Visa:

Visit the UK Immigration Solicitor or GOV.UK for more information!

For students going to Oxford University

If you are coming from outside the European Economic Area or Switzerland, you need to apply for a VISA prior to entry, unless stated otherwise.

There are 2 types of student VISA:

-       Short-term study visa
Applicable when you visit the UK for a short course of study (less than 6 months)
This type of VISA only allows you to do a short course of study (preparatory courses/ English Language courses) or a short period of research as part of a degree course in the UK. Note that the short-term study VISA is not extendable and you are not allowed to work as well.

Applications for the Short-term study VISA will require you to provide the following documents:

1. Passport or other valid travel identification with minimum of 6 months validity as well as at least 1 page blank, on both sides, for your VISA
2. Proof that you have been offered a place in the respective UK institutions (Letter of acceptance etc.)
3. Proof that you have sufficient money to support yourself (e.g. bank statements or pay slips for the past 6 months)
4. Details where you intend to stay and your travel plans (Note that you should not pay for these until you get your VISA)
5. Tuberculosis (TB) test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test
6. You need to provide the original documents.
7. You also need to provide a certified translation of any documents that aren’t in English or Welsh.

Do visit the Short-term study visa page for more information!

-       General student visa (Tier 4)
Applicable when you are undertaking a course as a student in the UK (more than 6 months). The General Student VISA is extendable and you can obtain more information here!

Applications should be done no earlier than 3 months before course commencement.. Such VISA processing time usually takes about 3 weeks. You can check the VISA processing times for your country here!

The General Student VISA allows you to arrive up to

• 1 week before, if your course lasts 6 months or less
• 1 month before, if your course lasts more than 6 months

As of 2015, students studying in the UK for more than 6 months are required to pay for an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), the cost of which is variable according to the length of study. You will need your IHS reference number in your VISA application.

When you apply, you have to provide the following:

1. Proof of knowledge of the English Language (passing the Secure English Language Test, SELT)
2. Passport or other valid travel identification with minimum of 6 months validity as well as at least 1 blank page (on both sides) for your VISA
3. Proof that you have sufficient money to support yourself (e.g. bank statements and a letter from your bank to show that you have the means to support yourself and pay for your course - the amount varies from person to person, read this document for more information.)
4. Proof of parental or other legal guardian consent if you are 18 years or younger
5. Details where you intend to stay and your travel plans
6. Tuberculosis (TB) test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test

Do visit the General student visa (Tier 4) website for more information!

Various VISA forms can be found here while up-to-date UK VISA fees can be found here!

After you have started your VISA application you will be invited to attend a biometric appointment to give a face scan and fingerprints.

The documents will usually be returned to you within 14 days. Do also keep in mind that for Tier 4 VISA, it is not required for you to have a UK address during visa application. The date you can arrive in the UK will be shown on your VISA under the field “Valid from”.

You must collect your BRP (the full visa) within 10 days of when you said you would arrive (even if you arrive on a later day). You will receive information about this from the UK VISA and Immigration (the Home Office) in your country of application. Collect your BRP promptly so that you can enrol - your college will need to scan both your passport and the BRP.

Do note that nationals of some countries are required to register with the police. You must register with the police within seven days of arrival, usually at the main Police Station in St Aldates if you are living in Oxford. You do not have to make an appointment although you may have to wait a while.

For Outbound Singaporean students:

There is no need to apply for a visa if you will be staying for 6 months or less. Upon arrival at the UK airport, a 6 months VISA will be granted, without cost. However, do note that at the UK Border Control, you will be required to provide the original Official letter of Acceptance.

To apply for a VISA, first submit and print the online form at http://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/singapore/.  You will then be asked to make an appointment with VFS to submit your documents and take your biometrics.

VFS Global

MYP Plaza
135 Cecil Street, #08-01
Singapore 069536

Flying Chalks' tips:

• As many international students will be going for their appointments from June to September, make sure you book ahead of time so that you will be in time for departure.
• Do also note that you can’t travel out of Singapore during the 3 weeks while your VISA is being processed as your passport will be surrendered for processing.
• If your passport containing your VISA expires before your term of study ends, you can simply have both your old and new passports with you at border checks. However, the passport number with your CAS has to be the same as the one with your VISA.