Long Stay Visa Guide for International Students in Edinburgh

No other city compares to Edinburgh. Scotland's capital is home to UNESCO World Heritage sites, impressive architecture, and a wealth of historical landmarks. It is regarded as one of the greatest festival cities in the world and is a mash-up of higher education, literary arts, and culture. 

Although they undoubtedly contribute to the city's popularity, Edinburgh is much more than just its well-known castle, Arthur's Seat, and the fringe festival. Students have a plethora of options to explore, ranging from the trendy and artistic Leith to the historic Old Town and the renowned Royal Mile. Anyone could spend a lifetime exploring the parks, beaches, bars, clubs, museums, shopping, and restaurants in and around Edinburgh. 

With four universities and a sizable student population of 34,000, it is a true student city where education is prioritised. The huge student population has increased the demand for student accommodation in Edinburgh. You're in good company studying here, as seen by the alumni list that includes Charles Darwin and Stevenson, Robert Louis.

Long Stay Visa Guide For International Students in Edinburgh 

For the most part, foreign students studying in the UK require a visa. International students who are already in the UK on a different kind of visa or immigration authorization, such as dependent visa holders, holders of Tier 2 and Tier 5 visas, or citizens of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland who have EU Settled/Pre-settled status but do not meet the residency requirements to qualify for "home fees" student status, are also welcome to apply to colleges and universities in Edinburgh.  

Those who want to study in Edinburgh can apply for one of three primary categories of visas. The Edinburgh colleges and university international team will determine which visa path is best for you and your studies, and they will also provide you additional in-depth guidance on the application procedure.  

Students enrolled in internships or studying for longer than six months must apply for a student visa before departing. 

When to submit an application: Six months before to the start of your study is the earliest you can apply for a visa. Usually, three weeks will pass before you hear back regarding your visa decision. 

How to fill out an application: Visit this link to apply for a regular visiting visa: https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor-visa 

How much time you can spend there: The duration of your course and the amount of study you have already finished will determine how long you can stay. 

You can often remain in any part of the UK for up to five years if you are 18 years of age or older and enrolled in a degree-granting programme. If it's less than a degree, you can usually stay in the UK for a maximum of two years. During your stay in Edinburgh, you can choose the best student housing in Edinburgh from among the several options available in the city.  

Extending one's stay in the UK 

If qualified, you might be able to prolong your visa so you can finish your studies in the UK. 

You can convert an existing visa to a student visa if you already have one. 

Getting a Place to Stay 

It's likely that you may arrange for temporary Edinburgh student accommodation if you're moving to the city from India for a set amount of time. You might first reserve a hotel that offers affordable rates and utilise this time to look for housing. 

To find the ideal student accommodation, start by browsing websites for student properties. Configure search parameters to meet your needs. Configure alerts. Call the owner or the property management as soon as you receive a fresh alert to arrange a viewing. If the home becomes available for viewing within minutes of being booked during a particularly busy time of year, don't be discouraged; simply wait for the next available viewing appointment. It should be noted that in nearly all cases, you must attend an in-person viewing before you can formally submit an application.  

New Park Edinburgh is one of the leading student housing options in the city. View the property after securing a viewing. If it appeals to you, apply right away and indicate your interest. You will need to pay a deposit if everything goes through and the owners are pleased to have you as tenants. Two months' worth of rent cannot be requested as a deposit, and all deposits in Edinburgh are held by one of three tenant deposit schemes. Move in after signing the lease and paying the first month's rent!