If you are an
EEA national and have been accepted on a course of study, you are
entitled to enter the UK freely and have the right of residence for the
duration of your course.
The EEA is the European Economic Area (EEA).
Fees
for courses of study in the UK to EEA nationals will be charged as
overseas fees unless they can satisfy the 'residency rule' (three years
living in the UK).
If you are a non-EEA national you may need a visa to come to the UK to study.
Do I need a visa?
Find out if you need a visa via the UK Visas website.
To obtain a visa you must be able to show that:
1. You have been accepted on a course of study at:
- > A publicly funded institution of further or higher education (for example, a university)
- > A private education institution
- > An
independent fee paying school provided by an organisation included on
the Department for Education & Skills (DfES) Register of Education
and Training Providers.
You will find the list of approved providers via the DfES Register of Providers website.
2. You will be studying:
- > A recognised full-time degree course
- > A course run during the week involving at least 15 hours organised daytime study per week
- > A full-time course of study at an independent fee paying school
3. You must also:
- > Be
able to pay for your course and support yourself and any dependants and
live in the UK without working or any help from public funds
- > Plan
to leave the UK when you complete your studies, but if you are a degree
student (or equivalent) who successfully completes your studies you may
be able to take work permit employment or remain under the Fresh Talent Working in Scotland Scheme if you meet the requirements.
The Entry Clearance or Visa, is placed in your passport or travel document.
This tells the immigration officer at a UK port of arrival:
- > The purpose of your travel
- > How long you can stay in the UK; and
- > The latest date that you can enter the UK.
Find out if you need a visa via the
UK Visas website.
What documents will I need for my visa application?
To apply for a visa you will need the following:
- > VAF1
which you have filled in correctly. You can include any dependants
under 16 years old who are included in your passport and will be
travelling with you on your form. Older dependants should fill in
separate forms
- > Your passport or travel document
- > Two recent passport-sized (45mm x 35mm), colour photographs of yourself
- > The visa fee. This cannot be returned and you must normally pay it in the local currency of the country where you are applying
- > Any relevant diplomas or educational certificates which you have
- > A
letter from the university, college or school confirming you have been
accepted on a course of study in the UK and a statement of charges for
the course
- > Evidence of Government sponsorship (if applicable)
- > Evidence of funds available to meet the costs of your course
- > Evidence of funds available to maintain and accommodate yourself and your dependants without having recourse to public funds.
Visa application form (VAF 1 – Non-settlement)
You can also find the Visa application form (VAF 1 – Non-settlement) and Guidance for Students, further information and guidance on the UK Visas website.
Can my family come with me?
EEA Family Members (Spouse and Children):
- > If your family are EEA nationals they have the right to live and work in the UK.
- > If
you plan to stay in the UK for more than six months you and your family
can apply to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate of the Home
Office for a residence permit.
A8 Accession States Family Members:
- > If
your family member is a national of the A8 Accession States and they
plan to work while they are in the UK then they may need to register
under the Worker registration Scheme.
You can find more information about this scheme on the Working in the UK website.
Non-EEA Family Members
- > If your course is less than six months.
- > If
your family are non- EEA nationals and do not normally need a visa to
travel to the UK, they may be able to visit you for up to six months
without applying for a visa.
- > If your family are not EEA
nationals and do normally need a visa to travel to the UK, they will
have to apply for a UK visa to be able to visit you for up to 6 months.
- > If your course is longer than six months and your family are
not EEA nationals they will usually be able to join you in the UK for
the duration of your studies. They should apply at the British Embassy
or High Commission where they are living for a visa to come to the UK
as a student dependant.
To find out if you need to apply
for a visa to come to the UK as a student dependant go to the Do I need
a Visa section of the UK Visas website.
Courtesy of Scottish Government - Scotland.org .
