Obtaining a UK student visa is not as easy as it may first appear. We understand that the current UK lockdown may be making things difficult for you to apply for a visa in general, but Gowing Law’s expert immigration solicitors are here to help you! It’s important to understand what type of visa would best suit your needs, as well as a general time frame around how long it will take to be eligible for a visa. There are many different tiers of student visas, that’s why it’s essential that you get some legal help to pick out the best visa for you.
Gowing Law’s team can help you understand what sort of UK student visa you need. All you need to do is get in contact with us to get started! Call us today on 0800 041 8350 or use the button below to visit our immigration webpage:
What sort of visas could I be eligible for?
Before we jump into more information about your eligibility for a UK student visa, one of the things we want to bring up are the different types of visas in general. Whilst your thoughts may be on coming over solely for academic study, there may be others types of visas that could get you temporary access to the UK. Of course, if you want to stay for a longer period of time then you will have to find out more information about the indefinite leave to remain, aka. a settlement status. However, if you only need to be in the UK for a certain amount of time, you may want to consider one of the following Visa types:
As you can see, there are many different types of visas that you can choose from in order to remain in the UK. Each of these visa categories have subsets that will change how long you could stay in the UK for. Additional conditions for your visa may depend on:
- Why you’re interested in living in/coming to the UK
- The country you were born in
- Your skill-set
- How long you want to stay in the UK for
Make sure to speak to your solicitor before you decide specifically on the type of visa you will apply for. They can give you advice based on your situation. That way you can make the right choice for you, and any family that could be involved in process.
Applying for a UK student visa: The Tier System
If you are going to apply for a UK student visa, it’s important to understand that there are different types of student visas that could be eligible for. The type of visa you select will depend on the length of time you want to spend in the UK and your own qualifications. It’s very likely that you will also need a conditional offer from a course sponsor (i.e. a university, college or specialist course provider). The tier system is based on point-scoring categorisation. The level you receive depends on your age, fluency of language and your skill set. It may also include why you are visiting the UK. For a UK student visa, it is very likely that you will fall under Tier 4.
If you feel a little unsure about which tier would best suit you, speak to your solicitor for more information about each of them. They can help you sort our your eligibility and what additional qualifications you may need to have a successful application.
Tier Four: UK Student Visa
If you are interested in studying in the UK at a university or college level, there are a few categories that you must tick in order to move forward. These are:
- Have a Tier 4 sponsor give you a conditional offer for a course in the UK
- Be over the age of 16
- Be able to read, write and speak English at a specific level (Or take a test to prove your ability)
- Have the right amount of money to pay for your course and to support yourself whilst you are in the UK
There are additional options available to you if you need extra support whilst you are studying in the UK. If you are worried that you won’t fulfil all of the necessary criteria, talk to your solicitor about how you can change this. It may just be that you need some advice. This may include the best ways to improve your language skills or how you can get financial support for your time during the UK. Just remember that if you do not fulfil all of the criteria, it is likely that it may take longer for you to secure your visa.
Tier 4: Student Visas for Children
If you have children that are under the age of 18, you may be considering whether or not your family could qualify for study outside of a university. Instead, you may want them to attend a school in the UK. This is possible but your children will need to apply for a different type of study visa. They must also:
- Be accepted into a school or scholarly establishment that has a Tier 4 sponsor license
- Be between 4-17 years old
As parents, you must prove that you have enough funds to support your children whilst they are in the UK. Keep in mind that if you are intending to have your children looked after by a UK carer, you will need to pay around £560 per month for caring costs. If you intend to be with your child in the UK, and they are under the age of 12, then you will need to prove that you will be able to fund around £1535 a month for every month you intend to stay in the UK.
If you have any concerns about how you can help your children obtain a UK student visa, your solicitor will be there to give you personalized advice. That way you can figure out what is best for you and your family.
Speak to Gowing Law Solicitors today about a UK student visa!
If you are ready to get started with the visa process, our immigration specialists will be here to help. Our solicitors can offer you free advice and consultations to get you started. If you are happy to move forward with our solicitors on your case, we can support you on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means there will be no hidden fees. Instead, you will always come out on top.
Contact our solicitors today to get started! Call us on 0161 8080 060, email info@gowinglaw.co.uk or use our claims checker. One of our friendly team members will then be in contact to answer any additional questions you may have. We are here to provide as much support as you need!
Learn more about UK student visas
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