Entering the UK

 

What do I need for entry to the UK?

This depends on whether you are a visa national or a non-visa national.

EEA & Swiss students are non-visa nationals

If you are not sure about your visa status, please check : https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa

 

For courses of 6 months or less

 

All nationalities

• You will enter the UK as a Visitor
• There are no limits on the number of courses you can study but they must be completed within the time of the permission granted
• You must have sufficient funds to cover your time in the UK
• Work (paid & unpaid), including voluntary work, is not permitted
• Any visitor who has come in on business or as a tourist can choose to then take an English language course while in the UK
• You must have a full passport to enter the UK

 

Non visa nationals

• You do not need to apply for a visa in advance
• There are no fees to enter the UK
• You may use the e-gates at the UK border.  However, in the unlikely event that you are questioned, you should carry evidence demonstrating that you meet the entry requirements.  Please have your  immigration and enrolment letters from the school with you.  If the school has not arranged your accommodation, please have your accommodation address

 

Visa nationals

• Visa nationals need pre-entry clearance for a standard visit visa, so if you are a visa national you must apply for a Visitor Visa before you come to the UK
• A standard Visitor Visa for a non-visa national for up to 6 months costs GBP115
• The normal safeguarding checks will apply to under 18s

 

You’ll need to provide the following information:

• the dates you’re planning to travel to the UK
• details of where you’ll be staying during your visit
• how much you think your trip will cost
• your current home address and how long you’ve lived there
• your parents’ names and dates of birth (if known)
• how much you earn in a year (if you have an income)
• details of any criminal, civil or immigration offences you may have committed

 

You might also need to provide:

• details of your travel history for the past 10 years
• your employer’s address and telephone number
• your partner’s name, date of birth, and passport number
• the name and address of anyone paying for your trip
• the name, address and passport number of any family members you have in the UK

Your intentions will be assessed to check you are a genuine visitor.

You’ll be told what other documents and information to provide when you apply online

 

For more information see:

https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor-visa

 

For courses of 7-11 months: the Short Term Study English language route

 

• All visa and non visa nationals (including EEA & Swiss nationals) applying to study for longer than 6 months will need to make an application before travelling
• You will need to apply for a Short Term Study Visa English Language
• This route is for English language study only
• You must be 16 or older
• If you are aged 16 or 17 then parental consent is required
• You must have an offer of a place (6-11 months duration ) at an accredited institution
• You can only study on the course for which permission has been granted
• Your course must be between 6 & 11 months long.
• You must have sufficient funds to cover your time in the UK
• Work (paid & unpaid), including voluntary work, is not permitted
• You must leave the UK within 30 days of the end of the course or at the end of 11 months, whichever is earlier
• You are not able to extend your visa

 

You’ll need to provide the following information:

• a current passport (with a blank page for your visa) or other valid travel document
• evidence that you can support yourself during your trip, for example bank statements or payslips for the last 6 months
• details of where you intend to stay and your travel plans - you should not pay for accommodation or travel until you get your visa
• evidence that you’ve paid your course fees or have enough money to pay them

 

You’ll also need to provide:

• your tuberculosis (TB) test results, if you’re from a country where you have to take the TB test
• contact details for at least one parent or guardian in your home country, if you’re under 18 years old
• a certified translation if any documents are not in English or Welsh

 

Documents about your course

• You must provide written proof of the course you’re studying. For example, a letter of acceptance from the educational institution stating the course’s name, duration and cost (including accommodation).

 

You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances, such as evidence of:

• your permission to be in the country you’re applying from (if you’re not a national)
• your financial sponsor’s occupation, income, savings or funds that will support your studies
• the details of your travel history for the past 10 years
• your employer’s address and telephone number
• your partner’s name, date of birth, and passport number
• the name and address of anyone paying for your trip
• the name, address and passport number of any family members you have in the UK

 

Your intentions will be assessed to check you are a genuine visitor.

If you’re under 18

If you’re under 18 you need to provide additional documents if:

• you’re travelling on your own
• you’re travelling with someone who is not your parent or guardian
• From Thursday 5 October 2023, bank statements in the name of the applicant's parent or legal guardian are accepted. The applicant must provide proof of the relationship and written consent from the parent or legal guardian to use the funds.
• Also from Thursday 5 October 2023, consent forms from under 18s must include contact details for the parent/ legal guardian.

 

see https://www.gov.uk/visa-to-study-english/documents-you-must-provide

 

Short Term Study Visa English Language Fees:

• Visa fee GBP200
• Health surcharge GBP470

 

For more information on the Short Term Study Visa English language see:

https://www.gov.uk/visa-to-study-english

 

For courses over 11 months

• Students who wish to study for longer than 11 months need to apply for a Student Visa under the Student Route or Child Student Route
• The course must be at a school or college which is a Licensed Student Sponsor
• Wimbledon School of English is not currently a Licensed Student Sponsor.  If we decide to apply and are granted the licence we will let you know

For more information on the Student Route see https://www.gov.uk/student-visa

 

 

 

Introduction of the ETA

An electronic travel authorisation (ETA) will be a requirement for people who do not need a visa to come to the UK, ie non-visa nationals coming for under 6 months. It will give permission to travel to the UK, and it will be electronically linked to your passport. ETAs will cost GBP 10 and last for two years, allowing multiple visits.

 

You’ll need an ETA to:

• come to the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or study

The introduction is being phased in as follows

1. Qatari students travelling to the UK on or after Wednesday 15 November need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Applications for an ETA open on Wednesday 25 October 2023. 
2. Nationals of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates will need an ETA to travel to the UK on or after Thursday 22 February 2024.
3. More nationalities will be added to the ETA scheme later.