Student Visitor
If you want to study for a period of six months or less on a full-time course, but you want to be allowed to work in the UK or might want to go onto another course, you should apply for Tier 4 (General) Student visa.
If you know you do not wish to work or apply to stay longer in the UK and are coming for a course or period of study, either full- or part-time, you will need to enter as a Student Visitor. The Student Visitor category does not allow you to work, extend your visa from within the UK, or switch into another visa category (eg to a Tier 4 (General) Student). For these reasons you should make sure that this is the correct option for your studies before coming to the UK.
Some courses at Oxford (eg EMBA) require travel to the UK for short, finite blocks of study or modules but the overall length of the course exceeds six months (known as distance learning). In these cases the Student Visitor route may also be appropriate.
Visa nationals
If you are a 'visa national' you will need to apply for a visa as a Student Visitor before travelling to the UK. You can use UKBA's list if you need to check whether you must apply for a visa.
You will need a letter from Oxford, specifically written to use for coming as a Student Visitor, confirming your place and the details of your course to include with your visa application.
Follow UKBA's information on how to apply.
Non visa nationals
If you are a non-visa national, you do not have to obtain Entry Clearance (a visa) before coming to the UK as a Student Visitor (though you could do so optionally, if for example you have experienced immigration problems on entry to the UK before). Note that it is not possible to get immigration permission as a Tier 4 (General) Student on arrival.
As well as your passport, you will have to show these documents to the Border Force Officer:
- the letter from Oxford, specifically written to use for coming as a Student Visitor, confirming your place on the short course and details including fees and dates
- financial evidence including your previous three months bank statements and one or more of the following:
- if a parent, relative or friend is paying for you to study, a letter from them confirming what their relationship to you is, how much they are going to give you, how often, for how long, and where that money is going to come from. You will also need evidence that they can fulfil their promise, for example, their bank statements or wage slips, or a letter from their employer confirming their salary;
- if you are being sponsored by a government or scholarship agency, a letter from them confirming how long the scholarship will continue for and what costs it will cover;
- if you are going to pay for your studies with your own savings, original bank statements covering at least the last three months.
| It is important that when you show the letter confirming your studies to the Border Force Officer, you explain that you want to enter the UK as a Student Visitor and not as a General Visitor/tourist. General Visitors are prohibited from studying. If possible ask the Border Force Officer to indicate this on the entry stamp you will receive in your passport. The UK Council for International Student Affairs also has information about this. |
Useful information for Student Visitors
For full information on the Student Visitor category and rules, visit the UK Border Agency's website, and The UK Council for International Student Affairs' guide.
