This guide below summarizes the visa regulations in the United Kingdom. Please note that this information is intended as a guide only. As visa rules and regulations are often subject to change, Open Abroad cannot be held responsible for any mistakes or inaccuracies. We would advise you to visit the embassies’ websites or local visa application posts for the most up-to-date information.
>> UK visa regulations (for students studying less than 11 months)
This section outlines the steps that all prospective students must follow in order to successfully enter into the UK to begin their studies.
Student Visitor Visa: Up to 11 months
There are two categories of Student Visitors:
- Adult Student Visitor:for adults ages 18 and older who want to study for up to 6 months
- Child Student Visitor:for children under 18 who want to study in the UK for up to 6 months
If a student has a visitor visa, he/she will not be able to switch and apply for a General Student Visa while he/she is in the United Kingdom as a student visitor. If the student wants to apply for a General Student Visa, he/she must apply from the country you live in.
*Not sure if the student needs a visa to study in the UK?
View a list of nationalities that need a visa to enter the UK
Please note that this information is intended as a guide only. As visa rules and regulations are often subject to change, Open Abroad cannot be held responsible for any mistakes or inaccuracies. We would advise you to visit the UK Border Agency website or local visa application post for the most up-to-date information.
>> UK visa regulations (for students studying for more than 11 months)
This section outlines the steps for all prospective students who need to apply for a Tier 4 General Student Visa (GSV) in order to successfully enter the UK to begin their studies. Students studying in the UK for more than 6 months must apply for a Tier 4 General Student Visa. If the student is studying in the UK for less than 6 months, he/she must apply for a different visa class called the Student Visitor Visa.
There are two student categories in Tier 4 of the points-based system:
- General Student: for adults ages 16 and older who want to study for more than 6 months
- Child Student: for children from 4 to 15 years old who want to study for more than 6 months
If a student has a visitor visa, he/she will not be able to switch and apply for a General Student Visa while he/she is in the United Kingdom as a student visitor. If the student wants to apply for a General Student Visa, he/she must apply from the country you live in.
*Not sure if the student needs a visa to study in the UK?
View a list of nationalities that need a visa to enter the UK
Please note that this information is intended as a guide only. As visa rules and regulations are often subject to change, Open Abroad cannot be held responsible for any mistakes or inaccuracies. We would advise you to visit the UK Border Agency website or local visa application post for the most up-to-date information.
Step 1: Agent sends required materials to Open Abroad
Once the student has registered online, the following application materials must be emailed to [email protected] or faxed to Open Abroad at +1 (617) 849-5554.
• Copy of student passport: Please note, the passport must be valid 6 months after the course end date.
• Proof of payment: If you are paying by bank transfer, please send us a copy of your bank transfer receipt. If you are paying by credit card, we need to wait for a credit card authorization before proceeding to the next step.
• Proof of current English level (only for students studying for more than 6 months and applying for a Tier 4 student visa): The minimum level is set at Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) Level B2. What proof needs to be shown?
Step 2: Student obtains a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number
Once all items above are submitted to Open Abroad, and it is confirmed that the student is eligible for CAS enrollment; the language school will assign a CAS to the student. This confirms that the student has been given an unconditional offer of a place on a course of study with a licensed Tier 4 sponsor. All schools in the Open Abroad network are licensed Tier 4 sponsors. If the student has a valid CAS, he/she gets 30 points in the UK points assessment system. Students must meet the full requirements of the Immigration Rules and have 40 points in total. A student cannot make his/her Tier 4 application more than three months before the start of his/her course.
Step 3: Student gathers documents to prove the money requirement
When assigning the CAS, the Tier 4 sponsor can include details of any money that the student has already paid. If the CAS includes details of money paid to the Tier 4 sponsor, the student does not need to provide any further documents to show that he/she has paid this money. If the has paid any money to cover the course and accommodation fees, but the CAS does not indicate that this has been paid, or if you are not eligible for a CAS, you must include evidence of payment in your application. You must send an original paper receipt issued by Open Abroad confirming that you have paid all of your fees; or the amount you have paid. The student gets 10 points in the UK points assessment system for showing that you can cover your course fees and living costs. Students must meet the full requirements of the Immigration Rules and have 40 points in total.
Is the student a government sponsored student?
Proof of scholarship
Step 4: Student completes the application form
For Tier 4 Student Visas:
Download the application form and supporting requirement documents for the Tier 4 Student Visa
Find out about the visa fees for a Tier 4 Student Visa
Step 5: Student applies for a visa at the UK Embassy/Consulate
Once the student receives the CAS, the student will have to visit the UK Embassy/Consulate to obtain the Tier 4 Student Visa. Find out the nearest visa issuing post to you.
The student has to send the application form(s), visa fee, and supporting evidence to the UK Embassy/Consulate. He/she also has to arrange to enroll biometric information (fingerprints and photograph), which is usually done at the UK Embassy/Consulate, in order to receive an identity card for foreign nationals. Your identity card is proof of permission to stay in the UK and shows any conditions that must be met while you are in the UK. The card enables the student to confirm his/her identity and the rights he/she has to study or work in the UK, and to access public services. Learn more about biometrics and UK identity cards.
For more specific information regarding the appropriate documentation and procedures required for visa issuance, please contact the Embassy/ Consulate directly, as regulations vary per country. Please note, issuance of the visa is not guaranteed, even when a CAS has been issued through Open Abroad. Approval to issue the visa is made solely by the UK government at the Embassy/Consulate.
Step 6: Student begins study in the UK
The student must report to the center that issued the CAS on or before the course start date and present the identity card. A failure to report on the start date can result in termination of the student’s CAS record, thereby placing the student out of legal status.
>> Additional UK visa information
Below we outline more information about how to obtain a visa to study in the UK. Tier 4 is the visa class that you need to apply if you intend to study in the UK for more than 11 months. If you have questions that this document does not answer, please visit the UK Border Agency website.
Is the student responsible for obtaining a UK visa in order to study at a language school in the UK?
Yes. While the agent and Open Abroad can advise on and support the application process, the student must make the application and provide all required documentation.
Part 1: Obtaining Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
- What is a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)?
- What is needed in order to obtain a CAS?
- What type of document can be used to prove the English level?
- What is the application deadline?
- Why is a CAS important?
- For how long will my CAS be valid?
A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is a virtual document required for obtaining a UK Tier 4 General Student Visa (GSV). Since February 22, 2010, visa letters are no longer valid. The UK has started using an electronic system. This electronic system will use a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies. The CAS is not an actual certificate or paper document but is a virtual document similar to a database record. Each Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies has a unique reference number and contains information about the course of study for which it has been issued and the student’s personal details.
The student needs to send a copy of his/her passport, a complete online registration or paper application form, full payment of the program in order to obtain a CAS, and proof of the English level. It costs £10 to issue a CAS.
The minimum level is set at Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) Level B2. Students who can produce a recognized exam result such as TOEFL, IELTS, or Cambridge Exam will not be required to submit extra information. Students who cannot prove their level are advised to take a recognized exam. View a list of exams that are recognized by the UK Border Agency
All English language schools in the UK have rolling admissions, which means there are no specific deadlines. However, you should allow at least 2 weeks for Open Abroad and the school to process your application and to issue your CAS. The process may take longer if you originally submit an incomplete application. Once the student receives the CAS he/she should allow 2 months to receive the visa.
The CAS, also called a “Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies", confirms that the student has been given an official and unconditional offer of a place on a course of study with a language school that is a licensed Tier 4 sponsor. All schools in the Open Abroad network are licensed Tier 4 sponsors. If the student has a valid CAS, he/she gets 30 points in the UK points assessment system. Students must meet the full requirements of the Immigration Rules and have 40 points in total.
Your CAS will expire if it is not used for a leave application within 6 months of it being issued. If a student makes an application using a CAS that has expired, the application will be refused. The student must get a new CAS from the school.
Part 2: Obtaining a visa
- What is a Tier 4 student visa?
- Does Open Abroad issue visas?
- How do I get a visa?
- Which Embassy does the student have to visit?
- What documents must I present to get a visa?
- How long does it take to get a visa?
- For how long will the visa be valid?
- Can Open Abroad help to complete the government’s application for a visa?
- What is the likelihood that my visa application will be approved?
- What happens if the student is denied a visa?
- Will I get a refund if my visa is denied?
- Does Open Abroad require details of my financial circumstances to support my application?
- Can the student submit multiple bank statements if I do not have enough funds in one account?
- Is a bank statement needed even if the student has paid?
- How much money has to be shown on the bank statement?
- How can I show evidence of money of I am a government sponsored student?
- The student’s name
- The official financial sponsor’s name and contact details;
- The date of the letter;
- The length of the sponsorship; and
- The amount of money that the official financial sponsor is giving to the student, or a statement that it will cover all of the course fees and living costs.
- Can the student enter the UK after the start date of the course?
- When does the student have to start his/her studies?
- He/she CAS will be terminated.
- He/she will no longer be eligible to study at the school.
- He/she will not be eligible for a refund.
- He/she will be required to leave the UK immediately after termination of your CAS.
A Tier 4 student visa is an immigration document that permits a foreign citizen to come to the UK to study full-time for a temporary period of time.
No. All visas are issued by the UK Border Agency at a UK Embassy/Consulate abroad.
The student must first be enrolled through Open Abroad. If eligible for admission, Open Abroad will facilitate the issuance of a CAS in cooperation with the agent. Upon receipt of the CAS, the student will then need to visit the UK Embassy/Consulate in his/her home country to obtain a visa.
In general, the student is expected to visit the UK Embassy/Consulate in the country for which the student holds citizenship (i.e. the country that issued your passport). If the country does not have a UK Embassy/Consulate or if the student is currently located in a different country to the one that issues his/her passport, he/she should contact the closest UK Embassy to see if they can accept his/her visa application. Find out the nearest visa issuing post to you.
Download the application form and supporting requirement documents for the Tier 4 Student Visa
The average wait time varies from country to country. Once the student receives his/her CAS he/she should allow at least 2 months to receive his/her visa.
Open Abroad does not issue your visa and therefore cannot confirm for how long it will be valid. Instead, you should confirm this information with your local UK Embassy/Consulate.
No. Students are solely responsible for completing all government documents.
Open Abroad does not issue visas and therefore cannot confirm the likelihood of approval. However, you should note that visa issuance is not guaranteed.
The student should ask the Consular Officer the reason for denial before he/she leaves the Embassy. He/she has the right to request the denial in writing as well. If the reason for denial was caused by a mistake on the CAS, the school can revise the CAS and write a support letter to help get the visa during a second interview. If no reason or a different reason is stated, Open Abroad or the school will likely be unable to be of further assistance. In most cases, the government’s decision is final and there is little Open Abroad or the school can do to change their decision.
You will be refunded in full minus the courier fee, applicati on fee, bank fee, health insurance fee, and any currency exchange differences. You must provide the letter of visa denial from the Embassy. Please review our refund policy for more details.
Other requirements: Evidence of money
Yes. Most schools require a bank statement/letter showing that the student and/or his/her sponsor have enough funds to cover the cost of study and living expenses. In addition, it must show that all funds are readily available without penalty for withdrawal. For this reason, statements from current and/or savings accounts are best. Income statements, property deeds and other similar forms of investments are typically not acceptable.
Yes. The student can show funds through multiple accounts and/or multiple sponsors, if necessary.
Depending on the school, if the amount paid to Open Abroad is equal to or greater than the cost of study as indicated on your CAS, the student may not be required to submit a bank statement/letter. If the amount paid is less than the cost of study, the student will be required to submit a bank statement.
It is the cost of study (tuition, fees, accommodation) plus at least £800 a month to cover living expenses in central London or £600 per month outside of central London. Please note, all students are required to pay in full before the start date.
If the government is providing any official financial sponsorship, the CAS can include details of this sponsorship. The student does not need to provide any documents as evidence of this official financial sponsorship. If the CAS does not contain this information, the student must provide a letter of confirmation from the official financial sponsor. The letter must be on the organization’s official letter-headed paper or stationery, and must bear the organization’s official stamp. It must show:
Part 3: Entry into the UK
If the student travels to the UK after the start date, he/she will probably face problems at the Border, since it will appear as if he/she failed to meet the requirement of reporting to the school that sponsored the visa by the start date. To prevent problems at the Border, the student should contact the agent and ask that the start date is postponed, if he/she is unable to arrive before this date.
The student is required to arrive at the school and begin full-time studies on or before the start date indicated on his/her CAS. If he/she does not meet this requirement, the CAS may be terminated, he/she will fall out of legal status and will have to leave the UK immediately. If the student is outside the UK and unable to travel to the UK before the start date, contact the school and Open Abroad right away.
>> Visa terms questions
How soon can the student start his/her course?
If the student is applying for a visa he/she has to allow 2 months before the desired start date of the course in the UK to ensure that the visa is in place and the accommodation can be arranged.
What are the study requirements at the school?
As a Tier 4 student, the student will be required to study at the school that issued your CAS for at least 15 hours per week. The student will learn more about the school’s attendance requirements on the first day of class.
What happens if the student does not meet the school’s full-time study requirements?
If the student does not meet the school’s full-time study requirements, he/she risks falling out of legal status with the following consequences:
Can the student work during his/her studies at Open Abroad?
As a holder of a Tier 4 General Student Visa (GSV), the student is allowed to work no more than 10 hours per week. However, as a student visitor, he/she is not allowed to work while studying in the UK. If he/she has a student visitor visa, he/she will not be able to switch and apply for a General Student Visa while he/she is in the United Kingdom as a student visitor. If the student wants to apply for a General Student Visa, he/she must apply from the country the student lives in.ves in.