entry clearance) and no longer than 12 Months at a Time – every time applying for an extension (further leave to remain).

    Get in touch with our expert Global Business Mobility Immigration Solicitors today.

    Why Adam Bernards?

    • We understand the importance of making these applications and the impact they have on our clients’ lives. We balance sensitivity with professionalism to ensure that our clients’ meet their goals.
    • Our team of best immigration solicitors in Central London and East London have years of experience in navigating the requirements under this route and will ensure that your application is comprehensively covered.
    • We have achieved numerous clients settlement over the years as evidenced through our clients testimonies

    Get in touch with our expert Global Business Mobility Immigration Solicitors today.

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