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Visa & Immigration
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To comply fully with UK Immigrations we recommend that you adhere to the following:
- Ensure that you have a valid passport.
- Obtain entry clearance before you travel. The List below outlines which countries require a visa.
- If you are from a country which is not on this list, you do not require a visa but may require entry clearance. If your course is longer than 6 months you must obtain entry clearance before you travel to the UK.If your course is less than 6 months, you can gain entry clearance at your point of entry to the UK.
- All costs, documents and forms are available from your British Embassy, High Commission or visit
the UK Border Agency Website for current costs, online applications or to download forms.
If you are from the European Economic Area/Switzerland (EEA), then you do not need visa/entry clearance for the UK.
If you are not from the European Economic Area/Switzerland (EEA), you must not seek entry as a visitor if you intend to study. As a visa national, you cannot switch from visitor to student status once you are in the UK.
For further information on immigration and how to apply for entry clearance/visa, please read the UKCOSA guidance notes.
View/Print UKCISA Immigration Guidance Notes.
Do I need a visa before I travel to the UK?
If you are a citizen of one of the following countries, you will need a visa before you travel to the UK:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan.
- Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Burkina-Faso, Burma (Myanmar), Burundi.
- Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, People's Republic of China (unless you hold a Hong Kong passport), Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire), Cuba.
- Djibouti, Dominican Republic.
- Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia.
- Fiji.
- Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana.
- Haiti.
- India*, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast.
- Jamaica, Jordan.
- Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea (North), Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan.
- Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya.
- Macao (Special Administrative Region Permit holders only), Macedonia, Madagascar (Malagasy), Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar (Burma)
- Nepal, Niger, Nigeria.
- Oman.
- Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Peru, Philippines.
- Qatar.
- Russia, Rwanda.
- Sao Tome Et Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Serbia and Montengro, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Surinam, Syria.
- Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
- Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan.
- Vatican City (Service and emergency passport holders only), Vietnam*
- Yemen, Yugoslavia.
- Zambia, Zimbabwe
* Holders of Diplomatic or Service passports do not require a visa.
Point Based System (Recent Policies)
How can I make myself qualified for travel to the UK as a student?
- You must produce the evidence to show that you have been accepted on to a course at a publicly funded educational institution or a recognised private education institution.
- A full-time course runs during the week with a minimum of 15 hours at one institution. If you take several part-time courses to make up the 15 hours, you have to show that the subjects you are taking are directly related to each other. English has been considered as a course which is directly related to any other subject.
- You must have the financial capability to pay for your courses and living costs for yourself (and your dependants) during your time of study in the UK without any help from public funds.
- You must show you intend to leave the UK when you finish your studies.
What documents do I need to prepare in order to obtain a Visa?
Contact your local British Embassy or High Commission Consulate in your country and ask for an entry clearance form. You will also need to produce the following items:
- Passport.
- Two recent passport-sized photographs.
- Visa fee.
- A formal Acceptance letter with a CAS (Certificate of Acceptance of Study) Number issued from the Institution which you have been accepted.
- Evidence of financial support (bank statement, letters from sponsors, Company tax pay slips, savings etc) to cover your tuition fee and living costs during your study in the UK.
For more information, you can
visit the following websites:
UK Border Agency Website
www.ukcisa.org.uk
www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk
Email: internationaloffice@belfastmet.ac.uk or call our international Office on +44 (0)28 90265171 |
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