UK English language course visa, also known as a short-term study visa, allows non-British citizens to live in the UK and study the English language. This visa is for English language courses that last between 6 and 11 months.
Who Has to Apply for a UK English Language Course Visa?
Everyone who is not a UK citizen has to apply for a visa to enroll in an English Language Course in the UK.
Only British, Irish, and Commonwealth citizens with either the Right of Abode or Leave to Remai do not need a visa to study in the UK.
If you are one of those who have settled or pre-settled status through the EU Settlement Scheme, your rights in the UK are unchanged.
Who Is Eligible for a UK English Language Course Visa?
To apply for a UK English Language Course visa, you must meet the following requirements:
- You are 16 years or older.
- You are outside of the UK.
- You have been accepted to an English Language Course at an accredited educational institution in the UK.
- Your course fees are paid, or you have enough financial means to pay them.
- The course you will take is not longer than 11 months.
- You will not study at an academy or state-funded school.
- The UK will not be your main home.
- You will not work in the UK or engage in any business in the UK.
- You intend to leave the UK 30 days after the course ends or after 11 months, whichever is sooner.
- You can support yourself financially without having access to public funds.
- You can cover your journey back to your country.
- You have your parent’s consent if you are 16 or 17 years old.
Where Can I Study With a UK English Language Course Visa?
With a UK English Language Course Visa, you can study at one of the following institutions:
- An accredited UK institution.
- Accreditation Service for International Colleges.
- Accreditation UK.
- British Accreditation Council.
- Education and Training Inspectorate (in Northern Ireland).
- Estyn (in Wales).
- Education Scotland.
- Independent Schools Inspectorate.
- Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted).
- Office for Students.
- Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
- An eligible overseas provider if you’re studying in the UK as part of an overseas course. The institution must:
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- Have national accreditation.
- Offer only half of its educational program in the UK.
- Offer programs that are equivalent to a UK degree.
What Documents Are Required When Applying for a UK English Language Course Visa?
Along with the standard documents required for a UK visa application, other documents for the Language Course Visa include:
- A letter of confirmation from a UK-accredited institution. The letter must contain the course name, duration, cost, and accommodation. You do not need to pay the full cost before making a visa application.
- Proof of earlier education.
- Degree awarding certificates.
- Academic transcripts of grades.
- Academic references.
- Details about the accommodation in the UK. If accommodation is booked through the school, the confirmation letter must include details about the cost.
- Evidence of enough financial subsistence to pay for course fees, accommodation, and living costs.
- Details about the travel itinerary. It must include the dates of your planned onward and backward journey.
If you are 16 or 17 years old, you are required to submit the following additional documents:
- A letter of consent from the parent or legal guardian. The letter must state that you are allowed to go to the UK and provide information about the parent or legal guardian.
- Appointed carer’s letter of consent. It must be issued by an approved carer (appointed guardian by parents/legal guardian) and must show their willingness to care for you during your stay here.
- School letter confirming that the authority has been informed about your visit. (If you’re a disabled person or under a foster care arrangement). This letter must confirm that the school where you’ll be studying here has informed the local authority about your travel and who will care for you while here.
- Notification letter from the UK local authority for receiving information from the school.
In addition, there are other documents for students under 18 when traveling with someone or not.
- When traveling alone, you must have a letter of consent from the parent or a legal guardian giving consent to your visa application, living arrangement and care in the UK, and travel to the UK. Moreover, they must provide proof of your accommodation, including:
- The name and date of birth of the person you will be staying with.
- The address of the place.
- Information about your relationship with the person you will be staying with.
- A letter of consent stating that they will look after you during your stay in the UK.
- On the other hand, when traveling with someone, you need to identify them in your visa application. Their name must appear on your visa; otherwise, your entrance will be refused. Up to 2 people can join you as your companions on your visit. They have to make a separate visa application to accompany you.
How to Apply for the UK English Language Course Visa?
The application process for the UK English language course visa is:
Find Out When and Where to Apply
You have to apply at least three months before your intended travel to the UK. Moreover, once you finish the online application, you must also submit your biometrics at a visa application center in your country.
Prepare the Documents You Need
Before applying, ensure you have all the required documents. The application requires abundant documents, and it might be difficult to know all that is required. Nevertheless, in the section “What Documents are Required When Applying for a UK English Language Course Visa?”, you will find the list of documents you need.
Complete the Online Application on the UK Government Website
You can start your application on the Visas and Immigration Website of the UK government. To access the application form, you must register your email. In the application form, confirm your visa type and choose the country where you will provide your biometrics. Then, fill it out with your personal information and attach the required documents.
Finish the Payment Requirements
After the application form is completed, you will be required to make two payments:
- Health surcharge: £470.
- Visa application fee: £200.
Schedule a Visa Appointment
Once the previous steps are completed, you will be asked to book an appointment with the visa application center to collect your biometrics. You can find which visa center you can submit your biometrics on the UK government website.
Go to the Appointment
At the appointment, you have to provide your biometrics—photograph, fingerprints, and the required documents. Additionally, you might also attend an interview and answer questions regarding your trip to the UK. The visa application center may keep your passport and documents while they process your application.
Wait for Confirmation
You will have to wait for confirmation for about three weeks (15 working days). However, currently, it takes about seven weeks on average to decide on the visa. If your application is successful, you will get either a sticker on your passport or access to view your immigration status information online.
After You Arrive in the UK
After you arrive in the UK, you will need to collect your biometric residence permit (BRP) . A biometric residence permit can be used to confirm your identity, right to study, and right to any public services or benefits you are entitled to.
How Long Can You Stay With the UK English Language Course Visa?
With the UK English language course visa, you can stay as long as your course lasts. You will also have 30 extra days as long as it does not become longer than 11 months.
How Much Does the UK English Language Course Visa Cost?
A UK English language course visa costs £200. You also have to pay £470 for the healthcare surcharge. You must pay the necessary fees on the website of the UK government while completing the online application form.
How Long Does It Take to Process for the UK English Language Course Visa?
The processing time for the UK English language course visa is about three weeks (15 working days). At present, it takes about seven weeks to decide on the visa.
Can I Extend or Switch My Visa?
You cannot extend your UK English language visa. If you wish to stay longer, you must return to your country and re-apply for another visa type (e.g., a UK Student Visa).
Furthermore, you cannot switch to another visa while you are in the UK with an English course visa.
What Are the Stay Conditions With a UK English Language Course Visa?
While in the UK with a UK English language course visa, you cannot:
- Study on other courses or change your course while in the UK.
- Study at a state-funded school.
- Do paid or unpaid work.
- Extend the visa.
- Bring family members with you on this visa.
- Have access to public funds or the State Pension.