A Standard visitor visa allows you to visit the UK to study, as well as other permitted activities such as tourism and business.
This type of visa allows you to stay in the UK for up to 6 months. In some circumstances you may be able to stay for longer, for example to receive medical treatment.
You can apply online for a Standard visitor visa. During the application process, you will be able to check your eligibility and the documents you'll need to provide.
If you are unsure of what type of visa you need or the documentation to provide, you can talk to one of our advisers or message Hallam Help.
Documents you must provide
When you apply you'll need to provide:
• a current passport or other valid travel identification - you need a page in your passport that's blank on both sides for your visa
• one passport sized colour photograph
• evidence that you can support yourself during your trip, e.g bank statements or payslips for the last 6 months
• a certified translation of any documents that are not in English or Welsh. How to apply You must apply online at https://www.gov.uk/apply-uk-visa.
You must have your fingerprints and photograph (known as 'biometric information') taken at a Visa Application Centre https://www.gov.uk/find-a-visa-application-centre as part of your application. You may be able to get your visa faster depending on what country you are in - check with your Visa Application Centre. If you can't apply online you will need to apply by downloading the following paper form https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-for-uk-visa-to-visit-or-for-short-term-stay-form-vaf1a.
If you/your family member are visiting for your graduation ceremony, you can request a letter online through 'My Student Record', or from the Graduation Office. This will help support your application. If your family member is making a general visit to see you and it is not specifically for your graduation ceremony, you can create your own invitation letter. Please see our example invitation letter. This is an example only. You can also provide a copy of your current visa and a student status letter. You can request a student status letter from Hallam Help.
Example Invitation Letter
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is to confirm that I am inviting my mother and father to visit me in Sheffield. I am a student at Sheffield Hallam University and am studying MSc International Hospitality Management. Please find my student status letter attached. I wish my parents to visit me because we have a university summer vacation period. My parents will be visiting me for two weeks and will be staying with me in my accommodation. I am very excited to show my parents where I study and the city I live in. My parents are coming for a short visit only because I must continue with my studies, and they also need to return to their commitments at home. I miss my family and hope that they will be granted a visa to be able to visit so we can spend some time together.
Yours sincerely