Visa information for the United Kingdom
EU citizens do not need a visa to study in the UK,
regardless of the length of stay.
If you are not an EU citizen, the following information will
be very useful
Practical information on the visa (UK)
In the UK, the government is developing a new system of
Visa, a kind of points visas for foreign students. The introduction of this new
system is scheduled for spring 2009. The aim is to make the process of
obtaining a more efficient visa, more objective and transparent. Given these
coming changes, it is possible that the information on the visa to the UK
following data evolve in the coming months. Kaplan International will update
this section regularly as possible. You can also refer to the contacts and web
sites that we indicate at the end of this section with the latest information.
As a student, how do I get permission to travel to the UK?
You must prove that you have been accepted into a curriculum
for a defined period and in an educational institution recognized by the UK
Department of Education and families on the list of the Register of Education
and Training Providers
All Kaplan International schools in the UK are part of this
organization.
You must be able to demonstrate that you are participating in
one of the following programs:
A study period not exceeding 6 months will get you, in part,
a degree abroad
A program of 15 hours spread over each day of the week and
weekly planning sessions of individual work
A degree program full-time
A curriculum full time in an independent and private school
You must also:
Assume the cost of your education and your personal expenses
and to live in the UK without having a job and a local public purse
Having the academic level and motivation to follow the
chosen program of study
Expect to leave the UK after you finish your studies (in
case you do not need to graduate and succeed to finish your studies)
What is a visa?
A visa is a certificate that is embedded in your passport or
other document allowing you to travel. The visa is issued by a "Entry
Clearance Officer" working at the embassy or the British consular mission.
This document allows you to enter the UK.
If you have a valid visa, we cannot normally be refused
entry on British territory, unless your personal data have changed in the
meantime, or have given false information or you did not mention the
significant events during your visa application.
When you arrive in the UK, it may be an employee of the
immigration service, "Immigration Officer" you questions in the
context of a simple identity check. So, remember to put in your hand luggage
all important documents.
How do I apply for a visa?
There are many opportunities to apply for a visa: by mail,
on the internet or you can go to an organization entitled to handle visa
applications. The staff of such an organization, called "Visa office
application" or visa service can provide information and recommend the
most appropriate way forward.
Some visa services will only accept applications on the
Internet. To find out if you can make your application online, we recommend you
visit the site dedicated to visa procedures for the UK.
If you cannot make your online visa application, you must
complete an application form called the "VAF3 - Student". You can get
this application form with your "Visa Center" nearest.
You must make your student visa in the country where you
live / you live legally.
In some countries, if you apply for a visa in order to stay
in the UK for more than 6 months, it may be that a TB test is required. You can
tell if you need to do this test by contacting your "Visa Center"
nearest.
What documents should I include with my application?
You have to make your application online or complete the
application form called "Application form VAF3 - Student". You will
also need:
Your passport or other document authorizing you to travel
A recent passport photo and color (45mm x 35mm)
Your photo must be:
Taken with a light background
Claire, good quality and without frame or other support
Printed on photo paper
Face and without sunglasses, hat or other accessory covering
your head unless you had to wear them for religious reasons (but the face must
remain uncovered)
Pay the visa fee. This amount will not be refunded and you
normally, adjust that amount in the currency of the country in which you make
your visa application. Thus, you may need to pay in Sterling
Any document supporting your application
What other documents should I attach to my application?
We recommend that you bring all the documents that prove you
are eligible to enter in the UK as a student. If you do not bring proof that
you have been accepted into a program of study in the UK visa application may
be denied.
For example, we advise you to include with the application:
Any diploma or certificate you got (s)
A letter from the university, the school or school
confirming your admission to a program of study and / or research in the UK
The diploma called "ATAS Certificate" (Academic
Technology Approval Scheme) if you follow some type of higher education (if it
is related to your studies in the UK)
Proof of a scholarship or financial support from the
government (if it is related to your studies in the UK), where applicable
Financial documentation (e.g. bank statements) proving that
you can pay for your education and personal expenses in the UK
If you receive financial support from a sponsor or a private
organization (e.g. a school in the UK), a letter from your sponsor describing
the support you provide during your studies and evidence has the resources
Your visa application will be automatically rejected if one
or more of your documents is / are false or counterfeit (s).
Once I submitted my application, what will it happen?
A person to accept visa applications called "Entry
Clearance Officer" will consider your application for the documents you
provided. If your file attachments are not sufficient to make a decision, an
interview will take place.
We recommend that you check information listed on your visa.
You must ensure that:
Your personal data is accurate
The reason for your visit to the UK is clearly stated
The period of validity of your visa matches your dates of
stay (you can ask that the visa validity period is shifted 3 months if you do
not leave immediately UK)
If you have doubts in relation to the visa that was given to
you, immediately contact the visa center or "visa office
application."
As a student, can I extend my stay in the UK?
If you enter in the UK on a student visa, or if you want to
track a graduate or earn a degree curriculum, you can make a request to the
following organization, "UK Border Agency." You can find information
to contact them at the end of this section. Any request for an extension of
stay in the UK rose from the UK Border Agency is paying (the amount you will
not be refunded, and that whatever the outcome of your request).
NB: If you enter in the UK with a student visa with the
visitor status, you will not be allowed to extend your stay. If you think you
extend your period of study in the UK or are unsure of the length of your stay,
we highly recommend that you apply for a student visa and not a visa with the
visitor status.
Do I have the right to have a job?
You can have a part time job or work while on vacation, but
you do not have the right to:
Work more than 20 hours a week unless your job is part of
your studies, has been recognized by your school and resulting in a diploma or
certificate from a recognized institution in the UK
Work for yourself or to charge your services as a sports
coach
Work full time
My wife / husband or my partner (s) and my children have the
right to join me?
Your husband, your partner (s) and children under-18 have the
right to come with you to the UK for the duration of your studies, provided you
can cover their expenses without needing a local public purse.
What need people who are dependent on me for their
application?
People who are dependent on you will have to make their
application online or fill in the form "VAF3-Student".
They will also need:
Passport or other document authorizing them to travel
A recent passport photo and color (45mm x 35mm)
The photo must be:
Taken with a light background
Clear and of good quality and without frame or other support
Printed on photo paper
Face and without sunglasses, hat or other accessory unless
you need to wear them for religious reasons (but the face must remain
uncovered)
Pay the visa fee. The amount you will not be repaid and
normally, adjust that amount in the currency of the country in which you make
your visa application. Thus, you may need to pay in Sterling
Proof of relationship they have with you
Proof that they do not need a local public purse
The proof of the curriculum that you follow or will follow
the UK
In case you are already in the UK, a photocopy of your
passport showing that you have permission to stay longer
My husband, my wife or my partner (e) Will it have the right
to have a job?
Your husband, your wife or your partner (s) can work in the
UK if you have been allowed to stay in the UK for at least 12 months.
