This document outlines the different types of UK visas and general guidelines for studying in the UK with each visa type. It discusses the main Tier visa categories (Tiers 1 through 5), family visas, visitor visas, settlement visas, refugee and asylum visas, and other specific visa types. For each category, it provides examples of required documents such as a passport, visa vignette or biometric residence permit, proof of immigration status or employment. Common guidelines are listed at the beginning, such as requiring current and previous passports if a visa was obtained through them.

1. UK Visa Categories and types
Guide:
Example: Biometric Residency permit (Issued in-country)
Example: Visa Vignette (Issued out of country)

2. Tier 1
General Right to Study Guidelines:
 Current Passport
 Visa Vignette or Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
 Previous passport – only if it was used for the current visa vignette or BRP
 Evidence of business operation/setup/investment portfolio. i.e. HMRC or
Company house letters (Entrepreneurial/investor)
 Recent confirmation of employment/self-employment. i.e. HMRC or payslips.
(General)
Tier 1 General
Tier 1 Investor

3. Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)
Tier 1 Post Study
-Tier 1 (Exceptional talent- No Picture Available)

4. Tier 2 (Work permit)
General Right to Study Guidelines:
 Current Passport
 Visa Vignette or Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
 Previous passport – only if it was used for the current visa vignette or BRP
 Copy of certificate of sponsorship or most recent payslip or letter of
employment. (General, Inter-company transfer)
Tier 2 General
Tier 2 Inter Company Transfer
-Tier 2 (Minister of Religion – no picture available)
-Tier 2 (Sportsperson – no picture available)

5. Tier 4 (Student visa) and Study Visas
General Right to Study Guidelines:
 Current Passport
 Visa Vignette or Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
 Previous passport – only if it was used for the current visa vignette or BRP
 If CAS issued by another sponsor, student must present CAS letter and a
statement that their studies will not adversely affect the course for which
they were issued the CAS.
Tier 4 Child

6. Tier 4 General Student

7. Student visitor visa
Doctoral Extension Team

8. Tier 5
General Right to Study Guidelines:
 Current Passport
 Visa Vignette or Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
 Previous passport – only if it was used for the current visa vignette or BRP
Tier 5 (Government authorized exchange)
Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme)

9. Tier 5 (Temporary Worker – creative and sporting)

10. Tier 5 (Temporary Worker - International Agreement)
Tier 5 (Religious Migrant)
Tier 5 (Temporary Worker - Charity Worker)

11. Family Visas
General Right to Study Guidelines:
 Current Passport
 Visa Vignette or Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
 Previous passport – only if it was used for the current visa vignette or BRP
 Spouse/civil Partner’s/Family member’s British Passport or non-British passport and
Settlement visa. (Spousal, Dependent)
Marriage/fiancé
Spouse

12. Dependent
UK Ancestry
- Unmarried Partners (No Picture Available)

13. Visitor Visas
General Right to Study Guidelines:
 Current Passport
 Visa Vignette , Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or Immigration entry stamp (for
visa nationals – individuals who do not require a visa in advance to enter the UK)
 Previous passport – only if it was used for the current visa vignette or BRP
 A signed statement from the student that their main activities in the UK is as a
business visitor, and study will not become the main purpose for staying in the UK.
(Business Visitor)
 Letter from UK family member in support. (Family visitor)
Business Visitor visa
Child Visitor visa

14. General Visitor visa
Family Visitor visa
-Marriage Visitor visa (No Picture Available)
-Parent of a Child at School visa (No Picture Available)
-Permitted Paid Engagement visa (No Picture Available)

15. -Private Medical Treatment Visitor visa (No Picture Available)
-Prospective Entrepreneur visa (No Picture Available)
-Sports Visitor visa (No Picture Available)
-Student Visitor visa (Also see tier 4 study visas)
-Visit the UK in a Chinese tour group (No Picture Available)
-Entertainer Visitor visa (No Picture Available)

16. Settlement Visas
General Right to Study Guidelines:
 Current Passport
 Visa Vignette or Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
 Previous passport – only if it was used for the current visa vignette or BRP
 Ink stamp on current or previous passport stating ‘No Time limit on holder’s stay in
the UK’.
Indefinite Leave to Remain
UK Settlement

17. Right of Abode
EEA Settlement visa

18. Refugee and Asylum
General Right to Study Guidelines for refugee and asylum visas:
 Current travel document or Passport, or Valid photo ID
 Previous passport – only if it was used to obtain the immigration status
 Immigration status document confirming 5 year visa as a refugee or humanitarian
protection or original letter from the home office confirming limited leave to remain
as a refugee. (Refugee)
 Application registration Card and Letter from the home office confirming application
for asylum. (Asylum)
Refugee
Asylum

19. Other Visas:
General Right to Study Guidelines:
 Current Passport
 Visa Vignette or Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
 Previous passport – only if it was used for the current visa vignette or BRP
 Copy of certificate of sponsorship or most recent payslip or letter of employment or
evidence or recent business operation. i.e. HMRC Company’s House letters.
 A signed statement from the student confirming that they will immediately notify
the school if they cease employment as a domestic worker. Also to confirm that their
study will not affect their main activity as a domestic worker. (Domestic worker in a
private household).
Turkish Worker visa
-Turkish Businessperson visa (No Picture Available)
-Domestic workers in a private household visa (No Picture Available)

20. Stamps and documents:
 In some cases UKVI use ink stamps in place of vignettes. These are some examples
of the most common. These give individuals the same rights and responsibilities as
the vignettes.
Visa stamp for non-visa national Settlement visa
Limited Leave to Remain Visa Stamp (General)
Settlement Stamp

21. UKVI Settlement Letter
Status Document/Vignettes (Common for refugees with no passport or individuals with
expired passports)