UK Visas for Students and Dependants
A UK Student visa will allow you to take advantage of the quality courses and study opportunities available in the UK. Once you have been accepted on a course in the UK, to study full-time at a UK educational institution, you can apply for a UK Student visa. A UK Student visa will allow you to spend time in the UK while studying, with the ability to work part-time.
Before you apply for a UK Student visa, you will need to receive an offer in writing. The educational institution must be on the Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills - Register of Education and Training. The educational institution must be either a private institution, a university or an independent fee-paying school. You also need to show that you are able to undertake a full-time course or a course requiring no less than fifteen hours of set daytime coursework every week.
The process of obtaining a Student visa has greatly changed in recent times, with the process and criteria for what you can do during and after your UK education such as employment and further study becoming more complex. Our immigration lawyers and advisors are familiar with all aspects of the student visa application process. Once we take on your case, a lawyer will be assigned to your application to ensure the process is completed successfully. All you need to do is choose the course that interests you and we will do the rest!
Mulberry Finch provide full and comprehensive visa services for students wishing to study in the UK.
Who needs a student visa?
Candidates from visa-national countries (those who need a visa even for entry to the UK as a visitor) must apply for a student visa at the British Embassy in their home country, regardless of the duration of their course.
In the case of a course that is up to 6 months duration, candidates from non-visa countries may present the relevant documents to the Immigration Officer on entry. Prior entry clearance is not mandatory, but applicants may obtain entry clearance if they wish. Ensure you have all the appropriate documentation ready to present to the Immigration Officer.
As it is difficult for non-visa nationals to extend their leave to stay as students, more non-visa nationals opt to obtain entry clearance before travelling.
If the course duration is longer than six months, then all candidates must apply for a student visa prior to entering the UK, regardless of which country they are from.
Qualifying
There are a number of requirements that must be met by people who wish to obtain a student visa for entry to the UK. You must show that you have been accepted for a course of study and the institution at which you have been accepted is registered with the Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills as an education provider.
In addition, you may be required to show that you are able and intend to follow the course of study. You may have to demonstrate that you do not intend to engage in business or to take employment, except part-time or vacation work.
You must show that you are able to meet the costs of your course, accommodation and maintenance of yourself and any dependants without having to work full-time or access public funds.
Yet to choose a course?
Candidates who have not yet made a final decision of the course they wish to study may apply for entry as a Prospective Student for up to six months.
As a Prospective Student, you still need to have the intention of studying a course in the UK, and you also need to make sure you have the ability to follow such a course. You must start the course within six months of entry into the UK, and you must plan to leave the UK at the expiry of your Prospective Student visa if you are not accepted into the course you have applied for.
You must also show that you can maintain and accommodate yourself and any dependants without working full-time or accessing public funds.
If you are not planning to undertake a course as set out above, Mulberry Finch can help you to explore other means by which you can undertake academic activities, such as Sponsored Researchers' Work Permits, Training and Work Experience (TWES) Work Permits; Student Intern Work Permits, and so on. Please see the other sections of our website for further information, or feel free to contact us.
Switching
Those candidates who are already in the UK on another type of visa, who wish to switch categories to stay as a student, may make an application through Mulberry Finch. The rules are somewhat more complex depending on the type of leave you currently have, and also depending on which country you are a national of. Generally speaking, the only category of visa that you will not be able to switch from is that of a Visitors Visa. Feel free to contact us and one of our lawyers will be able to explain which Immigration Rules in particular apply to you.
Indefinite leave to remain
A student visa does not lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain, unless you study in the UK for a continuous period of ten years, at which time you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain under the discretionary 'ten year' rule.
Spouses or civil partners, and children of students
There are usually no restrictions on a spouse and children working in the UK, if the student will be studying for at least 12 months. However, students must be able to show that there will be adequate accommodation in relation to any dependants who are also applying, as well as showing that they or their partner can meet the minimal costs for living requirements.
