UK Student Visa for Japanese

The United Kingdom is a great place to study and work. In fact, there are currently more than 400,000 international students studying in the UK.

If you want to study in the UK as a japanese citizen, you will need a visa. The UK has a points-based system which determines which type of visa you can apply for. For example, if you have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in Japan or another country, you may be able to apply for tier 4 student visa without having to take any exams. However, if your degree is not from an accredited university, then you will have to take an English proficiency test before being granted entry into the country.

The process for obtaining a student visa is fairly straightforward; however, it can be time-consuming since each application needs to be submitted in person at one of the British embassies around the world. The cost of applying for a UK student visa depends on several factors such as age and nationality as well as whether or not it is your first time applying for one or if you have already been granted one previously.

You can apply for a Student visa to study in the UK if you’re 16 or over and you:

• have been offered a place on a course by a licensed student sponsor
• have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course – the amount will vary depending on your circumstances
• can speak, read, write and understand English
• have consent from your parents if you’re 16 or 17 – you’ll need evidence of this when you apply

If you’re 16 or 17 and you want to study at an independent school in the UK, you may be eligible for a Child Student visa instead.

This visa has replaced the Tier 4 (General) student visa.

If you or your family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

If you or your family member started living in the UK by 31 December 2020, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme.

The deadline to apply was 30 June 2021 for most people. You can still apply if either:

• you have a later deadline – for example, you’re joining a family member in the UK
• you have ‘reasonable grounds’ for being unable to apply by 30 June 2021 – for example, you had an illness or were the victim of domestic abuse

When to apply

When you can apply depends on whether you’re applying from inside or outside the UK.

Applying from outside the UK

The earliest you can apply for a visa is 6 months before you start your course.

You’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.

Applying from inside the UK

The earliest you can apply is 3 months before your course starts.

You must apply before your current visa expires. Your new course must begin within 28 days of your current visa expiring.

You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.

How long you can stay

How long you can stay depends on the length of your course and what study you’ve already completed in the UK.

If you’re 18 or over and your course is at degree level, you can usually stay in the UK for up to 5 years. If it’s below degree level, you can usually stay in the UK for up to 2 years.

Staying longer in the UK

You may be able to:

• extend your visa if you’re eligible, for example to continue your studies in the UK
• switch to a Student visa from another visa if you’re already in the UK
• switch to a Graduate visa to stay in the UK for at least 2 years after successfully completing your course

When you can travel to the UK

You can arrive before your course starts. This can be either:

• up to 1 week before, if your course lasts 6 months or less
• up to 1 month before, if your course lasts more than 6 months

You must not travel to the UK before the start date given on your visa, no matter when your course starts.

Fees

It costs:

• £363 to apply for a Student visa from outside the UK
• £490 to extend or switch to a Student visa from inside the UK

You must pay the visa fee for each person that joins you.

Healthcare surcharge

You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application.

How much you pay depends on how long your visa lasts. Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.

Your partner and children

You may be able to bring your partner and children (‘dependants’).

What you can and cannot do

You can:

• study
• work as a student union sabbatical officer

You may be able to work – how much depends on what you’re studying and whether you’re working in or out of term-time.

You cannot:

• claim public funds (benefits) and pensions
• work in certain jobs, for example as a professional sportsperson or sports coach
• be self-employed
• study at an academy or a local authority-funded school (also known as a maintained school)

Conclusion

The UK has one of the most robust visa processes in the world, and one that is especially friendly to students. If you’re looking to study abroad in the UK, we’ve got all the information you need about how to apply for and get a student visa.

The first step in getting your UK student visa is to decide which type of visa you need: Tier 4 or Tier 2. Tier 4 is for general students, while Tier 2 is for specific professions like doctors, engineers, and teachers. Once you’ve figured out which type of visa is right for you, there are several different ways to apply