Immigration & Visas

The below information provides guidance for students requiring a visa to attend one of our on-campus Summer Schools.

Students are responsible for obtaining their own visa prior to travelling, but can request assistance from Oxford Royale Academy. Please note that visa requirements differ from country to country, and you should always refer to the most recent guidance from the relevant government website(s).

You can go online and check your visa requirements by visiting the useful Check if you need a UK visa tool from the UK government.

Students from European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries do not currently require a visa to enter the UK to attend our academic or English language courses. We recommend that students keep checking this page for further information and updates.

Oxford Royale Academy recommends that registered students who require a visa to enter the UK apply for a Standard Visitor visa (details here), which authorises students to attend a short course of study (including English language programmes) in the UK. For more information regarding the Short-term study visa, please visit www.gov.uk/standard-visitor.

When seeking advice on applying for a UK visa, Oxford Royale Academy strongly recommends that students contact their local visa issuing authority for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

In addition to checking your visa requirements for entry into the UK, please also ensure that your passport has sufficient time (at least 6 months) before it reaches its expiry.

Students attending our Summer Schools in the USA may be able to enter the United States on the Visa Waiver programme. You can find out whether you qualify for this by using the online Visa Wizard on the US Travel website – select the ‘study or exchange’, then ‘recreational program’ options.

Please note that the student is responsible for organising his or her visa ahead of time, and we can provide documentation to assist with registered students’ visa applications. Please read the applicable Terms and Conditions of Enrolment carefully with respect to visas – the terms contain information pertaining to such issues as visa rejection and border control.

Advice on receiving your visa on time

Your visa is more likely to be granted if you satisfy the following requirements:

• Make sure you fill in the form yourself.
• Make sure the information you give is accurate, e.g. contact details.
• Have your acceptance letter available, from Oxford Royale Academy, proving your position on a course.
• If you are learning English, you should show why learning English and coming to the UK/USA is useful and necessary for you.
• For older students (above 18 years old) you must show that you have good reason to return home after your studies, e.g. for work.

Assistance from ORA staff

All students who need to apply for a visa can request a Letter of Invitation from ORA’s Admissions Team online through the ORA Portal, by clicking ‘Extras’ and then ‘Request Visa Assistance’. The personalised letter is signed and stamped by one of our staff members in accordance with embassy requirements, and is designed to support a student’s visa application. Oxford Royale Academy can send Letters of Invitation to students by email, regular mail or international courier (fees apply). Our contact details are displayed on the letter in the event that embassy or high commission staff need to further confirm details of the student’s registration.

ORA also provides students with a visa information pack which contains useful information about how to apply for a visa, including a list of visa nationals and advice on which type of visa to choose.

Oxford Royale’s accreditations

Our accreditation by the British Council and British Accreditation Council, as well as membership of English UK and Study UK provides further support to a student’s visa application.

Letter of parental consent

Oxford Royale provides registered students with a letter of parental consent template. A completed copy of this letter should be carried by all students aged under 18 who are travelling independently to their summer course location, and whose journey involves crossing an international border from another country. The student’s parent or legal guardian should sign this letter to confirm they authorise the student to travel to the UK/US on their own to attend an Oxford Royale course. The letter also includes a note to immigration officers outlining Oxford Royale’s contact details, should border officials need to get in touch with one of our staff members on the day of the student’s arrival in the UK or US.