My course is less than 6 months in duration

A Standard Visitor visa may be a suitable option if:

• You are at least 16 years of age; and
• Your period of study within the UK will be completed in less than 6 months (if studying a short course duration only)

Please note short courses or reasons that are permitted under this visa  include:

• Students needing to come to the UK to re-sit an exam only;
• Distance Learning students that must make one or more occasional visit(s) to the UK for university or study reasons;
• Students enrolled on a course abroad that is the equivalent of a UK Bachelor’s degree (RQF level 6) that wish to come to the University of Birmingham for a shot time to complete research or tuition here (incoming study abroad students)
• You have an unconditional offer to study at the University of Birmingham for a course that has duration of less than 6 months.

*Please note, if you intend to study an 'English Language' programme from 6 and up to 11 months in course duration, you may apply on a different visa called the 'Short Term Visa' for English Language. This visa can only be used for English Language courses of this specific duration.

Check the following Standard Visitor visa - Visa National List, to see if your nationality is classed as a 'Visa National'. 

 All Visa-Nationals must apply for entry clearance (a Standard Visitor visa application is required) to be able to enter the UK under this visa route. They must normally go to a Border Control Officer at port of entry, for your information, visa documents and entry visa vignette to be checked and stamped.

Following a successful entry as a Standard Visitor, they should keep a record of their entry travel date and they must not overstay their Standard Visitor visa permission (maximum 6 months duration permitted).

This visa permission will give them the right to study (and other permitted activities) in the UK for a period of study that is less than six months. To study a course duration of at least 6 months or longer, they will need a different visa (such as the Student Route visa).

You must have a valid passport or travel document to enter the UK. It should be valid for the whole of your stay. The earliest you can apply is UP to 3 months before you travel.

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity, and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your Standard Visitor visa within 3 weeks (standard processing time).

Under no circumstances can you extend this visa from within the UK or switch into another visa category. If you think you may need more time in the UK, you should not apply for this visa.

You cannot undertake any work or work placement that is part of your course on this visa.

You cannot bring family members with you as dependants on this visa.

The Home Office strongly advise against booking travel to the UK before a visa is issued. Please note it is not possible to travel to, or enter, the UK using an entry clearance vignette that has already expired.

Visa Documents Required:

• Please see the UKCISA Standard Visitor visa guidance for detailed information on how to apply and list of  visa documents required. 
• Please also check the UKVI Supporting Documents guidance.

See the Standard Visitor visa Visa National List. If your nationality is not on the list, you will be classed as a Non-Visa National.

Non-Visa Nationals (if your nationality is not on the visa national list) do not need to submit a visa application for a Standard Visitor visa before they travel. Non-Visa Nationals (examples include nationality of USA, Canada, Brazil, Australia, Hong Kong (SAR) and Singapore) may apply for entry at their port of arrival (for example, at an airport in UK), where they meet all visa requirements of the Standard Visitor route.

If you are a non-visa national, you do not need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa application (entry clearance) before travelling to the UK. However, in some specific circumstances, a Non-Visa National may want to choose to apply for a visa application (entry clearance) where they have had a history of visa refusals or a criminal record.

Non-Visa Nationals must carry evidence of visit reasons in their hand luggage when travelling, to show they will be studying a course for less than six months (for example, your offer letter) in case, they are questioned by a Border Control Officer at port of entry.

When applying for entry on arrival, they can normally enter the UK by using an e-Gate (this scans your passport automatically) if entering as a Standard Visitor or in some cases they may speak to a Border Control Officer.

The eGates are available at 15 major airports and Eurostar terminals across the UK (When entering through eGates as visitor, there will be no entry stamp).

Visa Documents Required:

Non-Visa Nationals must still meet the Standard Visitor eligibility requirements to visit the UK at date of entry. You may be asked questions at the UK border about your eligibility and the activities you plan to do.

Non Visa Nationals may be asked to prove on entry that:

• you’ve been accepted on to a course by an accredited institution, for example a letter of acceptance on official headed paper stating the course name, duration and cost
• your research/training is relevant to the course you’re studying overseas, for example a letter from your home education institution describing how it’s relevant
• you’re able to financially support yourself during your visit (for example, everyday expenses, accommodation, or have funding from someone else to support you)
• you’re able to pay for your return or onward journey (or have funding from someone else)
• you’ll leave the UK at the end of your visit (for example, a return ticket)

Please see the UKCISA Standard Visitor visa guidance for detailed information on how to apply and list of  visa documents required. 

Please also check the UKVI Supporting Documents guidance.

Advantages

• The total application fee for this visa is much less than what is charged for a Student Route visa.
• The UKVI do not require you to meet English Language test requirements

Disadvantages

• This visa permission is for a maximum of 6 months only. If issued a visa vignette sticker (entry clearance), you need to make sure you do not overstay your visa validity dates. The visa will be granted for 6 months maximum. If your course is exactly 6 months long this visa is not suitable for you.
• If you enter as a non-visa national at port of arrival, this six-month maximum permitted visa duration will run from your date of your travel entry to the UK.
• Under no circumstances, can you extend this visa in the UK or switch into another visa category. If you think you may need more time for your course in the UK, you should not apply for this visa and ask for IST advice if unsure
• You cannot undertake any work or work placement that is part of your course on this visa
• You cannot apply for dependant visas for your family members to come with you on this visa

Standard Visitor visa prohibited activities are explained on the UKCISA website at UKCISA - international student advice and guidance - Visitors

For the latest information, including eligibility requirements and what documents you’ll need to apply, visit the GOV webpage at Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor: Visit to study - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Depending on what country you’re in, you can check to see if you can get your visa decision faster at Get a faster decision on your visa or settlement application: Applying from outside the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Find the latest information about UKVI visa decision waiting times at Visa processing times: applications outside the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

You should open all sections on this webpage and read carefully the  information and consider your future plans, if there is any possibility that you might need extra time (6 months or longer) for your course, you must apply for a Student Route visa instead (which requires a CAS).

If you need further advice, please contact the IST.