From 1 September 2007, the UK Border and Immigration Agency is making prior entry clearance before travel (commonly called a "student visa") compulsory for all students. It will no longer be possible for short-term full-time students from the US and other non-visa national countries to be stamped in on arrival with full "student" status. It will also stop anyone switching into "student" status after arrival.
At the same time, there will be the new immigration category of "student visitor", which does not require entry clearance, and which can be granted on arrival to a non-visa national who has come to take a short course (full-time or part-time) in the UK, and who satisfies certain conditions. Anyone seeking entry as a "student visitor" must show that
* they intend to leave the UK within 6 months; and
* they can meet the cost of their onward or return journey; and
* they can pay their fees and living costs without working or claiming public funds.
Unlike a "student", a "student visitor" will always have a work prohibition -- they cannot ask for the 20-hour work restriction or switch to it after arrival. A "student visitor" cannot switch status or extend their stay in the UK, except as a regular visitor under some circumstances.
In short, if you are studying a full-time short course, and you want to be able to work and to extend your stay if you need to, get student entry clearance before you travel. If you don't care about working or extending, and/or you are studying a part-time course, you can arrive without entry clearance and ask for entry as a "student visitor".
The best advice for US students coming to join Associate or Visiting student programmes in the UK after 1 September 2007 is to ask their UK institution for advice. Do you need to apply for full student entry clearance before travelling, or can you apply on arrival for student visitor status?
