The United Kingdom made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is an island nation in northwestern Europe. England – the birthplace of Shakespeare and The Beatles – is home to the capital, London, a globally influential centre of finance and culture. International students can afford themselves the opportunity to unwind and have the British experience by obtaining the Uk General Student Visa.
International students apply for the Uk General student visa in order to study in the UK each year, making studying in the UK the number two choice for international students in the world, second only to the USA. With an excellent higher-education system and hundreds of world-class universities, the UK promises a rich experience for international students.
Processing Time
It takes a maximum of 15 days to process a visa at the British High Commission in Tanzania. The earliest you can apply for a visa is 3 months before you start your course. You will usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.
It is advised that all letters be addressed to the Visa officer at the UK Embassy. The application for your UK General student visa should commence no more than six months after you have received a CAS from an education provider in the UK. It is also advised that you apply for Tier 4 (General) student visa three months before the intended date of travel.
Visa Type
The UK General student visa is designed for individuals who are sixteen or above and desire to study in the UK on a long-term. They can study in the UK for more than six months. Short-term study visa and Child study visa are the other types like the general student visa.
The Tier 4 – Student (Adult) visa is for students who intend to undertake any post-16 education at a United Kingdom institution in a full-time course. The Tier 4 – Student (Adult) visa is flexible and allows students to participate in both short and long term courses of at least 6 months in duration.
Eligibility
- To qualify for the UK General student visa, students must have a confirmed offer of enrollment from a licensed education provider (sponsor). Applicants will be required to show that they have been accepted into a recognized course of study at an approved UK institution, licensed by the UK Home Office.
- Applicants will also be required to provide evidence that they have sufficient funds (maintenance) available to support themselves whilst in the UK without undertaking employment, other than part-time and vacation work permitted for adult students.
- You must prove your knowledge of the English language when you apply. This usually means passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT).
- You need an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed Tier 4 sponsor.
- Provide evidence of enough money to support yourself and pay for your course – the amount will vary depending on your circumstances.
- You will also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application but endeavour to check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.
Required Documents
When you apply for the UK General student visa you must provide:
- A current passport or other valid travel documentation.
- Proof that you can support yourself and pay for your course – this will vary depending on your circumstances.
- Proof of parental or other legal guardian consent if you are under 18.
- Proof of your relationship with your parent or guardian if you are under 18.
- Yourtuberculosis test results if you are from a country where you have to take the test.
- A blank page in your passport for your visa.
- Additional documents depending on your circumstances.
Application Procedure
- Start your journey by visiting the UK government Visas and Immigration website to: find out what type of visa you need and what documents you need to prepare; fill your online application form, pay visa fee and book an appointment at the Visa Application Centre; receive a unique GWF Number (please take note of this number as you will need it when registering on the TLScontact website).
- You must apply online for a Tier 4 (General) student visa.
- You will need to have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre (to get a biometric residence permit) as part of your application.
- You will have to collect your biometric residence permit within 10 days of when you said you would arrive in the UK (even if you actually arrive at a later date).
- You may be able to get your visa faster or other services depending on what country you are in – check with your visa application centre.
- You should read the full guidance before you apply.
- You will be able to check your appointment details whenever you log on to the UK Visas and Immigration website.
Visa Fee
- Generally, it costs £348 Euros to apply for this visa from outside the UK.
- You must also pay £348 Euros per person for any dependants.
- The visa fee for the UK General student visa – Main applicant and dependants, for Tanzanians, is 474 USD.
Note
The Tier 4 – Student (Adult) visa offers the student the benefit of developing an educational base in the UK while being permitted to work between 10 to 20 hours per week during term periods, depending on the course of study. Tier 4 – Student (Adult) visa holders are permitted to work full time during vacation periods without seeking further permission from the UK Home Office. In some instances, graduate level students may be able to switch into a working visa category that could lead to a settlement in the UK.
As a Tier 4 – Student (Adult) you can study, work as a student union sabbatical officer, apply from inside or outside the UK, apply to extend your stay and work in most jobs – depending on what level your course is and what kind of sponsor you have. On the other hand, you cannot get public funds, work in certain jobs, for example, professional sportsperson or sports coach and study at an academy or a local authority-funded school (also known as a maintained school). However, you may be able to bring in family members (dependants).
Contact Address
- The British High Commission in Tanzania is located in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania with Postal Address: Umoja House Hamburg Avenue, P.O. Box 9200 Dar es Salaam Tanzania.
- You can communicate with the commission via Telephone:+255 (0) 22 229 0000.
- Fax:+255 (22) 211 0102.
- Email: [email protected]
- The Commission opens for work viz:
- GMT Monday to Thursday: 4:30 am to 1:30 pm; Friday: 4:30 am to 11:30 am.
- Local Time Monday to Thursday: 7:30 am to 3:30 pm; Friday: 7:30 am to 1:30 pm.
- Consular Enquiries Counter: Monday to Thursday: 8.00 am to 1.00 pm; Friday: 8.00 am to 12 noon.
You can arrive in the UK before your course starts: up to 1 week before if your course lasts 6 months or less or up to 1 month before if your course lasts more than 6 months. How long you can stay depends on the kind, of course, you are doing and what study you have already completed.
You can download the full guidance on UK Visas and Immigration’s policy for Tier 4 (General) Student and Tier 4 (Child) Student applications to stay or travel into the UK here
Click here to begin a visa application
Click here for scholarships in the UK