UK Student Visas
Studying in the UK is a consistently popular option for non-EEA nationals and the UK provides a number of student visas which permit temporary UK immigration to undertake a course of study. While a UK visit visa permits its holder to study in the UK, this is limited by the visa’s maximum duration of six months. UK study visas allow students to relocate to the UK in order to gain a recognized qualification.
You can explore the options for studying in the UK and find out whether you qualify by completing the Global Visas online student visa assessment form today.
Student Visa Benefits
Although a student visa is not in itself a route to permanent residency in the UK, applicants may be able to switch into another UK immigration service, such as the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) or a UK 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.
In the 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.
Study Visa Eligibility
Like a UK work permit, the key requirement for study visas is that a genuine offer from a UK visa 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.
The candidate must be pursing a full time course and must be able to finance him or herself 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.
Student Internship Visa
The Student internship visa allows overseas students to perform a short period of paid employment in the UK, based, like a work permit application on an offer from a sponsoring UK company. 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.
Applying 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.
