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LEARNING AT NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY LONDON

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Short-term visas

Visa for programmes shorter than six months

The Standard Visitor visa (SVV) allows students to study in the U.K. for up to six months. Please note that you cannot apply for a SVV from within the U.K. and this visa is not switchable or further extendable.

The SVV has replaced the Short-Term Student Visa for study in the U.K. for up to six months.

Who needs to apply for this visa?

You can check here if you need a visa to study a programme which is up to six months.

Some nationalities are considered ‘visa nationals.’ Visa nationals must successfully make their application for the SVV from their home country before they travel to the U.K. You can check here if you are a visa national and require a visa to travel to the U.K. Students are responsible for obtaining a valid visa prior to the programme’s start date.

Conditions of the SVV
  • You must have enough money to support yourself without working or help from public funds, and be able to pay for your return or onward journey out of the U.K.
  • You must be able to prove that you are a genuine student who will study a programme that is up to six months in duration.
  • You must be able to prove that you intend to leave the U.K. at the end of your visit.
The following activities are not allowed on an SVV

While studying at Northeastern University London on an SVV you must not:

  • Engage in any kind of work, paid or unpaid, or any business activity.
  • Undertake any of the other prohibited activities.
  • Apply to switch into any other visa category from within the U.K.
  • Stay in the U.K. after your visa has expired. If you would like to study a full-time programme at Northeastern University London then you must return to your home country and make a new Student visa application. Please contact the Visa Team for further information.
  • Access free National Health Service (NHS) health care. You must have private medical insurance from your home country before you come to the U.K.
Documents required for the SVV

The following documents are required to make an SVV application:

  • A valid passport. Your passport must be valid for the full duration of your stay in the U.K. and must have at least one blank page (on both sides).
  • A letter from your education provider, on headed paper, confirming your enrolment.
  • Financial documents showing that you have sufficient funds available. These must clearly show that you have access to the funds, such as:
    • Bank statements.
    • Building society books.
    • Proof of earnings, such as a letter from employer confirming employment details (start date of employment, salary, role, company contact details).
  • Details of where you intend to stay and your travel plans. 
  • Previous travel documents/passports, which show previous travel.
  • If applicable, evidence of previous study in the U.K. or your country of residence, for example; academic certificates or transcripts.
  • English language qualifications or tests.
  • A valid visa to be in the country from which you are applying (if you are not a national of that country).
  • If you have a financial sponsor you will need to have the details of your financial sponsor’s occupation, income, savings, or funds that will support your studies.
  • If your parents are supporting you financially you will need your birth certificate and a consent letter from your parents.
  • If you are under 18 you will need additional documents, seek Visa Team advice before submitting your application.
  • All documents, apart from passports, can be originals, scans, or photocopies.
  • If you submit a document that is not in English or Welsh, it must be accompanied by a full translation that can be independently verified by the UKVI.
Visa nationals

If you are a national of a ‘visa national’ country, you must apply for your visa before coming to the U.K. You can find a list of visa national countries in the Appendix Visitor, Visa National list. You cannot apply for a SVV from within the U.K.

EU Nationals and non-visa nationals

If you are not a visa national (see above) you have the option to apply for your SVV before coming to the U.K. (see application process below) or obtain this visa at the airport; please see the information below on arriving in the U.K.

We advise that you do not obtain a SVV at the airport if you have had previous U.K. immigration refusals.

If you plan to obtain a SVV at the airport, we advise that you travel with your supporting documents in your hand luggage; see the information on documents required above.

Apply for an SVV

You can click here to apply for your SVV if you are a visa national.

Disclaimer:


This document/information is prepared based on information and links provided by U.K. Visas and Immigration (UKVI). For the most updated visa requirements, processes and further information for any type of the U.K. Visa or immigration, please visit www.gov.uk or contact your local British consulate/embassy. It’s important to note that Northeastern University (the University) provides advice free of charge related to only its sponsored students (student route visa) and sponsored workers (Skilled Workers and Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker) visa and their dependents. The University is required to and must comply with the OISC Code of Standards 6 as required by paragraph 3(4) of Schedule 5 to the 1999 Act. The University does not provide immigration advice related to any other types of visas. If you require immigration advice for any other type of visas not sponsored by the University, please contact a registered immigration adviser. You can find a registered immigration adviser by visiting www.gov.uk/find-an-immigration-adviser. The information provided is intended solely for informational guidance and does not constitute legal or immigration advice.