Study English in the UK (Short-term study visa)

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Documents you'll need

When you apply you must provide:

  • a current passport or other valid travel document
  • evidence that you can support yourself during your trip, for example bank statements or payslips for the last 6 months
  • details of where you intend to stay and your travel plans - you should not pay for accommodation or travel until you get your visa
  • evidence that you’ve paid your course fees or have enough money to pay them

You also need to provide:

Documents about your course

You must provide written proof of the course you’re studying. For example, a letter of acceptance from the educational institution stating the course’s name, duration and cost (including accommodation).

You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances, such as evidence of your:

  • permission to be in the country you’re applying from (if you’re not a national)
  • financial sponsor’s occupation, income, savings or funds that will support your studies

If you’re under 18

If you’re under 18 you need to provide additional documents if:

  • you’re travelling on your own
  • you’re travelling with someone who is not your parent or guardian

Travelling on your own

You can travel to the UK without an adult (someone 18 or older).

You must have written consent from both parents (or one parent if they have sole responsibility) or your legal guardian. This must confirm they consent to:

  • your visa application
  • your travel to the UK
  • your living arrangements and care in the UK
  • the plan for when you arrive in the UK

They need to include details about what will happen when you arrive in the UK, for example:

  • how you’ll get to where you’re staying
  • if anyone will meet you when you arrive in the UK or travel with you to where you’re staying - and their name, date of birth and relationship to you

They also need to provide proof that you have somewhere suitable to live during your stay in the UK, including:

  • the name and date of birth of the person that you will be staying with
  • an address where you will be living
  • details of your relationship to the person who’ll be looking after you
  • consent in writing so they can look after you during your stay in the UK

Keep a copy of the written consent with you when you arrive in the UK.

Your parent, guardian or school must tell the relevant local authority about your visit if either of the following are true:

  • you’re under 18 and have a disability
  • you’re going to be looked after for more than 28 days by someone who is not a close relative (called ‘private foster care’)

You should provide a reply from the local authority if you have one.

Travelling with an adult

If you plan to travel to the UK with an adult (someone 18 or older), you need to name them in your visa application.

You can name up to 2 adults in your visa application. If they need a visa to travel to the UK, they will also need to make their own separate visa application.

You need written consent from both parents (or one parent if they have sole responsibility) or your legal guardian if you will:

  • travel to the UK with an adult who is not your parent or legal guardian
  • travel without at least one of the adults identified in your visa application - for example, if a change in circumstances means you have to travel alone or with different adults

The written consent needs to include details of anyone you’re travelling with, for example:

  • the name and date of birth on their passport or travel document
  • details of your relationship to them
  • their passport or travel document details - they could include a photocopy

Your parents or legal guardian can include their own contact details so that they can help if you’re asked extra questions at passport control in the UK.

Keep a copy of the written consent with you when you arrive in the UK. You may still be refused entry if you’re believed to be at risk of harm.

View a printable version of the whole guide

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