Student VISA For The United Kingdom
United Kingdom has always been one of the most preferred destinations of study abroad. The educational institutions of UK rank among the best in the world. This is the factor that has attracted students from every part of the world to pack their bags for the country. And interestingly, there are courses and colleges on all imaginable courses, for all types of students and of varying durations and levels, which makes it convenient for students to opt for the best and most suitable choice.
To study in the United kingdom, a student requires to have a valid student visa. UK Visa is offered according to the Tier System. Student visa falls under Tier 4. It is firstly a preliminary visa for a period of one year, and the extension is usually dependent on the length and duration of the course opted for. After the period of education is over, only then can it be extended to be a work permit visa. Those who have not yet got the admission or confirmation letter from the particular institute, or want to go to UK and then apply and enroll to a course, should seek as Prospective Student.
Application for the visa has to be made at the British Embassy or the British Consulate or the High Commission in the home country of the applicant. If your course duration is less than six months, you are given the visa as a student visitor, and if it is more than six months, then it is granted as a Student Visa with part time work permit. The visa is given for a maximum period of four years if the study is for a degree level qualification. Below degree level education is given three years of maximum stay. However under certain unavoidable necessary conditions, it can be extended to be able to complete the course.
A student applying for a student visa should get the 40 points allotted for the Tier 4 visa. Thirty points in it are based on the acceptance letter from the institute, and ten points on your capability to bear the cost of study and stay in UK for the period of study. It is dependent on these points whether you qualify for the visa.
To apply, you have to fill the IM2A form, which can be obtained free of cost from the British Embassy. You can submit your application, along with the visa fees, either online, or by post, courier or in person. And you have to declare that you will leave the country once your course is over. The application needs certain requisites. You have to study at a publicly funded university or college, or a bona-fide private institute, or a fee paying independent school or institution. You should make the concerned authorities believe that you are able to and you intend to follow a full time course. And you have to submit concrete proof that you are able to pay for the stay – the course fees, the accommodation charges, travel expense and monthly living cost, without having to work part time, or take a loan. If you are to be accompanied by dependents, you should be able to meet their expenses also. If you are unable to pay, and are being funded by the government, it has to be mentioned along with relevant proof. Lastly, you have to affirm that you will not work unless your course extends for more than six months.
The documents that should be submitted along with the application form consist of the letter of acceptance form the education institute (it should state that you have qualified, you are a full time student, and the duration of the course), an evidence that you are able to pay the cost of stay, your valid passport or travel document, and recent passport sized photograph. Other supplementary documents include your educational certificates and relevant diplomas.
After you have submitted the form, you are usually called for an interview. It is an easy process where the authorities want to confirm the information provided to them, understand your reason for applying for the student visa and your future plans. It does not test your knowledge or skills, only extracts information vital for your stay in UK and information required to give you the student visa.
In case an applicant is traveling with dependents, then the duration of stay (the course) has to be more than six months. The dependents are allowed to work full time.
The student visa granted to you demands the fulfillment of certain conditions. You have to compulsorily attend at least 15 hours of study every week at the institute. You are permitted to work for 20 hours in a week during college and 40 hours during holidays.
However, in spite of checks and strict conditions and regulations, there is a lot of manipulation and corrupt practices taking place. It has become a highly manipulative system with the ever growing demand. These point to the loopholes in the UK border control and security measures by the government. Many acquire student visas and then misuse it to work in UK. And the worst part is that such individuals are doing so without fear of being reprimanded and it has become a popular practice.
There is a growing demand and rush for student visa. According to a recent study, one third of visas granted by UK is student visa. An approximate 11.2 million student visas have been issued in the last eight years alone. This is proof enough that United Kingdom has become the hub of education in the world, and there is a mad rush to enroll in the educational institutions of UK
