How to apply for a UK Visa
On this page we provide concise visa guidance for students wishing to learn English in the United Kingdom.
Do I need a UK Visa?
Recent changes to immigration rules and visas
Here is our update on the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, changes to maintenance fees, and eVisas.
Electronic Travel Authorisation roll-out continues
An Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a digital permission to travel to the UK for those who do not currently need a visa to travel or have UK immigration status.
- Phase 1 - The ETA was introduced in November 2023 for Qatari nationals and extended to Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
UKVI has announced when other non-visa nationals will need the ETA before they are allowed to travel to the UK. - Phase 2 - From 8 January 2025, nationals of all non-European countries on the list of visa-national countries will need to show they have an ETA before boarding their flight to the UK. Applications for the ETA for this group of countries will open on Wednesday, 27 November 2024.
- Phase 3 - From Wednesday 2 April 2025, all nationals from European countries (EU/ EEA and European micro-states) will need an ETA when entering the UK.
Applications can be submitted from Wednesday 5 March 2025.
Cost
The ETA costs £10 per applicant and is valid for two years. The ETA is linked to the visitor's passport. A new ETA will be needed if the passport expires in less than two years.
How to apply?
Applications can be made online or using the UK ETA app. A decision is given within three days.
What happens if an ETA is refused?
An application for an ETA can be refused. If this is the case, the applicant must apply for a visitor visa.
What documents do I need to apply for a UK Visa?
- You need our booking confirmation / invoice and our visa invitation letter to prove that you have registered for a language course in our school
- You need your bank statements or payslips for the last 6 months in order to prove that you have enough money to pay your living expenses while you are in the UK as well as for your return journey.
- You might also need a tuberculosis test
- You can check out which other documents you need here
Brexit
The UK has left the European Union, and the transition period came to an end. From January 2021, a new immigration system with new rules will apply to all nationalities.
From 2021, EU/EEA/Swiss nationals will be able to come to the UK as a tourist or student for up to six months without needing a visa. Students can arrive at the border and either show their passport, or enter through the electronic passport gates to be granted entry clearance.
Note: From 2021.international students are only allowed to study at an institution which is accredited by one of the UK governments recognised accreditation bodies. Europa School of English is accredited by Accreditation UK and is therefore an acceptable choice.
Students will need to apply for a visa before travelling to the UK if they want to work or study for longer than 6 months, if they do not already hold either settled or pre-settled status in the UK.
From January 2021, anyone who is already in the UK as a visitor will be able to study as much as they want for up to 6 months.
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens will lose automatic work rights in the UK
From October 2021: ID card travel will be phased out meaning all visitors will require passports 1st October 2021. Until 30th September 2021 Identity cards remain for junior students.
How to get to Bournemouth?
Bournemouth is located in the south of England 107 miles (172 kilometres) from London. The nearest airports are Bournemouth and Southampton, but travelling to London from your home country is also a good option. Bournemouth can easily be reached by train (National Rail) and by coach (National Express) from the English capital and many other major cities.
The below gives you a brief overview of how to travel to Bournemouth on public transport and also information about the private transfers we can arrange for you at an additional cost.
Public Transport
Gatwick Airport
Frequent and direct services with National Express coaches (www.nationalexpress.com)
From: Gatwick Airport (North Terminal)
To: Bournemouth Coach Station
Direct journey: approx. 3 hours 15 minutes
Journey via London Heathrow Airport: approx. 4 hours 30 minutes
Departure: North Terminal (on the lower level outside international arrivals)
Tickets: National Express ticket desks in the North and South Terminals or online in advance.
Heathrow Airport
Frequent and direct services with National Express coaches (www.nationalexpress.com)
From: Heathrow Airport (Terminals 2, 3 and Terminal 5)
To: Bournemouth Coach Station
Direct journey: approx. 2 hours 20 minutes
Departure: The central bus station is a short walk from the terminals and has lifts, escalators and moving walkways to help with the journey at terminals 2, 3 and terminal 5. The bus station is open 24 hours a day and the travel centre is open from 06:00 to 22:30.
Tickets: Ticket office at Heathrow central bus station (06:00 - 22:10), ticket machines or online in advance.
Stansted Airport
Frequent services with National Express coaches via London (www.nationalexpress.com)
From: Stansted Airport
To: Bournemouth Coach Station
Journey via London Victoria Coach Station: approx. 4 hours 50 minutes
Journey via London Heathrow Airport: approx. 4 hours 25 minutes
Departure: The coach station is opposite the main terminal entrance
Tickets: Ticket desk in arrivals (open 06:00 to 01:00), in the coach station (24 hours a day, seven days a week) or online in advance.
Bournemouth Airport
Weekday service only with More Bus (Route 737 https://www.morebus.co.uk/)
From: Bournemouth Airport
To: Bournemouth Train Station
Direct journey: approx. 20 minutes
Departure: Every hour outside the airport
Tickets: On board
Southampton Airport
Frequent and direct train services operated by National Rail (www.nationalrail.co.uk)
From: Southampton Airport Parkway Station
To: Bournemouth Train Station
Direct journey: approx. 38 minutes
Departure: Southampton Airport Parkway Station is right next to the airport
Tickets: Ticket machine located in international arrivals or online in advance.
Eurostar
Journey: From Paris Gare du Nord (France) or Brussels-Midi/Zuid (Belgium) to London St Pancras (https://www.eurostar.com/)
Transport to the coach station: Tube from King’s Cross St. Pancras to Victoria Station, Northern Line by Transport for London (https://tfl.gov.uk/), ticket machine in the underground station
Train station to Bournemouth: Frequent and direct services with National Express coaches (www.nationalexpress.com)
From: Victoria Coach Station
To: Bournemouth Train Station
Direct journey: approx. 2 hours 30 minutes
Tickets: Ticket hall open daily from 08:30 to 19:30, ticket machine in the coach station or online in advance.
Ferry
Journey: Since March 2021, from Cherbourg (France) to Poole (https://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/), overnight and day time sailings (respectively 10hrs and app. 4hrs 30mns)
From: Poole ferry terminal
To: Bournemouth Train Station
By taxi: approx. 20 minutes
By train: 20 minute walk to the train station, direct train services operated by National Rail (www.nationalrail.co.uk), approx. 20minutes, ticket machine located in the train station or online in advance.
By bus: 10 minute walk to the Bus Station (Stand B), direct buses operated by More Bus ( bus M2, www.morebus.co.uk).
How to get to your Accommodation
Home stay
We will provide you with the address of your host family prior to arrival. From the Coach and Train Station in Bournemouth you will be able to get there on foot, by bus (www.bybus.co.uk) or by taxi.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you need information about local bus connections or taxi companies. We will be happy to assist you with travel preparations.
Residence
We will provide you with the address of your residence prior to arrival. From the Coach and Train Station in Bournemouth you will be able to get there on foot, by bus (www.morebus.co.uk) or by taxi.
The residence is within 15 minutes walking distance from the coach and train station.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you need information about local bus connections or taxi companies. We will be happy to assist you with travel preparations.
Private Airport Transfer
Airport transfers can be arranged with our local partner straight to your accommodation any time of the day from airport arrivals.
- Price for One Way
- Bournemouth: £50
- Southampton: £140
- Heathrow: £205
- Stansted: £290
- Gatwick: £215
You will be met at the arrival gate by the chauffeur with a Europa School of English sign showing your name. If you do not see the chauffeur, please call our emergency number, which you will find in your booking information.