UK Visa Information
EAC will always do our best to keep this page updated, but we cannot guarantee that all the information here is correct. We strongly recommend that you always check UK visa requirements direct with the UK Border Agency http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en and your local British Embassy or Consulate as these rules are subject to change.
The following information is intended as a guide only:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa to come to the UK?
What visa do I need to study at your school?
When should I apply for my visa?
I need a Child Visitor Visa or a Student Visitor Visa to study with EAC. What will EAC do to help?
I need a General Student Visa to study with EAC. What will EAC do to help?
Can I work in the UK with one of these student visas?
I am aged over 18 and I have a visitor visa for the UK, can I study at your school?
Do I need a visa to come to the UK?
As a general rule, the majority of non EU/EEA students will require a visa to study on one of our courses. The UKBA website has an easy to use questionnaire which will tell you if you need a visa and what kind of visa you should have http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/doineedvisa
What visa do I need to study at your school?
It depends on your age and the length of your course, but you will need one of the following visas:
Child Visitor Visa: for students aged under 18 attending one of our summer junior vacation programmes or short term year round group courses. This allows entry to the UK for a maximum of 6 months.
Student Visitor Visa: for students aged 18 attending any of our short term adult English Language courses in Edinburgh, Hastings or London. These allow entry to the UK for a maximum of 6 months.
General Student Visa: for adults studying at our Edinburgh or Hastings adult schools for 6 months or longer.
Where do I apply for my visa?
You can find your nearest UK Visa Application Centre and details of how to apply on this website
http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/wheretoapply
When should I apply for my visa?
You should always apply for your visa before you leave home and well in advance of the start of your course. Please check with your local Embassy or Consulate for processing times, the UKBA also has guidelines here http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/processingtimes
Please note that in peak times the UK Embassy in China is taking 20 working days to process visas so you should apply for your visa well in advance.
I need a Child Visitor Visa or a Student Visitor Visa to study with EAC. What will EAC do to help?
When you register on one of our short term courses, we will send you a confirmation of enrolment and an original visa invitation letter for your application. If you live in Russia or CIS area, the invitation letter will be sent from our Moscow office so you can receive your letter as quickly and cheaply as possible. EAC is accredited by the British Council and we are on the UKBA Register of Sponsors so our invitation letters are recognised by British Embassies. It is then up to you to provide the rest of the supporting evidence required such as proof of income.
I need a General Student Visa to study with EAC. What will EAC do to help?
To receive a General Student Visa, you need 40 points with the Points Based System.
EAC is accredited by the British Council and on the UKBA Register of Sponsors so this will give you the first 30 points you need to receive a visa. We will give you the Certificate of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number when you register for one of our long term courses. It is then up to you to show the British Embassy that you have sufficient funds to pay for your course and living expenses in the UK for the final 10 points required to receive the visa. Recent changes in February/March 2010 now state that in your application you must now prove that you have at least B1 English Language level ( IELTS 4.0), so if your English level is lower we recommend that you apply for a Student Visitor Visa and study with us for less than 6 months. Your language level can be tested by EAC, please contact us for more details.
Can I work in the UK with one of these student visas?
If you have a Child or Student Visitor Visa then you are not allowed to work at all. Students in receipt of a General Student Visa are now allowed to work in the UK for a maximum of 10 hours per week.
I am aged over 18 and I have a visitor visa for the UK, can I study at your school?
No you cannot study in the UK at all if you are an adult with a visitor visa only, please reapply for a student visitor visa. All schools have to photocopy the passports and visas of their students for the UKBA so we will check your documents on arrival at our school.