 Home Page : Study Visas : United Kingdom : Visa Duration, Eligibility and Employment Opportunities
Visa Duration, Eligibility and Employment Opportunities
This page contains information about the duration of your study visa, its eligibility
requirements and the employment options you have during your stay in UK.
Please keep in mind that if your course of study lasts less than six months, you
may be able to enter the country under a UK visit visa, often referred to as a travel
or tourist visa. However, the benefit of studying in the UK under a visa for students
is that you will also be permitted to undertake limited employment.
Duration:
There is no set duration for the UK student visa, however UK student visas are usually
granted for an initial period of one year and are determined by the length of the
course to be studied. In some cases, a study visa extension may be granted by applying
for Further Leave to Remain (FLR). Students can also switch to another visa category
after the completion of their course in the UK without leaving the country.
Eligibility:
A UK student visa application must show that you have been accepted onto a course
of study at one of the following:
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- A publically-funded institution of further or higher education (e.g University)
- A private education institution that maintains satisfactory records of enrolment
and attendance for students and offers courses which lead to qualification recognized
by appropriate accreditation bodies.
- An independent fee-paying school outside the maintained sector.
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Applicants for UK study visa must intend to follow either:
- A recognized full-time degree course
- A weekday course at a single institution that involves at least 15 hours of organized
daytime study a week.
- A full-time course of study at an independent fee-paying school.
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Students must be able to meet the costs of their course and accommodation and the
maintenance of themselves and any dependents without undertaking full-time employment
or engaging in business or having recourse to public funds. The applicants should
also intend to leave the country at the end of their studies.
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Employment Options:
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Unlike a UK visit visa or travel visa, applicants for study visa are allowed to
take part-time or holiday work but must not engage in the following:
- Work for more than 20 hours a week during term time (except in vacation periods),
unless it is a work placement and part of a study program and the educational institution
agrees.
- Conduct business, be self-employed, or provide services as a professional sports
person or entertainer.
- Work full-time in a permanent job.
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Spouse and Dependent Immigration:
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Spouse immigration is only permitted for married partners and unlike a fiancé visa
or unmarried partner visa, your common-law partner is not allowed to join you. Married
partners will be granted leave to remain for period equal to that granted to the
student. During this time, they must be able to support themselves either independently
or with the help of the applicant. Your spouse will be permitted to work only if
your permit was issued for 12 months or more.
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