Getting your study-abroad papers ready in United Kingdom
In short: 5 offices in United Kingdom verify, attest or issue the papers a student visa asks for. For each: what it does, the official portal, the steps, the fee as its official page prints it and its offices, read on 16 October 2026.
FCDO Legalisation Office (UK apostille)
Puts an apostille on UK public documents so they are accepted abroad: birth certificates, police certificates, documents certified by a UK solicitor or notary (for example copies of degree certificates and transcripts), and others. Documents issued outside the UK cannot be done here.
Check the document can be legalised and ask the university/embassy abroad if they want the original or a certified copy.
For degree certificates and transcripts, usually get them certified by a UK solicitor or notary first.
Choose paper apostille or e-Apostille (e-Apostille only for PDFs signed electronically by a UK notary or solicitor; not for birth certificates).
Apply and pay online.
Paper: post your documents (registered businesses can hand them in). e-Apostille: upload the PDF.
Appointment: Apply online. In-person handing-in is only for registered businesses.
Fee, as the official page prints it: Standard (paper-based): £45, plus courier or postage costs. e-Apostille: £35. 'Next-Day' (registered businesses only): £40. 'Restricted Urgent' (registered businesses only): £100. Standard usually up to 25 working days plus postage; e-Apostille up to 2 working days. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Gives the UK police certificate that embassies ask for when you need a visa to live or study abroad. It shows your convictions, cautions etc. (or none).
Register for an ACRO website account (recommended so you can save the form).
Have ready: a recent passport-style photo (JPG/PNG, max 3MB), colour copies of your passport, email, 10 years of address history, card for payment.
Fill in the 10-page online form and pay.
Wait up to 20 working days plus postage; do not book travel until it arrives.
If the destination wants an apostille, send it to the FCDO Legalisation Office.
Appointment: Online only.
Fee, as the official page prints it: £70. This will provide you with one copy of your certificate. Additional copies of your certificate cost £7.75 each when requested as part of your application. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
For people in Scotland: a Level 1 disclosure (used to be called a basic disclosure) shows any unspent convictions. You can get it for any purpose, including a visa.
Register on the GRO website and order online with a debit or credit card (about 10 minutes).
Use the GRO index reference number if you have it (faster and cheaper).
Send the certificate to the FCDO Legalisation Office for an apostille if needed.
Appointment: Online, by phone (0300 123 1837, Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm) or by post.
Fee, as the official page prints it: Certificates cost £12.50 and are sent 4 days after you apply. If you do not have a GRO index reference number, you'll have to pay £3.50 extra for each search. ... priority service for £38.50. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Offices
Southport (post only): General Register Office PO Box 2 Southport PR8 2JD. Phone line Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
The UK's official degree checking service. Universities, employers and embassies abroad use it to confirm your UK degree. Students cannot use it to verify their own degree; the receiver does it, with your consent.
Where to apply for a student visa from United Kingdom
United States
U.S. Embassy London. All nonimmigrant visa interview appointments take place at the Embassy in London. You book and pay on the embassy's appointment site. · Official booking
Get your Form I-20 from the U.S. school and pay the SEVIS fee (fmjfee.com).
Fill in the DS-160 and print the confirmation page.
Pay the visa fee and book the interview on the appointment site; check the DS-160 barcode matches your profile at least 2 business days before.
IRCC decides online. Fingerprints and photo are given at the Canada visa application centre in London (canada.ca links to VFS Global). · Official booking
Get your letter of acceptance and PAL from the Canadian school.
Apply online in your IRCC account; pay processing and biometrics fees (biometrics CAD $85).
Within 30 days of the biometrics letter, book the London centre.
German Embassy London (England, Wales, Northern Ireland) or German Consulate General Edinburgh (Scotland) take university-study visas directly. TLScontact (London, Manchester, Edinburgh) only takes some other categories (short-stay, Blue Card, internships, pre-approved employment). British citizens may study up to 90 days without a visa. · Official booking
Get admitted by a German university (or Studienkolleg).
Fill in the national (D) visa form online; after a preliminary check you are passed to the booking system.
London: book on the Embassy booking system. Edinburgh: email info@edin.diplo.de for an appointment.
Go in person (fingerprints are taken) with printed forms and all documents.
No visa is needed: Ireland's official list says citizens of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies do not require a visa.
No MVV entry visa is needed: the IND lists the United Kingdom as MVV-exempt. Your Dutch university applies to the IND for your residence permit, and you collect the permit after arrival.
Accept your Dutch university's offer and send it the documents it asks for.
The university applies to the IND for your residence permit.
Travel to the Netherlands and follow the university's instructions to collect your residence permit.
Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC). You fill in the form online first; after it passes the online check you hand in your passport at the centre (walk-in, no appointment needed). Payment is at the centre. · Official booking
Get your admission letter and Form JW201 or JW202 from the Chinese university (X1 for study over 180 days).
Create an account on the centre's website, fill in the form and upload passport, photo and documents.
After the online check passes, go to the centre with the documents and pay there.
London: 12 Old Jewry, London, EC2R 8DU. Submission Monday to Friday 09:00-15:00 (urgent 09:00-13:00); collection 09:00-16:00 (express/urgent from 12:00)
Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) handles student pass applications. You apply online after you get your offer letter; you get an electronic Visa Approval Letter (eVAL) before you travel. · Official booking
Get the offer letter from your Malaysian university or college.
Apply online through EMGS (or your institution submits it) while you are still outside Malaysia: passport photo, passport copies, signed health declaration, academic certificates and transcripts, English test result.
Wait for the eVAL (visa approval letter).
If your nationality needs a Single Entry Visa, get it before you travel.
After arrival, do the medical screening and your institution gets the student pass put into your passport.