Student Visa for the United Kingdom
Studying at one of the universities in the United Kingdom is almost everyone’s dream. Of course, the UK is a prestigious destination for advanced education and home to many esteemed universities such as Cambridge, Oxford, and others. Your journey to study in the UK can begin only after obtaining a student visa, following your acceptance from a recognized higher education institution in the UK. Therefore, we have prepared this comprehensive guide on the requirements and conditions to obtain a student visa for the United Kingdom successfully.
What Do You Need to Apply for a UK Student Visa?
You must apply for a general student visa to study in the UK. Students who will study for more than six months in the UK must achieve the required pass mark in the international language test for this visa. For example, for the IELTS test, the required score is at least 5.5. After obtaining an English language proficiency certificate, you can contact our educational advisors regarding all the remaining visa procedures.
Applying for the British Visa
Students over 16 can apply for a student visa in the UK. The first step is to apply online. However, the student’s biometric photo and fingerprints can only be taken at the official application centers designated by the consulate. Usually, the oral interview is conducted after the biometric data is received. In other words, the student must visit the location specified by the British embassy in their country to obtain the visa.
Visa Issuance Time and Required Documents
The UK student visa is usually expected to be issued within a maximum of three weeks. Whether a UK student visa will be issued is assessed by completing the registration steps. The applicant who has obtained a total of 70 points is entitled to a student visa.
The two documents that play the most significant role in the student visa application process are the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the university you wish to study at and the bank statement showing that you have enough money to cover all your living expenses during your study period in the UK. The other documents required for obtaining a student visa in the UK are as follows:
- A valid passport
- High school diploma and academic transcripts
- A signed bank statement or official financial sponsorship letters
- IELTS test result document for the UK student visa
- Biometric photo and fingerprints
- A complete birth certificate
- A letter of parental or legal guardian consent if the student is under 18 years old
Note: All documents must be translated into English and certified.
If you wish to obtain a residence and work permit in the UK after completing your university studies, you should apply for a Graduate visa, which allows you to stay for two years after graduation and work in the UK. Remember that you must apply for it while you are in the UK and before your student visa expires.
