Can I study on a Standard Visitor visa?
The Standard Visitor visa is the most appropriate visa option if you're currently outside of the UK and wish to undertake one of the following:
- A course of up to 6 months (including short periods of study, e.g. attending a weekend course, viva or resit exam)
- A medical elective period in the UK of up to 6 months that is linked to a medical, veterinary medicine, dental or scientific degree-level course at an overseas Higher Education Provider (HEP)
- A study abroad programme of up to 6 months which is part of a programme you're currently studying at an overseas institution
- A period of research or receiving research tuition of up to 6 months, which will be used towards a qualification at degree level or above that you're currently studying at an overseas institution
- Resit exams which are held after your Student visa has expired
- Attend the graduation ceremony for your course if your Student visa expires before the date of the ceremony.
Important to know: If you have deferred (not resit) exams, you can't attend them on a Standard Visitor visa. You must apply for a Student visa instead.
How do I apply for the Standard Visitor visa?
The process for applying for a visa to come to the UK depends on whether you're a visa national or a non-visa national. To find out which one you are, please refer to the Visa national list of the UKVI’s Immigration Rules Appendix Visitors.
If your country of nationality is not on this list, you're a non-visa national.
If you're a visa national
You'll need to apply online before travelling to the UK. You can apply in any country apart from the UK. The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.
If you're a non-visa national
We would advise non-visa nationals to keep evidence of entry and exit dates (e.g. flight tickets) in case you need this information in the future.
Will I need Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)?
If you’re coming to the UK as a Visitor and aren't required to apply for a Visitor visa in advance (you're a non-visa national), you need to get an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling to the UK.
Please read our article What is an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)?
Tips for all applicants
Remember these key tips when applying for a Standard Visitor visa:
Clear presentation
Make sure your application is well-written. Clearly explain the rules for getting the visa and how you meet those rules.
Refer to policy guidance
Always mention the official guidelines or rules for the visa to show that you understand them.
Introduce yourself
Tell the visa officer who you are, why you want the visa and what you’ll return to after your visit.
Assume scepticism
The person reviewing your application might assume that people are not telling the truth. So, make sure you provide clear, trustworthy, and verifiable evidence to support your claim.
You can find further guidance on applying for the Standard Visitor visa on the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) webpages.
What documents will I need to provide during my application?
You'll need to submit the following original documents with your application:
- Current passport
- Visa support letter issued by King’s College London:
- New students (e.g. Study Abroad, electives, summer schools and new distance learners): this will be issued via the King's Apply portal
- Current students (e.g. resit students, distance learners mid-degree): this can be requested using the Visitor Letter Request Form - Current Students
- Student/alumni attending graduation ceremonies: see our article Visa assistance for your graduation ceremony
- Evidence that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in the UK. There are no specific requirements for how much this will be, but you will need to calculate tuition fees, accommodation, travel and living expenses (we would recommend showing at least £1334 per month living expenses) for the duration of your stay.
- If you are under 18, you need to provide additional documentation; please refer to our guidance on this.
For further guidance on the supporting documents you'll need, please visit UKVI's Visiting the UK: guide to supporting documents webpage.
Yes. You will need to provide additional documents with your application which provides evidence of who your parents/legal guardians are, and of your relationship with them.
This will be documents such as:
- Your parents/legal guardian’s passport; and
- A birth certificate/adoption certificate
I’m travelling without parents or guardians
If you’re not travelling with your parents, you are required to provide evidence that shows you have adequate arrangements for your travel to, and arrival in the UK, and your care during your stay in the UK.
This should include:
- A signed letter from your parents/guardians confirming they give consent for the arrangements made for you.
- Confirmation of who is travelling with you (including copies of their passport), or who will meet you when you arrive in the UK.
- Confirmation of where you will live and who will care for you whilst you are in the UK.
Do I need to apply for ATAS?
Do I need to have health insurance?
If you're coming to the UK on a visa that is for less than 6 months and you didn't pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, you won't be able to use the NHS for free. We strongly recommend that you purchase health insurance to cover you during your stay.
Will I need Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)?
Some nationals are required to get an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling to the UK if they haven't applied for a visa in advance of travel. This is a form of 'pre-screening' that gives permission to travel.
It's important to check if your nationality is required to get an ETA at the time you plan to travel. This will apply to all non-visa nationals, including EU, by Wednesday 2 April 2025.
This is not permission to enter - you'd still need to be permitted entry as a visitor on arrival to the UK, and you'd still be subject to the conditions of a Standard Visitor visa.
Please visit UKVI's webpage to find out more about the application process and to apply online. If your application is refused you can't apply again, but you could apply for a Standard Visitor visa in advance of travel.
An ETA will allow multiple entries within a 2-year period. However, the restrictions on time spent in the UK as a visitor will still apply.
Important to know: your passport will need to be valid for the duration of your stay when you apply for an ETA.
Visa conditions & restrictions
- You can't work in the UK (paid or unpaid), including work placements or internships
- You can't undertake any business activity in the UK
- Any family members can't be sponsored as your dependent(s) - they must apply for their own Visitor visa(s)
- You can't spend more than 6 months in the UK as a Visitor within one 12-month period
- You can't claim any public funds in the UK
- You can't study a course that is longer than 6 months
- You can't access the National Health Service (NHS) for free
- You can't extend your visa or switch into another visa category in the UK.
Visa refusals
Common reasons for Standard Visitor visa refusals
Lack of proof of intention to leave the UK
The applicant hasn’t shown enough proof that they plan to leave the UK when their visit is over. They also haven’t provided evidence of strong ties to their home country, e.g. a job, property.
Applicant not a genuine visitor
The applicant hasn’t convinced authorities that they’re coming to the UK for a short visit.
Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009
This law requires the Home Office to consider the safety and wellbeing of children (under 18) in the UK when making decisions about immigration.
Tips for avoiding a Standard Visitor visa refusal
State your intention
To show you'll return to your home country, you can provide the following proof:
- an employment letter to show that you've got a job to return to
- an educational letter to show that you'll be continuing your studies at home
- property ownership proven by a title deed
- mention your family members who live in your home country.
Show you're a genuine visitor
- you need to show why you're entering the UK, such as a letter from King's explaining your reason for visiting
- you must prove that you’ll leave the UK at the end of your visit. This can be done by showing strong connections to your home country, e.g. family, a job, study commitments
- you need to show that you have enough money to support yourself while you’re in the UK. This can be done by providing bank statements or explaining large deposits. You should have approximately £1,483 per month to cover your expenses
- if you’ve been to the UK or any Schengen country before, you might need to share your previous travel information to show your travel history.
Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 requires the Home Office to make sure that when handling applications, they consider and protect the welfare of children living in the UK.
If you’re staying at King’s Residences, you need to provide a letter from the university explaining what steps are being taken to meet the requirements of Section 55.
If you’re not staying at King’s Residences, be specific about where you’ll be staying, especially if you're living with a similar group of students.
Can I enter the UK as a Visitor and then apply for a Student visa from within the UK?
No, you can't switch from a Visitor status to a Student visa from within the UK. If you enter as a Visitor, you'll need to leave the UK and apply for a Student visa from your home country.
To find out more (including who can apply from within the UK), see our article How do I apply for a Student visa?
I need further support
We have a dedicated Visa & International Student Advice team who are available to support you throughout your studies at King's.