Visas

Here is some information about visas:

There are three types of student visa normally given by Immigration: Student Visitor Visa, Extended Student Visitor Visa, and General Student Visa.

The Student Visitor Visa (SVV) is for short term students who are coming for less than 6 months and then returning home. There are restrictions on this visa: no work is allowed and the student cannot extend or change the visa.

If you are a visa national (if you need a visa before you leave your country) you must apply for this visa at the local British Embassy.

If you don't need a visa before leaving your country, you can apply for this visa when you arrive at Immigration but it is important to have a letter from the school to show that you intend to study.

For this visa you should be able to explain why you want to study English in England rather than in your own country and how it will benefit your life/career. You should be able to show that the benefit is more than the money you are going to spend during your time here. It is helpful if you can show that you have already taken lessons at a school in your own country. You will also need to show that you have enough money to study without working.

It is also helpful if you can show a letter from a school/university or an employer showing that you have to return to your country on a certain date to start your course or job. One of the concerns for the Entry Clearance Officers is that you will not leave England at the end of your language course.

The Extended Student Visitor Visa (ESSV) is for students who are coming for more than 6 months and up to 11 months. The conditions for this visa are the same as for the Student Visitor Visa, except that you must enrol on a course of between 6 and 11 months and you must apply for this visa before leaving your country. You can't arrive at the airport and ask for an Extended Student Visitor Visa.

The General Student Visa (GSV) is for students who are coming for long term study (longer than 6 months and up to 3 years English or 4 years with University courses). These students can extend their visas (within the 4 year time scale). "Six months", in this case, means at least 28 weeks. You must apply for this visa before leaving your country. PLEASE NOTE THAT STANTON SCHOOL HAS RESIGNED ITS UKBA TIER 4 SPONSORSHIP WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 2012 AND SO WE CAN NOT ISSUE YOU WITH THE CONFIRMATION OF ACCEPTANCE FOR STUDIES (CAS) NECESSARY FOR A GENERAL STUDENT VISA APPLICATION.

VERY IMPORTANT

The British Council estimate that you need a minimum of £800 per month (including accommodation) for living expenses. You have to be able to show the ECOs that you have this amount of money available and that it will not put a financial burden on the person / people whose money will pay for your course of study. They will not accept a large amount of money suddenly appearing in a bank account. The account(s) must show regular in and out goings and a good positive balance at all times before they will be satisfied that the money is available