Visas & immigration

Many of you will need to apply for a student visa to come and study at the University of Nottingham. The rules are as follows:

If you are an international (non EEA) student coming to the UK to study for longer than 6 months you must apply for a student visa via your local British Embassy/High Commission before travelling to the UK.

If you are an international (non EEA) student from a visa national country (see UKVisas for an up to date list) coming to the UK to study for less than 6 months you must apply for a student visa via your local British Embassy/High Commission before travelling to the UK. However, you could, if you prefer, make a student visitor visa application on arrival at a UK airport. A student visitor visa can only be granted for a maximum of 6 months, cannot be extended and does not include permission to work.

If you are a national of the European Economic Area (EEA - including all EU countries plus Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway) or Switzerland then you do not need any form of entry clearance to come to the UK. However, you will need either your passport or national identity card to enter the UK. Your dependants (spouse and children) are entitled to accompany or join you here. However, if your dependants are not themselves EEA or Swiss nationals, they must obtain an ‘EEA Family Permit’ (free of charge) from the nearest British Embassy before they travel.

Applications for entry clearance (a student visa) should be made at your nearest British Embassy or High Commission. Different Embassies/High Commissions have slightly different requirements and processes and it is important that you check with your local visa issuing post to enquire about those relevant to you. Applications can usually be made up to three months in advance providing that you have all of the necessary paperwork. Valid visa applications are normally processed withon 15 working days. However, most posts are extremely busy over summer and we recommend that, wherever possible, you apply at least two months before your course is due to start.

Some posts require applicants to supply biometric data (fingerprint scans and a digital photograph) when applying for a UK visa. Again, your local British Embassy/High Commission will be able to advise you on this.

When you apply for a student visa you will require the following documents:

• Application form – VAF3
• Application fee of £99 in local currency
• Unconditional offer letter from the University of Nottingham
• ATAS certificate if applicable (see www.fco.gov.uk/atas)
• Evidence of funding to cover tuition fees and living costs (eg, evidence of a scholarship or a letter and bank statements from your family). If you have paid any deposits in advance to the University you should include evidence of this
• Evidence of previous qualifications and proof that you have met any conditions attached to your offer (eg, English language requirements)
• Evidence of term-time accommodation (if available). If your family is coming with you to the UK, you will need to show that adequate accommodation arrangements have been made for them
• TB test certificate if applicable (see below)

Nationals of some countries are required to undergo an examination specifically for Infectious Tuberculosis (TB) before applying for a student visa. The test costs approximately £30 and must be conducted at a clinic accredited by the Embassy. Please check with your nearest British Embassy/High Commission to see if this requirement affects you, what the local procedure is, and how long it will take.