Visas and immigration

VISA AND IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES

Visas to study in the UK

• It is important you read the University’s guide to visas and application processes:

www.southwales.ac.uk/international/visasand-pre-arrival

• You can apply for a Student Visa six months before the start of your course and you will need a

Confirmation of Acceptance to Study (CAS) from

USW. We can issue this statement up to six months before your course start date.

• Our Immigration and International Student Advice team (IISA) can guide you through the process of applying for a visa under the Student Route.

• The visa application can be broken down into four stages:

Gather the documents needed for your application, and wait for your finances to mature. Complete the Student Route online form and pay all application fees due. Book and attend an appointment at a Visa Application Centre OR use the UKVI ID App to complete the biometrics process. Post your documents to the Embassy.

• A standard visa application usually takes three weeks to process, though this is can be longer at peak times (September/October). Some countries offer a Priority Visa Application Service that takes three to five days. You can check the current visa processing time for your country at: www.gov.uk Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) International students in the UK must pay a health surcharge if their visa is for six months or longer. For information, visit our website:

www.southwales.ac.uk/international/visas-and-

pre-arrival/visas

Bringing your family If you want to bring family members to the UK with you as your dependents, and your course meets the UKVI eligibility criteria, read the family support information on our website for information and guidance: www.intadvice.southwales.ac.uk/ welcome/family-support-information

Graduate Immigration Route Find out more about the new Graduate Immigration Route, which allows eligible international students to stay in the UK to work full-time for two years after graduation if you have completed a Bachelors or Masters degree, and for three years if you have completed a PhD.

FOR DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT VISAS, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

THE IMMIGRATION AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADVICE TEAM (IISA) CAN ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT IMMIGRATION AT ANY TIME.

Call: +44 1443 482083 or e-mail: international.advice@

southwales.ac.uk

Library, USW Pontypridd