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?
UKVI have produced a guide on the supporting documents needed when visiting the UK, but they haven’t provided a specific list of documents needed for the Visitor visa application. We recommend that you include documents in the list below alongside your application.
In order to assess who is a ‘genuine visitor’, the decision maker will need to be satisfied that the following points are addressed. This list below is not official.
Purpose of visit
UKVI will assess whether your reason for entering or staying in the UK is permitted under the Visitor route.A ‘visit visa support letter’ from King’s is evidence that you’re coming to the UK for an approved study purpose. This is different to an offer letter or a Confirmation of Studies letter.
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, PhD students returning for a viva): this can be requested by creating a case through Student Services Online and requesting a visit visa support letter.
Student/alumni attending graduation ceremonies: see our article Visa assistance for your graduation ceremony.
Important to know: Please make sure your current address is updated on Student Records before you request a letter, particularly if you’re currently outside the UK.
Financial circumstances
The Visitor route requires you to have enough money to travel to and from the UK and to support yourself during your stay. UKVI will also consider whether your financial circumstances realistically support the visit.
Make sure that you have enough to cover tuition fees, visa application fees, travel and living expenses of at least £1,529 per month.
If the funds aren’t in your name, provide additional evidence of your relationship/ sponsorship.
Make clear where the funds are from e.g. salary, income from property/assets, a sponsorship letter. Explain and evidence the source of any large deposits.
Intention to leave the UK at the end of the visit
UKVI will need to be satisfied that you’ll leave the UK at the end of your visit and that you don’t intend to make the UK your main home.
This could be proven through strong family, social, educational or economic ties outside the UK.
This is particularly important if you’re coming for a short course such as an elective, summer school, or on-campus session as part of a distance learning degree.
For example:A letter from home institution or employer that you’re returning to. Include start dates, that you will return, how this study supports your study/ career etc.
A letter of support from any community organisations you may be involved with e.g. church, charity work
Evidence of assets to return to
Family ties/responsibilities
Personal covering letter
It can be helpful to include a cover letter with your application. It should outline your circumstances, demonstrate how you meet the eligibility requirements and list the documents submitted. This provides the caseworker with a clear and well‑structured overview of your evidence and suitability for the route.
Additional requirements for under-18s
The immigration rules have specific requirements of applicants who are under 18 at the time of applying. You’re required to provide evidence of who your parents/legal guardians are, and of your relationship with them.
For this, you could use documents such as:
your parents/legal guardian's passport, and
a birth certificate/adoption certficate
If you're not travelling with your parents, you're also required to provide:
evidence that you have adequate arrangements for your travel to and arrival in the UK, as well as your care during your stay in the UK
a signed letter from your parent or guardian confirming:
their contact details
their consent for you to travel to the UK
who you’ll be travelling with (including the passport number of any accompanying adult)
who will look after you while you’re in the UK
how you’ll travel to the UK
For further guidance on the supporting documents you'll need, please visit UKVI's Visiting the UK documents guide.
Do I need to apply for ATAS?
You may need ATAS clearance if you're studying certain research subjects. Your offer letter should include this information. If your course requires ATAS, you’ll need to get this before you start your course. For further guidance, read our article Do I need ATAS clearance before I start my course at King's?
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)?
If you’re coming to the UK as a Visitor and are not 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.
For more information, have a look at our article What is an Electronic Travel Authorisation (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.