Immigration & Visas
European Economic Area Nationals (EEA)
Nationals of the EU and EEA, as well as Switzerland, will not
require a visa to study in the UK.
The countries of the EEA are all the EU member states, in
addition to Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
Although you do not need a visa it would be advisable to carry
your acceptance letter with you when you are entering the UK.
Non EEA Nationals
In recent years the UK
government has made major changes to its immigration rules and visa
systems for international students and on 31st March 2009 the new
“Points Based System” was introduced. This information has been
produced to help give students a greater understanding of these
changes and Regent’s College’s response to these changes.
Please note however, that we
can only inform you of the changes and IPO and Regent's
College staff are not legally in a position to give any
immigration advice on applying for visas. If you need further
information please direct your enquiries to the
UKBA website.
Visa Routes
For non-EU/EEA Nationals
there are now two visa routes depending on the length of stay and
the student’s desire to work during their stay.
1. Student Visitor Visa
Route
2. Tier 4 (General) Student Visa
Route
In order to choose the correct visa route the
student will need to consult the ‘Visa Options for Students
Guide’ which is available for download on the Regent’s
College Website. However, the diagram below will provide you
with a brief overview.
Student Visitor Visa Route
The student visitor route is aimed at students
who wish to undertake a short-term course of study of up to six
months in the United Kingdom and who have no interest in the full
student visa entitlements.
It is important to note that Student Visitor
Visas will only give students permission to enter the UK for a
maximum of six months and they will not be able to extend their
stay in the UK. As a Student Visitor, they will not be allowed to
do any work (paid or unpaid). Also, it will not be possible for
them to change from ‘Student Visitor’ to ‘Tier 4 (General) Student’
from within the UK.
Visa National Students
-will need to apply in advance for their Student
Visitor Visas before entering the UK. Students can find a list of
visa national countries form the following website:
www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/doineedvisa/visadatvnationals
Non Visa Nationals -Are subject to the non visa
national rules listed at this link: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/studentvisitorinfo
For more information and guidance on the Student Visitor Route
please see the guide ‘The UKBA Guide to Student Visitor
Visa’ which is available for download On the Regent’s
College website.
Please Note: Students may still choose to apply
under the Tier 4 (General) Student for a course that is less than
six months if they would like to be entitled to the full student
visa entitlements and have the option to work.
Tier 4 (General) Student Visa
Route
Due to changes in the UKBA sponsorship
management system, as of 22 February 2010, students will no longer
be issued a visa letter in support of their student visa
application. Instead, Regent’s College will be assigning a CAS
(Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies). The CAS is a unique
reference number that students will use to apply for permission to
study in the UK as a Tier 4 (General) student.
Beginning 22nd February 2010, students will
automatically be assigned a CAS reference number by Regent’s
College when the following criteria has been met:
- The student has been nominated by the home
university (does not apply to students applying independently)
- The student has submitted all application
material to the International Partnerships Office
Students will be personally notified by
Regent’s College once their CAS has been assigned, and will be
given the number to use as part of their visa application.
A CAS will be valid for six months from the
date assigned. If a student does not use it within this period to
apply for the Tier 4 (General) student visa, it will automatically
become invalid.
For more information and guidance on the Tier
4 (General) student visa, please see the guide ‘The UKBA Guide to
Tier 4 (General) student Visa’ which is available for download on
the Regent’s College website.
Further Information
Please note that International Partnerships Office staff and
Regent's staff are not qualified or legally allowed to offer
advice or guidance on visas applications.
For further information about immigration and visas, the
following sites may be useful
Remember that it is your responsibility to
check whether you need a visa and if so to ensure that you have the
correct type. Rules and regulations in this area have become
increasingly strict over the past few years and it is in your own
interest to have everything in order
Page last updated 6/21/2010