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Visitor visa (for graduation)

Find out how to get a visitor visa to return to attend your graduation at NTU.

You may not have enough time left on your Student visa to attend your graduation ceremony. It will depend on when you completed your course at NTU.

You cannot apply for a Student visa extension solely so you can attend your graduation.

If you wish to attend your graduation but do not have enough time left on your visa, you should:

  • return to your home country before your visa expires, then
  • come back to the UK by applying for an ETA or a Standard Visitor visa.

Visitors using an ETA or Standard Visitor Visa are allowed to stay in the UK for a maximum of six months.

How to apply

To start, check if you are eligible to apply for an ETA here - Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) - GOV.UK.  Some nationalities will not be able to secure an ETA and they will have to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa.

If you enter the UK as a Visitor

  • You are not entitled to work. This includes:
    • paid, unpaid or voluntary work
    • self-employment
    • work as part of a work placement or internship.
  • You are not entitled to extend your visa in the UK, or switch to a different visa category from within the UK.
  • You are not entitled to bring dependants. Family members will need to apply for their own ETA or Standard Visitor visa.

Applying for Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

Full information about how to apply for an ETA is available on the gov.uk website and this video on how to apply for an ETA. You’ll need the passport you will use to travel to the UK, access to your emails, and a device to download the app and take or upload a photo. The application costs £16.

If you have previously been refused entry to the UK, breached conditions of your UK visa or if you have any unspent convictions, you may need to consider applying for a visa instead. The ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK – you will either need to pass through eGates or speak to a border officer.

After you apply

You should receive a decision within three working days of making the application. We recommend that you apply early to avoid any disruption to your travel plans. If your application is not successful, please contact the International Student Support Service for further advice.

Standard Visitor Visa

Full information about how to apply for the Standard Visitor Visa is available here - Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor: Overview - GOV.UK

You must:

  • first complete the online application form for Standard Visitors
  • provide certain documents in support of your application.

See a full and comprehensive list of supporting documents. They will include the following.

  • Your passport.
  • The correct fee, which from the 9th April 2025 will be £127 in local currency.
  • Bank statements or payslips that show you have enough money. You must be able to pay for the trip and support yourself without working or getting any help from public funds.
  • Evidence of your current employment or studies, if you're working or studying in your home country.
  • Evidence that you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit. This could be a letter from your employer confirming you have a job to return to, for example.
  • An invitation letter from NTU confirming you're returning for your graduation ceremony. You can request this letter once you've confirmed your attendance at the ceremony. Email NTU Graduations to ask for it. Make sure you include your:
    • name
    • student ID number
    • home address
    • date of birth
    • the address to which the letter should be sent.
    • Alternatively, your Academic School office can provide you with a letter. This should confirm your course details and graduation ceremony dates.

Short-term study route visa for students on English language courses for periods of 6 to 11 months

Short-term study route visas are now only available if you're coming to the UK for courses between 6 and 11 months long.

Please note that if you enter the UK as a short-term student, you're not entitled to:

  • work (paid, unpaid, voluntary, or as part of a work placement or internship)
  • extend your visa in the UK, or switch to a different visa category from within the UK
  • bring dependants.

If you're coming to NTU to study a PEAP course ending in August, you should apply for a Student visa. This will enable you to apply from within the UK for your Student visa that covers your main course of study.

Find out more about Short-term study visas.

  • Last updated: 17/04/2025