Visa guidance for EU and EEA students

Visa Support

We welcome students from all over the world, and if a visa is needed, we can guide and support you through the application process.

Most international students will need a visa to study in the UK. The type of visa you apply for depends on many factors, including your nationality (passport issuing country), age, course type and length. 

It is easy to check if you need a visa on the UK Government website.

The UK Government have created a leaflet with key information, including required documentation and the application process.

St Clare’s, Oxford is a licensed education sponsor, and we can issue you with the documents to support your visa application, such as a Confirmation of Acceptance to Study (CAS).

Types of Visas

The table below outlines the visa type you may need for our programmes.

The list is not exhaustive and visa types may vary according to your individual circumstances.  If you are unsure, please go to UK Government Visa and Immigration or contact us.

Child Student Visa

A Child Student route visa is needed by children between the ages of 4 and 17 who wish to study with us. 

You will be required to share a copy of your child’s passport, birth certificate and visa with us. This enables us to comply fully with our responsibilities as a visa sponsor. The information you provide will be stored and processed confidentially and securely in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018.

We take our duties as sponsors for educational visas very seriously. Changes to the expectations of sponsors by UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) require us to be aware of the immigration status of every student, regardless of nationality. All international boarding students are now required to have a nominated Educational Guardian. Please read our policy here for more information.

The Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA) has created a useful guide to Child Student visas for international students requiring visa sponsorship. Please see here for more information.

Student Route Visa

If you are over 18 years old and applying for a Student Route Visa for courses longer than six months, you will need to prove your knowledge of English through a SELT at an approved provider.  Please click on the link here for approved tests and testing centres.

Online Immigration Status (eVisa)

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) have developed a digital immigration system. This means that they have replaced physical documents with an online record of your immigration status. This is known as an eVisa.

You’ll be able to use an eVisa to travel to the UK – you will not need to carry a physical document, except for your current passport, which must be registered to your UKVI account.

You need to create a UKVI account to access your eVisa and share information about your immigration status and conditions in the UK. Once you have your Share Code, please email it to us. For more information on eVisas, please watch this video: What is an eVisa?

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

Students who plan to study for short-term courses of six months or less and from countries that don’t require a standard visitor visa for the UK will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). 

You must provide a valid passport. Your passport should be valid for the whole of your stay in the UK.

You may also be asked to prove that:

• you’ve been accepted on to a course by an accredited institution, for example, a letter of acceptance on official headed paper stating the course name, duration and cost
• you’re able to support yourself during your trip (or have funding from someone else to support you)
• you’re able to pay for your return or onward journey (or have funding from someone else)
• you’ve arranged accommodation for your stay
• you’ll leave the UK at the end of your visit

Applying for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

It is quick and simple to apply for an ETA. It costs £16 and permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to 6 months at a time over 2 years, or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner.

To apply for an ETA, you need to:

• Pay a fee
• Provide contact and passport details
• Provide a valid photo, complying with rules for digital photos on GOV.UK
• Answer a set of questions

You usually get a decision within 3 working days but may get a quicker decision if you use the UK ETA app, download here for Apple or Android.

You must travel using the same passport used when you applied for an ETA.

To check if you need a visa or ETA please click here

For more information about the ETA and instructions on applying please click here

Under 18s

If you’re under 18 and travelling alone. You need to provide a letter from your parent or guardian, giving their contact details and consent for you to travel to the UK.

• the details of where you’re staying in the UK
• their consent for you to stay at the College or with the person named in the letter

We can send you a template.