Visa Guidelines

Always check the details and guidance from the UKVI: https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration.

Travellers from some countries will require a visa in order to visit the UK. Other nationalities may not require a visa but may require an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK. 

You can check whether you require a visa or an ETA here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.

We recommend all families complete this online check, even if they think they do not require a visa, as it provides useful information for all travellers under 18.

If you require a visa to travel and study in the UK please find below some important information and updates from UKVI (United Kingdom Visas and Immigration).

As per our Terms & Conditions, obtaining a visa is the responsibility of the student and parent or guardian, not Reach Cambridge.

1. If you have not yet applied for a visa

Please pay your balance as soon as possible so that Reach Cambridge can issue a visa support letter to help with your application. The visa you require to enter the UK and study at Reach Cambridge is a Standard Visitor visa.

For more information, see: https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor-visa

Further Information

The following is intended as a brief guide only. It does not replace the official guidance provided by UKVI and you should always refer to the official guidance when making an application. It is your responsibility to ensure your application conforms with the requirements, and decisions of UKVI are entirely independent –Reach Cambridge cannot assume responsibility for incorrect or incomplete applications, or the decisions of UKVI.

Do I need to apply for a visa?

You can check whether you require a visa here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa

We recommend all families complete this online check, even if they think they do not require a visa, as it provides useful information for all travellers under 18.

Where do I apply?

If you need a visa, you must apply online before you travel. As part of your application, you will need to book an appointment at a visa application centre to prove your identity and provide your documents. A list of UK visa application centres can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/find-a-visa-application-centre

Alternatively, you may be able to prove your identity and provide the required documents using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ smartphone app. You’ll find out if you need to go to an appointment or use the smartphone app when you start your application.

When do I apply?

The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel. 

How do I apply?

Apply online for a Standard Visitor visa here: https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor-visa/apply

What documents do I need?

You must provide a passport or travel document. Your passport should be valid for the whole of your stay in the UK and contain a blank page for your visa.

You will need an official letter clearly stating that you are going to study at an accredited institution. We can only issue this letter once full payment for your Reach Cambridge program has been received. To request a visa support letter, please email info@reachcambridge.com.

When emailing us to request a letter, please include: full name as on the passport, date of birth, and passport number.

You’ll be told what other documents and information to provide when you apply online.

You can find details of other information you will need to provide here: https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor-visa/documents-you-will-need

If you are under 18:

• Students can travel without an adult but the parent or guardian must give written consent with full contact details.
• Travellers under the age of 18 must provide proof that they have somewhere suitable to live during their stay in the UK, including:
• The name and date of birth of the person that they will be staying with
• An address where they will be living
• Details of their relationship to the person who will be looking after them
• That person’s written consent for the under-18-year-old to stay with them while in the UK

The evidence above will only be required where the student is staying elsewhere prior to or after a Reach Cambridge program. If the student is travelling to the UK only in order to attend the Reach Cambridge program, the visa letter provided by Reach Cambridge will provide the required evidence.

• If travelling with an adult (someone over the age of 18), this person must be identified in the student’s visa application. If the accompanying person is not the student’s parent, specific information must be provided within the visa application.

Common reasons for visa refusals:

• Applicants applying for the wrong visa
• Applicants have misunderstood the documentary requirements
• Financial documents are out of date

For more information, see: https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor-visa

2. If you have already applied for your visa and it has not yet been issued

Please check normal processing times with your local visa application centre or online via this link: https://www.gov.uk/visa-processing-times.

For further information, please refer to our FAQs section on visas and check with your local visa application centre if you are still unsure.