Understanding student visas
The UK is one of the top destinations for international students, and Tier 4 Student visas are one of the most commonly issued visas. However, despite this, there are still a large number of refusals every year. That’s why it’s essential your application is error-free, on time, and meets all the requirements.
There are separate visa categories for children studying at independent schools, and older students applying to universities. While they each have their own conditions, they share some general rules. These are:
- Students need to be sponsored by the school or university.
- Students need to demonstrate they’re qualified to study their course. If they’ve already studied in the UK, they must show progress from previous studies.
- Students must have sufficient money to pay their course fees and living costs.
- Students must speak a required level of English (sometimes the school or University will be able to certify that this is the case).
- There are limits on how long someone can spend in the UK as a Tier 4 Student. However, as of 2021, there is a two-year post-study visa available for some graduates
Getting the timing of your application right is important. When there are a high number of applications, processing times can be extended. So if you leave it to the last minute, you may miss the start of your course. We’ll make sure that doesn’t happen.
How we can help you
We’ve handled visa applications for students across the world, and can give you clear, practical advice on:
- The documents needed for the application to avoid a refusal
- The application process you will need to follow and
- Long-term considerations—when you can apply for indefinite leave to remain (a right to stay in the UK permanently)
We also offer a range of fixed-fee packages, including:
- Providing advice on how to apply
- Preparing visa applications for you
- Reviewing supporting documents and
A cover letter for the application
If you’d like to discuss how we can help with your student visa application, please get in touch.