Study in UK

There are a few types of student visas for the United Kingdom; however, the Tier 4 (General) visa is ideally required for full-time university study. A UK student visa costs approximately £348 if you apply from outside the UK, with a healthcare fee whose cost varies based on your home country. Once you’ve been given a place on a higher education degree but do not currently reside in the UK, EU, EEA, or Switzerland, you will require a student visa in order to study in the UK.

UK student visa application process

You cannot begin your Tier 4 (General) visa application more than three months before the commencement of your course. Follow these procedures to apply for your UK student visa once you have received an offer from the University of your Choice:

• Accept your proposal: Pay the university any required deposits for your course or housing. You will receive a unique Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) reference number in exchange for accepting your offer.
• Gather your paperwork: For the student application, you will require proof of financial assistance, your CAS information, and, if applicable, an ATAS certificate.
• Complete the application online: During the application, you will schedule an appointment at the visa application facility to have your biometrics taken and to provide your papers.
• Attend your visa appointment: Submit supporting documentation and receive your visa sticker authorizing travel to the United Kingdom.
• Receive your outcome: Visa decisions are often made within three weeks, although this varies depending on your home country.
• Receive your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP): Within ten days of your arrival in the United Kingdom, you must get your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), which contains your full visa.

The rules for bringing dependents to the United Kingdom to live with you are stringent because it’s not likely that you’ll get in as a student unless your study is full-time, postgraduate-level, and at least nine months long. In the event that you are permitted to bring dependents with you, your financial documentation must also demonstrate your ability to support them.

UK student visa requirements

During the different steps of obtaining your UK student visa, you will be required to furnish the following:

• Current valid passport
• Documentation of sufficient funds to cover one year’s tuition and living expenses
• Test results for tuberculosis, if required, CAS number, and information such as language test results
• ATAS for UK visa. Academic Technology Approval Scheme certification requirements depend on the level of study you intend to pursue in the United Kingdom and the subject of your degree. In order to obtain a student visa, postgraduate students studying sensitive topics in the fields of science and technology may need an ATAS. Your chosen university will be able to inform you whether or not your program requires an ATAS.
• Before submitting an application for a Tier 4 visa, you must acquire an ATAS certificate if you are not currently studying in the UK on a visa. You can apply for an ATAS certificate up to nine months before the commencement of your study, but it is only valid for six months; therefore, you must submit your Tier 4 visa application within this time frame.
• UK student visa processing time: Typically, a judgment is made within three weeks, although it may take longer if there are delays or if it is a busy time.
• To reduce the risk of not getting your visa in a timely manner, it is important to send in your application as quickly as you can. A foreign national who is asking for a visa from a country other than the United Kingdom, you can do so six months prior to the beginning of your program. The earliest you can apply from the United Kingdom is three months prior to the program’s start date.
• Under the Tier 4 (General) UK student visa, overseas students with a bachelor’s degree or above are expected to work a maximum of 20 hours each week term time and full-time during vacations. This encompasses paid, unpaid and volunteer employment.
• Currently, international students from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland are permitted to work without limitation in the United Kingdom.

Rejection of a UK student visa

Numerous grounds for UK student visa denials have to do with finances. You may not have demonstrated sufficient finances, or the funds may have been kept for 28 days. In the worst event of your visa refusal, you will receive a letter or email outlining the reasons why. Your letter will also indicate if you are eligible for an administrative review or an appeal of the immigration decision.

If you’re applying from outside the UK, an administrative check is required. You may apply online within 28 days after rejection for an additional charge of £80. A decision may take up to six months, although the UK Home Office will provide you with an update after three months.