Student Visa for the UK
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England awaits! You'll be confidently riding double-decker buses across London or biking the winding streets of Oxford like a local soon. But before you say cheerio to your friends and family, let’s make sure you can enter the UK with the proper documentation.
While this may be the first time you apply for a student visa, this isn't our first cup of tea. Every year our team of visa specialists support each of our students studying abroad in England to have the proper documents to enter the country. Let's get started!
The UK government, not IES Abroad, determines UK visa processes and requirements. While our team of visa specialists regularly updates this page, the most up-to-date and official information can be found on the UK government website. This page was last updated August 30, 2019.
What is a UK Student Visa?
A student visa for the UK is a legal document adhered to an inside page of your passport that you must have before entering the country. The visa serves as an approval from the UK government to remain in the country for the duration of your program.
There are two types of UK student visas: a Tier 4 student visa and a short-term study visa. Some students will not be required to obtain a visa before arriving and will receive a short-term student stamp.
Full-time interns will need a BUNAC sponsorship and Tier 5 visa.
How to Apply for a Tier 4 Visa for the UK
Once you are accepted to your IES Abroad program, you will find detailed step-by-step instructions to apply for a UK Tier 4 visa in your myIESabroad account. For now, read below to get an idea of what the Tier 4 visa application process will look like as a U.S. citizen.
If you are a non-U.S. citizen, refer to the UK goverment website to determine whether your need a visa and what the application process will look like for you. Contact your IES Abroad Advisor with further questions.
HOW
We will send you a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number to verify your enrollment. Then, you will complete the Tier 4 visa application, submit biometric data, and mail your application to the British visa processing center in New York.
WHEN
You cannot apply for your visa until 90 days before your program starts per British consulate requirements. We recommend submitting the online Tier 4 visa application at least six weeks before your program start date, and mailing everything in four weeks before you leave.
COST
The UK Tier 4 visa fee for U.S. citizens is approximately $460, but this price changes regularly depending on the current conversion rate. The visa fee is determined by the consulate and paid directly to the consulate. There is an additional fee if you choose to expedite your visa.
How to Apply for BUNAC Sponsorship & Tier 5 Visa for the UK
Once you are accepted to your IES Internships program, you will find detailed step-by-step instructions to apply for a BUNAC Sponsorship and UK Tier 5 visa in your myIESabroad account. For now, read below to get an idea of what the BUNAC and Tier 5 visa application process will look like.
If you are a non-U.S. citizen, this process may look slightly different. Contact your IES Internships Advisor with further questions.
HOW
First you will submit your application to BUNAC, which is authorized by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor student interns. Once BUNAC has received the proper documents from yourself and IES Internships, you will receive your Certificate of Sponsorship.
Then, you will complete the Tier 5 visa application, submit biometric data, and mail your application to the British visa processing center in New York.
WHEN
The BUNAC sponsorship and Tier 5 visa applications are lengthy processes that could take 2-3 months.
Carefully read through the detailed instructions in your myIESabroad account to understand the timeline for applying.
We recommend you purchase a flexible ticket for your flight to London as many students have faced unforeseen delays in receiving their visa from British visa processing centers.
COST
The BUNAC sponsorship fee costs $775 and will be processed in 10-20 days. You can pay for priority processing for an additional $200 fee and receive your Certificate of Sponsorship within 5 business days.
The Tier 5 visa fee changes depending on the current conversion rate and is typically about $300. We recommend you pay for priority processing, which costs an additional $250. With priority processing, you will receive your visa in about 10 business days compared to the standard 3-6 weeks.
Our team of visa specialists are here to help. Step-by-step instructions to ensure you have the proper visa and/or entry documents to study abroad are available in your myIESabroad account once you are accepted to a program.
