The information on this page is for guidance only. If you are unsure about your visa status, or for the most up-to-date information, please contact your local embassy or visit www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration.
Last updated: November 2020
If you are a ‘Non-Visa National’ (e.g. All EU/EEA countries, Argentina, Brazil, Japan, Korea, Taiwan) you can enter the UK with a ‘Visitor Visa’ that is issued on arrival. You can stay and study for up to 6 months. You can enter through the e-gates and do not need to speak to immigration staff at the entry point. There will be no stamp in your passport. If you want to study for more than 6 months you will need to apply for either a Short-term Study visa or a Student Visa before you travel – see details below.
If you are a ‘Visa National’ (e.g. from China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE, Ukraine) you always need to apply for a visa before you travel. If your course is less than 6 months you can enter and study with a ‘Visitor Visa’. If you want to study for more than 6 months you can apply for a ‘Short–Term Study visa’ (up to 11 months).
Visa Types
Visitor Visa
From January 2021, all visitors will be able to study in the UK as much as they want for up to six months.
EU, EEA and Swiss students will not need a visitor visa: they can arrive at the border and either show their passport or enter through the electronic passport gates to be granted entry clearance.
Non-visa national countries
Students who have a passport from one of the following countries do not need a visa to visit the UK or study for up to six months:
| Any EEA country Argentina Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Australia Bahamas Barbados Belize Botswana Brazil Brunei Canada Chile Costa Rica Dominica East Timor El Salvador Grenada Guatemala |
Honduras Hong Kong Israel Japan Kiribati Macau Malaysia Maldives Marshall Islands Mauritius Mexico Micronesia Monaco Namibia Nauru New Zealand Nicaragua Palau Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay |
Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Seychelles Singapore Solomon Islands South Korea Taiwan Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tuvalu United States of America Uruguay Vanuatu Vatican City |
Key facts about Standard Visitor visas:
- From December 2020, visitors can study as much as they like on this visa.
- Application cost: £95
- When to apply up to three months in advance
- Financial requirements: the applicant will need to show that they have enough money to pay for their trip, including accommodation and living costs
- For students who are under 18, there are additional requirements
Short-term study visa – for English language courses between six and eleven months
Students who want to study English in the UK for between six and eleven months should apply for a Short-term study visa before travel.
EU/EEA/Swiss nationals: From 2021, students need a visa to study for longer than six months.
Key facts about Short-term study visas:
- minimum age is 16 years old
- Visa length: 11 months maximum
- Students are only allowed to study an English language course on this visa.
- Suitable for beginners – there is no minimum level of English required
- Before applying, applicants must choose a course and have a letter of confirmation from LanguageUK.
- Applicants need to show they have enough money to pay for course fees, accommodation and living costs and their return journey.
- Students with this visa cannot work in the UK
If you are under 18 years old, you also need to show:
- you have booked your travel and accommodation
- you have permission from your parent or guardian
- Application cost: £186
- When to apply up to three months in advance
- You can apply for a short-term study visa up to 3 months before your date of travel and should get a decision within 3 weeks of application. Check the gov.uk visa processing times for more information.
- Apply online for a Short term study visa
More information on UK visas for students
For more information, the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) is an excellent source of advice for students, on visas, money and living in the UK.
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
You usually need to pay the IHS if your visa is over 6 months. It entitles you to use parts of the National Health Service that are free. You will need to pay the IHS even if you have Private Health/travel insurance.