Adult students
Arrival in the UK
This page explains when you can come to the United Kingdom if you have a student visa, and what you must show at port when you arrive.
You will be allowed to come to the United Kingdom a short time before the start of your course, depending on how long you have been given permission to stay (also known as leave to remain).
You must show your visa stamp (also known as a vignette) in your passport or your ID card at port when you arrive.
More information
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When can I come?
Your course start date is the date given by your approved education provider on your visa letter.
If you are doing a course that is six months or more, or it is a course to prepare you for study (known as a pre-sessional course) that is less than six months, you will be able to come to the United Kingdom up to one month before the date you start the course you are studying.
If you are doing a course that is less than six months and is not a course to prepare you for study, you will be able to come to the United Kingdom up to seven days before the date you start the course you are studying.
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What to show at port
You must show your visa stamp (also known as a vignette) in your passport or your ID card at port when you arrive.
We advise you to carry the documents you provided with your original application (or copies of them) in your hand luggage, including your original visa letter or your confirmation of acceptance for studies reference number. From February 2010 the UK Border Agency will only accept a confirmation of acceptance for studies and will no longer accept a visa letter. See Arriving at the UK border for more information.