Important Information Related to UK Student Visa

How to Get a UK Student Visa

Student Visa Requirement in the UK, Process, Fees 

Applying for a Student route visa outside the UK 

Important Information Related to UK Student Visa

The biggest dilemma for Pakistani students wishing to study in the UK is the visa process. There is a lot of confusion regarding the visa process. Below is some basic information which will help you find the right direction or answer some basic question in your mind.

You can apply for a Student visa to study in the UK if you’re 16 or over and you:

• have been offered a place on a course by a licensed student sponsor
• have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course – the amount will vary depending on your circumstances
• can speak, read, write and understand English
• have consent from your parents if you’re 16 or 17 – you’ll need evidence of this when you apply

In simple terms you can apply once you can speak english, are enrolled at a university and you have sufficient funds to pay for tuition and living expenses in the UK.

When to apply

When you can apply depends on whether you’re applying from inside or outside the UK.

Applying from outside the UK

The earliest you can apply for a visa is 6 months before you start your course.

You’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.

Fees

It costs:

• £348 to apply for a Student visa from outside the UK
• £475 to extend or switch to a Student visa from inside the UK

You must pay the visa fee for each person that joins you.

What you can and cannot do

You can:

• study
• work as a student union sabbatical officer

You may be able to work – how much depends on what you’re studying and whether you’re working in or out of term-time.

You cannot:

• claim public funds (benefits) and pensions
• work in certain jobs, for example as a professional sportsperson or sports coach
• be self-employed
• study at an academy or a local authority-funded school (also known as a maintained school)

If your application is successful, you’ll be told what you can and cannot do on a Student visa. You will receive all the necessary and important information related to the UK student visa.

UK student visas are awarded on a points-based system. In order to meet all the UK student visa requirements, you’ll need to provide: 

• Details of your passport
• A recent photograph
• An unconditional offer of a place on a course offered by a licensed Tier 4 Sponsor, evidenced by a ‘Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies’ (CAS) form from your course provider (worth 30 points)
• Proof of adequate English language skills, demonstrated by passing one of the secure English language tests (SELT). You will not need to provide this if you’re from an English-speaking country such as the United States or have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in an English-speaking country.
• Proof you have financial support throughout your stay in the UK (worth 10 points)
• If you’re a non-EU/EEA/Swiss student studying a sensitive subject, you may also need an ATAS certificate

You have to prove availability of funds. The best way to do that is a bank statement and a letter from your sponsor. The fund should show the ability to cover living and tuition expenses. You must prove that you have £1,015 per month for living costs if studying in the UK outside of London, and £1,265 a month for living costs if studying in London. The difference in cost is due to the difference in living costs of London and the rest of the UK.

You will also have to show other documents such as academic qualifications, transcripts and biometric data. This includes fingerprints. Due to the pandemic you will also be required to undergo certain vaccination requirements. 

UK student visa fees

As stated above  the fee for a general student visa is £348  with an additional £348 fee per person for any dependents. You’ll also need to pay a healthcare surcharge per year (in order to access the National Health Service (NHS) during your stay) . The amount has increased over the years and due to the pandemic the amount is continuously shifting therefore and accurate amount cannot be given.

When applying for a student route visa outside the UK, you need to make sure all your documents and requirements match with those provided by the UK authorities. Arranging the documents and compiling them properly is not just filling in a form. It is a rigorous procedure. Going it alone will hurt your prospects as the process requires the handling of a professional to make sure silly mistakes and insufficient paperwork are not submitted. No one can guarantee you a visa but, professional consultants can definitely increase the probability of you getting a visa. Our team helps students with university and visa applications as well. The entire process will be made convenient and organised for you. 

Using your UK student visa

When you enter the UK, a UK Border Agency officer will put a stamp on your passport that states the duration of your stay in the UK. For example, if your course is 12 months or more, you can stay for the full duration of the course plus an additional four months. You cannot extend your stay beyond this period.

Before you arrive, you must make sure you are fully immunised, remembering to pack your immunisation record in your hand luggage in case you are asked to show the Border Agency officer at your UK port of entry. You should also carry the documents relating to your studies (including your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies or CAS number), your proof of finances and your proof of accommodation.

Depending on where you’re from, you may also be required to register with the police within seven days of arrival in the UK.