Visas and immigration
Guidance and information about visa requirements, the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) and recognised student status.
View from the Clarendon Building towards the Weston Library. Credit: University of Oxford Images
Visa requirements
There is information and help available for students who require a visa to study in the UK.
Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)
You may need to apply for an ATAS certificate for certain courses.
Recognised Student status
The information below is intended only for those applying for Recognised Student status.
If you are not a UK or Irish national (or do not have settled or pre-settled status through the EU Settlement Scheme or indefinite leave to remain) you will need immigration permission for study in the UK.
If your period of study will be for more than six months you must apply for a Student visa before coming to the UK. You will need to request your department to assign you a Confirmation of Acceptance for Study (CAS). See our website for information on applying for a Student visa. Student visa holders have restricted permission to work in the UK and further information about restrictions on working can be found on our Working while studying page.
If your period of study will be for less than a maximum of six months you could apply for a Student visa as above or alternatively you could use the visitor/ETA route. You will need a visitor for study letter from your Oxford Department and written confirmation from your home institution that your research in Oxford will be part of or relevant to your course. If you are a ‘Visa National’ you must apply for a six-month visitor visa before travelling to the UK, please refer to the Government's visa pages to check if this applies to you.
If you are a ‘Non-visa National’ and coming for less than a maximum of six months you will have to apply for an ETA.
Please note, whether you are studying under the Student Route or as a visitor you cannot apply for a visa from within the UK and so cannot extend your period of study. It is your responsibility to check how long it will take to obtain a visa in your country and to plan the submission of your application accordingly. You should ensure that the start of your stay corresponds with the start date of an academic term.
Please see the University's further information on visas and immigration or alternatively, you can email the Student Immigration team for more details.
