Passports and visas

Passports

If you are participating in a study or work abroad programme, you should ensure that your passport is valid for the duration of your trip, and for at least six months after you return to the UK. As well as being a vital travel document, your passport will be important if you have to apply for a student visa. Depending on the country, you may need to leave your passport with an Embassy during the student visa application. Some host institutions may request a copy of your passport as part of their application process.

We recommend that you scan your passport and send the scan to your University email address.

St Andrews students studying with a UK Student Visa

If you have a visa to study at St Andrews and have any questions about the implications of studying or working abroad whilst matriculated at St Andrews, you should consult the Student Immigration Service International Advice Team (email advint@st-andrews.ac.uk). 

If your study or work abroad is an integral and assessed part of your degree programme, the University will normally continue to sponsor your visa while you are abroad. Where we continue to sponsor your visa, we will inform the UKVI that you are on a study abroad or work placement. You must ensure that you engage fully with the courses/ activities stipulated in your Learning Agreement or Work Placement Agreement and maintain regular contact with the University of St Andrews during your time abroad.

Please note: if you have a Student Visa, this will not cover you for study in other countries.  You should investigate what visa you require for your host country as soon as possible.

St Andrews students: visas for host destinations

Visas are likely to be required if you are studying or working abroad, even if this placement is within the EU.  However, if you are an EU national, you usually won’t require a visa to study or work in another EU country.

Immigration laws are complex and subject to frequent changes, so it always best to check requirements with the relevant embassy. If you are studying abroad, your host institution may provide guidance about visa requirements.

Visa applications can be a lengthy process, in some cases lasting weeks or even months. We therefore recommend that you start the process as early as possible, and ensure you do everything required of you to make the process go smoothly. It is your responsibility to make sure you have the necessary visa documentation. For many visas, you may need to organise medical certificates (and associated tests); criminal record checks and other certifications which have their own timescales for application. Depending on the country, you may also need to have these documents officially translated and/or notarised. 

If you think you might like to work alongside your study at another institution, you should check with your host country's embassy about your eligibility to work and any consequent visa requirements. Some countries do not permit students on student visas to work, and others may have certain restrictions about the type of work or number of hours. 

If you plan to travel outside your host country while you are abroad, you must ensure that your student visa allows multiple entry.

Visa advice is available on the UK government website through the "Living in..." section of each country's listing. It is updated as the situation develops. You can also seek advice from the relevant embassy. 

Please don't hesitate to get in touch with the Global Office with individual questions about your immigration requirements, and please contact the immigration authorities in your destination country for more information on requirements. 

You may also wish to refer to the Universities UK International online resource which general guidance and tips to students considering making a visa application for study, work, or volunteering abroad.

Visa information by host country‌

Please refer to our travel pages for visa information by country. 

Medication

Please check what medication you can bring into your host destination.  Some over-the-counter medications in the UK are not permitted in other countries.  You may require additional documentation if you are bringing in a repeat prescription so please refer to the FCDO travel guidance for your host destination.