All international students from outside the European Economic Area or Switzerland will need a visa (entry clearance) to come to study in the UK. If you have not already done so, you need to prepare your Tier 4 Visa Application, and if you have dependants coming with you, their visas too.
If you are in the UK and already hold a visa for another institution you will need to apply to switch visa sponsor. If you hold another type of visa please send a scanned copy of your current visa along with a copy of your current offer of study to www.studenthelp.bham.ac.uk. When we have received your scanned documents we will email you with further advice.
You should aim to submit your visa application for entry to the UK approximately 3 months before the start of your course. This will ensure that you have enough time to make your application to arrive at the University for the start of your course. Please do not submit your application any earlier than 3 months before the start of your course.
Remember, different Embassies and Visa Application Centres across the world have different processing times. Find out about the processing times of applications in your closest Embassy or Visa Application Centre and select your country for further information.
This advice is provided by the International Student Team (IST). All visa enquiries about applying for your entry clearance visa to come to the UK, or extending your visa to continue your studies once you are here, are dealt with by the International Student Team (IST). Before making your journey to Birmingham, the IST recommend that you read the information online about collecting a Biometric Residence Permit on arrival in the UK. You can contact IST via the website www.studenthelp.bham.ac.uk
The staff in IST will be very happy to provide advice about new visas, visa renewal and visas for dependants (husbands/wives and children) of students.
You can also visit the IST website for general immigration information.
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