UK Immigration Rules Appendix Short-term Student (English language) Updated

Current rules

The current Appendix Short-term Student continues to provide an immigration route for people aged 16 or over who want to study an English-language course lasting at least 6 months and no more than 11 months at an accredited institution. Applications must be made from outside the UK via the specified online form. Applicants must meet validity, suitability, and eligibility requirements, including obtaining entry clearance, providing biometrics, possessing a valid travel document, and paying any required fees and the Immigration Health Charge. A medical certificate for tuberculosis screening is required for stays over 6 months if Appendix Tuberculosis applies. The course must be an English language course only, lasting 6 to 11 months, at an accredited institution, with written evidence of acceptance. Applicants must demonstrate they are genuine students, will not work or engage in business, will not make the UK their main home, will leave within 30 days of course completion or at 11 months (whichever is sooner), and can self-maintain and accommodate without public funds, including covering return journey costs and course fees. For applicants aged 16 or 17, parental consent requirements must be met as per Appendix Children. Grants are for 11 months, with conditions of no public funds, no work, and study only on the permitted course. Specific previous clauses STS 5.2 (financial requirements) and STS 7.2 (parental consent) have been deleted.

Overview

The UK government is tightening sponsorship rules for universities recruiting international students, introducing a sliding scale of penalties for institutions with high visa refusal, low enrolment, or low course completion rates. This includes raising monitoring thresholds (e.g., visa refusal rate must be below 5%, course enrolment at least 95%, course completion at least 90%). A new 'traffic light' rating system will be implemented from summer 2027, with those rated 'red' facing recruitment restrictions or potential loss of international student recruitment rights. This follows a reported 30% drop in student asylum claims after previous government action.

What changed in the latest version

This policy matters because it clearly sets out the way and the strict rules for people who want to study English for a short time in the UK. This makes it easier for future students to understand what they need to do. For organisations that teach English, it means they must be approved. It also means their courses must be the right kind for this visa. Rules STS 5.2 and STS 7.2 have been removed from the text. This makes the text simpler, but applicants still need to meet the money and parental permission rules. These rules are explained in other relevant sections. If applicants do not follow these rules, their visa could be refused. Or they could break immigration conditions.

Explained simply

Imagine you want to come to the UK just to learn English for about half a year to a year. This new rule is like a checklist for getting special permission to do that. You need to be at least 16, apply from your home country, and show that you're going to a proper language school. You also need to prove you have enough money to pay for your course and live here without needing help, and that you'll go home afterwards. It's just making sure everyone follows the same clear steps.

Frequently asked

Version history

1. v5Effective 3 Aug 2026PublishedMedium impact
   UK Immigration Rules Appendix Short-term Student (English language) Updated

   Follows v2 · UK Immigration Rules Part 3: Students - Short-Term Student and Related Categories Deleted

   The UK Immigration Rules Appendix Short-term Student (English language) sets out rules for people aged 16 and older. These people want to study an English language course in the UK. The course must last between 6 and 11 months. Applicants must apply from outside the UK. They must get entry clearance, which is official permission to enter the UK. Key rules include studying at an approved organisation, showing proof they are accepted on a course, and proving they genuinely intend to study. They must also have enough money for living costs and course fees. They cannot use public funds, which is money from the government. Permission to stay is for 11 months. There are strict rules against working or making the UK their main home. Rules STS 5.2 (about money) and STS 7.2 (about parental permission) have been removed. However, applicants must still meet the underlying requirements.

2. v2Effective 3 Aug 2026PublishedHigh impact
   UK Immigration Rules Part 3: Students - Short-Term Student and Related Categories Deleted

   The United Kingdom's Immigration Rules Part 3, which covered students, has changed a lot. Many specific rules have been removed. All rules about short-term students (A57A-A57H) are gone. Rules for general students (57-62), student nurses (63-69), re-sitting exams (69A-69F), writing a thesis (69G-69L), overseas qualified nurses or midwives (69M-69R), and postgraduate doctors or dentists (70-75) are also gone. Rules for student dependants (76-81), prospective students (A82, 82-87), and students' unions sabbatical officers (87A-87F) have been removed too. This means these specific ways to get a visa, and their conditions, no longer exist in Part 3. The government published this change on 3 August 2026. This is part of bigger updates to the Immigration Rules.

Timeline

1. Announced

   3 Aug 2026

   The UK government has removed several categories from Immigration Rules Part 3: Students, specifically those related to 'Short-Term Student', 'Short-Term Student (Child)', 'Student Nurses', and associated routes for re-sitting examinations, writing up theses, and certain medical professionals. This deletion, made in line with Statement of Changes HC 259, streamlines the student immigration framewo