Visitor visa

This visa can be issued to undertake various activities in the UK – tourism and leisure, academic visits, some short-term study, or to receive medical treatment. The activities permitted depend on the reason for which it was issued.

This page focuses on Visitor visas issued for the purpose of studies, meaning you'll be able to:  

• Study a short course no longer than 6 months
• Complete a study-abroad course in the UK as part of an overseas course
• Undertake a short period of research (6 months or less)
• Undertake examination re-sits or retake a module (6 months or less)
• Attend a viva as part of a postgraduate course
• Attend a graduation ceremony

If the length of your course is more than 6 months, you'll need to apply for a Student visa (or a Short-term study visa if you've chosen an English language course of up to 11 months). You can't arrive in the UK on a Visitor visa to study a course that is longer than 6 months in length. You might be refused entry at the border or, if you do enter the UK, you might need to leave the country and apply for the correct visa before being allowed to commence your course.

The total amount of time you can spend in the UK under the Visitor visa is 6 months – your course must be completed within this time.

Requirements and restrictions

Under the Visitor visa, you can't:

• Work or take part in any work placement
• Undertake any business activities
• Extend the visa or switch to another visa while in the UK
• Bring dependants with you
• Use this visa for frequent or successive visits to the UK

You can study more than one course, provided that: 

• Each course meets the visa requirements
• The course is completed within 6 months, before your visa expires
• Your offer letter confirms all courses, including dates
• Additional courses taken after your visa is granted must be completed within 30 days of your initial course completion date 

Visa nationals and non-nationals

You will need a visa or an ETA before you travel to the UK. What you need depends on whether you're from a ‘visa national’ or a ‘non-visa national’ country – you can find out which category your country falls into on the UKVI visa check website or via the visa nationals list.

If your country of nationality is listed on the visa nationals list, you must apply for, and obtain, a visa before travelling to the UK. You'll apply as a visa national.

If your country is not listed on the visa nationals list, you need to get an ETA.

Apply for your visa

Before applying for a Visitor visa, you need to have your course offer letter (also known as an acceptance letter, or visa letter) to hand. How you apply depends on whether you're a visa national or a non-visa national – please follow the advice relevant to you.

1) Apply as a visa national

If you're a visa national, you're required to apply for and obtain the Visitor visa before you travel to the UK:

• Apply using the online visa application form on the UKVI website
• Choose your language and select a country to attend a biometric appointment
• Answer questions about yourself, your course, immigration and finances*
• Pay for your visa application – the current fee is £135

*You must be 100% honest when answering these questions – please also make sure the information matches the details on your offer or visa letter issued by Regent's if applying to start a new course.

Once you submit your application you'll need to attend a biometrics appointment – which gathers your biometric information (fingerprints, facial ID) and verifies your documents.

2) Apply for an ETA

An electronic travel authorisation (ETA) lets you travel to the UK for up to six months. Please note that an ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK. Click here to check if you can apply for an ETA. You do not need to apply for an ETA if you have a valid student visa or other immigration permission that allows you to enter the UK.

Apply using the UK ETA app or online at least three days before travel:

• Scan your passport, take a photo of yourself and answer questions about your address, job, criminal history and other nationalities*
• Pay for your application: £20

*You must be clear and honest when answering these questions.

Once you submit your application, you should get a decision within three working days by email. An ETA will be linked to the passport you applied with, and will be valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner. 

If you've lost your passport or renewed it, you'll need to apply for a new ETA.

If your ETA application is refused, you'll need to apply for a Visitor visa.

Documents required

• Your passport (with one free page for your visa)
• A formal letter confirming your acceptance onto a short course at Regent's
• OR a formal Student Status letter if returning to re-sit an exam or retake a module
• OR a formal invitation to your graduation ceremony
• Details of where you intend to stay, with evidence like a hotel reservation*
• Evidence of your intent to leave afterwards, like booked tickets*
• Evidence that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay**
• Official translations of any documents which are not in English or Welsh

• Tuberculosis test results, if required (depends on your home country)

*Be careful about accommodation and travel payment before you receive your visa, just in case your application is refused.

**We advise a minimum of £1,529 per month for living costs. Evidence includes (over six months of) bank statements and recent payslips – failure to show sufficient funds is one of the most common grounds for visa refusal.

If you have any questions about the application process, contact [email protected].

Receiving your visa

Once your application has been approved, you'll receive a decision letter from the UKVI via email confirming the outcome of your application, describing your visa conditions and stating your visa start and expiry dates. This is usually sent within three weeks of your biometrics appointment.

You must create a UKVI account and get access to your eVisa before you travel to the UK. Instructions on how to do it will be in your decision email.

UK Visas and Immigration have prepared useful videos to help you access and use your eVisa. If you spot any errors on your eVisa, please get in touch.

At the UK border

You must receive your decision letter and have access to your eVisa or an ETA before you travel to the UK.

On arrival, regardless of being a visa national or a non-visa national, please make sure not to use the eGates. Instead, go through the standard Border Control queue. When you speak to the Border Control Officer, make sure to tell them you're coming to the UK to study, resit exams or attend graduation. They’ll need to stamp your passport with the date of your arrival. If they don't, ask them politely to do so, saying you were instructed by your University. If border officers do not stamp your passport, or you use eGates, please ensure to keep your boarding pass to show proof of your date of entry to the country.

You should keep all your documents in your hand luggage, just in case the Border Officer asks to see them.

When can I apply for a Visitor visa?

The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.

How long does it take to obtain a Visitor visa?

If you apply for your visa in advance, UK Visas and Immigration states you should get a decision within 3 weeks of attending your biometrics appointment.

How long is a Visitor visa valid for?

The length of your visa will depend on how you applied for it:

• If you applied in advance of travelling to the UK, and you obtained a visa vignette, it'll be valid for 6 months (dates will be stated on your vignette)
   
• If you have an ETA, you can stay in the UK up to six months from the date you entered.

How much does it cost to apply for a Visitor visa?

The visa application fee is £135 if you apply in advance. An ETA application costs £20.

Can I work on a Visitor visa?

No, you're not permitted to work in the UK. Work is strictly prohibited. This includes any paid, unpaid or voluntary work.

I'm an exchange/study abroad student – do I need a visa? 

Yes. If you're studying for one term (less than 6 months) and you're from a ‘visa national’ country you'll need to apply for a Visitor visa. If you're studying for two terms (more than 6 months) you'll need to apply for a Student visa.

I'm an exchange/study abroad student – can I extend my Visitor visa?

If you arrive for one term on a Visitor visa, and then decide to complete a second term, you won't be able to extend your visa inside the UK. You must return to your country of residence and apply for a Student visa for the second term.

I'm studying on a pre-sessional English course, can I extend my Visitor visa? 

If you complete a pre-sessional English course on a Visitor visa, you must return to your home country and apply for a Student visa before you continue to your degree course. 

There's an option to request a single Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) to cover the pre-sessional English course that allows you to apply for your new Student visa to study the degree course from within the UK. However, you must ensure that you fulfil the Student visa requirements if you want to use this option.

Can I apply for my visa at the border?

You must have a visa or an ETA before you travel to the UK.

Do I need a CAS to apply for a Visitor visa?

No, you don't need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) for a Visitor visa. But, you should keep your course acceptance letter to hand in case you're asked.

How much money do I need to show sufficient maintenance?

We recommend each student hold at least £1,529 for each month of their visit at the time of application.

If you have any further questions, contact us at [email protected]