To apply under this visa category, you need to be applying under one of these:

• Visiting the UK for tourism
• Visit on certain business activities
• Visit to study
• Visit as an academic
• Visit for medical reasons.

To enter the UK under a visitor visa, English evidence is not required.

Visa period will vary but as a guide, the following applies:

• Standard 6 months, 2, 5 and 10 years.
• Business up to 6 months
• Study up to 6 months
• Study up to 6 months extension for PLAB
• Academic up to 6 months 
• Academic up to 12 months (visa required regardless of nationality.

Extending a visitor visa is generally not permitted, you must depart the UK and apply to enter again but below confirms who can apply within the UK:

• Academic visas are permitted to extend whilst in the UK to a maximum of 12 months stay.
• If the visit visa was issued under 6 months and you need to extend up to 6 months.
• If you are receiving treatment, you can extend your visit visa.
• A graduate retaking the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test or doing a clinical attachment.

To learn more click here.

You are not permitted to switch to a visit visa, you must depart the UK and apply to enter the UK.

Overseas nationals from certain countries do not need a visa to enter the UK the UK under the visitor rules (Appendix V).

To find out if you need a visa click here and tosee the fcull list click here.

Below are the areas where immigration rules apply to this visa type. You have:

• Entry requirements for Visitors
• Validity requirements for entry clearance or permission to stay as a Visitor
• Suitability requirements for all Visitors
• Eligibility requirements for Visitors
• Genuine visitor requirement
• Prohibited activities and payment requirements for Visitors
• Additional eligibility requirements for children
• Additional eligibility requirement for Visitors under the Approved Destination Status Agreement
• Additional eligibility requirements for Visitors coming to the UK to receive private medical treatment
• Additional eligibility requirements for Visitors coming to the UK to donate an organ
• Additional eligibility requirements for Visitors coming to the UK to study for up to six months
• Additional eligibility requirements for academics seeking to come to the UK for more than 6 months
• Additional eligibility requirements for Visitors coming to the UK for work related training
• Additional eligibility requirement for Visitors coming to the UK for purpose of marriage or civil partnership
• Additional eligibility requirement for Visitors coming to the UK for Permitted Paid Engagements
• Eligibility requirement for Visitors coming to the UK to transit
• Additional eligibility requirements for permission to stay as a Visitor
• Period and conditions of grant for Visitors

To explore these rules click here.

To read the generic guidance for short-term visas click here.

To read the casworker visa guidance click here.

To apply under this visa category, you can:

• Visit the UK for up to 1 month to do a paid engagement or event if you:
• Obtain a written invitation from a UK-based organisation or client.
• Demonstrate you are an expert in your profession.

Professional artists, entertainers or musicians

You can be paid to do an activity that relates directly to your profession that includes:

• Performing.
• Talking about, presenting or launching your work to other professionals or the public
• Giving lectures.
• Joining judging panels or debate panels.
• Taking part in professional conferences.

To learn more about this visa route click here.

To enter the UK under a visitor visa, English evidence is not required.

Extending a visitor visa is not permitted.

Switching into this visa route is not permitted.

Yes and no, you do need a visit visa if you not on the exempt list and if you do need a visa, you must attend an appointment at a visa application centre.

Below are the areas where immigration rules apply to this visa type. You have:

• Entry requirements for Visitors
• Validity requirements for entry clearance or permission to stay as a Visitor
• Suitability requirements for all Visitors
• Eligibility requirements for Visitors
• Genuine visitor requirement
• Prohibited activities and payment requirements for Visitors
• Additional eligibility requirements for children
• Additional eligibility requirement for Visitors under the Approved Destination Status Agreement
• Additional eligibility requirements for Visitors coming to the UK to receive private medical treatment
• Additional eligibility requirements for Visitors coming to the UK to donate an organ
• Additional eligibility requirements for Visitors coming to the UK to study for up to six months
• Additional eligibility requirements for academics seeking to come to the UK for more than 6 months
• Additional eligibility requirements for Visitors coming to the UK for work related training
• Additional eligibility requirement for Visitors coming to the UK for purpose of marriage or civil partnership
• Additional eligibility requirement for Visitors coming to the UK for Permitted Paid Engagements
• Eligibility requirement for Visitors coming to the UK to transit
• Additional eligibility requirements for permission to stay as a Visitor
• Period and conditions of grant for Visitors

To explore these rules click here.

To read the generic guidance for short-term visas click here.

To read the casworker visa guidance click here.

We have two areas to consider, which one do you fall under?

• If you are not going through border control (Direct Airside Transit visa) or
• If you are going through border control (Visitor in Transit visa).

If you're not going through border control (Direct Airside Transit visa)

• You might need a Direct Airside Transit visa if you:
• will be changing flights in the UK on your way to another country.
• will not go through UK border control.

If you're going through border control (Visitor in Transit visa)

• You might need a Visitor in Transit visa if you are:
• changing flights in the UK on your way to another country.
• going through UK border control, for example to check in your luggage for a connecting flight.
• leaving the UK within 48 hours.
• not working or studying while in the UK.

To learn more about this visa route click here.

To enter the UK English evidence is not required.

Below are the areas where immigration rules apply to this visa type. You have:

• Entry requirements for Visitors
• Validity requirements for entry clearance or permission to stay as a Visitor
• Suitability requirements for all Visitors
• Eligibility requirements for Visitors
• Genuine visitor requirement
• Prohibited activities and payment requirements for Visitors
• Additional eligibility requirements for children
• Additional eligibility requirement for Visitors under the Approved Destination Status Agreement
• Additional eligibility requirements for Visitors coming to the UK to receive private medical treatment
• Additional eligibility requirements for Visitors coming to the UK to donate an organ
• Additional eligibility requirements for Visitors coming to the UK to study for up to six months
• Additional eligibility requirements for academics seeking to come to the UK for more than 6 months
• Additional eligibility requirements for Visitors coming to the UK for work related training
• Additional eligibility requirement for Visitors coming to the UK for purpose of marriage or civil partnership
• Additional eligibility requirement for Visitors coming to the UK for Permitted Paid Engagements
• Eligibility requirement for Visitors coming to the UK to transit
• Additional eligibility requirements for permission to stay as a Visitor
• Period and conditions of grant for Visitors

To explore these rules click here.

To read the generic guidance for short-term visas click here.

To read the casworker visa guidance click here.

To apply under this visa category, you can:

• Visit the UK for up to 1 month to do a paid engagement or event if you:
• Obtain a written invitation from a UK-based organisation or client.
• Demonstrate you are an expert in your profession.

Professional artists, entertainers or musicians

You can be paid to do an activity that relates directly to your profession that includes:

• Performing.
• Talking about, presenting or launching your work to other professionals or the public
• Giving lectures.
• Joining judging panels or debate panels.
• Taking part in professional conferences.

To learn more about this visa route click here.

To enter the UK under a visitor visa, English evidence is not required.

Extending a visitor visa is not permitted.

Switching into this visa route is not permitted.

Yes and no, you do need a visit visa if you not on the exempt list and if you do need a visa, you must attend an appointment at a visa application centre.

Below are the areas where immigration rules apply to this visa type. You have:

• Entry requirements for Visitors
• Validity requirements for entry clearance or permission to stay as a Visitor
• Suitability requirements for all Visitors
• Eligibility requirements for Visitors
• Genuine visitor requirement
• Prohibited activities and payment requirements for Visitors
• Additional eligibility requirements for children
• Additional eligibility requirement for Visitors under the Approved Destination Status Agreement
• Additional eligibility requirements for Visitors coming to the UK to receive private medical treatment
• Additional eligibility requirements for Visitors coming to the UK to donate an organ
• Additional eligibility requirements for Visitors coming to the UK to study for up to six months
• Additional eligibility requirements for academics seeking to come to the UK for more than 6 months
• Additional eligibility requirements for Visitors coming to the UK for work related training
• Additional eligibility requirement for Visitors coming to the UK for purpose of marriage or civil partnership
• Additional eligibility requirement for Visitors coming to the UK for Permitted Paid Engagements
• Eligibility requirement for Visitors coming to the UK to transit
• Additional eligibility requirements for permission to stay as a Visitor
• Period and conditions of grant for Visitors

To explore these rules click here.

To read the generic guidance for short-term visas click here.

To read the casworker visa guidance click here.

To apply under this visa route, you need to apply under one of these:

• Visiting the UK for tourism
• Visit on certain business activities
• Visit to study
• Visit as an academic
• Visit for medical reasons

To learn more about this visa route click here.

You can meet the English requirements in the following ways:

• Passport holder from Antigua and Barbuda | Australia | the Bahamas | Barbados | Belize | the British overseas territories | Canada | Dominica | Grenada | Guyana | Jamaica | Malta | New Zealand | St Kitts and Nevis | St Lucia | St Vincent and the Grenadines | Trinidad and Tobago or USA, or
• Provide an A1 English certificate that is on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale to enter or switch into this visa route or
• You can prove your knowledge of English if you have a degree or academic qualification that was taught or researched in English.
• UK university or college qualification - you only need your degree certificate.
• Degree taught overseas, you will need an Ecctis report formerly known as UK Naric, or
• If you are outside of the UK - English test from either IELTS SELT | Consortium | LanguageCert | Pearson | PSI Services (UK) Ltd, or
• If you are in the UK - English test from either IELTS SELT Consortium | LanguageCert | Pearson | Trinity College London.

Booking an English test

If yuo need to book an English test, you need to understand the rules and potential opportunity to save some money.

When creating an online account ensure you book the right test:

• Pearson: ‘PTE Academic UKVI’ or ‘PTE Home’
• PSI Services: ‘Skills for English UKVI’
• Trinity College London: ‘Secure English Language Tests for UKVI’ – Integrated Skills in English (ISE) or Graded Examinations in Spoken English (GESE)
• IELTS SELT Consortium: ‘IELTS for UKVI’ or ‘IELTS Life Skills’
• LanguageCert: ‘LanguageCert International ESOL SELT’

To learn more about English levels, check out the English table.

How long you can stay in the UK will depend on the length of your course and what studies you will do once in the UK. The licensed sponsor will confirm your course details in your CAS and this will govern your visa permission to enter or remain in the UK.

Yes, you can extend your student if you meet the eligibility requirements.

How long you can remain in the UK will depend on the length of your course.

Note: If you in the UK as a child student and you turn 18 years of age and then need to extend your UK studies, you must aply under the Student route for adults.

You are permitted to switch to this visa type if you hold a valid UK visa and yuo are aged between 4-17 years of age when you submit your child student Leave to Remain visa application.

If you hold one of these visa types, you cannot switch within the UK on:

• A visit visa
• A short-term student visa
• Leave outside the immigration rules.

You can do the following if aged 16 and over:

• Work part-time during term for up to 10 hours per week
• Work full-time during vacations
• Work on a work placement as part of your course (but not for more than 50% of your course).
• Travel abroad and return to the UK.

You cannot:

• Study at an academy or a local authority-funded school (also known as a maintained school) or further or higher education institution
• Take a full-time permanent job or be self-employed
• Work as a professional sportsperson (for example a sports coach) or entertainer
• Apply for settlement
• Bring family members (‘dependants’) - if a parent wants to accompany you, they will need to apply for a Parent of a Child Student visa visa.
• Apply for public funds.

Below are the areas where immigration rules apply to this visa type. You have:

• Validity requirements for a Child Student
• Suitability requirements for a Child Student
• Eligibility requirements for a Child Student
• Decision for a Child Student
• Period and conditions of grant for a Child Student
• Work Conditions for a Child Student
• Study Conditions for a Child Student.

To explore these rules click here.

To read the generic guidance for short-term visas click here.

To read the casworker visa guidance click here.

To apply under this visa route, you need to apply under one of these:

• Visiting the UK for tourism
• Visit on certain business activities
• Visit to study
• Visit as an academic
• Visit for medical reasons

To learn more about this visa route click here.

You can meet the English requirements in the following ways:

• Passport holder from Antigua and Barbuda | Australia | the Bahamas | Barbados | Belize | the British overseas territories | Canada | Dominica | Grenada | Guyana | Jamaica | Malta | New Zealand | St Kitts and Nevis | St Lucia | St Vincent and the Grenadines | Trinidad and Tobago or USA, or
• Provide an A1 English certificate that is on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale to enter or switch into this visa route or
• You can prove your knowledge of English if you have a degree or academic qualification that was taught or researched in English.
• UK university or college qualification - you only need your degree certificate.
• Degree taught overseas, you will need an Ecctis report formerly known as UK Naric, or
• If you are outside of the UK - English test from either IELTS SELT | Consortium | LanguageCert | Pearson | PSI Services (UK) Ltd, or
• If you are in the UK - English test from either IELTS SELT Consortium | LanguageCert | Pearson | Trinity College London.

Booking an English test

If yuo need to book an English test, you need to understand the rules and potential opportunity to save some money.

When creating an online account ensure you book the right test:

• Pearson: ‘PTE Academic UKVI’ or ‘PTE Home’
• PSI Services: ‘Skills for English UKVI’
• Trinity College London: ‘Secure English Language Tests for UKVI’ – Integrated Skills in English (ISE) or Graded Examinations in Spoken English (GESE)
• IELTS SELT Consortium: ‘IELTS for UKVI’ or ‘IELTS Life Skills’
• LanguageCert: ‘LanguageCert International ESOL SELT’

To learn more about English levels, check out the English table.

How long you can stay in the UK will depend on the length of your course and what studies you will do once in the UK. The licensed sponsor will confirm your course details in your CAS and this will govern your visa permission to enter or remain in the UK.

Yes, you can extend your student if you meet the eligibility requirements.

How long you can remain in the UK will depend on the length of your course.

Note: If you in the UK as a child student and you turn 18 years of age and then need to extend your UK studies, you must aply under the Student route for adults.

You are permitted to switch to this visa type if you hold a valid UK visa and yuo are aged between 4-17 years of age when you submit your child student Leave to Remain visa application.

If you hold one of these visa types, you cannot switch within the UK on:

• A visit visa
• A short-term student visa
• Leave outside the immigration rules.

You can do the following if aged 16 and over:

• Work part-time during term for up to 10 hours per week
• Work full-time during vacations
• Work on a work placement as part of your course (but not for more than 50% of your course).
• Travel abroad and return to the UK.

You cannot:

• Study at an academy or a local authority-funded school (also known as a maintained school) or further or higher education institution
• Take a full-time permanent job or be self-employed
• Work as a professional sportsperson (for example a sports coach) or entertainer
• Apply for settlement
• Bring family members (‘dependants’) - if a parent wants to accompany you, they will need to apply for a Parent of a Child Student visa visa.
• Apply for public funds.

Below are the areas where immigration rules apply to this visa type. You have:

• Validity requirements for a Child Student
• Suitability requirements for a Child Student
• Eligibility requirements for a Child Student
• Decision for a Child Student
• Period and conditions of grant for a Child Student
• Work Conditions for a Child Student
• Study Conditions for a Child Student.

To explore these rules click here.

To read the generic guidance for short-term visas click here.

To read the casworker visa guidance click here.