Visa/permit guidance for UK based students wanting to study, work & volunteer abroad Created via the collaboration of UK university staff as part of the UUKi Visa Working group

Introduction to visa/permit guidance

Applying for a visa and/or work permit can seem like a daunting task at first. This guidance has been created to support students through this process. It will take you through common considerations you should be aware of as you prepare to apply for a visa: including how to get started, a general step by step guide, and further resources such as a glossary of terms and links to other resources.

In this introductory section we will cover what a visa/permit is, how the type of passport you have can impact what visa is needed, and the potential support offered by your UK HE institution.

There is a summary of the contents of this guidance at the bottom of the page that will allow you to navigate to all the other sections.

Contents of this visa/permit guidance for UK based students wanting to study, work & volunteer abroad

  1. Introduction: What is a visa/permit? Passport types. What support is offered by UK higher education institutions?
  2. How to get started: Applying for a visa/permit to study or work abroad.
  3. Ready to get started with your Visa Application: Step by step guide.
  4. Further resources: Useful links & glossary of terms.

DISCLAIMER - Please note this guidance does not constitute advice. It does not guarantee that any visa applications will not be rejected/refused. It is intended as best practice guidance on how to ensure that you have everything you need to apply for a visa/permit to study/work/volunteer outside the UK. This guidance was written and published in February 2024, last updated Autumn 2024.

What is a visa and/or permit?

A visa is an official document or authorisation issued by a foreign government that permits entry into their country. Most students undertaking a study/work placement abroad will need to apply for a visa or other permit to enter the destination country to study/work. You must obtain the correct visa and adhere to any conditions of that visa.

In this guidance we generally use the term ‘visa’, however in some countries the document you need to apply for may be known by a different name such as a ‘Study Permit’, ‘Residence Permit’ or ‘Work Permit’. This guidance is relevant for any students needing to apply for a visa/permit or any other form of authorisation to enter a country. Please also note that:

  • A visa may need to be accompanied by a residence or work permit
  • A visa is usually affixed into your passport, but may be digital or a separate document
  • There may be legal implications if you outstay or break conditions of your visa, including: deportation, fines, and future travel bans

Visa requirements, costs and application processes can differ depending on:

  • The country you are applying to
  • Your planned activity (work, study, internships or volunteering can require different visa types)
  • Your nationality
  • Duration of stay

Recommendations for all passport holders

  • You will need a current passport with enough time on it before it is due to expire. If you are planning to work/study abroad for one year and your passport expires halfway through your stay, your visa application will likely be rejected.
  • Visa application processes can take several weeks so make sure to check the expiry date within your passport, and where needed renew your passport, before you begin.
  • You also need to know how long you need left on your passport after your planned return date. This information can be found within official travel advice and/or on the country embassy pages within the visa section. For example a country may require your passport to have a minimum of 3 months validity beyond your planned return date. This is so that if you decide/need to apply to extend your stay, this will not be impacted by your passport expiring during that time.
  • To see how much time you have left on your passport, you simply need to look at the ‘expiry date/valid until’ within your passport. You will then need to consider your travel dates and determine if you have enough time to meet the requirements of the visa you are considering applying for.
  • For UK nationals, you can renew/apply for a new passport online.

Recommendations for UK passport holders

  • You should be aware that as of the end of the Brexit transition period (January 2021), free movement privileges within the EU/EEA no longer apply. You will be subject to the local immigration and entry rules with requirements and restrictions differing between countries.
  • There are new entry rules on travelling to the EU and Schengen area. Please visit the European Commission's website for information on the entry/exit system and the Schengen Visa webpages for more information on Schengen Visas which will allow you to enter the EU and Schengen area visa free for certain periods of time depending on what you plan to do there.

Recommendations for non-UK passport holders

  • If you are an international student holding a Student Visa for your studies in the UK and wish to undertake a work or study placement as part of your course, you should make your university aware of your visa status when applying for an international opportunity. This is to ensure they can consider appropriate arrangements for engagement and attendance monitoring to ensure you continue to meet the conditions of your UK Student Visa whilst working or studying abroad.
  • If you are planning to visit the EU, Please visit the European Commission's website for information on the entry/exit system and the Schengen Visa webpages for more information on Schengen Visas which will allow you to enter the EU and Schengen area visa free for certain periods of time depending on what you plan to do there.
  • When reviewing the travel advice and embassy pages for visa arrangements, please be sure to check where and how you are required to submit your visa application. In some cases, international students studying in the UK may need to return to their home country to submit a visa application to another country.

Support provided by UK universities

Most universities are unable to give specialist visa advice to students wanting to work/study/volunteer outside the UK. It is unfortunately unfeasible for university staff to maintain accurate and up-to-date information on visa requirements for every potential destination around the world. Students may come across their universities Immigration advice service and wonder if they can help. They are specialists in giving visa advice to international students coming to the UK to study, and therefore they are unable to assist students planning to study/work or volunteer outside of the UK.

Therefore, the aim of this guidance is to give students as much insight into how to navigate the visa process themselves, referring students to official sources for country specific advice. The visa process for each country is unique, and the actions required from one individual may vary to another as it depends on nationality, type of visa required, planned activities in country, length of stay, and other factors - two individuals going to the same country requiring the same visa, may have to follow two different processes.

Next Section - How to get started

Guidance contents

  1. Introduction: What is a visa/permit & passport types, what support is offered by UK HE institutions
  2. How to get started: Applying for a Visa/Permit to study or work abroad
  3. Ready to get started with your visa application: Step by step guide
  4. Further resources: Useful links & glossary of terms

DISCLAIMER - Please note this guidance does not constitute advice. It does not guarantee that any visa applications will not be rejected/refused. It is intended as best practice guidance on how to ensure that you have everything you need to apply for a visa/permit to study/work/volunteer outside the UK. This guidance was written and published in February 2024, last updated Autumn 2024.