Travel outside the UK

Your student visa only allows you to remain in the UK. You will have to get a separate one for each country other than the UK that you wish to travel to (unless you are travelling to certain countries in Europe, see Schengen visas, below).

Have you got a multi-entry visa for the UK?  If you have a student visa for more than six months, it should be multi-entry.

If you do not have a multi-entry visa DO NOT leave the UK as you will not be permitted back in the country again without obtaining a new visa.

Evidence you may be asked to provide when applying for a visa:

• 3 + months left on your UK visa after you intended return to the UK.
• Passport valid for 6 months +
• Letter from University confirming that you are a full-time student.
• Evidence of funds to support yourself whilst travelling on the visa.
• 2 passport sized photographs
• If you are travelling to visit someone/work for someone, a reference from them.
• An application fee
• Some embassies ask to see your travel tickets before they grant your visa but where this is not compulsory, we advise you do not buy tickets until you have your visa.

You must contact the embassy of the country to which you are travelling and ask them their exact requirements before you make your application for a visa

To find contact details for an embassy go to Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Some embassies may allow you to apply by post or in person though many ask you to make an appointment and attend the embassy for an interview. Whether or not you have to apply in person may depend upon your nationality.

You may have to prove that you fulfil the entry requirements for the UK when you come back from your trip abroad. Therefore, we advise you take all your documentary evidence such as proof of funding, proof of enrolment etc. with you when you travel.

Schengen Visas

A schengen visa allows you to travel between certain countries within the European Economic Area (EEA) for up to three months using only one visa.;Some countries will issue you a multi-entry visa which means you can leave the Schengen area and return within the three months, but some prefer to issue a single entry visa to cover you for a specific trip.

The countries included in the Schengen agreement are as follows:

• Austria
• Greece
• Netherlands
• Belgium
• Hungary
• Norway
• Czech Republic
• Iceland
• Denmark
• Italy
• Portugal
• Estonia
• Latvia
• Finland
• Lithuania
• Slovenia
• France
• Luxembourg
• Spain
• Germany
• Malta
• Sweden

(N.B. British Passport holders and nationals of countries included in the Schengen agreement do not need a visa to travel between these countries but you must have at least 3 months validity left on your passport).

You can apply at the embassy of the country you intend spending the longest time in, or the one you will visit first if your stay in each country will be of a similar length or you are not sure of your itinerary.

Bear in mind that the cost of a visa application may vary from embassy to embassy.