Visits from family members or friends
Many international students would like family members or friends to visit them in Oxford, for example to attend their graduation ceremony or for a short holiday. The information on this page applies if your family member or friend is not an EEA national.
If your visitor is a visa national, they will have to apply for a visa before travelling to the UK. Visa nationals will need to apply for a visa as a Family Visitor if they are your family member, or as a General Visitor. Your family member will need to check where to apply using the UKBA's drop-down list. The information for the country where they will be applying will explain whether your visitor needs to apply on line or on a printed application form, and the procedure. You can download printed application forms from the UKBA website: form VAF1A for a General Visitor, or form VAF1B for a Family Visitor.
Visitors who are not visa nationals can come without applying for a visa, but on arrival at UK Immigration Control they will need to show why they are visiting and that they meet immigration requirements, so they should make sure they have with them the information and documents explained below, including an invitation letter from you.
Whether or not they need to apply for a visa before travel, your visitor will need to show:
- the purpose of their visit (for example, to attend your graduation)
- how long they plan to visit for
- that they intend to leave the UK after their visit, for example a return air ticket, letter from employer
- that they have money for the visit and return travel
The UK Border Agency give some guidance on the documents your visitor needs to provide. You can help your visitor by sending them the following to include with their visa application or show on arrival:
- a letter of invitation from you including
the reason for the visit. You could use this sample
letter if you want your visitor to come to your
graduation: visitor for
graduation sample letter
(25kb)
or you could modify it if they are just coming for
a visit. As it is you who is inviting your visitor
to the UK, it is you who should write the
invitation letter rather than the University or
your college. However, your college may be happy to
write a supporting letter if for example your
visitor will be staying in college accommodation,
or they may be willing to stamp your Enrolment
Certificate.
- if your visitor is coming for your graduation ceremony, proof of the date and, if possible, evidence that a place is booked for them.
- copies of the personal details page of your passport and your current student visa or Biometric Residence Permit/Identity Card for Foreign Nationals.
- if you are still enrolled at the University, a print-out of your Enrolment Certificate from Student Self Service.