Immigration Issues Students

Requirements

In order to apply for a student visa, one must have admission to study a diploma / degree / post graduation course in a recognized college or University of the UK and can provides all the relevant documents to support their student visa application

Any person can apply for a student visa who has got an unconditional offer of a place in a diploma / degree / post graduation course in a recognized college or University of the UK. He needs to establish a link between his existing studies / work experience with the diploma / degree / post graduation course to be taken in the UK.

Documents Required

The persons intending to apply for a student visa need to provide following documents with their entry clearance application.

• Entry Clearance Form
• Two Passport size Pictures
• Original Passport
• Visa Fees (If applicable)
• Copies of the Educational / Work experience Documents
• Unconditional Offer of a place in the College / University
• Proof of payment of partial / full fees of the course (if available)
• Bank statements / Proof of income
• Affidavit of support from the Sponsor (If sponsored by another person)

It is also advisable to provide any proof of family, social and financial ties with the home country that may be:

• Property Documents
• Business Documents
• Family tree
• Any memberships of professional bodies

The applicants are normally issued a visa for the complete duration of course; however the students can always apply for an extension of visa while remaining within the UK, if it is not the case.

If the British Diplomatic Post refuses the entry clearance application of a student, the applicant has got a right of appeal that need to be lodged within 28 days of the receipt of refusal letter. The Entry clearance manager normally reviews the decision in the light of the grounds of appeal and may overturn the decision and decide to issue the visa. If the decision is not overturned in the review then the case is sent to the Asylum & Immigration Tribunal in the UK for a full Court Hearing.

Students having leave to remain for more than 6 months are restricted to working only 20 hours a week during the duration of their course. They can also work for more than 20 hours per week during term time unless the student`s placement is part of the studies, has been agreed with your education institution and leads to a degree or qualification awarded by a nationally recognised examining body.

Students can always apply for an extension of visa while remaining within the UK; they need to show any progress of studies undertaken till that time and evidence of availability of finances to support their studies. The maximum period of time that a student can stay in the UK on short courses one after the other, below degree level, is two years.

A person seeking to take a short term course would be given max. six months visa and he would be required to leave the UK at the end of that visa. If he wishes to seek part-time employment or extend their stay in the UK will require prior entry clearance as a student. Any period as a student visitor will be counted as a period spent as a visitor.

Students can always invite their spouse / children to join them as their dependants during the time of their course provided they could support their families without recourse to public funds and their leave to remain is for more than 6 months. The spouse will be allowed to work if the student is given leave to enter / remain in the UK for 12 months or more.