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GETTING A VISA TO STUDY WITH US
If you are outside the EU, or studying for over six months, you might need to apply for a visa in your country. Below are the types of visas we can help you get and what you need to know before you apply for one.
You can easily check if you need a visa by visiting the following website: www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa
TYPES OF VISA FOR OVER 16S
There are 2 main types of visa that you can get with the help of our Centres:
Standard Visitor Visa
Standard Visitor Visa For courses of 6 months or less
Short-term Study Visa
For courses between 6 months and 11 months maximum
RULES FOR GETTING A VISA
Standard Visitor Visa
You can visit the UK for up to 6 months to study at an accredited institution (this includes English language courses).
Eligibility requirements
- You will leave the UK at the end of your visit
- You are able to support yourself and your dependants during your trip(or have funding from someone else to support you)
- You are able to pay for your return or onward journey (or have funding from someone else to pay for the journey)
- You will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home
You may need to meet extra eligibility requirements if you are visiting the UK to study:
If you are visiting to study at an accredited institution
You must prove that:
- You have been accepted onto a course provided by an accredited UK institution
- the course is no more than 6 months long (unless it’s a distance learning course)
ILC will provide you with an Acceptance Letter and booking documents to support your visa application.
Short-term Study Visa
You can apply for a Short-term study visa to study English language in the UK.
This visa is for English language courses lasting longer than 6 months and up to 11 months.
This visa is for English language courses lasting longer than 6 months and up to 11 months.
Eligibility requirements
- You must be 16 or older to apply.
- You have been accepted onto an English language course that lasts longer than 6 months and up to 11 months and includes no other subjects.
- your course is with an accredited institution
- you have enough money to support yourself without working or help from public funds, or that relatives and friends can support and house you.
- you can pay for your return or onward journey.
If you are under 18 you must also:
- have made arrangements for your travel and stay in the UK.
- have the consent of your parent or guardian to study in the UK.
ILC will provide you with an Acceptance Letter and booking documents to support your visa application.
ARRIVING IN THE UK WITH A SHORT-TERM STUDY VISA
If you are successful, you will get immigration permission for 11 months.
You will get a vignette (stamp in your passport) for 90 days, and then when you arrive in the UK you will need to collect your biometric residence permit (BRP) from a post office. You will be given entry clearance showing a 90-day window in which to enter the UK. You will need to follow the instructions on the accompanying letter about how to collect your Biometric Residence Permit. This usually needs to be collected before the date on your vignette expires or within 10 days of arriving in the UK, whichever is later.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT THE SCHOOL?
- You must show us your passport when you arrive and tell us if you move accommodation or change your contact details while in the UK.
- Your attendance must be regular and if you do not attend your course regularly, you may be deregistered from the Centre (Please read the Student Handbook for more information).
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR VISA APPLICATION IS UNSUCCESSFUL?
Unfortunately, visa applications are not always successful. If this happens to you, you must show us a Visa Refusal Letter from the Embassy/Consulate you applied to. Once we have a copy of this, we will refund any money you have paid us except for a £70 registration fee and any bank charges we have to pay in order to transfer your money back.
MORE INFORMATION
If you need more information about visas, or unsure if you need a visa, please check the websites below.
ILC Centres are British Council accredited and are allowed to admit students on a Standard Visit Visa (6 month) & Short-term Study Visa (11 month) as we are approved by Accreditation UK. Click www.britishcouncil.org/education/accreditation/centres for more information
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