If you are studying for less than six months, you can apply for a Visitor Visa for Study, this allows a 6 month max study period.
The process at the UK border (i.e. the airport) for USA passport holders 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 in to 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, you will not receive a stamp in your passport – please don’t worry this is okay. If there is no stamp in a student's passport when completing the registration process at Queen’s the student 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 Global Opportunities team at Queen’s. However, it is possible that students could be asked to provide further evidence, In this case you should provide 3 months bank statements, if the statement is 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 if you have booked a flight home evidence of this (not all students will have booked a flight so this may not be possible).
The UK are introducing a new requirement for US nationals entering the UK from 8 January 2025 to apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation). If you intend to leave the UK at any point during your course, you must ensure you have an ETA in place to return. It costs £10 to apply and can be done online.
If you have any further questions about your visa, please contact the Immigration Support Service team at immigration@qub.ac.uk, where the immigration advisers will be happy to help