- Travel advice for Student visa holders
- Do I need a Schengen visa?
- What is a Schengen visa?
- Where to apply for a Schengen visa
- How to apply for a Schengen visa
- How much does a Schengen visa cost?
- How long does a Schengen visa application take?
- Re-entering the UK
- Travelling after you finish your course
Travel advice for Student visa holders
If you want to travel outside the UK, check with the embassy or consulate of the country you want to visit to find out if you need a visa.
Some countries require you to have between two and six months remaining on your Student visa. This may mean that you cannot travel towards the end of your stay in the UK.
Do I need a Schengen visa?
Whether you need a Schengen visa depends on your nationality and circumstances.
ETIAS is coming soon. Some nationalities that do not need a Schengen visa will need to apply for an ETIAS to travel to Europe. Visit the ETIAS website for more information.
The following nationalities do not need a Schengen visa if they are visiting only for tourism and have valid medical insurance:
- Albania*
- Andorra
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Bosnia and Herzegovina*
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Dominica
- El Salvador
- Georgia
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Hong Kong SAR
- Israel
- Japan
- Kiribati
- Macau SAR
- Malaysia
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Moldova*
- Monaco
- Montenegro*
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- North Macedonia*
- Palau
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Serbia*
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- South Korea
- Taiwan**
- Timor Leste
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tuvalu
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uruguay
- Vanuatu***
- Vatican City
- Venezuela
* Holders of biometric passports only
** Passport must contain identity card number
*** From 4 August 2024
What is a Schengen visa?
A Schengen visa allows you to travel to certain European countries using one visa for your trip.
There are 29 countries in the Schengen area:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Most non-EEA nationals will need a Schengen visa to travel within the Schengen area.
Before making travel arrangements, check the requirements with the embassy or consulate of the country you want to visit. Each country has information about its application process, required documents and application forms.
For more information, visit the EU Migration & Home Affairs website.
Where to apply for a Schengen visa
Where you apply depends on your travel plans:
- If you are visiting one Schengen country: apply to the embassy or consulate of that country.
- If you are visiting several Schengen countries: apply to the embassy or consulate of the country where you will spend the most time.
- If you will spend an equal amount of time in several countries: apply to the embassy or consulate of the country you will visit first.
How to apply for a Schengen visa
Application procedures, required documents and charges vary between Schengen countries. Check the relevant embassy website before applying.
You may be asked to provide:
- Recent photographs.
- A completed application form.
- Your current valid passport.
- Evidence of your travel plans. This may include your return travel documents and accommodation booking. If you are staying with a friend or relative, you may need an invitation letter. This may need to be verified by their local town or city hall, so make arrangements as early as possible.
- Evidence of the time remaining on your Student visa. Check that your current visa allows you to return to the UK. Some Schengen countries require you to have a specific amount of time remaining on your Student visa. This could be up to six months from the date you return to the UK.
- Evidence that you can support yourself during your trip. This could include recent bank statements or credit card statements showing your current credit limit. As a guide, you may need to show at least £35 to £40 for each day you will be overseas.
- The visa application fee. Fees and accepted payment methods vary, so check these with the relevant embassy or consulate before applying. The fee is usually non-refundable, whether your application is successful or not.
- Proof that you are a student. You need a letter from the University confirming that you are a full-time student. You can request a Student Status letter online. Please allow at least five working days.
- Travel insurance, including medical insurance. Some Schengen countries require proof of medical insurance that covers your entire trip.
How much does a Schengen visa cost?
The fee is €90, approximately £75 depending on the exchange rate.
You can usually pay by debit or credit card or postal order. Some embassies accept only cash.
Check the relevant embassy or consulate website for the current fee and accepted payment methods before applying.
The visa application fee is non-refundable.
How long does a Schengen visa application take?
You can apply for your visa no more than six months before your travel date.
Processing can take several weeks and varies between embassies. Most embassies do not issue Schengen visas on the same day and may require you to submit your application through a partner agency.
If you need to apply in person, you may need to arrive early and be prepared to queue.
Embassies may close for national holidays in their country. Always check the relevant embassy website before visiting.
For further information and advice, visit the UKCISA website.
Re-entering the UK
If you travel outside the UK during your studies, make sure that your permission to stay in the UK does not expire while you are away.
You should take an up-to-date Student Status letter with you as evidence that you are still a student.
You will need to provide a share code to prove your immigration status. You can view and prove your immigration status on GOV.UK.
If you have problems generating a share code, you can call the UKVI Passenger Support Helpline on 0800 876 6921. The helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is free of charge.
You should also have evidence that you have enough money for your tuition fees and living expenses.
If you travel during term time, you should have a letter from your tutor confirming that you have permission to be away and that your course will still be available when you return.
You may need to show these documents to an immigration officer when you re-enter the UK.
Travelling after you finish your course
If you travel outside the UK after you have finished your course, take documents that show why you are returning to the UK. For example, you may be returning to extend your Student visa to study another course or to apply for a Graduate visa or Skilled Worker visa.
If the immigration officer is not satisfied that you intend to make a visa extension application in the UK, you may be refused entry.