With the implementation of GIR, the United Kingdom is certain to become a popular destination for students seeking higher education. The Graduate Immigration Route, announced on September 11th, 2019, allows students to stay and work in the UK for an additional two years after graduation. GIR will be implemented beginning in Summer 2021 for students who graduate in or after 2021. This will almost certainly increase the number of students applying to UK universities.
To assist these students with the UK visa process, we have created this blog to explain the entire UK student visa process in detail. In this UK student visa guide, we’ll make the visa process easier for you by providing step-by-step instructions, so you can get your UK visa quickly!
What is the new UK student visa?
The United Kingdom government has announced a new route for the UK student visa, as well as a new points-based immigration system. On October 5, 2020, the new Student Route and Child Student Route will open. It is a streamlined path for students that treats all students equally. The route has been opened in order to attract a large number of international students, and thus there is no limit to the number of international students who can come to the UK. The route is an enhancement to the Tier 4 student visa, making the process more streamlined and transparent.
What Are The Basic Requirements To Apply For a UK Student Visa?
- Securing admission into a UK university
- English language proficiency test
- Proof of funds
- A tuberculosis test
These are some of the basic requirements to apply for a student visa to the UK. Other requirements will be based on the type of visa a student applies for.
What Type Of Visa Should You Apply For To Study at a UK University?
The length of the course, type, and place of study decide the type of visa to apply for. There are mainly three types of visas:
- A Short-Term Study Visa – This is for students planning to study short courses in the UK. The visa is valid for 6 months and can be extended to 11 months if the student is above the age of 16 and studying an English language course. Students cannot work on this visa.
- Student Route Visa – previously known as Tier 4 Student Visa – This is for students for the longer course duration. Students pursuing undergraduate courses, postgraduate courses, M.Phil, Ph.D. need to apply for this visa. Students must be sponsored by a college or a university and have a confirmed place to stay. Students can also work on this visa.
- A Child Student Route Visa – previously known as Tier 4 (Child) Student Visa – This visa is for students aged between 4 to 17 years who want to study at an independent school.
What is the Process Of Applying For a UK Student Visa?
- Choose a visa depending on the length and type of your course.
- Prepare your application. The visa can be applied online, which will include the visa fee and the healthcare surcharge. Both are mandatory to pay.
- Attend an appointment at a visa application center to provide your biometric information such as your fingerprints and a photograph. You will have to submit documents proving your eligibility along with a Tuberculosis test.
- You will get a decision on your application within 3 weeks via a letter. If the application is accepted then you will be given a sticker called a vignette, which goes in your passport. This vignette will have the visa conditions such as what you’ve been granted, the validity of your visa, the conditions you need to meet.
The vignette will grant the student one-time entry to the UK, and if they have applied for a course lasting more than six months, they will need to collect their Biometric Residence Permit (BPR). This vignette is only available for 30 days.
What is a Biometric Residence Permit (BPR)?
Applicants who have applied to stay in the UK for more than six months are issued a Biometric Residence Permit. It is required to confirm the applicant’s identity, right to work or study in the UK, and right to any public services or benefits to which they are entitled. A BRP can be used to open a bank account in the United Kingdom. A BPR does not require a separate application. When the immigration application is approved, it is automatically issued. Most importantly, it must be picked up before the vignette sticker expires or within 10 days of arriving in the UK, whichever comes first.
A BPR Includes –
- Applicant’s name, date, and place of birth
- Fingerprints and photograph
- Immigration status and the conditions of the stay
- Whether they can access public funds, such as benefits and health services
What Are The Requirements For the Student Route Visa?
The Student Route visa is for students who want to study for more than six months. The visa enables students to study and work in the United Kingdom. During the school year, a student can work 20 hours per week and full-time during the summer. They can also apply to have their stay extended. On this visa, students may also bring family members or dependents.
There are a total of 70 points in this point-based system. A student must fulfill the entire requirement and have a total of 70 points. To obtain the points, the student must:
- Demonstrate that they can fund their education in the UK,
- Prove that they have an offer from an approved educational institution,
- Prove that they speak English.
What Are the Eligibility Criteria For a Tier 4 Visa?
- The student must be aged 16 or over.
- The student must have an unconditional offer letter from a licensed sponsor.
- The student must have enough funds to support themselves and proof of those funds. The student is required to maintain the funds in the bank account for 28 days including living costs. The living expenses are set at £1,265 if you are living in London, and £1,015 if you are living outside of London. If the student has dependents, then they need approximately £800 per month for each of them. A loan sanction letter can also work as proof of funds. Remember that a certain kind of sanction letter doesn’t work for the visa. To know in detail, you can get in touch with GyanDhan’s education loan counselor.
- The student must also have basic language proficiency.
What Is The Cost Of the Student Route Visa?
It costs £348 to apply for this visa. In case there are any dependents, they will also have to pay £348 per person.
Healthcare Surcharge – along with the visa fee, students will also have to pay a healthcare surcharge of £400 per year. For example, for a 2-year visa, the student needs to pay £800. It is also called the ‘Immigration Health Surcharge’ or the IHS.
The amount is refunded if the visa application is rejected or the student withdraws the application.
How To Apply For the UK Student Route Visa?
Before applying for a student visa, the student must provide the following information.
Documents Required –
- A current passport
- Proof of funds
- A ‘Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies’ given by the university. It is a reference number that needs to be entered in the visa application.
- Documents verifying test scores and academic qualifications and transcripts.
- Proof of English language proficiency
- An Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if applicable.
- A tuberculosis test result to prove that the student is medically fit. The certificate should not be older than 6 months.
Process of Applying For the Visa –
- Apply for the visa online and book an appointment.
- Select a visa application center to attend a visa interview. You will be provided with a UK student visa checklist and informed if you need to bring any of the documents with you on the day of your interview.
- At the appointment, your fingerprints and photographs are taken as part of your application.
- UK student visa processing time is usually 3 weeks. That is, the decision on the application is given within 3 weeks but you can get a faster visa decision at an additional cost. You can get it within 5 days – ‘Priority Service’ or 24 hours – ‘Super Priority Service’.
- The process will end when your passport is ready for collection. At this point, you will be contacted to collect your documents.
- Once you reach the UK, collect your Biometric Residence Permit within 10 days or before your vignette expires, whichever is later.
When To Apply For the Student Route Visa?
When it comes to applying for a visa, time is of the essence. A student can apply for a visa up to 6 months before the start of their course. This is an improvement over the previous Tier 4 visa’s time limit. Students should keep in mind, however, that they must apply for the visa no later than 6 months after receiving the Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS). That is, it must be used within six months of its issuance or it will expire. An expired CAS cannot be used and will result in a visa application being rejected. One month before the start of the course, the student may enter the United Kingdom.
What is the Requirement To Apply For The Post-Study Work Visa?
On September 11, 2019, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom announced the Graduate Immigration Route, which will allow students to stay in the United Kingdom for up to two years. This is a one-time extension that will allow students graduating in or after Summer 2021 to apply for this route. The GIR’s specifics are not yet available because it is still in the works. However, some of the requirements are as follows:
- Pursuing a degree that is either at an undergraduate level or above.
- Completion of the said degree.
Students can apply for this route at the end of their course.
What Happens If Your Visa Application is Rejected?
If your visa application is rejected, you will receive a letter explaining the reason for the refusal. The refusal letter will also explain if you have the right to either an –
- Administrative review
- Immigration decision appeal
