What do I need for entry to the UK?

Important Update (March 2026):

The UK Home Office has announced a number of visa and ETA fee increases that will take effect from 8 April 2026. These include changes to the Student Visa, Visitor Visa, Short-Term Study Visa, and ETA.

This depends on whether you are a visa national or a non-visa national.

EEA & Swiss students are non-visa nationals

If you are not sure about your visa status, please check: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa

Study English in the UK for six months or less

All nationalities:

• • You will enter the UK as a Visitor
• • There are no limits on the number of courses you can study but they must be completed within the time of the permission granted
• • You must have sufficient funds to cover your time in the UK
• • Work (paid & unpaid), including voluntary work, is not permitted
• • Any visitor who has come in on business or as a tourist can choose to then take an English language course while in the UK
• • You must have a full passport to enter the UK

Non visa nationals 

• • You do not need to apply for a visa in advance

• • There are no fees to enter the UK

• • You may use the e-gates at the UK border.  However, in the unlikely event that you are questioned, you should carry evidence demonstrating that you meet the entry requirements.  Please have your  immigration and enrolment letters from the school with you.  If the school has not arranged your accommodation, please have your accommodation address

Visa nationals:

• • Visa nationals need pre-entry clearance for a standard visit visa, so if you are a visa national you must apply for a Visitor Visa before you come to the UK
• • A standard Visitor Visa for a non-visa national for up to 6 months costs approximately GBP159
  • Please ensure you create a UKVI account. It is free. You should receive details on how to do this when you receive a reply regarding your visa application.
• • The normal safeguarding checks will apply to under 18s

You’ll need to provide the following information:

• • the dates you’re planning to travel to the UK
• • details of where you’ll be staying during your visit
• • how much you think your trip will cost
• • your current home address and how long you’ve lived there
• • your parents’ names and dates of birth (if known)
• • how much you earn in a year (if you have an income)
• • details of any criminal, civil or immigration offences you may have committed

You might also need to provide:

• • details of your travel history for the past 10 years
• • your employer’s address and telephone number
• • your partner’s name, date of birth, and passport number
• • the name and address of anyone paying for your trip
• the name, address and passport number of any family members you have in the UKWe also strongly advise you to provide: 
  • • Evidence of English language study, including school or college certificates, and certificates for any English language examinations you have taken
  • • Evidence showing your reasons for coming to the UK to study English, such as further study, university entrance requirements or any job opportunities requiring English language
• Your intentions will be assessed to check you are a genuine visitor.
• You’ll be told what other documents and information to provide when you apply online

For more information see:

https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor-visa

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) 

All non-visa nationals need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling to the UK unless:

You have either:

• • another visa (eg YMS visa, Visitor Visa, Short Term Study Visa)

• • permission to live, work or study in the UK

• • a British or Irish passport

The ETA costs GBP16 until 7 April 2026. From 8 April 2026, this will increase to GBP20. It is valid for two years and allows multiple visits. Each visit can be up to six months.

This replaces the Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW)

See more information about ETAs on GOV.UK

How to apply 

• • Application is via the UK ETA app or an online form.

• • It is possible to apply for someone else.

• • The fastest way to apply is using the UK ETA app.

• • Make sure you have everything ready before you apply as you only have 20 minutes to apply and your information will not be saved.

Download on the App Store 

Download on Google Play

To apply on the app you will need:

• • an email address

• • to take a photo of yourself– to apply for someone else, they must be with you

•  • the passport you will use to travel to the UK.

• • a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay

• • if you are under 18, you will need to give contact details for someone who has parental responsibility for you.

If you cannot use the app you can apply online

To apply online 

1. 1) Take or upload a photo of the passport you will use to travel to the UK

2. 2) Scan your face with their device, if it has a camera

3. 3) Take or upload a photo of yourself

4. 4) You will need to answer questions about your:

• • address

• • job

• • criminal history

• • other nationalities, if you have any

5. 5) If you are under 18, you will need to give contact details for someone who has parental responsibility for you

6. 6)Pay for the application

After you apply 

• • You will get an email confirming you have got an ETA. It will be linked to the passport you applied with

• • After 3 days you will receive an email when a decision has been made

• • You will usually get a decision within 3 working days, but you may get a quicker decision

• • Occasionally, it may take longer than 3 working days

• • You can delete the app when you have finished applying

• • The ETA lasts for 2 years. You can travel to the UK as many times as you want during that time

• • If you get a new passport, you will need to get a new ETA

• • Entering the UK

• • The ETA will be linked to your passport digitally, and you will not need to show anything else when you enter the UK

• • An ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK. You will still need to:

see a Border Force officer  or

use an ePassport gate, if eligible

For courses of 7-11 months: the Short Term Study English language route

We recommend that all students applying for the Short-term Study Visa use an immigration advisor.

This is the advisor recommended by English UK:

Global Visa support: Israel Tal
+44 7930612764

www.globalvisasupport.com

[email protected]

• • All visa and non visa nationals (including EEA & Swiss nationals) applying to study for longer than 6 months will need to make an application before travelling
• • You will need to apply for a Short Term Study Visa English Language
• • We recommend that you apply for your Short Term Study Visa 3 months before your arrival date
• • Please ensure you create a UKVI account. It is free. You should receive details on how to do this when you receive a reply regarding your visa application
• • This route is for English Language Study Only
• • You must be 16 or older
• • If you are aged 16 or 17 then parental consent is required
• • You must have an offer of a place (6-11 months duration ) at an accredited institution
• • You can only study on the course for which permission has been granted
• • Your course must be between 6 & 11 months long.
• • You must have sufficient funds to cover your time in the UK
• • Work (paid & unpaid), including voluntary work, is not permitted
• • You must leave the UK within 30 days of the end of the course or at the end of 11 months, whichever is earlier
• • You are not able to extend your visa

You’ll need to provide the following information:

• • A current passport (with a blank page for your visa) or other valid travel document
• • Evidence that you can support yourself during your trip, for example bank statements or payslips for the last 6 months
• • Details of where you intend to stay and your travel plans – you should not pay for accommodation or travel until you get your visa
• • Evidence that you’ve paid your course fees or have enough money to pay them

You’ll also need to provide:

• • Your tuberculosis (TB) test results, if you’re from a country where you have to take the TB test
• • Contact details for at least one parent or guardian in your home country, if you’re under 18 years old
• • A certified translation if any documents are not in English or Welsh

Documents about your course:

• • You must provide written proof of the course you’re studying. For example, a letter of acceptance from the educational institution stating the course’s name, duration and cost (including accommodation). You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances, such as evidence of your:

• • permission to be in the country you’re applying from (if you’re not a national)
• • Your financial sponsor’s occupation, income, savings or funds that will support your studies
• • The details of your travel history for the past 10 years
• • Your employer’s address and telephone number
• • Your partner’s name, date of birth, and passport number
• • The name and address of anyone paying for your trip
  • We also strongly advise you to provide: 
    • • Evidence of English language study, including school or college certificates, and certificates for any English language examinations you have taken
    • • Evidence showing your reasons for coming to the UK to study English, such as further study, university entrance requirements or any job opportunities requiring English language

Your intentions will be assessed to check you are a genuine visitor:

• If you’re under 18
• If you’re under 18 you need to provide additional documents if:
• • You’re travelling on your own
• • You’re travelling with someone who is not your parent or guardian
• see https://www.gov.uk/visa-to-study-english/documents-you-must-provide

Short Term Study Visa English Language Fees:

• Visa fee GBP: £278
• Health surcharge usually: GBP £776

For more information on the Short Term Study Visa English language visit:

https://www.gov.uk/visa-to-study-english

• For courses over 11 months 

  • • Students who wish to study for longer than 11 months need to apply for a Student Visa under the Student Route or Child Student Route
  • • The course must be at a school or college which is a Licensed Student Sponsor
  • • Beet Language Centre is not currently a Licensed Student Sponsor.  If we decide to apply and are granted the licence we will let you know

  For more information on the Student Route see https://www.gov.uk/student-visa

  Visa Refusal Refund Policy
  If a visa application is refused, students will be eligible for a refund in accordance with Beet’s Terms and Conditions, subject to receipt of official visa refusal documentation

  Student Visa rights and responsibilities

  Students studying under a visa route are responsible for maintaining satisfactory attendance, complying with UK immigration regulations, keeping contact details up to date and informing the school of any changes to their immigration status.

  Passport and Visa Checks

  Beet is required to check and record copies of passports and visas, where applicable, as part of the enrolment process

  Beet Language Centre’s Terms & Conditions

For more information on the Student Route, visit: https://www.gov.uk/student-visa