International student support

If you are coming to the University of Glasgow as a student visitor, this section explains what you are allowed to do under the Standard Visitor route.

What you can do

As a Standard Visitor, you may:

• Study short courses in the UK for up to 6 months (including more than one course)
• Take part in educational exchanges or study visits
• Attend recreational courses that do not lead to a qualification, for up to 30 days
• Complete unpaid medical electives if you are studying medicine, veterinary medicine, or dentistry abroad and this forms part of your course

What you cannot do

While in the UK as a Standard Visitor, you must not:

• Work, whether paid or unpaid
• Switch to a Student visa from within the UK

Which one of these you need depends on your nationality. The quickest way to check what you require is to use the UK government's Check if you need a visa tool.

Visa nationals

If the page tells you to apply for a Standard Visitor visa, it means you are a Visa national. You must apply for and receive the visa before you travel to the UK.

• Applications are made online through the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website.
• You will need to provide supporting documents, pay the application fee and wait for the visa to be issued.
• After your application is successful, you will receive an eVisa which is viewed online through your UKVI account.

Non-visa nationals

If you are told that you will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) then you are a non-visa national. It means that you can obtain an ETA before you travel to the UK and do not need to apply for a visa. However, if you have a criminal record, or if you have previously refused entry to the UK, you should consider applying for a visa instead of an ETA.

Remember that an ETA is not confirmed permission to travel. You must have it before you travel to the UK, but your permission to enter the UK is only confirmed when you travel through UK Border Force at the point you enter the UK. To obtain an ETA:

• Apply online. The cost is £20 and outcomes can take up to three working days.
• You must receive your ETA before you travel to the UK. If you need an ETA and do not have one, you will not be allowed to board your flight to the UK
• An ETA is valid for multiple trips over two years, or until your passport expires (whichever comes first)
• If you get a new passport, you must apply for a new ETA.
• Before travelling, check that all information on your ETA is correct.

Entering the UK

If you enter the UK and speak to a Border Force Officer, you may be asked to show supporting documents. This could include your University of Glasgow offer letter and other relevant documents shown here.

After you are given permission to enter the UK, your passport may or may not be stamped. If it is not stamped, we recommend keeping your boarding pass or e-ticket as evidence of the date that you entered the UK (you will need to show this when you attend Visa Registraion with us). Standard Visitors are normally allowed to stay for up to 6 months.

Using eGates

Nationals of some countries (Australia, Canada, EU/EEA countries, Switzerland, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the USA) may be able to use eGates on arrival in the UK. eGates are just automated gates that you scan your biometric passport on. They allow for quicker processing through the UK border, but you must still meet all the requirements for entry as a Standard Visitor. 

You may not be able to use eGates if travelling with children.

Before travelling, check the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) guidance and Appendix Visitor for a full list of documents required for a Standard Visitor visa.

Commonly required documents include:

• Valid passport or travel document
• Proof of your studies (Offer Letter from your School/College at the University of Glasgow)
• Financial evidence to show you can support yourself during your visit, e.g., bank statements or a return flight booking
• ATAS certificate (if applicable)
• Proof of intention to leave the UK after your visit
• Translations of any documents not in English or Welsh
• Currency conversions (e.g., using OANDA) for financial documents not in GBP

Financial guidance

UKVI does not specify an exact amount for visitor maintenance, but you can use the Student visa maintenance requirements as a guide.

For example, ensure you have enough money (in GBP) to cover:

• Any unpaid tuition fees for the University of Glasgow
• £1,171 for each month of your course for living costs

If you are travelling to the UK via Ireland (including Dublin), the rules depend on your nationality.

Visa nationals

• You must apply for and receive a Standard Visitor visa before travelling to the UK.
• With a valid visa, you can enter the UK via Ireland without issues.
• Your visa will not be stamped upon entry, so keep proof of travel dates (e.g., flight tickets) in case you need to confirm when you entered.
• For more information, see the University of Glasgow Immigration Compliance Team webpages.

Non-visa nationals

• If you enter the UK via Ireland, you cannot apply for Standard Visitor leave at the UK border or receive it via eGates, because there is no UK immigration control within the Common Travel Area.
• Most non-visa nationals entering this way are usually granted automatic visitor leave for up to 6 months.
• If you are concerned or do not expect to receive 6 months’ leave, you may apply for a Standard Visitor visa in your home country before travelling.
• Keep evidence of your travel

You should keep evidence of the dates you travelled to the UK (such as flight tickets etc) safe in case you need to confirm the date you entered the UK in the future. Please also see the Immigration Compliance Team's webpages for the documents you will need to complete Visa Registration. Further guidance can also be found on the UKCISA webpages. 

Family and friends visiting you in the UK

If your friends or family are visiting you in the UK for less than 6 months (e.g., to attend your graduation), they might need to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa. To check if they need a visa and learn more about the application, they can visit the UKVI webpages.

International Student Support cannot provide an invitation letter, but you can create your own Visitor Invitation Letter using this template.

Documents you can give to your visitors for their visa application include:

• A copy of your passport ID page.

• A copy of your current visa (BRP, digital visa status, or visa sticker)

• A Certifying Letter confirming your student status, Certifying Letter if you are a former student or graduation date if you're inviting them to your ceremony

• Confirmation of your graduation enrollment (from the Graduations Team)

For the invitation letter, include details like your UK address, graduation date and whether they will stay with you. If you use a University Accommodation address, get permission from Accommodation Services first.

Note that these letters are only for Standard Visitor visa applications, not for those applying for a 'Dependant' visa.