School and university education in the UK
One needs a British residence permit to study without a UK student visa. But the country stopped issuing the Investor Visa Tier 1 at the beginning of 2022. Now foreigners use other ways to relocate to the UK with their families.
A second passport can make it easier for children to get an education in the UK. Learn which citizenship to obtain and what its benefits will be.
Where to get second citizenship for visiting the UK
Investments: $100,000+
Obtaining period: 1+ months
No passport by investment provides the right to study at British schools and universities without visas. However, citizenship of some countries allows spending up to 180 days in the UK, which is enough to choose a university or visit the child.
The right of visa-free entry to the UK is available to citizens of Malta, Vanuatu, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Lucia.
The listed countries are members of the Commonwealth of Nations, which includes the UK and former British colonies, protectorates and dominions. Thanks to the Commonwealth membership, Maltese, Vanuatu and Caribbean citizens can get some benefits in the UK, like entering the country visa-free and scholarships for talented students.
Children’s education in the UK with Antigua and Barbuda citizenship
Kiran wanted to obtain second citizenship for himself and his family to travel visa-free and provide children with European education. We offered him Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by contributing to the University of the West Indies Fund as the least expensive investment option for a big family among Caribbean programs.
Kiran’s daughter will graduate from school in 2024 and be able to study at the University of the West Indies for free for a year. Diplomas of this university are accepted in all Commonwealth countries, including the UK.
Kiran and his wife also decided to send their sons to British private schools with a technical focus. In future, they will be able to benefit from preferential terms when enrolling in British universities.
Visas required to study in the UK
A UK student visa isn’t required for participating in educational programs that take up to six months, for example, for language courses. But a visa is needed to enrol in a school or university.
The visa type depends on the student’s age and course duration:
A Short-Term Study Visa is for courses that take 6 to 11 months without an opportunity to change the course or study at a public school.
A Student Visa is for applicants over 16 willing to study at a school or university. In this case, a student visa is usually valid for 2 years if the course doesn’t lead to a degree and for 5 years to study at a university with getting a diploma after graduation.
A Child Student Visa allows children aged 4 to 17 to study at private schools. The visa validity period depends on the applicant’s age and course duration. The maximum is 6 years and 4 months.
The UK student visa application usually requires proof of admission to a course, school or university, health insurance and enough money for a child to live in the country during their studies. Depending on the visa type, it can be received either outside the UK or after arrival.
Second citizenship helps investors’ children take short-term courses in the UK without visas, while parents can freely and often visit them. If the main task is to get a British education, a Caribbean passport might be the most beneficial choice.
Material prepared by Julia Loko, Investment programs expert
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