This page explains how to apply for a visa as a student visitor. Depending on where you live, you may be able to make your visa application online or by printing out and completing application form VAF1D. You can find out which method(s) you can use under 'More information' below. You can download application form VAF1D and guidance notes from the right side of this page.

As part of your application, you will need to enrol your fingerprints and facial image (known as 'biometric information') at a visa application centre.

Select your country in our country finder to find out:

how to apply in your country
the location of our visa application centres
how long we generally take to process visa applications
how your documents will be returned to you

If your application is successful, you can find information about what will happen at the border (including customs requirements) in the Customs and travel information section.

Should you apply online or complete an application form on paper?

If you are applying for a visa from the following countries, you must apply using UK Border Agency online application system:

Albania
Algeria
Andorra
Angola
Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Bermuda
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
British Virgin Islands
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burma
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
East Timor
Ecuador
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Faroes
Finland
France
French Guiana
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Grenada
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India (Tier 2 visas only)
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Ivory Coast
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kyrgyzstan
Kuwait
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Macedonia
Madagascar
Malaysia
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Monaco
Montenegro
Montserrat
Morocco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Norway
Palestinian Authority
Palau
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russian Federation
Rwanda
Samoa and Western Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Somalia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
St Kitts and Nevis
St Vincent and Grenadine
St Lucia
Sudan
Suriname
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Taiwan
Tajikstan
Thailand
Togo
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turks and Caicos
Ukraine
UAE
USA
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vatican City
Venezuela
Vietnam
Western Sahara
Zambia

If you are applying for a visa from the following countries, you must apply by printing out an application form and completing it by hand:

Afghanistan
Cuba
Fiji
Kiribati
Malawi
Mozambique
Namibia
Nauru
North Korea
Pakistan
Tonga
Tuvalu
Vanuatu
Zimbabwe

If you are applying for a visa from the following countries, you can choose whether to apply using our online application system or by printing off the application form and completing it by hand:

Bahrain
Bangladesh
China
India (except applications for Tier 2 visas)
Maldives
Mongolia
Nepal
Nigeria
Oman
Papua New Guinea
Qatar
Solomon Islands
Sri Lanka
Uganda

Student visitor - visa application fees

Student visitor (up to 6 months)	£76
Short-term visit (up to 11 months, English language course)	£140

For more information, please contact one of our offices

Last Updated: 03 April 2013
Editor:

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