Student Visa UK
Thousands of international students study in the UK each year, making studying in the UK the number two choice for international students in the world, second only to the USA. The UK has excellent higher-education system and world-class universities in a country embedded rich in history. There are a range of study visa UK options.
Start Your Free Visa Assessment
There are a number of steps involved for students applying for a UK visa. It might seem like a daunting task, but help is at hand thanks to Global Visas. Take the free UK Immigration assessment to speak to an experienced immigration lawyer who provide you with guidance and advice throughout your visa UK application.
UK Student Visa Benefits
Candidates who hold a student visa may be able to switch into another visa for the UK, such as the Tier 1 General or Tier 2 work permit, which may lead to the opportunity to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK, and ultimately to apply for UK Citizenship. A UK student visa does not constitute the right to live and work in the UK, however in some circumstances, students may be able to supplement their finances by undertaking limited work. Students may work for up to 20 hours per week and may be able to work longer hours in vacation periods.
UK visas for students are generally granted for an initial period of one year, however there is no set duration and the permit can be renewed as required in order to complete the course of study.
UK Study Visa Eligibility
The key requirement for study visas is that a genuine offer from a UK sponsor must be in place. In the same way that UK work permits require an offer of employment from a UK employer, applicants who wish to apply for a UK study permit must have an offer of a place on a course of study at a recognised UK educational institution.
All applicants must be pursing a full time course and must be able to finance themselves and any dependents throughout their time in the UK without public funding. Although an applicant may bring his or her spouse to the UK, in the student visas category it is not permissible to be accompanied by a common-law or conjugal partner. A spouse will be granted the same period of leave to remain in the UK as the main applicant and will only be permitted to work in the UK if the main applicant’s grant exceeds 12 months.
UK Student Internship Visa
The Student internship visa allows overseas students to perform a short period of paid employment in the UK. Applicants must be already studying a degree course overseas and applications must be submitted by the sponsoring firm. Although a student internship visa is offered for a comparatively brief duration of three months, candidates may be able to switch to a UK work permit if they are offered a full time position.
Application for a UK Student Internship Visa
Like a UK work permit application, internship visas are not valid for work in any other position than that specified or for any other employer than the sponsoring UK Company. However, supplementary work outside normal working hours is permitted so long as it does not exceed 20 hours per week and is not outside the profession for which the permit was issued.
Students may only ever take one internship each and evidence of their student status will be required. The position being offered must be either at or above NVQ level 3 and the remuneration must be equal to that which would be paid to a full time UK permanent resident employee.
Unlike a UK student visa, dependent immigration is permitted not just for a married partner, but for a common-law or conjugal partner. However dependents will not be permitted to work in the UK and must be either able to support themselves or be supported by the main applicant.
Tier 1 Post Study Work Visa
The Tier 1 Post-Study Work visa is designed as a transitional route to allow the most talented non-EEA nationals graduating from UK universities to transfer into a work or business visa.
The Post-Study Work visa replaces both the previous International Graduates Scheme (IGS) and the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme, allowing successful applicants to transfer into any other tier 1 visa category under the points based system, if they can meet the specific requirements of that category.
Post-Study Work visa holders will also be able to transfer into Tier 2, which replaces the previous system of UK work permits. Find out further information on our Visa UK page.
