Visitor visas are suitable for short stays in the UK. There are different types of visitor visas, some of which are listed here. A full listing of visitor visas, is available on the UKBA website.
If you are enrolled on a full-time degree course, undergraduate or postgraduate, and you require a visa, then you should apply for a Tier 4 student visa. If you are from outside the EEA and are eligible to come to the UK to study for short periods without having to apply for a visa (non visa national) you should apply for a Tier 4 student visato guarantee that you are able to make multiple entries to the UK, otherwise there is a risk that you could be refused entry to the UK as a student during your course.
The 'student visitor' visa is appropriate for those studying courses of less than six months on a part-time or full-time basis eg study abroad.
This visa could also be used for 'distance learning' courses where a student only needs to be in the UK for short periods of time over the duration of the course, but where each period of study that a visa is required for can be completed within six months. However, it is likely that only one can be secured by a student in any one-year period. This means that the student would need to secure a new student visitor visa for each trip required to the UK. Please be aware immigration rules change regularly. A student who begins a course of study designed in this way must understand that while this is a viable option now, there is a risk of the student visitor visa rules changing in future and possibly eliminating this visa option.
Those entering as student visitors should be aware that they cannot work whilst in the UK and they cannot extend their stay whilst in the UK.
Studying in the UK is an exciting time for your family and friends as well as yourself. You can invite them to visit you whilst you are in the UK.
An information sheet (PDF, 67.8kb) providing basic guidance on inviting your family and friends to the UK to visit you.
If you would like to return to the UK as a visitor after you have finished your studies (eg you are a postgraduate student and your visa expires before your graduation but you would like to attend your graduation ceremony) you should leave the UK before your student visa expires and re-enter the UK as a general visitor. Please be aware that you cannot apply for this visa whilst in the UK and that if you return as a visitor that you cannot extend this visa or switch into another visa category whilst you are in the UK. Therefore, you will have to leave the UK at the end of the six months.
If you intend to return for graduation, please ask your faculty office for a student status letter confirming your graduation. Please be aware that they will not be able to write you a letter of invitation for you or your family, but they will be able to confirm your graduation.
Academic visitors to the UK can enter via the business visitor route.