Visa information

You may need to obtain a visa to study an English Language course in the UK.

Please watch this video guide to student visas from the UK Border Agency.

To check whether you will need a Visa to study in the UK, please visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/do-you-need-a-visa/

Student Visitor Visa

If you are an adult and wish to undertake a short course of study of up to 6 months (such as a beginner's English Language course) you will need to apply for a Student Visitor Visa (SVV). Churchill House will issue you with a standard visa Letter of Acceptance to use to support your visa application. You must include this letter, together with any other supporting documents required by the UK Borders Agency with your visa application otherwise your application will be rejected. For more information regarding supporting documents please visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/out-of-country/visitors.pdf

You must also ensure that you have sufficient funds to cover the cost of your course and living costs (maintenance) otherwise your application will be rejected. You will need to supply evidence of this with your visa application.

This Visa will allow you to study for up to 6 months only. If you wish to extend your leave to remain in the UK to continue your studies, you must return to your own country and make a new application for the appropriate visa. You cannot make the application whilst you are in the UK.

This Visa does not allow you to work during your stay in the UK.

For more information on how to apply for a Student Visitor Visa please visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/visiting/student/

Extended Student Visitor Visa

If you are an adult and you wish to undertake a course of study up to 11 months (such as a beginner’s English Language course) then you will need to apply for an Extended Student Visitor Visa (ESVV). Churchill House will issue you with a standard visa Letter of Acceptance to support your visa application. You must include this letter together with any other supporting documents required by the UK Borders Agency with your Visa application otherwise your application will be rejected.

For more information regarding supporting documents please visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/out-of-country/visitors.pdf

You must also ensure that you have sufficient funds to cover the cost of your course and living costs (maintenance) otherwise your visa application will be rejected. You will need to supply evidence of this with your visa application.

This Visa allows you to study up to 11 months only. If you wish to extend your leave to remain in the UK to continue your studies you must return to your own country and make a new application for the appropriate visa. You cannot make the application whilst you are in the UK.

This visa does not allow you to work whilst you are in the UK.

For more information on how to apply for an Extended Student Visitor Visa please visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/visiting/student/

Child Visitor Visa

If you are under 18 years old and want to come to undertake a short course of study for up to 6 months, you must apply for a Child Visitor Visa (CVV).

Churchill House will issue you with a standard visa Letter of Acceptance to use to support your visa application. You must include this letter, together with any other supporting documents required by the UK Borders Agency with your visa application otherwise your application will be rejected.

For more information regarding supporting documents please visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/out-of-country/visitors.pdf

You must also ensure that you have sufficient funds to cover the cost of your course and living costs (maintenance). You will need to supply evidence of this with your visa application.

This Visa will allow you to study for up to 6 months only. If you wish to extend your leave to remain in the UK to continue your studies, you must return to your own country and make a new application for the appropriate visa. You cannot make the application whilst you are in the UK.

This Visa does not allow you to work during your stay in the UK.

For more information on how to apply for a Child Visitor Visa please visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/visiting/child/

General Student Visa

If you are an adult and you want to study English as a foreign language for 6 to 12 months, you must apply for a General Student Visa (GSV) under Tier 4 of the Points-Based System. This also applies to 16 & 17 year olds. It may also be appropriate if you are going to do a short course and wish to study somewhere else afterwards.

However, to apply for this Visa you must already have a minimum level of English of CEFR B1 (about IELTS 4) and have passed one of the UK Borders Agency approved English Language tests. You will find a list of these tests at www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/new-approved-english-tests.pdf.

You must send a copy of your exam Certificate, together with any other supporting documents required by the UK Borders Agency, with your visa application otherwise your application will be rejected. For more information regarding supporting documents please visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/studying/adult-students/evidence/

You must also ensure that you have sufficient funds to cover the cost of your course and living costs (maintenance) otherwise your visa application will be rejected. You will need to provide evidence of this with your visa application. For more information please visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/studying/adult-students/evidence/money/

You will also require a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number for your Visa application. Churchill House will apply for this on your behalf via the UK Borders Agency website and will send this number to you in the form of a CAS Statement, together with your Certificate of Enrolment and other confirmation documents. A small fee of £10 will be charged for the CAS application.

A GSV will only allow you to study at the school that accepted you. If you want to change schools, you will need to apply for a new visa.

If you wish to extend your leave to remain in the UK to continue your studies, you are able to make your application within the UK as long as your attendance and progress is satisfactory. We can supply you with all the necessary paperwork to enable you to do this if you want to continue your studies with us.

This Visa does not allow you to work whilst you are in the UK.

For more information about how to apply for a General Student Visa please visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/studying/adult-students/

If you have any questions please contact Karen McIntyre on (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or telephone 0044 (0)1843 586833.