Entering the UK on a visitor visa, then re-entering on a student visa

I'm an Australian student who has been accepted into the international exchange program at the University of Birmingham in the UK. I'll be there for one semester (less than six months), and as a non-visa national the information that has been communicated to me from the institution is that I can apply for the short-term study visa upon my arrival in the UK.

However, I'll be arriving in the UK around a month before the actual start date of my course and be there for four days (tourist purposes) before leaving to travel Europe. I won't return to the UK until 4 days before the commencement of semester.

Is it possible for me to get the standard visitor stamp upon my initial arrival, and then apply for the short-term student visa when I re-enter the UK just before my course begins?

visas uk standard-visitor-visas study

Best Answer

Actually, studying for 6 months or less is permitted if entering under the 6-month visa exemption. Meaning: you will not need to apply for anything at all on arrival.

However, you should bring as much proof of your enrollment and the course duration as you can to show at the border if requested to do so

The controlling reference point for short-term students is Paragraph A57D of the Immigration Rules, Requirements for entry clearance or leave to enter – Short-Term Student.

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Can a visitor switch to student visa UK?

You may be able to switch to a Student visa if you already have permission to be in the UK. You cannot switch to this visa if you have one of the following visas: a visit visa. a short-term student visa.

Can you apply for a student visa while on a tourist visa?

If you truly are traveling to the United States as a tourist with the intent to study, you can request a B-2 prospective student visa. This visa can be issued if you are: undecided about where you want to study. have good reasons for entering the United States more than 30 days before your academic program starts, or.

Can I leave the UK and come back in on a tourist visa?

The UK doesn't operate exit controls, so the first the immigration authorities know you've left is when you come back! Assuming you're on a tourist visa waiver, you can come and go as long as you continue to meet the terms of your leave of entry.

Can a person on a visitor visa change his or her status to student while in the United States if he or she gains admission to a school and gets a Form I 20?

If you are in the United States on a visitor visa, you can still change to F-1 student status to reflect your new circumstances. If you want to do this, you will already need to have been accepted to study at a U.S. academic institution, and fulfill all the other requirements of the F-1 visa.

UK Immigration : No More Delay for UK Visa | Fast Visa Processing for International Students | UKVI

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