Global Scholars Visa Guide 2023
Visa Nationals Guide
This information students who require a visa to study the Global Scholars programme in the UK.
You can check if you are a visa national and require a visa to travel to the UK by clicking here.
If you are a U.S Citizen or a Non-Visa National, please refer to our Non-Visa Nationals Guide.
Students are responsible for obtaining a valid visa prior to the course start date. If they cannot
obtain a valid visa in time, please refer to the Withdrawal Policy and contact the relevant
Northeastern University programme office to discuss the next steps.
FAQs
Do I need a visa for Global Scholars?
If you are a visa national then you must apply for the Standard Visitor Visa (SVV) before entering
the UK. You can make your application from your country of nationality. If you wish to come to
study on the Global Scholars programme, then you must apply to enter as a Standard Visitor from
your home country.
How can I check if I require a visa?
All students should check to see if they need to obtain a UK visa prior to travelling to the UK. You
can check here if you require a visa to enter the UK to study a course for up to six months. This
tool also provides an overview of the applicable visa process and details about supporting
documentation requirements.
Qatari nationals will require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) rather than an SVV. Please
see the Qatari section in this document.
Can I work, undertake an internship or extend my visa in the UK?
Students on an SVV cannot work (paid or unpaid, including internships) in the UK. They cannot
claim government benefits or have recourse to public funds.
Can I switch to a new course if I have a Standard Visitor Visa?
SVV students cannot extend their stay within the UK. You must leave the UK upon completion of
your course and apply for a new visa from your country of nationality for any further studies.
Information for Visa Nationals
When you visit UKVI website to check if you need a visa, you will be asked to select your
nationality as shown on your passport or travel document. After making your selection and
providing the necessary information, you may see the following:
You’ll need a visa to study in the UK
Apply for a Standard Visitor if you are studying for 6 months or less
This means you must apply for a visa before travelling to the UK.
Entry to the UK
If you plan to enter the UK as an SVV student, you must declare that study is the main purpose of
your visit to the Immigration Officer at the UK port of entry (e.g. airport). Please make sure to keep
your original passport and copies of all other necessary documents with you as you travel to the
UK. You may be asked to produce your documents to the immigration officer at the UK port of
entry. Only present the documents from the list given below (2 to 6) IF requested by the
immigration officer at the port of entry.
Standard Visitor Visa Requirements
These documents should be carried in your hand luggage, in case you need to produce them at
the point of entry. Please note that the below list is not exhaustive. All students should confirm
supporting documentation requirements directly with the British consular authority responsible for
their country of residence.
Northeastern University will provide you with the documentation listed with an asterisk (*).
Northeastern Univerisity will send these to you after you have submitted your valid passport copy
within your App Status Check account. Please allow at least 5-7 business days for processing.
Document
Requirements
1. A valid passport
Your passport must have at least one blank
page (front and back); your passport should be
valid for the full duration of your stay in the UK.
2. Proof that you are seeking entry as a
student visitor
This will be provided to you by Northeastern
University.
We will provide you with proof of enrolment, as
well as a letter verifying that your tuition and
housing are pre-paid and guaranteed.
3. Proof of acceptance on a course of
study and accommodation details.*
This will be provided to you by Northeastern
University London.
4. Proof that you intend to leave the UK at
the end of your visit and can meet the
cost of the return journey.
The border officer may require you to show a
return ticket, so please be sure to carry proof
of your round-trip itinerary.
5. Proof of adequate financial means to
support yourself during your time in the
UK.
Please note, that the NU London letter may not
fulfil the ‘financial’ requirement. It is
recommended that you have copies of your
bank statement or your parent’s bank
statement for at least the last two months prior
to your date of arrival in the UK. The bank
statement must show adequate funds are
available to support you for the duration of
your studies in the UK.
If you are providing your parent's bank
statement then you must have a letter from
your parent confirming that they will take care
of any expenses incurred during your time of
studies in the UK and a copy of your parent’s
bank statement showing sufficient funds.
6. Contact details of a parent or legal
guardian in your home country.
Please note that you must not intend to take employment or engage in business activities in
the UK, and you should be prepared to attest to this on entry, in the event that you are
asked by an immigration officer.
Application Steps and Timeline for ‘Visa Nationals’
Approximate Length of
Time
Action
1 hour
Complete online application
1) Follow the steps for the online application via
https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/country-selection. In
order to create your application, you will first need to register an
account.
a. Confirm your visa type = ‘Visit or Transit Visa’
b. For the question on Level of Qualification, please enter
‘Level 6, UK university level’
2) Pay any applicable visa application fees
(https://www.gov.uk/visa-fees).
3) Print the entire application form.
(Min) 1 day – (Estimated
max) 2 weeks following
successful application
submission
Book and attend a biometrics appointment (if applicable)
Once you have completed your application and signed your declaration,
you will be prompted to book an appointment at the nearest visa
application centre (VAC) to have your biometric data (fingerprints and
photograph) taken and to submit your application documents.
● Appointment availability varies by location; plan for having to
wait at least 1-2 weeks.
● Students who have to attend a VAC must bring their original
passport and all their supporting documentation with them to the
VAC. Students will submit their applications and biometric data to
the VAC on the same day.
● Prepare all of your application materials prior to your biometrics
appointment to ensure that you will be able to submit your
application on the same day.
2-8 weeks.
Priority service may be
available in your country.
Certain countries may
have longer processing
times.
Processing time
Please follow the online guidance provided when submitting your applicati
Remember: during this time you WILL NOT have access to your
passport for personal international travel.
Qatari Nationals
Qatari nationals will be required to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) instead of an
SVV.
An electronic travel authorisation (ETA) will soon be a requirement for people who do not need a
visa to come to the UK. It will give you permission to travel to the UK, and it will be electronically
linked to your passport.
You’ll need an ETA to come to the UK for up to 6 months for study. You’ll be able to apply from 25
October 2023. An ETA will cost £10 per applicant.
You’ll need to apply on the UK ETA app, or online on GOV.UK You’ll usually get a decision within 3
working days, but you may get a quicker decision. You’ll get an email confirmation if your
application is approved.
Your ETA will be linked electronically to the passport you applied with. You must use the same
passport to travel.
Your ETA will last for 2 years. If your passport expires in less than 2 years, you’ll need to get a new
ETA.
Genuine Visitor Requirements
All visitors to the UK must satisfy the ‘genuine visitor’ requirements. This means that:
● You will leave the UK at the end of your visit;
● You must not intend to live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive
visits. You must also not intend to make the UK your main home. Please refer to the Visit
guidance.
● You must be genuinely seeking to enter the UK for a purpose and activity permitted as a visitor;
● You must not undertake any of the prohibited activities as a visitor. See Prohibited activities;
● You must have enough money to support yourself whilst you are in the UK. This includes the
cost of your return or onward journey and any permitted activities that you have planned. You
will not be able to work or access public funds in order to support yourself. In assessing this
requirement, the visitor guidance states that your income and savings will be looked at minus
any financial commitments that you have.
The remaining sum must be sufficient to meet the likely costs that you will incur in the UK and
also your reasonable expenditure. Please see Prohibited activities for further details. You can
rely on another person to help you demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover your
travel, maintenance and accommodation whilst in the UK. You must have a genuine
professional or personal relationship with this person, however, and they cannot be in breach
of any immigration laws at the time the decision on your application is made or by the time you
wish to enter the UK as a visitor. This person must also be able to support you for the duration
of your visit;
● Any funds that you wish to rely upon must be held in a financial institution permitted under FIN
2.1 in Appendix Finance
Important Reminders for All Students
This document has been prepared based on the information and links provided by UK Visas and
Immigration (UKVI). Please check with the British consular authority in your region for the
most updated visa requirements and processes for the United Kingdom (UK). The
information above is intended as informational guidance only and does not constitute legal
advice.
Northeastern University and Northeastern University London have no influence on the outcome of
immigration applications and no ability to contact UKVI to inquire about an individual immigration
application, or to expedite the process for an individual student. In addition, Northeastern
University employees are unable to provide advice to students or families concerning immigration
requirements and/or application processes.
Students are responsible for completing applications for immigration permissions or registrations
correctly and in an effective manner, and for obtaining any required permissions prior to the
program start date. If the student cannot obtain valid permission in time for the program start date,
please refer to the Withdrawal Policy and contact the relevant Northeastern University office to
discuss the next steps.
