Will I need a student visa in order to study English in the U.K.?

If you have a visitor's visa you can study for short periods, but for longer periods you will need a student visa, unless you are a national of an EU country (European Union).

Can I get a visa on arrival?

It depends on your nationality. Check the visa national list. If your country is on the list you will need to obtain a student visa before coming to the U.K.

Click here to see a list of visa nationals who need to apply for a visa in their own country before coming to the U.K

What do I need to do to apply for a visa?

You will need to go to your nearest British Consulate in your country if you are a visa national, or otherwise show an immigration officer at your point of entry that:

1. You have been accepted at a bona fide language school or college. Normally you will receive a letter of registration from the school you choose to attend, which will state how long the course is that you have registered for, times of study and fees paid. Remember that you will need to study a minimum of 15 hours of organised daytime study.

2. You have enough money to meet the cost of your course and to support yourself during your studies.

3. You intend to leave the U.K. at the end of your studies.

Tips: Schools in the U.K. are not all well regulated, so beware of exceptionally cheap schools which perhaps do not have a good reputation, although there are many good independent schools, quality can be assured if you choose a school which is a member of the Association of British Language Schools.

Do I need to go to the Home Office in person?

No, you can choose to make your application by post, in which case make sure you send it either by recorded delivery or registered post and keep photocopies of all documents including your passport.

Home Office
Immigration & Nationality Directorate
Whitgift Center
Wellesley Rd
CROYDON CR9 1AT

What can I do if I want to travel abroad during the period my passport is at the Home Office?

The simple answer is you can't travel, unless you have an emergency in which case you would have to collect your passport and your application would be withdrawn.

How do I get to The Home Office in Croydon?

You can go by mainline train from Victoria station to East Croydon Station.