UK Visa Information
All students who are not UK/EU nationals must check their status to see if they are required to obtain a visa (Visa national) or if you are a non-Visa national what papers you must carry with you to enter the UK.
A new entry clearance (visa) category of student visitor has been introduced from September 1 2007 for short term students who come to the UK to study. The Visa office has recommended that this programme be treated as a Student Visitor (e.g., on courses of six month duration or less, which is renewable).
As the EMBA-Global Programme does not meet the legal requirements of a full time programme, it is not possible to enter the UK as a full time student.
Action Step 1:
The following information has been provided by the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office and is subject to change. Please review the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website for visa information and to determine your status as a visa or non visa national. Alternatively, you may wish to seek further professional advice from an independent immigration lawyer.
All overseas nationals who wish to enter the UK must satisfy the Immigration Officer at the port of arrival that they meet the requirements of the UK Immigration Rules.
Some of you will need to apply for a Student Visitor Visa (SVV). The above website will help you determine if you need to apply for a SVV. You must be able to show that you have been accepted on a course of study. They will then give you permission to stay in the UK for up to six months. Please note: after the six month period you will need to apply for a new student visitor visa. Unfortunately you will have to go through the whole application process again. We are aware that this is frustrating, however this comes under British law so is something we have no control over. Generally you need to apply for these in the country that you are normally resident, so if you are working in Belgium, you can apply via Brussels. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office suggest that you explain as clearly as possible why you are re - applying for multiple student visitor visas in your application.
An entry clearance is a visa or an entry certificate issued to a passenger prior to travel to the UK. If you have one of these you will not be refused permission to enter the UK unless there has been a material change of circumstances, false information was given, or you did not disclose important facts when the entry clearance was obtained. Holders of entry clearances may also be refused on medical grounds, if they have a criminal record, if they are subject to a deportation order, or if there are other exceptional reasons why they should not be admitted.
You must have a valid UK visa on each occasion that you enter the UK:
- If you are a national of one of the countries or territorial entities listed on the Visa and DATV Nationals page.
- If you are stateless or hold a non-national travel document or passport issued by an authority not recognised by the UK.
If you wish to apply for an entry clearance you should complete the VAF1 - Student Visitor Form. You can obtain this document free of charge from the visa section of your nearest British mission overseas offering an entry clearance service, or by downloading it from the Foreign & Commonwealth web site. You should check with the Mission whether or not they are able to process your category of application. If they cannot, they will advise you where to apply. Please read all applicable forms before completing your papers.
For information on visa expenses please click here.
The Entry Clearance Officer may be able to decide your application without any further information or evidence. However, the officer may ask you to attend an interview. The officer may ask you to submit the following documents, as well as the documents listed in the Student Visitors Visa application:
- Your birth certificate and/or marriage certificate.
- Your parents' birth certificates and/or marriage certificate.
With a student visitors visa you can usually enter and leave the UK any number of times while the visa is still valid.
Important Information!
The UK government has introduced a new biometrics procedure that requires taking an appointment for fingerprinting prior to sending the visa application.
What is 'biometric' information?
You will need to provide 'biometric' information as part of the visa application process. This biometric information consists of scans of all 10 of your fingers and a full-face digital photograph. You will have to go to the nearest Visa Application Process in person to provide this biometric information. In those countries where there is no Visa Application Centre, you will need to go to the British mission. Your visa applications will not be processed until you have provided the necessary biometric information. The finger scans are electronic, so staff do not need to use any ink, liquid or chemicals. You will have your digital photograph taken at the same time and the whole procedure should take no more than five minutes to complete.
In order to check appointment availability listed by location please visit http://www.britainusa.com/sections/articles_show_nt1.asp?a=47353
prior to submitting your application and fees for the visa.
Whilst on the programme we encourage all students to carry with them the following documents:
- Confirmation of enrolment letter from London Business School or Columbia Business School.
- Letter of company support confirming your employment status.
If you are a US or non UK/EU national and need a letter confirming your enrolment on the EMBA-Global programme, please fill in the form below. This provides written documentation for entry into the UK: http://forms.london.edu/form.asp?id=10055.
Your letter will be sent out to you via DHL as soon as it is ready.
If you have further questions or experience difficulties in entering the US or the UK please contact your programme manager.
