27 February 2026
Written by Head of Sales & Marketing, Rhian Jenkins
UK Visas & ETAs: What we know so far
Every year, students from around the world join Bucksmore Education for transformative summer experiences in the UK. To help you prepare, we wanted to direct you to some Frequently Asked Questions and additional resources you may find useful before you complete your UK Visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) application.
Disclaimer: Bucksmore Education does not advise on individual application requirements. We recommend you visit the UK Government Advice website for more details. The information provided is accurate at the time of publication.
Who needs a visa to study with us?
Our courses are less than six months long, so a UK Student Visa is not required. Our Bucksmore Summer courses are usually up to 6 weeks in length, therefore many students can study with us without applying for a Visa due to the short-term nature of the course. Some nationalities may still need to apply for a Standard UK Visitor Visa or ETA.
Check which nationalities need a visa to come to the United Kingdom on the UK Government website.
What is an ETA?
The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a digital permit that allows travelers to visit the UK without the need for a traditional visa.
If you do not require a Standard UK Visitor Visa for your stay with us, you may still require an ETA which lets you travel to the UK for up to 6 months. There are some students who do not need an ETA, for example, if you have a British or Irish passport or permission to live, work or study in the UK through another route.
The ETA is valid for 2 years. If your passport expires during that time you will need to apply for a new ETA.
Check who needs an ETA on the UK Government website.
How do I apply for a Standard UK Visitor Visa?
Students can apply for the Visa up to three months before the Bucksmore course date. We would recommend applying with as much time as possible to avoid any delays in processing.
To complete an application, you will need:
- Current valid passport
- Visa letter of support (provided by Bucksmore)
- Financial evidence to support your application
- Students from some countries also need to show evidence of valid tuberculosis screening.
As the majority of Bucksmore students are under 18 there are some extra requirements:
- Parent/guardian contact details
- If travelling alone: please complete the Parental Consent Letter. This template should be printed and taken with you in your hand luggage
After submitting the online application and required documents, students need to book an appointment at their nearest UK Visa application centre to provide biometric data, i.e. photo and fingerprints.
Some students may be asked to attend an interview in which they may be asked more about the course they’re planning to study and their intentions for studying in the UK. For genuine students, this should be nothing to worry about. We would recommend exploring our website to ensure you have the correct information about the course you are planning to study – www.bucksmore.com.
Students can usually expect a response with a decision on their Visa application within three weeks. Some Visa application centres offer a priority service for a quicker decision on your application. Where available, this is an additional fee.
After applying for your Visa, We recommend checking your emails regularly (including your junk folder) to ensure you haven’t missed any request for additional information or an invitation to a screening interview.
How do I apply for an ETA?
If you are eligible for this route, applying for an ETA is a straightforward process that should take approximately 10 minutes. You must apply before travelling to the UK. You can apply online or by downloading the UK ETA App.
You will need:
- Current valid passport
- Face of the person applying (or a photo if applying online)
- Credit card, Google Pay or Apple Pay
In most cases, applicants will receive a decision within 3 working days. It is highly recommended to apply as early as possible to avoid any last-minute delays.
Once the application is complete, an email confirmation with a reference number will be sent to you. Bucksmore do not need a copy of this. The ETA will be digitally linked to your passport, there is no separate certificate or documentation required.
What should I travel with?
You can find a packing list within our Pre-Arrival Guides. In addition, we would recommend bringing the following documentation with you, these should be available in your hand luggage.
- Current valid passport
- Parental Consent to Travel letter
- Address of your accommodation
- Name and contact number of your Centre Manager and/or Designated Safeguarding Lead.
- Our Bucksmore emergency phone number
- A charged phone for us to contact you in case of any issues
What happens at the UK border?
Some students with an ETA may be permitted to use e-gates on arrival to the UK. Otherwise, you will queue up to show your passport to a Border Force Officer. They will look at your documents and may ask some questions about your stay in the UK.
We recommend keeping the Bucksmore emergency phone number with you, that way they can call us if they require any further details from us. It is also recommended to provide us with your contact details and keep your phone charged so that we can also call you.
Don’t forget, our staff will be based in the Arrivals Hall at the airport during our transfer days so we’ll be there to welcome you once you have completed immigration and baggage claim.
What should I do if my visa is refused?
If your UK Visa or ETA has been refused, we can offer a refund on your application minus a £100 administration fee. We can only offer refunds if we can verify the Visa Refusal Letter.
If your visa is refused, please send us a copy of the Visa Refusal Letter. We will be able to discuss the next steps with you, including whether you should apply again or what we need to start the refund process.
Additional resources
- UK Government website
- English with Confidence website
- Bucksmore Pre-Arrival Information
- Bucksmore Arrivals and Departures Information
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