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Essentials International students Visa and immigration Student immigration: the basics

Student immigration - basics

Straightforward advice on when you need a visa and when you don't. 

Do I need a visa?

You can use the UK Visas and immigration (UKVI) online tool to help you check if you need a UK visa.

What type of immigration permission do I need?

The type of visa/immigration permission you will require to study will depend on your course and future plans.

Student visa
- You can apply for a Student visa to study a range of courses whilst if you are aged 16 or over. Students studying at Reading will have working rights you would like to extend your visa from within the UK.

Short-term student visa - You can apply for this visa if you are going to study an English language course that is between 6 and 11 months in duration. You cannot apply to extend or switch from this visa from within the UK.

Visitor – You can only come to the UK as a visitor to study if your course is less than six months in length or you are studying a course by distance learning. You usually cannot apply to extend or switch from this visa from within the UK.

Other – If you already hold a visa not listed above for the UK, please contact the International Student Advisory Team to check if your current visa permits study.

further visa and immigration advice

Contact the International Student Advisory team

Find us: International Student Advisory Team, Carrington Building, Whiteknights Campus, Reading, RG6 6UA
Email (all queries): int.adv@reading.ac.uk
Email (immigration and visa queries): immigration@reading.ac.uk
Telephone: +44(0)118 378 8038

Tier 4 Compliance Policy

Institutional Tier 4 Policy

Visa and immigration

- Apply for a visa outside the UK
- Apply for a visa within the UK
- Make a visa advice appointment
- Health and EEA nationals
- Student immigration: the basics
- Travelling and your UK visa
- Protecting your visa
- Biometric Residence Permit
- Your visa and working in the UK
- Immigration and visa updates

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