UK FAQs

Our Student Ambassadors, specialised in knowledge of studying and training in the United Kingdom provide some critical information to help best prepare you ahead your studies.

Ayanda Jones

Lead Student Ambassador

Celine Webster

UK Student Ambassador

Kayla Jeffers

UK Student Ambassador

Student Visa:

Check if You Need a Student Visa

Since the Cayman Islands is a British Overseas Territory, if you exclusively travel using a Cayman passport you will need a Student Visa to study in the UK (if you plan to enroll in a course longer than six months).

Confirm Eligibility for a Student Visa

To qualify for a Student Visa, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Offer from a Licensed Institution: You need an unconditional offer of a place on a course from a UK educational institution that holds a Student Sponsor License.
  • Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS): The institution will provide you with a CAS, a unique reference number required for your visa application.
  • Financial Requirements: You must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover:
  • Tuition fees for the first year of your course.
  • Living expenses, which vary based on where you will live in the UK (e.g., £1,334/month in London or £1,023/month outside London).

Prepare the Necessary Documents

When applying for your Student Visa, you’ll need the following documents:

  • A valid passport or other travel document.
  • Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies.
  • Proof of financial support, such as bank statements or a letter from a financial sponsor.
  • Proof of English language proficiency (if required).
  • Tuberculosis (TB) test results (required for students from the Cayman Islands).
  • Evidence of parental or guardian consent (if you are under 18).

Submit Your Online Application

Apply for your visa online through the UKVI website. Here’s how:

  1. Visit the official UKVI portal and complete the Student Visa Application Form.
  2. Pay the visa application fee: £490 for the standard service.
  3. Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which grants access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) during your stay. This fee is typically £470 per year for your course.

Wait for Your Decision

Processing times for Student Visas usually take around three weeks after your biometric appointment. However, it’s advisable to apply at least three months before your course start date to avoid delays.

Arrive in the UK

Once your visa is approved, you will receive a vignette (sticker) in your passport valid for 30 days, allowing you to enter the UK. You must collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) within 10 days of arriving in the UK.

British Passports

Understand Your Eligibility

Caymanians can apply for a British passport if they are:

  • A British Overseas Territories Citizen (BOTC) Cayman Islands and have registered as a British Citizen.
  • A person who has acquired British citizenship through descent or naturalisation.

Most Caymanians are BOTCs by birth or descent and will need to register as British Citizens before applying for a British passport unless they are already dual-status citizens.

Register as a British Citizen (If Needed)

If you are not yet a British citizen, you must complete the registration process. To register, you will need:

  • A completed Form MN1 (for children under 18) or Form UKF/UKM (for adults born before 1983 with specific claims).
  • Supporting documents proving your eligibility (e.g., birth certificate, proof of BOTC status, or parental British nationality).
  • A processing fee (currently £1,206 for most adult applications).

Gather Required Documents for Your Passport Application

To apply for a British passport, ensure you have the following documents:

  • Proof of British Citizenship: Such as a naturalization or registration certificate.
  • Cayman Islands BOTC Passport: If applicable, as proof of your existing BOTC status.
  • Proof of Identity: For example, your driver’s license or identification card.

Complete the Online Application

The application process for a British passport is managed by His Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO). Follow these steps:

  1. Start Online: Complete the application form on the official UK Passport Service website.
  2. Pay the Application Fee:
    – Adult passport: £93 (includes courier fee).
    – Child passport: £64.
  3. Upload or Mail Your Documents: Follow the instructions for submission! You can send them to the UK by courier or approved delivery services.

Attend an Identity Appointment

For first-time applicants, you may need to attend an interview or provide biometric information (photograph and fingerprints). The nearest passport application centers for us are Jamaica, Miami, or the UK.

Wait for Your Passport

Processing times for a British passport can take up to 10 weeks – please plan ahead!

Getting Medical care as a Student

In the UK, students are generally entitled to free health care services through the National Health Service (NHS). However, this depends on factors such as nationality, immigration status, and length of stay.

UK and EU Students

  • Free NHS Care: UK citizens, EU citizens, and those from countries with pre-Brexit arrangements are typically entitled to free NHS services.
  • For EU/EEA students post-Brexit, having pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme allows access to free NHS care.

International Students

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): Caymanians who are in the UK on a visa for more than six months, must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of their visa application. This payment gives access to the NHS on the same basis as UK residents. This Cost: £470 per year for students.

Additional Costs

Regardless of student status:

  • Prescriptions: In England, most people pay a fee for prescriptions unless they qualify for exemptions. In Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, prescriptions are free.
  • Dental Care: NHS dental services are not free, but they are subsidized.
  • Optical Care: Eye tests and glasses are not fully covered, though students may qualify for help under the NHS Low Income Scheme.

NHS Low Income Scheme

Students can apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS) for help with prescription, dental, and optical costs. This can be accessed through the following link: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/nhs-low-income-scheme-lis/.

How to get an NHS number?

To be assigned an NHS number you must first register with a General Practitioner (GP) in your area.

Using: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-gp you can find GP’s nearby with the use of your postal code. You do not need ID or proof of address to register.

Once you have been registered with a GP you will get a registration letter in the post and your NHS number will be shown on the letter. Your NHS number helps healthcare staff and service providers to identify you correctly and match your details to your health records.