return to the MLC homepage
return to the MLC homepage click here to find out about the school click here to find out about the courses click here to find out about our student accommodation options click here to find out about the social life in the school click here to find out about the town of Margate and the local area click here for news from Margate Language Centre click here to contact Margate Language Centre secure agent area
Getting a visa to enter the United Kingdom to study at Margate Language Centre
Students who wish to study at Margate Language Centre may need to have a visa in order to enter the United Kingdom. Unfortunately, it can sometimes be difficult for students from some countries to get a visa and sometimes students are refused for what might seem ridiculous reasons. We hope that the following advice will help you to be successful.
   
• You should make sure that you have all the necessary documents. If you telephone the British Embassy before making the application they will tell you what to produce. If you are advised on this by the Embassy, they cannot say that you produced the wrong documents.
• You have to convince the immigration official that you will return to your country when the course is finished and that you will not try to stay permanently in the UK. Maybe you have family members (wife /old parents/ children) or important work which makes it necessary for you to return home.
• Sometimes the immigration officers tell students that they can learn just as well by taking a course in their own country. This is a not a good reason for refusal because in the UK students attend class for several hours each day and are surrounded by English. Staying with a host family means that you need to communicate in English out of class too. You will need to explain this politely to the officer.
• You will have to show that you can afford to pay for the course and for living in the UK. If you want to do paid work in your spare time you will normally not have a problem finding something in the area. It is legal for foreign students to work in paid jobs provided they go to class for a minimum of 15 hours per week. However the immigration official will not include the money you might earn when deciding if you can pay for the course.
• You should provide a good reason for wanting to learn English. English is the international language and is necessary for most careers; you need to prepare to explain this to the official.


If you have paid your deposit, we will send an acceptance letter to support your visa application but, of course, after that we have no influence with the UK immigration people. If your visa is refused, you will need to send us a copy of the notice you get from the Embassy. We will then refund your deposit but not your registration fee or any costs for express post services. Good Luck!
© Margate Language Centre 2003-2008. All rights reserved.