Want to study in the UK? Know

your visa options

There are a lot of different visa options for New Zealand nationals going to study in the UK. This document helps you decide which is the right option for you by giving you an overview of the different possibilities, all in the one place. It will also point you in the right direction for more information. You can also visit www.gov.uk/ukvi

What visas are available?

Tier 4 Student visa

There are two types of Tier 4 Student visas.

Tier 4 (Child): for students aged between four and 17 and coming to the UK for their education. For more information, visit www.gov.uk/child-study-visa

Tier 4 (General): for students coming to the UK for their education who are aged 16 and over. To apply you need:

• To be proficient at English (verbal and written). You may need to provide proof of proficiency.

• A confirmed offer of a place on a course. Your sponsoring institution will need to complete a ‘Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies’ (CAS) form online. Your sponsor will send you a CAS number to put on your visa application.

• Evidence of enough money to cover first year of course fees and living costs for up to nine months.

How long can you stay? This depends on your course and what study you’ve already completed. You can arrive up to one week before your course starts if it is for six months or less, and up to one month before if your course is more than six months.

Can you work? This also depends on your course and what kind of sponsor you have. For example, you can work as a student union sabbatical officer.

For more information, visit www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa

Short-term Study visa

Are you heading to the UK to study a course of six months duration or less (or 11 months or less for English language courses)? Have you been offered a place on a course in the UK at an accepted place of study? Do you have enough money to support yourself without working? Can you pay for your return or onward journey? Then this may be the best option for you.

If you are aged under 18, you also need a parent or guardian’s permission to study in the UK, and to have made arrangements for your travel and stay in

the UK. You cannot work (even on work placements) under this route.

For more information, please visit www.gov.uk/study-visit-visa/overview

UK Ancestry visa

If one of your grandparents was born in the UK, and you are planning to work while studying, then a UK Ancestry visa may be for you. These visas are for Commonwealth citizens who:

• Can prove that one of their grandparents was born in the UK.

• Can and plan to work in the UK.

• Are 17 or over.

• Have enough money to support and house themselves without support from public funds.

You must apply from outside the UK. This visa allows you to stay for five years and potentially settle in the UK. You can study, work and bring family members with you and you do not need to have a UK job offer to apply.

For more information, please visit www.gov.uk/ancestry-visa

Youth Mobility Scheme (Tier 5 visa)

If you are a New Zealander aged between 18 and 30 who wants to live and work in the UK for up to two years, and have £1,890 in savings, then you can consider this visa.

It allows you to work in most jobs and study. You can also leave and re-enter the UK any time during your stay. You cannot apply for this visa if you have dependent children.

For more information, visit www.gov.uk/tier-5-youth-mobility

You can confirm what visa type is right for you by taking a straight-forward online test at www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa

How do I apply?Before you apply we highly recommend reading the guidance for your preferred visa type on the websites provided. Once submitted, the UK aims to process non-settlement visa applications within three weeks.

Step 1: Go to www.visa4UK.fco.gov.uk to complete your application form, book an appointment to have your biometric information taken, and pay your visa fee and immigration health surcharge (if required) online.

To work out your visa fees, please visit www.gov.uk/visa-fees.

For information about the immigration health surcharge please visit www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application

Step 2: Before your appointment, prepare your application package. This should include:

• A printed and signed copy of your application form.

• Your supporting documents (original and a photocopy, and translations if the document is not in English).

• Your passport.

• A passport style photo.

Step 3: Visit the visa application centre at the arranged time to submit your application and

have your biometric data taken. There are three New Zealand centres in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

What happens next?We advise visa applicants not to confirm any travel arrangements until their visa has been granted. Processing times vary according to the type of visa application and can also vary during busy periods.

If you applied for up to six months leave and your application is successful you will be issued with a vignette in your passport covering the entire period of your leave. You do not need to collect a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) when you arrive in the UK.

If you applied for more than six months leave and your application is successful, you will be issued with a 30 day vignette in your passport valid from the date of your intended travel to the UK (which can be a maximum of three months from your application date). You should enter the UK within that 30 day period.

If you are not able to travel during this period, you will have to apply for a further 30 day vignette in order to enter the UK. You can do this from outside your normal country of residence.

Once you enter the UK, you will need to collect your BRP within 10 days of your arrival from your designated Post Office. BRPs will not be available until seven days after the start date on your visa.

For more information please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/biometric-residence-permits-overseas-applicant-and-sponsor-information

If you have a question not answered in this leaflet or online, please contact www.gov.uk/contact-ukvi-outside-uk or call 64-4-4880091