No. 48 - Adult Student Visas - Visa Letter: Part 1
An approved education provider must issue a visa letter or confirmation of acceptance of studies before a student can apply for a visa. The visa letter or confirmation of acceptance of studies is confirmation of the student's unconditional offer of a place on a course of study. If the student does not submit a visa letter confirmation of acceptance of studies when they apply, their application will be refused.
Note: as of 5 October 2009, approved education providers can use the UK Border Agency electronic sponsor management system to issue confirmation of acceptance for studies, which is an electronic reference number and contains all of the same information as a visa letter, to allow students to apply for a visa. From February 2010, the UK Border Agency will only accept a confirmation of acceptance for studies and will no longer accept a visa letter.
The visa letter from an approved education provider must be:
- original;
- on their letter-headed paper;
- signed and dated by an authorised official (original or electronic signature). An electronic signature can be a digital signature or a scanned signature.
A visa letter must come direct from an approved education provider, not from a representative of the approved education provider.
** Additional Information & Advice **
You can obtain more information about immigration law on FindLaw.
Depending on your circumstances, however, you may prefer to speak with a solicitor who specialises in immigration law. You can be matched with a solicitor for free via solicitor matching services, which can also help you to understand the best course of action for your situation and whether you are ready to hire a solicitor.
Links:
