Visa FAQ’s
Visa Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Check these FAQ's to find answers to the most common questions about visas.
Is City School of Languages a Tier 4 sponsor for the GSV?
Yes.
City School of Languages has been licensed by the UK Border Agency (UKBA) to enrol international students under Tier 4 of the Points Based System. Our UKBA Sponsor Licence Number is 50987M5C2 and we are an A-rated registered education provider.
How can I check if I need a visa?
You can check if you need a visa by contacting your local British Embassy or by checking the UK Visas website.
My course lasts more than six months. Which visa do I need?
The Tier 4 General Student Visa (GSV) is the right visa if your course lasts more than six months and you require a visa to study in the UK.
My course lasts more than six months. Am I allowed to work?
Yes.
If you have a General Student Visa (GSV) you are allowed to work legally for up to 20 hours per week. This will be changing from 3 March 2010 to a maximum of 10 hours per week.
I am applying for a Tier 4 General Student Visa. Can I extend my visa?
Yes. You can extend a GSV but you must attend a minimum of 80% of your classes if you want to extend it.
My course lasts less than six months. Which visa do I need?
The Student Visitor Visa (SVV) is the right visa if your course lasts less than six months and you require a visa to study in the UK.
If you have a Student Visitor Visa you are not allowed to extend your stay and you are not allowed to work in the UK. You will have to return to your country if you wish to renew your visa.
I want to apply for a Tier 4 General Student Visa. What is the minimum number of hours of full-time study?
You must study a minimum of 15 daytime hours per week. Daytime hours are between 0900 and 1800, Monday to Friday.
I am a beginner (A1 CEFR). Which visa do I need?
You have a choice. The Student Visitor Visa (SVV) allows you to come to the UK to study English if you are a beginner but you can only stay for a maximum of six months. You cannot renew a Student Visitor Visa in the UK and you must return to your country at the end of the course. You cannot work while in the UK.
If you are a Visa National, you may need to prove that you have a good reason to learn English and that you will return to your own country when your course finishes.
If you wish to remain for longer than six months, you should study English in your country and reach A2 Elementary level in English. You can then apply for a Tier 4 General Student Visa.
My course lasts less than six months. Am I allowed to work?
No. If you have a Student Visitor Visa (SVV) you are not allowed to work.
However, if you have a Tier 4 General Student Visa for a course which lasts less than six months, you are legally allowed to work a maximum of 20 hours per week. This will be changing from 3 March 2010 to a maximum of 10 hours per week.
I am applying for a Student Visitor Visa. Can I extend my visa?
No.
I want to study at City School of Languages and then transfer to a different education provider. What should I do?
If the two courses together last more than six months, you will need a Tier 4 General Student Visa. You must get a Student Visa Letter (electronic Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) onwards) from each education provider before you apply for your visa in your country. You will need a separate visa for each course as you can only have one sponsor at one time.
If you know that the two courses last less than six months, you can also apply for a Student Visitor Visa but you will not be able to extend your visa and you must return home when your visa expires.
How long does it take to obtain a visa?
In our experience it normally takes around 6 to 8 weeks to obtain a visa, so you should send your enrolment form to us as soon as possible so that we can send you the acceptance documents.
I want to apply for a Tier 4 General Student Visa. How do I prove my English language level?
You need to show that your level will allow you to follow a course at Common European Framework A2 level. You do not already need to be at A2 level as it is enough to be a good A1 level when you apply, in order to be able to start a course at Elementary (A2 CEFR) level.
There are different ways that you can prove your English language level. Please click here for more information.
How do I prove my financial means?
You need to show that you have enough money to pay for your course fees and to live while you are in the UK. The living costs are £600.00 GBP for each calendar month of your studies, up to a maximum of 9 months. If your course at CSL lasts more than nine months, you must show you can pay the first year of fees and £5,400 to cover the living costs for your first nine months in the United Kingdom.
There are different ways that you can prove you have the money to pay your course fees and living costs. Please read our Proof of Means page which includes information for students who are sponsored by their government. Please click here for more information.
I want to have a holiday while I am studying at CSL. Is this possible if I have a visa?
Your GSV will last the length of your course and some time for you to pack and leave. If your course lasts less than 6 months, this extra period is only 7 days so you need to plan for this and tell us when you book. We can allow for the holiday period in your acceptance letter from us.
If your course lasts for 6 months or more but less than 12 months, the extra time allowed to pack up and leave is 2 months, so there is time for you to take a holiday
