Your nationality will determine whether you need to make a visa application (entry clearance) or not, if coming to the UK as a Standard Visitor. Visa nationals will need to make a Standard Visitor visa application. Non-visa nationals may need a ETA before they can travel to the UK and apply upon arrival. Non-Visa Nationals and electronic travel authorisation (ETA)Nationals of certain countries (including EU nationals) do not need to apply for a visa from outside the UK if they are coming to stay in the UK for up to 6 months. As non-visa national you can request entry to the UK as a Standard Visitor when you arrive in the UK. You may need to show that you meet the requirements of a Standard Visitor visa.You should prepare the documents listed on the visa application page and carry them in your hand luggage. Find out more about the documents required for a Standard Visitor visa applicationIf your nationality is not on the UKVI list of visa nationals, you will be classed as a 'non-visa national'. UKVI list of visa nationals If you are a national of an EEA country, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, or the United States you can use eGates at UK ports and airports. Electronic travel authorisation (ETA):Non-visa nationals may need to apply for a ETA before travel to the UK. However, these non-visa nationals will be added to the ETA scheme in a phased manner. Find out if you require a ETA and about travelling to the UK Visa Nationals (entry clearance required)If you are a national of one of the countries on the visa national list, you will need to apply for a visa application and receive a successful decision, before you can travel to the UK (entry clearance).You should do this around 2 to 3 months before you intend to travel. UKVI list of visa nationals *With some exceptions for certain nationalities (Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) who are coming to visit the UK, where they may choose to apply for an Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) or Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) instead to travel to the UK.Standard Visitor permissionTravelling to the UKIf your programme of study is longer than 6 months If your period of study is longer than 6 months, you will need to apply and obtain a student visa.It is unlikely that you will meet the requirements of the Standard Visitor route, as you must prove that you: do not intend to extend your stay or live in the UK through frequent and successive visits intend to leave the UK within 6 months intend to study on a programme of no more than 6 months in length There are certain circumstances where it may be possible for you to come to the UK as a Standard Visitor, even if your programme is longer than 6 months. For example, if you are studying a distance learning programme and you wish to come to the UK for short periods of study activity (for example, exams, meetings with a supervisor, revision sessions) if you need to repeat a single semester, or resit exams before progressing to the rest of your programme if you can complete your studies within 6 months of arriving in the UK If you would like further visa advice on whether you could come to the UK as a Standard Visitor for your studies, please contact us with full details of your circumstances. Student (previously Tier 4) visa guidanceContact us through our enquiry form This article was published on 2024-07-29
