Visa Information

Do you need a visa?

1. Students from the EU and EEA do not require a visa.
2. Visa nationals – you are required to get a visa before leaving your country (pre-entry clearance).
3. Non-visa nationals – you are required to get a visa, but you can get a Child or Student Visitor Visa on arrival in the UK. If you want a General Student Visa you must get it before leaving home (pre-entry clearance).

See below for Visa national and Non-visa national countries.

Visa National Countries

Afghanistan Albania Algeria Angola Armenia Azerbaijan Bahrain Bangladesh Belarus Benin Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia Herzegovina Burkina Faso Burma Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Cape Verde Central African Republic Chad China (except for Hong Kong and Macao) Colombia Comoros Cuba Democratic Republic of the Congo Djibouti Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Ethiopia Fiji Gabon Gambia Georgia Ghana Guinea Guinea Bissau Guyana Haiti India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ivory Coast Jamaica Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Korea (North) Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Lebanon Liberia Libya Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Mali Mauritania Moldova Mongolia Morocco Mozambique Nepal Niger Nigeria Oman Pakistan Peru Philippines Qatar Russia Rwanda Sao Tome e Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Sierra Leone Somalia South Africa (except those who have already visited the UK using this passport) Sri Lanka Sudan Surinam Syria Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Togo Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates Uzbekistan Venezuela Vietnam Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe The territories formerly comprising the socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Venezuelan visitors who have new secure fingerprint passports issued since 2007 will be allowed to enter the United Kingdom without applying for a visa

Non-Visa National Countries

Argentina Australia Brazil Chile Croatia/Herzegovena Honduras Hong Kong Israel Japan Malaysia Mexico Panama Paraguay South Korea Taiwan Tibet Uruguay

Types of visa

1. General Student Visa (GSV), also known as an Adult Student Visa (TIER 4 PBS)

• We are currently updating the information on GSV.

2. Student Visitor Visa (SVV)

• Suitable for students of age 18 or over coming for a shorter course of up to 6 months.
• Available for students at any level of English, including beginners.
• Cannot be renewed. Students successfully completing their course in the UK can later apply for a GSV but in their own country, not in the UK.
• Students are not able to work.
• Available for both visa nationals (pre-entry clearance) and non-visa nationals (pre-entry clearance or on arrival in the UK).
• Cost: Pre-entry clearance £67; on arrival in UK free.

3. Child Visitor Visa (CVV)

• Suitable for students of age 17 or under coming for a shorter course of up to 6 months.
• Available for students at any level of English, including beginners.
• Cannot be renewed.
• Students are not able to work.
• Available for both visa nationals (pre-entry clearance) and non-visa nationals (pre-entry clearance or on arrival in the UK).
• Cost: Pre-entry clearance £67; on arrival in UK free.

4. Visitor’s visa (VV)

• Non-visa nationals can get this visa on arrival in the UK if they are coming for tourism only, but it is not suitable for students who wish to study. Students should ensure they get a SVV when they arrive in the UK.

Apply visa

General Student Visa (GSV), also known as an Adult Student Visa (TIER 4 PBS)

• We are currently updating the information on GSV.

Student Visitor Visa (SVV)

All non-visa nationals, and visa nationals seeking pre-clearance, will have to apply to the British Embassy in their country. To apply for a SVV you will need:

• An acceptance from an institution.
• Evidence of funds.

The website at the foot of the page shows details of what students might be expected to show, including that you:

• Only want to visit the United Kingdom for up to six months.
• Plan to leave the United Kingdom at the end of your visit.
• Have enough money to support and accommodate yourself without working, help from public funds or you will be supported and accommodated by relatives or friends.
• Can meet the cost of the return or onward journey.

For more information: Home Office UK Border Agency