UK visas for international students
To study at one of our INTO Centers in the UK, you may need to apply for a Student visa.
Thousands of international students study abroad in the UK with INTO each year, so we’ve got plenty of support on offer when it comes to your visa application. In fact, INTO students have a 99% UK visa success rate.
Secure your visa in 5 simple steps
Your student visa questions, answered
Most international students will need to apply for a visa to study in the UK.
You may not need to apply for a visa if you:
are a non-visa national on a course lasting fewer than 6 months
hold an ‘alternative visa’ or ‘leave to remain’ where there are no time limits on the permissions to stay.
You can check whether you need a visa on the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website.
Once you’ve accepted your offer and received your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number, you can complete your visa application online.
You may need to:
pay the ‘Immigration Health Surcharge’, which will give you access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS)
attend a biometrics appointment, where you'll provide any supporting documents and confirm your identity.
We recommend that you complete your application as soon as possible. Find out more about the Student visa, including how to apply.
We recommend submitting your visa application as early as possible, as the process can be lengthy. You can apply up to 6 months before your course start date, once you've received your CAS.
Your visa application may involve:
a chest x-ray (if you're coming from a country at high risk for tuberculosis)
producing documents that demonstrate your finances and qualifications
attending an interview or a biometrics appointment
Most visa applications take 1–4 weeks on average to be processed, depending on the service you choose. For more information visit the UKVI visa service pages.
For your visa to be approved, you’ll need to prove that you have sufficient funds to support you while you study in the UK. You must also demonstrate that you have enough money to cover the full tuition fee for your course, unless you’ve already paid in advance.
Find out more about the UK Student visa financial requirements.
Along with your CAS, you may need to provide a number of documents, such as:
a current passport or other valid travel documentation with at least 1 page that is blank on both sides (this is where your visa will be printed)
proof that you can support yourself financially and pay for your course
proof of parental or other legal guardian consent if you are under 18
your tuberculosis test results, if applicable.
You may also be required to provide additional documents based on your individual circumstances. Please ensure you check your emails regularly after submitting your application, as failure to submit these documents will cause delays – and could even lead to a refusal.
Yes, you can* – but how much (and when) depends on your study level and term dates.
Students studying courses at below degree level (e.g. International Foundation, International Year One and English language courses) can work up to 10 hours per week during term time.
Students studying courses at degree level or above (e.g. Pre-Master's, iCAS) can work up to 20 hours per week during term time.
All students can work full time outside of term and during the period between their course ending and visa expiration date.
* Excludes students studying on a Visitor visa or an 11 month Short-Term Study Visa.
If you still have any questions, our other expert visa support services include:
informative videos on our YouTube channel
detailed application guidance on our FAQ page
our friendly and knowledgeable team, who are always on hand to help
information about SELT/IELTS English language tests
our dedicated email address for English language test queries: SELT.help@intoglobal.com
