Ambler Collins offers an efficient immigration service, providing advice and assistance with your student visa application. We are registered with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) and licensed to provide immigration advice and services.

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Student visas allow overseas nationals to travel to the United Kingdom for the purpose of studying towards gaining a recognised qualification providing they meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules.

Eligibility

In order to come to the UK as a student, you will be required to demonstrate that you have been accepted on a course of study at an organisation which is included on the Register of Education and Training Providers. The Register lists all publicly-funded institutions of further and higher education and private institutions which are accredited by the British Council, the British Accreditation Council for Independent Further and Higher Education (BAC) including other private education institutions that have applied to be on the Register. The course of study must be at either:

• A publicly-funded institution of further or higher education. Such institutions are required to maintain records of enrolment and attendance of all students which can be supplied to the Border and Immigration Agency upon request; or

• A ‘bona fide’ private-education institution; or

• An independent fee-paying school. Such institutions are required to maintain records of enrolment and attendance of all students which can be supplied to the Border and Immigration Agency upon request.

A private-education institution is ‘bona fide’ if its accredited by the British Council, accredited by BAC, ABLS (The Association of British Language Schools) or a member of English UK.

You are also required to demonstrate that you intend following:

• A recognised, full-time degree course; or

• A course which is run during the week that requires an absolute minimum of fifteen hours of organised daytime study per week; or

• A full-time course of study at an independent fee-paying school.

It is essential to the success of your application that the following requirements are also met:

• You intend to leave the United Kingdom at the end of your studies*

• You do not intend to engage in business

• You do not intend to take employment, except for part time work of no more than 20 hours per week during term time

• If you are studying at a private institution providing external qualifications, that you are registered with the qualification awarding body

• You are able to meet the costs of your course and other living expenses in the United Kingdom for yourself and any dependants coming to the UK with you without the requirement for public funds

From 1st September 2007, Entry Clearance as a Student must be obtained prior to travelling to the UK for the purposes of study for all nationalities unless the following applies:

Overseas nationals currently in the United Kingdom with leave to remain as a work permit holder, as a sabbatical officer, as a Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland scheme participant and those here with leave under the Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme (or, the current replacement scheme, the International Graduates Scheme) are allowed to switch into the student category provided they are studying at degree level or above and meet the Immigration Rules.

You may be allowed to switch to another UK immigration employment based category such as a work permit, HSMP or the IGS without leaving the country, upon the successful completion of your course.

Dependants

As a student, your spouse or civil partner and any of your children under the age of 18 can come to the UK with you during your studies.

The requirements which must be met by your spouse or civil partner to enter the United Kingdom in this capacity are:

• They are married to, the civil partner or child of you; and

• For children they are unmarried; and

• They intend to leave the UK at the end of the leave granted (unless you qualify to remain in an employment based category and are remaining with you as outlined above); and

• They do not intend to take employment unless your stay in the UK as student is granted for 12 months or more when employment is permitted on a full time basis for the spouse or civil partner; and

• You and/or your spouse, civil partner or children can be maintained in addition to your own maintenance without the requirement for public funds. This includes suitable accommodation for you both at the same residence.

General

There is no specific duration for the grant of student visas, however, visas for students are usually granted for an initial period of 12 months to establish progress on the course for which you are enrolled.

In some cases, a student visa extension can be applied for by applying for Further Leave to Remain (FLR) where a further period of time is required to complete the qualification or you are applying to study towards another qualification.

If you have permission to remain in the UK as a student with permission to take employment, you may work up to 20 hours a week during term-time and full-time during your holidays. If your permission to remain in the UK as a student extends up to four months after the completion of your studies, you may work full-time during that extra period once your studies are complete. If your permission is longer than four months you must make a new immigration application or leave the UK when you reach the four-month point.

You may do most types of work but must not engage in business, self-employment, provide services as a professional sportsperson or entertainer or pursue a career by taking a permanent full-time job.

Please note that term-time is any period when you should be completing academic work i.e. attending classes, completing coursework, preparing for examinations etc. Your holidays, allowing you to undertake full-time work is the period when you are not required to complete academic work.

Depending on the course you are enrolled, your holiday period may be agreed by your institution.

Contact Ambler Collins should you have further enquiries on Student visa, we will undertake a complimentary assessment of you eligibility email us at; info@amblercollins.com

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