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Which visa should I apply for?

If you are studying in the UK for more than six months, you will need a Student visa. If you are studying in the UK for less than six months, you can apply to come to the UK as a Standard Visitor. 

This page explains the differences to help you decide which type of immigration status to apply for.

Standard Visitor

You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for up to six months.

  • You cannot study a course that is longer than six months as a Standard Visitor.
  • You cannot do paid or unpaid work while you are in the UK as a Standard Visitor 
  • You can stay in the UK as a Standard Visitor for up to six months
  • You cannot extend your stay as a Standard Visitor or switch to a different type of visa while you are in the UK

Find more information about visiting the UK as a Standard Visitor.

Depending on your nationality, you will either need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa or an electronic travel authorisation (ETA).

Check if you need a UK visa

Use this tool to check if you will need a visa or an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) for your visit to the UK.

If you need a Standard Visitor visa to visit the UK

If your nationality is on the UK Government’s list of visa national countries, you must apply for a Standard Visitor visa.

You will need to pay a visa application fee. See the UK Government’s visa fees page for details.

A Standard Visitor visa will normally be valid for multiple entries, so you can leave the UK and re-enter. You can stay in the UK for up to six months per visit.

If you can apply for an ETA to visit the UK

Only certain nationalities are eligible to apply for an ETA. If you are eligible to apply for an ETA, you will need to either apply for an ETA or apply for a Standard Visitor visa before you travel.

You may want to apply for a Standard Visitor visa instead of an ETA if you have a criminal record or if you have had previous immigration problems such as being refused entry to UK.

If you were previously able to visit the UK without any visa, you will now need to apply for an ETA or a visa before your journey to the UK.

It costs £10 to apply for an ETA. From 9 April, it will cost £16.

An ETA permits multiple journeys to the UK as a Standard Visitor for stays of up to six months at a time. It lasts for two years or until your passport expires – whichever is sooner. You must travel to the UK using the same passport that you used to apply for an ETA.

An ETA is not a visa. It is digital permission to travel. When you arrive at the UK border, you may be asked questions about the reason for your visit to determine if you meet the Standard Visitor eligibility requirements.

Use the Check if you will need a UK visa tool to find more information about what you can and cannot do in the UK and what you will need at the UK border.

Follow the below guidance when you travel to the UK:

  • Always carry your University of Leeds offer letter to provide evidence the purpose of your visit, proof of accommodation booked in Leeds, and your most recent bank statements with you in your hand luggage to present to an Immigration Officer to confirm you can support yourself financially throughout your course and pay for a flight home.
  • Confirm that you are coming to the UK to study if you are asked what the reason for your visit is.   
  • Arrive in the UK near to the course start date so that you will be able to complete your course within your six month stay.
  • You must keep a record of the date that you entered the UK and ensure that you leave the UK before the end of your six month stay
  • ​​​If you enter via the Republic of Ireland, you will not pass through UK immigration control so you must retain your boarding pass and/or flight details to prove the date you entered. You will have permission to remain in the UK for six months.

We recommend that you read UK Council for International Student Affairs’ (UKCISA) Visitors guidance before applying for a Standard Visitor visa or ETA. UKCISA is an independent, UK-based charity and membership organisation committed to supporting international students in the UK.

Student visa

If you are studying for a period of more than six months, you must apply for a Student visa before travelling to the UK.

You will need to pay a visa application fee of £524. You may also be required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge fee (payable if the visa will be valid for more than six months).

The length of your Student visa will depend on the type and length of course you will be studying:

  • If you are studying a course for less than six months that is not a pre-sessional course, your visa will be valid from up to seven days before the course start date, and valid until seven days after the course end date.
  • If you are studying a pre-sessional course for less than six months, your visa will be valid from up to one month before the course start date, and valid until one month after the course end date.
  • If you are studying a course between six to 12 months, your visa will be valid from up to one month before the course start date, and valid until two months after the course end date.
  • If you are studying a course of 12 months or longer, your visa will be valid from up to one month before the course start date, and valid until four months after the course end date.

See our step-by-step guide on how to apply for a Student visa for further information.