“How do I apply for a Short-term study visa?”
“How do I apply for a Short-term study visa?”
Having the opportunity to study in the UK, however long your course is, can be of great benefit to your personal or professional development. Every year, tens of thousands of students come to the UK for a variety of courses. The courses range from studying for a specific training course to English Language courses. So, what are the rules for the students that want to come to the UK to study for a short course? Students can apply for a Short-term study Visa.
What can you do with your Short-term study visa?
You can stay in the UK for up to 6 months if you are taking any short training course. Or, you can stay stay up to 11 months if you are taking an English language course.
You can enter and exit the UK as many times as you wish during the length of your visa.
If your training course is longer than 6 months or your English course is longer than 11 months, then you must apply for a different visa called Tier 4 (Student) Visa.
What can’t you do with your Short-term study visa?
You cannot study at a state-funded school. It must be a private school or college like Rose of York Language School in London. Also, you cannot work or carry out any business activity. This includes working for free (for example, volunteering or interning at a company).
The visa does not allow you to bring your dependents. Dependents might include people in your family such as a partner or children. They would need to apply for their own visas if they are also attending a course.
The Short-term study visa cannot be extended. It does not allow you to switch to a new visa from inside the UK. Therefore, when you finish your course you would need to leave the UK. You would need to apply for a new visa from your home country if you wish to do so.
How do I qualify for the visa?
To be granted a Short-term study visa, you will need to show that you have been offered a place for a course in the UK. This will be in a school or college that is approved by the UK Government. This will usually be by an official letter from the school. Rose of York Language School is accredited by the British Council. The school can provide an enrolment letter once enrolment is arranged and confirmed.
You need to show that you have enough money to pay for your course and return tickets.
You also need to show that you have enough money to cover your stay in the UK. Alternatively, you will need to show that relatives or friends will provide you with a place to stay. You do not need to pay for your accommodation or travel until you get the visa. However, you should show that you have found where you will be staying during that time.
There is no exact amount that you need in your account prior to applying for your visa. But, we recommend that you show that you have enough to cover your course fee if you have not already paid for it. Additionally, if you are not being supported by a friend or family you will need to prove you can support yourself. It is recommended that you have around £1000 per month in your account for the length of your course. Remember, you will not be able to work during your time in the UK, so you will need to support yourself.
If you are being supported by a friend or family member, you do not need to have the same level of savings. However, you should show their income by their payslips and bank statements.
Finally, if you are applying from one of the countries listed here, and you are staying for more than 6 months then you will need to have a Tuberculosis test certificate.
How much does the visa costs?
If you are staying for 6 months or less, then the Government fee is currently £97. And, if you are staying for up to 11 months then the fee is currently £186. This information is correct as of October 2018.
You can apply for your visa 3 months before you want to arrive in the UK. Normally, the decision is made within 14 days in most countries.
What if I get refused?
If you get refused, then you should speak with a lawyer. You will most likely be able to re-apply again straight away. In most cases, the Government will tell you what they think you should provide to make your case stronger and allow them to give you the visa.
There is no appeal for this type of visa, however, you can normally apply again straight away if you are refused.
Why should I use a lawyer?
A lawyer does two things. Firstly, they make sure your application is as strong as possible. They do this by making sure that you have all the right documents. And that the documents are in the correct format. Also, the lawyer will be the point of contact for the government. The lawyer is able to explain your case to the government in a way that gives you the best chance of getting the visa and that there are no delays in your visa.
Secondly, a lawyer takes over the preparation of your application by filling in your form, booking your appointment and creating your application pack. Thereby, saving you time and stress.
If you would like to discuss your Short-term study visa (or any other UK visa) enquiry with a professional lawyer you can contact Westkin Associates Immigration on +44 207 118 8005 or [email protected] – please quote Rose of York to ensure you get your free evaluation.