The process at the UK border (i.e. the airport) for USA passport holders (non-visa nationals) that are studying in the UK for less than 6 months and planning to apply for visitor permission at Heathrow airport on arrival into the UK is as follows:

USA nationals are likely to be directed to an eGate on arrival into Heathrow airport. This means your passport will be scanned and you will not meet an immigration official.  The act of scanning the passport automatically grants 6 months visitor permission and you will not receive a stamp in your passport – please don’t worry this is okay.  If there is no stamp in your passport when completing the registration process at Queen’s, you will need to provide evidence of entering the UK, so please keep your boarding pass and flight ticket safe and bring with you to registration.

If you are stopped by an immigration official at the airport and do not use an eGate, it is likely you will only be required to provide a copy of the letter confirming you are studying at Queen’s (this will be sent to all students by the Study Abroad team in July). However, it is possible that students could be asked to provide further evidence (though this would be very unusual). In this case, you should provide 3 months bank statements. If the statement is in your parents’ name, you should also provide a copy of your birth certificate confirming the relationship; evidence of the arranged accommodation in the UK and evidence of your flight booked home (if booked).

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

All non-visa nationals will need to apply for Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling to the UK if they are studying for less than 6 months and planning to apply for Visitor immigration permission at the UK border (e.g., airport or ferry terminal) on arrival. ETA is permission to travel to the UK, which is linked to your passport. The ETA application costs £16 and normally takes 3 working days to be processed. Once the ETA has been granted, it will last for 2 years. If you renew or replace your passport, you will require a new ETA. You can check if you will require an ETA and how to apply on the UKVI website: ETA Guidance.

You do not need to apply for ETA if you have been issued with a visa, for example a Student visa, before travelling to the UK.

If you plan to enter the UK as a Standard Visitor Visa student, then you may need to declare that study is the main purpose of your visit to the Immigration Officer at the UK border. Please make sure to keep your original passport and copies of all other necessary documents before you travel to the UK. You may be asked to produce the supporting documents again to the Immigration Officer at the port of entry. All students should confirm supporting documentation requirements directly with the UK consular authority responsible for their country of residence.

Applying for the Visitor Study Visa

When applying for a Visitor study visa, you must ensure that you submit the required supporting documents with your application:

• Visitor Study visa letter issued from Queen’s Study Abroad Office
• A valid passport
• Several months’ bank statements showing that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in the UK. We recommend showing evidence of around £1,136 per month of your visit.
• Evidence of where you will be staying in Belfast for your studies (QUB Accommodation will email you details of your room allocation in August)
• Evidence that you intend to return home at the end of your studies, i.e. return ticket (or enough money to buy a plane ticket.

If applying for a Visitor Study Visa in advance of travelling to the UK, you must complete and pay for the online application and submit the above supporting documents. You will either need to attend a Visa Application Centre (VAC) to have your fingerprints and photograph taken as part of your application or alternatively, you may be directed to apply using the UK Immigration: ID Check App.

Cost

The application fee for the Visitor Study Visa is £127 (or equivalent in your local currency) when you apply for the visa in advance. There is no charge if you are a non-visa national and you apply at a UK airport.

Processing Time

The standard application processing time is three weeks; however, we recommend that you do not book your flights to the UK until your visa has been granted. If you have any further questions about your visa, please contact the Immigration Support team at immigration@qub.ac.uk, where the immigration advisers will be happy to help. You can also find further information about applying for a visitor visa on UKVI's website.

You will need to pay the provider directly, however, your insurance provider will reimburse all eligible medical expenses. Please read your insurance documentation carefully. 

Kingsbridge Private Hospital GP Service

VITALIS Health

Ulster Independent Clinic