All Chinese students need to have a British visa. You may have heard many stories about the difficulties of obtaining a visa, but actually it is quite simple once you have your Chinese passport.

First of all you will need an application form. This can be obtained from the British Embassy in Beijing, or the British Consulates in Shanghai or Guangzhou. The form is issued free - do not let anybody try and sell you one.

Everyone applying for a student visa is required to attend an interview at the British Consulate or Embassy. You can send your application in advance or take it with you. However, if the visa section is busy on the day you arrive, you may be given an appointment for another day. So if you have to travel any distance it is better to post the application (not your passport - take that with you), and wait to be notified of an interview date.

When submitting your application you need to have the following:

• The completed application form
• The fee
• Two passport size photographs
• Unconditional offer letter from a British University or college
• Evidence of financial support

At the interview you will need to explain why you are planning to study in Britain and what you intend to do once you have finished your studies. You will need to convince the Entry Clearance Officer that you are going to return to China.

When submitting your application, it is worth keeping a copy. This will help if the application is lost in the post, and also help when you enter Britain.

When you enter Britain, an immigration official will look for the visa in your passport, and may also ask you about your intended study, financial support, and future plans.

Getting a visa is not difficult if you are a genuine student. The process is nothing to be frightened about. It can be time consuming, especially at the peak times when many students are applying - so try and apply in plenty of time.

Good luck!

Remember
At any time you can click on our Information Form Service in order to have your details circulated to multiple academic institutions so they can mail you comprehensive further information and brochures. Remember this service is completely free of charge.

If you have any comments or queries relating to this site please email:
webmaster@internationaledu.net