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Visa Information
Passport
All students must have a passport that is valid for the duration of, as well as up to six months after the end of the program, in order to enter the UK.
If you do not have a passport, apply as soon as possible.
Visa Requirements
All interns are required to apply for a Prior Entry Clearance visa.
The UK Border Agency strongly recommends that all students, especially those planning to travel outside of the UK, apply for a Prior Entry Clearance visa.
The following process pertains to US citizens; non-US citizens need to contact the British Consulate for visa requirements.
Follow these steps to obtain your visa:
- Obtain your passport. The visa is a stamp placed in your passport.
- Complete the online visa application (see guide below). Apply no more than 3 months and at least 8 weeks before departure.
- Pay $208 plus $12 postage with your credit card, at the point of application (subject to change).
- Receive confirmation of your application electronically.
- Schedule and complete a biometrics (fingerprinting) appointment.
- Mail all materials (see sample list below) to the address given at the completion of the online application within two weeks after your biometrics appointment. The British Consulate will email you once your materials have been received.
- Notify the Learning Abroad Center once you have applied for and received your visa.
- Check your passport to see that the visa says "student" and not "student visitor" or "visitor".
- Check the start and expiration dates of your visa. You can not enter the UK prior to the start date.
- Register with the police with the help of the CAPA London Center staff upon arrival in the UK.
Completing the Online Visa Application & Supporting Documents
Online application instructions:
Read and follow the step-by-step online visa instructions carefully. Some questions differ depending on the answers you provide to yes/no questions. You need to print your application at the end of the process.
Supporting documents to mail to the British Consulate (sample):
Within two weeks of completing your biometric appointment, you need to mail materials to the British Consulate. A full list is sent to you when you schedule your biometrics appointment. Below is a sample list of what you could expect to submit:
- Current passport and any old passport
- One passport-sized photo (official color photograph, separate from materials previously submitted to the Learning Abroad Center)
- Completed online application form
- Stamped biometric appointment confirmation form
- Letter of enrollment from the Learning Abroad Center (emailed after Orientation). This gives the length of the course, number of hours of study each week, and estimation of the cost of studies.
- Education qualifications or copies (e.g. transcripts)
- Evidence of funds available (i.e. bank statements covering at least the last three months, financial aid award letters, loan approvals, letters of support)
- Salary slips and letter confirming employment (students can submit a letter from the Registrar's Office indicating they are enrolled as full-time students)
- Evidence of Government sponsorship (if applicable)
- Immigration status (not applicable for US Citizens)
Last modified on February 20, 2009 |