If you would like your family or friend/s to visit you in the UK during your studies or attend your graduation ceremony, they will need to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa from their home country or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), depending on their nationality.
Basic eligibility requirements
They must show that they:
will leave the UK at the end of their visit
will be able to support themselves during their trip
will be able to pay for the return or onward journey
will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK their main home
Please make sure they also read the guidance for a full list of supporting documents that they may be required to submit with the visa application.
The earliest they can apply for a Standard Visitor visa is 3 months before they travel to the UK.
You are also advised to provide to your family/friend/s:
a letter of invitation from you (see example letter below)
Student Status Letter or Graduation Registration Confirmation letter (obtained from Student Life Hub)
Copy of your passport and eVisa showing your right to remain in the UK
EXAMPLE LETTER (AMEND AS NECESSARY)
Date:
To: UK Visas and Immigration
REQUEST FOR (*insert as appropriate) TO VISIT UK
I am a registered student at Robert Gordon University and my details are as follows:
Student ID Number:
Full Name as Shown On Passport:
Date of Birth:
Title of Course:
Course Start:
Course End Date:
Term Time (Aberdeen) Address:
Please see the attached letter from the University confirming the above details.
I would like to invite my (*insert as appropriate) to visit me between dd/mm/yyyy and dd/mm/yyyy for (graduation ceremony, holiday, important event, etc).
Details of visitor(s):
Name:
Address:
Passport number (if known):
Date of birth:
Yours faithfully
(*Sign with name as per passport)
Your letter of request will have similar information as the Student Status letter, however both letters should be sent to your family/friend/s to support their visa application to the UK.
Your family/friend/s will need to prove to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) that they can support themselves whilst in the UK. UKVI do not specify an exact amount of money, unlike the Student visa and Dependant visa applications, however, Student and Dependant visa applications give an indication of how much funds per month UKVI are looking at; somewhere between £680-£1136 per month.