How to Apply for a UK Student Visa 2021
UK Student Visa Application
After a lot of hard work, you’ve been admitted to a university in the United Kingdom. But if you are not a UK citizen & don’t live in the UK, EU, EEA, or Switzerland before you can start packing your bags, you’ll need a student visa to study in the UK. There are a few different types of student visas for the UK, but for full-time university study, you’ll usually need a Tier 4 (General) student visa. A UK student visa costs around £348 if you apply from outside the UK, and you’ll also have to pay a healthcare surcharge; the cost of which can vary depending on your home country.
Requirements you need to meet to receive a Tier 4 visa
- Be over 16 years old
- Speak, read, and understand English
- Have sufficient money to support yourself during studies
- Have an unconditional offer of study from a licensed university in the UK
Also, you will be required to demonstrate your knowledge of spoken and written English meets British visa requirements, you will need to pass a Secure English Language Test (SELT). You must meet CEFR level B2 for language proficiency if you are studying at a grade level or higher.
Exception: For students coming from certain countries, proof of English language proficiency may not be required if they complete a qualification equivalent to a UK degree.
How to Apply for a UK Student Visa 2021
UK student visa application process
You won’t be able to start your Tier 4 (General) visa application more than three months before your course start date. When you’ve received an offer from the university of your choice, follow these steps to apply for your UK student visa:
- Accept your offer: pay any necessary deposits for your course or accommodation to the university. In return for accepting your offer, you’ll receive a unique Confirmation as Acceptance of Studies (CAS) reference number
- Gather your documents: for the student application you’ll need proof of being able to financially support yourself, your CAS details, and an ATAS certificate if necessary
- Complete the online application: during the application, you’ll book your visa application center appointment for your biometrics to be taken and to show your documentation
- Attend your visa appointment: submit your supporting documents and receive your visa sticker permitting travel into the UK
- Receive your result: you’ll usually have your visa decision in around three weeks time, however, this varies depending on your home country
- Collect your BRP: within ten days of your arrival in the UK you will need to collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) which contains your full visa
UK student dependent visa
Rules for bringing dependents to the UK to live with you are strict, and as a student, it is unlikely you will be eligible unless your course is full-time, at a postgraduate level, and for nine months or more.
In the case you are able to bring dependents with you, your financial proof will also have to include how you plan to support them, in addition to yourself.
UK student visa requirements
At some point during the different stages of getting your UK student visa, you’ll need to provide the following:
- Current valid passport
- Proof of funds for a year’s tuition and living costs
- Tuberculosis test results if required
- CAS number, and information such as language test results
- ATAS for UK visa
- Whether or not you need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certification depends on the level of study you are coming to the UK for, and the subject matter of your degree.
Postgraduate students studying sensitive topics in the areas of science and technology may need an ATAS in order to apply for a student visa. Your chosen university will be able to advise if your course needs an ATAS or not.
If you’re not currently studying in the UK on a visa and need an ATAS certificate, you will need to get this before applying for a Tier 4 visa. You can apply for an ATAS certificate up to 9 months before the starting date of your course, however it is only valid for 6 months so you must complete your Tier 4 visa application within this time.
Being refused a UK student visa
Many reasons for UK student visa refusals revolve around finances. You may not have shown that you have enough money, or the funds have been held for 28 days.
If you feel like there is a way to fix the reason you were rejected for a visa you can reapply. You will need to be given a new CAS number from the university you have chosen, and pay any visa fees again.
UK student visa working hours
On Tier 4 (General) UK student visa, international students studying at the bachelor’s level and above are able to work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during vacations. This includes all paid, unpaid and voluntary work.
Currently, international students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland are able to work in the UK with no restrictions.
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