In order to study in the UK for 6 months or less, you need to have a 'Visitor' immigration status and so a student visa is not required (therefore you do not need a CAS).

There are different ways to obtain the 'visitor' status depending upon your nationality. There are 2 categories:

• Visa Nationals - need to apply for & obtain a standard visitor visa before travelling to the UK
• Non Visa Nationals - will need to receive the 'visitor' status when you enter the UK

The following is a list of Visa Nationals: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-visitor-visa-national-listLink opens in a new window therefore, if your nationality is on this list, you are a Visa national but if your nationality is not on this list, then you are a Non Visa national.

You can also use the following https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visaLink opens in a new window (after selecting nationality, please select the 'study' option and then the '6 months or less' option) to check if you need to apply for the standard visitor visa before you travel or whether you do not need a visa and instead, will need to receive the 'visitor' status when you enter the UK.

Please read through the rest of the questions for more guidance on the process for Visa and Non Visa nationals.

Visa nationals need to apply for and obtain a standard visitor visa before travelling to the UK. The following webpages contain guidance on the process:

• Visit the UK as a Standard VisitorLink opens in a new window
• Standard Visitor Visa RouteLink opens in a new window

When completing your visa application, you should select the main purpose of your visit to the UK as Short Term study (up to 6 months) and NOT Academic visit.

When your application is approved, you will receive a visa vignette (sticker) inside your passport which will be valid for 6 months.

Application and Document Requirements

• Completed online standard visitor visa application form (please see the Application GuideLink opens in a new window)
• Valid passport (valid for the whole of your stay in the UK)
• Offer Letter (this will have been emailed to you - you can print it or convert the letter to a pdf and save or print)
• ATAS, if required (you will have been notified by us if you needed an ATAS, most students do not)
• Evidence of finances
• Application fee
• For research students - a letter from your home university which confirms that the research you will be undertaking is part of or relevant to your degree
• For research students - a visitor support letter from the University of Warwick

There are 2 options that will allow you to stay in the UK for 6 months (from the date of first entry), please check the following to see which option is suitable for you:

1. eGates

If you have a passport and are a national of an EU country, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland or the USA, you might be eligible to use an eGate, please use the following webpage to check if you are eligible: www.gov.uk/government/publications/coming-to-the-uk/faster-travel-through-the-uk-borderLink opens in a new window

If you are eligible to use an eGate, you can use your passport to enter the UK which will give you 'visitor' status however, please also bring the documents mentioned below. You will not receive a stamp in your passport as the 'visitor' status is automatic therefore, it is important to keep your boarding pass or flight ticket as this will show your date of entry to the UK which you will need to enrol at the university.

2. Border Control at the Immigration Desk

If you cannot use an eGate, when you enter the UK, you need to go to a border control officer at the immigration desk to get a stamp in your passport. This will give you 'visitor' status. Please also bring the documents mentioned below.

Documents Required

For both options above, you need a:

• Valid passport (valid for the whole of your stay in the UK)

However, you might also be asked for the following, so please bring them:

• Offer Letter (this will have been emailed to you - you can print it or convert the letter to a pdf and save or print)
• ATAS, if required (you will have been notified by us if you need an ATAS, most students do not)
• Evidence of finances
• Evidence of accommodation
• For research students - a letter from your home university which confirms that the research you will be undertaking is part of or relevant to your degree

For Visa Nationals - you must NOT enter the UK before the start date of the visa vignette as you can only stay in the UK for the duration stated on your visa vignette.

For Non Visa Nationals - you must be especially mindful of the date you arrive as your 6 months begins from when you first enter the UK.

Please aim to arrive in the UK and be ready to start classes in person by your start date.

• Guidance for studentsLink opens in a new window
• Entering the UKLink opens in a new window

If you are a dual national, then you can choose which passport to enter the UK on, just please ensure that the passport is valid for the duration of your stay in the UK.

Before the start date, you will receive an email inviting you to enrol, this will allow you to officially enrol/register as a student at the University of Warwick. The email will have the subject title of 'Enrolment at Warwick – Action Required'. You will be able to start the enrolment process online but it's only when you have physically arrived, that you will be able to fully enrol.

When you are completing the enrolment process, you will be asked to select the type of visa, please select the 'Visitor Visa' option (even if you are a non visa national). To help you with enrolling:

• If you're a Visa National - please refer to the 'Applied in advance of travel' on the following webpageLink opens in a new window.
• If you're a Non Visa National - please refer to the following 'Applied on entry to UK'Link opens in a new window or if you're an EU national, then the following EU nationalLink opens in a new window section.

The Immigration Team at the University of WarwickLink opens in a new window need to collect evidence to ensure that you have the correct immigration status. Therefore, once you have physically arrived, in order to fully enrol, they will need to see the following:

• If you're a Visa National - Passport, visitor visa vignette and entry stamp on vignette
• If you're a Non Visa National - Passport, stamp in passport or flight ticket/boarding pass

The following Welcome to Warwick webpagesLink opens in a new window also contain useful information and guidance on the process.

As you will be on a 'Visitor' status, you will not be able to undertake any paid or unpaid work in the UK.

For volunteering, you can volunteer for up to 30 days with a registered charity, for example, Warwick VolunteersLink opens in a new window.

It's not possible to extend to the full year if you have already enrolled as a part year student but if you have enrolled for one term only and would like to extend to two terms, please get in touch with us as soon as possible after starting your studies and we will then be able to look into this for you as it might be possible (but not guaranteed). You will also need to check your accommodation options to ensure you have accommodation for the extended period and also check with your home university to make sure they approve.

You will still need to use your existing 6 month visitor status and hence will need to see when your visitor period ends. For visa nationals, the visa expiry date will be stated on the visa vignette in your passport whilst for non visa nationals, the 6 month period starts from when you first entered the UK (or common travel area).

Please contact usLink opens in a new window if you would like to request your study period to be extended.

Our Immigration Team provide a lot of advice and information to help you, please visit the following webpagesLink opens in a new window. You can also contact them as well - please click hereLink opens in a new window