The Study Visit Visa falls under the Standard Visitor route, designed for those seeking to visit the UK for a temporary period of up to 6 months. This route does not provide a pathway to settlement in the UK, and all visitors must submit individual applications, even when traveling as part of a group.

Study Visit Visa Requirements

To be eligible for a Study Visit Visa, you must demonstrate to UK Visas & Immigration that:

• You have been granted a visa for entry into the UK (those who are not visa nationals can generally enter as Visitors upon arrival at the UK border).
• Your reason for coming to the UK is in line with the approved visitor pathways.
• You meet the specific eligibility criteria for visitors intending to study in the UK for a maximum of 6 months;
• You will refrain from engaging in any prohibited activities during your stay;
• You possess ample funds to cover all reasonable expenses related to your visit (such as travel, living, and accommodation costs) without relying on employment or public funds;
• You intend to depart from the UK after your visit concludes.
• You do not plan to reside in the UK for prolonged periods through frequent or consecutive visits, nor establish the UK as your primary residence;
• Your application does not meet the criteria for rejection under the general refusal grounds.
• You have secured an Electronic Travel Authorisation, if it is a mandatory requirement for your travel.

The specific criteria you must meet can differ based on your individual situation. Consulting with an experienced immigration solicitor for personalized advice may offer significant benefits.

Visa National Obligation

A Visit Visa is required for visa nationals to enter the UK as a Visitor due to their nationality. Visa holders from other countries are required to submit an application for a Visit Visa prior to their journey to the United Kingdom.

The Home Office has listed nationalities that need to apply for a Visit Visa before traveling to the UK as a Visitor. However, there are exceptions that allow certain visa nationals to seek entry as a Visitor upon arrival in the UK.

Non-visa nationals are typically able to apply for entry as a Visitor upon reaching the UK. It is essential for them to fulfill the entry requirements as a Visitor and be prepared to provide details regarding the purpose of their visit, their support in the UK, and their travel arrangements for their return upon arrival.

EU citizens are considered non-visa nationals and can enter the UK as a Visitor without applying for a Visit Visa.

Our solicitors often assist non-visa nationals in meeting the necessary requirements for entry as a Visitor upon their arrival in the UK, in addition to helping visa nationals with Visit Visa applications.

Permissible Activities for Study Visit Visa

In order to qualify for a Study Visit Visa, you are required to prove to UK Visas & Immigration your sincere intention to travel to the UK for a reason permitted by the visitor routes, and guarantee that you will not partake in any forbidden activities.

Study Visit Visa holders may engage in the activities that are authorised.

• Register for a course of study with a duration of up to 6 months provided by an Accredited Institution that is not a State Funded School or Academy (except for Distance Learning Courses from outside the UK).
• Participate in relevant electives while studying abroad for a period of up to 6 months.
• Engage in research activities or receive instruction on research (research tuition) at a UK Higher Education Provider or UK research institute for a duration of up to six months.

Study Visitors are allowed to engage in other activities permitted under the Standard Visitor route, such as permitted paid engagements. However, it is important to note that the paid engagement must be arranged before traveling to the UK and must be completed within 30 days of arrival in the UK.

Additional Eligibility Criteria for Study Visit Visa Candidates

If you wish to travel to the UK for educational purposes, you need to have received admission to a program offered by an Accredited Institution that is not a State Funded School or Academy. The duration of your program should not exceed 6 months, unless it is a Distance Learning Course being pursued from outside the UK.

If you intend to visit the UK for a duration of 6 months to take part in electives associated with an international study program, you must:

• The individual must be at least 16 years of age.
• Must be currently enrolled in a course of study abroad that is equivalent to at least degree level study in the UK
• Must be studying medicine, veterinary medicine and science, nursing, midwifery, or dentistry as the main course of study
• Must have been accepted by a UK Higher Education Provider to participate in relevant electives for your course of study, which must be unpaid and not involve patient treatment
• Must provide written confirmation from the UK Higher Education Provider.

Should you desire to visit the United Kingdom for the purpose of engaging in research or pursuing research studies for a duration of no more than 6 months, you must:

• The individual must be at least 16 years of age.
• Must be currently enrolled in a course of study abroad that is equivalent to at least degree level study in the UK
• Must have received acceptance from a UK Higher Education Provider to engage in research or research tuition
• It is necessary to obtain verification from the international educational institution confirming that the research or research tuition is relevant to the academic program being undertaken overseas.
• Employment at the UK institution is prohibited.

The research or research tuition can be conducted at a UK research institution, provided that there is a formal partnership in place between the research institution and the UK Higher Education Provider.

Requirement for a Study Visit Visa to Depart from the UK

You must demonstrate to the Home Office that you have a genuine intention to enter the UK for an approved reason and that you meet all the necessary eligibility criteria when applying for a Study Visit Visa. Additionally, you will need to prove to the Home Office that you intend to depart the UK at the end of your visit and that you do not plan to reside in the UK for prolonged periods through frequent or successive visits, or establish the UK as your primary residence.

When reviewing your application, the Home Office will take into consideration a variety of factors including:

• Your immigration background, such as past visits to the UK and other nations
• Your financial situation, along with your family, social, and economic upbringing
• Your connections to your current country of residence, both personal and economic

The Home Office may question the authenticity of your visit if you lack strong connections to your home country, have numerous family members in the UK, have a history of trying to mislead the Home Office in immigration matters, or if there are inconsistencies between your statements and those of your sponsor.

Financial Requirement for Study Visit Visa

You must have enough funds to cover all necessary expenses for your visit (such as travel, living, and accommodation costs) without relying on work or public funds.

Your funds should be kept in an authorized financial institution.

A third party may cover your travel, living, and accommodation expenses if they have a legitimate professional or personal connection with you, are not violating immigration laws, and can financially support you during your entire visit as a Visitor.

English Language Proficiency Requirement for Study Visit Visa

Applicants for Study Visit Visas are not obligated to fulfill an English language competency criteria.

Duration of Study Visit Visa Validity

If you intend to travel to the UK for a Study Visit, you have the option to request a Visit Visa that is valid for 6 months, 2 years, 5 years, or 10 years.

During the validity period of your Visit Visa, you are allowed to enter and exit the UK multiple times, unless your Visit Visa is specifically designated for a single or dual entry. It is important to note that each visit to the UK must not surpass 6 months.

Study Visit Visa Employment Authorisation

Study Visitors are not allowed to engage in any form of work in the UK or receive payment from a UK source for any activities carried out in the UK, except for a few specific circumstances.

This implies that Study Visitors are prohibited from taking up employment, starting or managing a business as a self-employed individual, working for an organization or business in the UK, participating in a work placement or internship in the UK, or offering goods or services in the UK.

As the Study Visit Visa falls under the Standard Visitor route, Study Visitors may engage in other activities permitted under the Standard Visitor route. This includes participating in permitted paid engagements, as long as the paid engagement is arranged prior to traveling to the UK and is completed within 30 days of arriving in the UK.

While in the UK, Study Visitors are allowed to work remotely, but remote work should not be the primary reason for the visit. The primary purpose of the visit to the UK should be to engage in a permitted activity, rather than specifically working remotely from the UK.

Study Visitors are also permitted to travel to the UK to search for employment and attend job interviews. However, if you secure a job, you are required to leave the UK and apply for the appropriate entry clearance before starting work.

Fees for Study Visit Visa Application

The Home Office application fee for a Study Visit Visa for a short stay of up to 6 months is currently £115.

To acquire a Study Visit Visa valid for 2 years, 5 years, or 10 years, applicants will need to pay the application fee of £400, £771, or £963 as determined by the Home Office.