UK Short-Term Study Visa 2026: Eligibility, Length & How to Apply

The Short-Term Study Visa is a UK immigration route designed for overseas nationals who want to come to the UK for a short period of English language study. It is a narrowly defined visa with strict limits on what you can study, how long you can stay and what activities you are allowed to carry out while in the UK, set within the wider framework of UK immigration laws and the Immigration Rules.

This visa is most commonly used by students enrolling on intensive English language courses where it is more appropriate than studying as a visitor, particularly where the intended period of study is longer than six months. There is no strict minimum course length in the Rules for this route, but in practical terms shorter study is typically undertaken under the visitor route instead.

Because it sits outside the main Student visa system, it is often misunderstood. Many applicants assume it offers flexibility to work, extend their stay or move on to another visa from within the UK. These assumptions are incorrect and frequently lead to refusals or future immigration problems.

UKVI assesses Short-Term Study Visa applications carefully, particularly where there are signs that an applicant may be using the route for purposes other than genuine short-term study. Understanding the rules and limitations before applying is essential to avoid refusal and to protect future visa prospects.

What this article is about

This article explains how the Short-Term Study Visa works under UK immigration law. It sets out who can apply, what courses are permitted, how long you can stay, what you are not allowed to do in the UK, how to apply and the most common mistakes that lead to refusal. The aim is to give prospective students clear, reliable guidance so they can decide whether this is the right visa for their circumstances.

Section A: What is the Short-Term Study Visa?

The Short-Term Study Visa is a specific UK immigration route that allows overseas nationals to enter the UK for the sole purpose of short-term English language study. It is governed by Appendix Short-term Student (English language) of the Immigration Rules and is intentionally narrow in scope.

This visa is designed for students aged 16 or over who have been accepted onto an English language course only, with a maximum course length of 11 months. While the route is commonly used for longer English language study (often more than six months), the key legal point is that the visa is limited by the maximum permitted period, not by a fixed minimum duration.

Unlike the Student visa, the Short-Term Study Visa is not a sponsored route and does not require a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). Instead, eligibility is based on acceptance by an accredited institution and the applicant’s intention to leave the UK at the end of their course. Because it sits outside the main student system, the Home Office expects applicants to clearly demonstrate that their stay will be temporary and limited to study only. In practice, this strict approach has been reinforced through policy and enforcement focus, including changes discussed in UK tightens short-term study visa rules.

The visa also carries strict conditions. It does not allow you to work in the UK, whether paid or unpaid, and it does not allow you to bring family members as dependants. It cannot be extended from within the UK and cannot be used as a stepping stone to switch into another visa category. These restrictions are central to how the Home Office assesses applications under this route.

For prospective students, the key decision is whether the Short-Term Study Visa matches both the length and nature of their intended course and their future plans. Where there is any intention to work, remain in the UK longer term or study a non-English subject, a different visa route will be required. As UK immigration status is increasingly managed digitally, it can also help to understand how the system is evolving through resources such as eVisa UK.

Section A summary

The Short-Term Study Visa allows entry to the UK for English language study only, for a maximum of 11 months. It is a non-sponsored, non-flexible route with strict limits on activities and no pathway to work or long-term stay. Understanding these boundaries at the outset is essential before deciding to apply.

Section B: Who can apply for a Short-Term Study Visa?

The Short-Term Study Visa is available to overseas nationals who meet specific eligibility requirements set out in the Immigration Rules. Before applying, it is important to ensure that both the applicant and the intended course fall squarely within these criteria, as applications that fall outside the rules are routinely refused.

To be eligible, an applicant must be aged 16 or over on the date of application. They must also have been accepted onto an eligible English language course in the UK that falls within the scope of the route. While there is no formal minimum course length specified in the Rules, in practice this visa is generally used where the period of study is longer than six months, with shorter courses typically undertaken under the visitor route.

The course provider must be an accredited institution. This means the institution must hold valid accreditation from a body recognised by the Home Office. The provider does not need to be a licensed Student sponsor for this route, but accreditation is mandatory. Applicants should check this carefully, as acceptance by an unaccredited provider will result in refusal. Early consideration of the wider UK visa application process can help avoid unnecessary errors at this stage.

Applicants must also be able to demonstrate that they are a genuine short-term student. This involves showing that the sole purpose of the visit is English language study and that they intend to leave the UK at the end of the course. UKVI may take into account previous UK immigration history, the timing and pattern of studies and any evidence suggesting future work or long-term stay intentions. Applications that raise credibility concerns are vulnerable to refusal, particularly where common UK visa application mistakes are present.

There is no nationality restriction on who can apply, but all applicants must apply from outside the UK. It is not possible to apply for or switch into a Short-Term Study Visa from within the UK, regardless of current immigration status.

Section B summary

You can apply for a Short-Term Study Visa if you are aged 16 or over, have been accepted onto an eligible English language course at an accredited institution and can show that you are a genuine short-term student who intends to leave the UK after your course. Applications must always be made from outside the UK.

Section C: What courses are allowed under the Short-Term Study Visa?

The Short-Term Study Visa is limited to a very specific type of study, and applicants must ensure that their chosen course meets the Home Office requirements precisely. The Immigration Rules apply a strict interpretation of what constitutes eligible study, and applications are frequently refused where course content falls outside the permitted scope.

Under this visa, you are permitted to study English as a foreign language only. The course must be focused exclusively on teaching the English language. This includes general English, intensive English and other structured programmes designed solely to improve English language proficiency. The maximum permitted course length under this route is 11 months.

Courses that include any subject other than English are not permitted. This means that academic study, professional or vocational training and mixed courses combining English with other subjects are all excluded. Even where English is the primary focus, the inclusion of additional subject content will normally make the course ineligible for a Short-Term Study Visa.

You are also not permitted to study at a state-funded school or academy under this route. The visa is intended for study with private English language providers or, in limited circumstances, eligible overseas higher education institutions delivering part of a programme in the UK. Where study involves a UK-based provider, that provider must hold appropriate accreditation recognised by the Home Office.

If your intended course involves academic study or is expected to last longer than the maximum period permitted under the Short-Term Study Visa, a different immigration route will be required. In many cases, this will be the student visa UK. Shorter periods of study may, depending on circumstances, fall under the visitor route, such as the student visitor visa UK or the Standard Visitor Visa.

It is not possible to change your course while in the UK if the new course falls outside the Short-Term Study Visa rules. Any change that introduces non-English content or extends beyond the permitted scope would require you to leave the UK and apply under a different visa category.

Section C summary

Only English language courses are permitted under the Short-Term Study Visa. Academic, vocational or mixed courses are not allowed, and even limited additional subject content can lead to refusal. Applicants should review course content and provider accreditation carefully before applying to ensure the visa is appropriate.

Section D: How long can you stay in the UK on a Short-Term Study Visa?

The length of stay permitted under a Short-Term Study Visa is strictly controlled and is directly linked to the duration of your English language course. This visa is designed for temporary study only and does not provide flexibility beyond the maximum period set out in the Immigration Rules.

If your application is successful, you will be granted permission to stay in the UK for the full length of your course plus up to an additional 30 days, provided that your total stay does not exceed 11 months. The additional 30-day period is intended to allow time to complete your studies and make arrangements to leave the UK. It cannot be used to start a new course, undertake further study or engage in any other activities.

You must leave the UK on or before the expiry of your visa. Remaining in the UK beyond the permitted period will be treated as overstaying. While short periods of overstaying do not automatically result in re-entry bans, they can damage your immigration history and significantly affect future applications, particularly where credibility is an issue or there is a pattern of non-compliance.

The Short-Term Study Visa cannot be extended from within the UK. Once your visa expires, you are required to leave the country. If you wish to undertake further study, you must apply from overseas under the appropriate route. Effective planning is therefore essential, particularly where course dates, travel arrangements and decision times are tight. Understanding broader UK visa processing time expectations can help avoid last-minute issues.

Applicants should also exercise caution when making repeat applications for this visa within a short period. There is no formal cooling-off period, but UKVI may assess whether successive applications indicate an attempt to remain in the UK on a de facto long-term basis. Where this is the case, applications may be refused on credibility grounds.

Section D summary

The Short-Term Study Visa allows you to stay in the UK for the duration of your English language course plus up to 30 additional days, subject to an overall maximum of 11 months. The visa cannot be extended, and overstaying can damage future immigration prospects. Careful planning is essential to ensure compliance with the permitted period of stay.

Section E: Can you work, volunteer or do internships on a Short-Term Study Visa?

The Short-Term Study Visa is subject to a strict prohibition on work and work-related activity. Applicants should be clear from the outset that this visa is granted solely for English language study and does not permit any form of participation in the UK labour market.

If you hold a Short-Term Study Visa, you cannot work in the UK in any capacity. This includes paid employment, unpaid work, part-time or full-time roles, casual work and self-employment. The restriction applies regardless of the number of hours involved and regardless of whether the work is connected to your studies.

You are also not permitted to undertake internships, work placements or work experience while in the UK on this visa. Unlike the Student visa route, there is no provision for integrated work placements or practical training under the Short-Term Study Visa, even where such activity is unpaid or described as observational.

Volunteering can be a source of confusion. While genuine volunteering for a registered charity may be permitted in limited circumstances, any activity that resembles unpaid work for a business, organisation or individual is not allowed. The Home Office will assess the substance of the activity rather than how it is described. Where an activity provides value to an organisation or replaces a paid role, it is likely to be treated as prohibited work.

You are also not allowed to engage in business or professional activities while in the UK on a Short-Term Study Visa. This includes offering services, freelancing or attending the UK to prepare for future employment. These restrictions apply even where no payment is received and even where the activity is short in duration.

Breaching the conditions of your visa can have serious consequences. If you are found to have worked illegally, your permission to stay may be curtailed and future UK visa applications may be refused on credibility grounds. In more serious cases, a history of non-compliance can lead to re-entry bans.

Section E summary

The Short-Term Study Visa does not allow work, internships, work experience or business activity in the UK. Applicants must ensure that their stay is limited strictly to English language study and everyday living activities. Any breach of these conditions can damage future UK immigration prospects.

Section F: How do you apply for a Short-Term Study Visa?

Applications for a Short-Term Study Visa must be made from outside the UK and require advance preparation. This route always requires prior entry clearance, and it is not possible to apply at the UK border or to switch into this category from within the UK.

You can submit your application up to three months before your intended date of travel. The application is made online as part of the wider UK visa application process. Once the online form is completed and the application fee paid, you will need to book an appointment at a visa application centre in your country of residence.

As part of the process, you will be required to provide your biometric information, including fingerprints and a photograph. Depending on where you apply, this may be handled through services linked to UKVCAS or equivalent overseas visa application centres. Understanding the location and availability of UKVCAS centres can be helpful if you later apply under a different route.

You must submit supporting documents to demonstrate that you meet the visa requirements. This will usually include a valid passport, evidence of acceptance onto an eligible English language course, details of the course provider, the duration of the course and the course fees. You must also show that you have sufficient funds to pay your course fees, support yourself during your stay and cover the cost of travel to and from the UK without working or accessing public funds.

You will also need to show that you intend to leave the UK at the end of your course. UKVI may consider evidence of your return or onward travel plans, as well as information demonstrating your ties to your home country. Where documents are not in English or Welsh, certified translations must be provided.

Additional documents may be required depending on your personal circumstances. Applicants who have recently lived in certain countries may need to provide a tuberculosis test certificate. Further information on this requirement can be found in guidance on the TB test UK. Applicants under the age of 18 must also provide written consent from a parent or legal guardian and evidence of suitable care and accommodation arrangements in the UK.

Section F summary

To apply for a Short-Term Study Visa, you must apply online from outside the UK, attend a biometric appointment and provide clear evidence of course acceptance, financial means and genuine intention to study and leave the UK. Careful preparation of documents is essential to reduce the risk of delay or refusal.

Section G: How much does a Short-Term Study Visa cost and how long does it take?

Before applying for a Short-Term Study Visa, applicants should understand both the financial cost of the application and the likely processing timeframe, as these factors can affect travel plans and course start dates.

The application fee for a Short-Term Study Visa is £200. This fee is paid as part of the online application process and is non-refundable if the application is refused. Applicants should therefore ensure that they meet the eligibility requirements and that their supporting documents are complete and accurate before submitting an application.

The Short-Term Study Visa does not require payment of the Immigration Health Surcharge. As a result, access to NHS healthcare is limited and treatment may be chargeable while you are in the UK. Applicants are strongly advised to take out comprehensive private medical insurance to cover the duration of their stay.

Processing times can vary depending on the country from which you apply and the complexity of your application. In many cases, a decision is made within around three weeks of the biometric appointment. However, applications may take longer where UKVI requires additional checks, for example due to previous immigration history, credibility concerns or incomplete documentation. Applicants should allow sufficient time before their intended travel date and take account of general UK visa processing time guidance.

In some locations, priority or super priority services may be available for an additional fee, allowing a faster decision. Availability and pricing depend on the visa application centre and should be checked locally before applying.

Section G summary

The Short-Term Study Visa costs £200 to apply for and does not require payment of the Immigration Health Surcharge, though private medical insurance is recommended. Processing times are often around three weeks but can vary, so applicants should plan ahead to avoid disruption to study arrangements.

Section H: Can you extend or switch from a Short-Term Study Visa?

The Short-Term Study Visa is intended to be a temporary and self-contained immigration route. It does not provide flexibility to extend your stay or to move into another visa category from within the UK, and applicants should take this into account before deciding to apply.

If you hold a Short-Term Study Visa, you cannot extend your stay in the UK under this route. Once your visa expires, or once you reach the maximum permitted period of stay, you must leave the UK. Remaining in the UK beyond the expiry of your visa will be treated as overstaying and can damage your immigration history, even where the period of overstay is short.

You are also not permitted to switch from a Short-Term Study Visa into another visa category while in the UK. This includes switching to a Student visa, a work visa or any other long-term immigration route. If you wish to continue studying or to come to the UK for work or another purpose, you must leave the UK and submit a fresh application from overseas under the relevant route.

Applicants should also be aware that making repeated applications for a Short-Term Study Visa within a short period may attract closer scrutiny from UKVI. There is no formal cooling-off period set out in the Immigration Rules, but where an application history suggests an attempt to remain in the UK on a long-term basis through successive short-term stays, an application may be refused on the basis that the applicant is not a genuine short-term student.

Section H summary

The Short-Term Study Visa cannot be extended and does not allow switching to another visa from within the UK. Applicants must leave the UK before their visa expires and apply from overseas if they wish to return under a different immigration route. Planning ahead is essential to avoid overstaying and refusal.

Section I: Common mistakes that lead to Short-Term Study Visa refusal

Short-Term Study Visa applications are frequently refused where applicants misunderstand the limits of the route or fail to present clear and consistent evidence. Many refusals could be avoided with better preparation and a clearer understanding of how UKVI assesses these applications in practice.

One of the most common reasons for refusal is applying for an ineligible course. The Short-Term Study Visa permits English language study only. Courses that include academic subjects, professional training or mixed content alongside English language tuition fall outside the scope of the route. Even where English is the main focus, the inclusion of any additional subject matter can result in refusal.

Insufficient or unclear financial evidence is another frequent issue. Applicants must demonstrate that they can pay their course fees, support themselves during their stay and cover travel costs without working or accessing public funds. Bank statements and other financial documents must be recent, consistent and credible. Large unexplained deposits or gaps in financial evidence can raise concerns and lead to refusal.

UKVI may also refuse applications where there are doubts about genuine intention. Factors such as previous UK visa refusals, a pattern of repeated short-term visits, or evidence suggesting plans to work or remain in the UK long term can undermine credibility. Where an application raises concerns under the general grounds for refusal, it is likely to be refused.

Procedural errors also commonly lead to refusal or delay. These include applying from the wrong location, failing to provide certified translations where required, or submitting documents that contain inconsistent personal details. Attention to detail is critical throughout the application process.

If an application is refused, this may affect future UK visa applications. Depending on the reasons for refusal, applicants may be able to challenge the decision through an administrative review, although this is limited to specific types of caseworker error.

Section I summary

Common causes of Short-Term Study Visa refusal include applying for an ineligible course, weak financial evidence, doubts about genuine intention and procedural mistakes. Careful preparation and a clear understanding of the visa rules are essential to minimise refusal risk and protect future immigration prospects.

Short-Term Study Visa FAQs

What is the Short-Term Study Visa used for?

The Short-Term Study Visa is used by overseas nationals who want to come to the UK to study English on a temporary basis. It is intended for English language courses of up to 11 months and does not cover academic study or professional training.

Who can apply for a Short-Term Study Visa?

You can apply if you are aged 16 or over, have been accepted onto an eligible English language course at an accredited institution and can show that you intend to leave the UK at the end of your course.

Is there a minimum course length for this visa?

There is no formal minimum course length set out in the Immigration Rules. However, in practice the Short-Term Study Visa is generally used for longer English language courses, with shorter study usually undertaken under the visitor route instead.

Can I work while studying on a Short-Term Study Visa?

No. You are not allowed to work in the UK on a Short-Term Study Visa. This includes paid work, unpaid work, internships and work experience.

Can I bring my family members with me?

No. The Short-Term Study Visa does not allow dependants. Family members would need to qualify and apply under their own immigration route if they wish to come to the UK.

Do I need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge?

No. The Short-Term Study Visa does not require payment of the Immigration Health Surcharge. As a result, access to NHS healthcare is limited and treatment may be chargeable, so private medical insurance is strongly recommended.

Can I extend my Short-Term Study Visa?

No. The Short-Term Study Visa cannot be extended from within the UK. You must leave the UK before your visa expires.

Can I switch to another visa while in the UK?

No. You cannot switch from a Short-Term Study Visa into another visa category while in the UK. Any new application must be made from outside the UK.

How long does it take to get a decision?

In many cases, a decision is made within around three weeks of your biometric appointment. Processing times can vary depending on where you apply and whether additional checks are required.

What happens if my application is refused?

If your application is refused, the application fee will not be refunded. A refusal may also affect future UK visa applications, particularly if it raises concerns about credibility or compliance with the Immigration Rules.

Conclusion

The Short-Term Study Visa is a narrowly defined UK immigration route intended solely for overseas nationals undertaking short-term English language study. While it can be an appropriate option for students enrolling on intensive English courses of up to 11 months, it comes with strict conditions that must be understood before applying.

This visa does not permit work, internships or work experience, does not allow dependants and offers no flexibility to extend your stay or switch to another visa category from within the UK. Applications are assessed on the basis of genuine short-term study intention, and where an application falls outside the rules or raises credibility concerns, refusal is likely.

Prospective students should ensure that their chosen course is eligible, that their institution is properly accredited and that their application is supported by clear, consistent evidence of funds and intention to leave the UK at the end of the course. Careful planning is particularly important where future study or work in the UK is being considered, as this visa is not designed to lead to longer-term residence.

Choosing the correct visa route at the outset can help avoid delays, refusals and complications with future UK immigration applications. Where plans extend beyond short-term English language study, alternative immigration routes should be explored before applying.

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