Student visa

I was just wondering can you obtain UK citizenship from a student visa?

I don't believe so.  You are now allowed to switch your student visa to a work permit, if you find employment after your studies.  But even with 5 years on a WP, I don't think  you're eligible for citizenship.  Residency, yes. 

Someone correct me if I'm wrong! 

I don't believe so.  You are now allowed to switch your student visa to a work permit, if you find employment after your studies.  But even with 5 years on a WP, I don't think  you're eligible for citizenship.  Residency, yes. 

Someone correct me if I'm wrong! 

After 4 years on a WP, you can apply for ILR.  After 1 year on ILR, assuming you are not out of the country for longer than the rule allow, you can apply for naturalisation.

The same does not apply with a student visa.  If a student visa allowed such a short path to naturalisation, you can bet a hella lot of folks from countries far more economically and politically repressed than the US would be here. 

After 4 years on a WP, you can apply for ILR. After 1 year on ILR, assuming you are not out of the country for longer than the rule allow, you can apply for naturalisation.

The same does not apply with a student visa.

But I do believe that it's been determined in another recent thread that your student visa years DO count toward citizenship as long as you also have had a year on ILR. But the caveat is that you can't get to ILR from a student visa.... MarsBar counted hers and she received citizenship - but that may not help now since it takes 2 years of residence to get ILR rather than 1 like it used to....

But I do believe that it's been determined in another recent thread that your student visa years DO count toward citizenship as long as you also have had a year on ILR. But the caveat is that you can't get to ILR from a student visa.... MarsBar counted hers and she received citizenship - but that may not help now since it takes 2 years of residence to get ILR rather than 1 like it used to....

It takes 2 years to get ILR if you're married to a British national.  It takes 4 years for those on work permits. 

I've beilive if you've been here ten years as a student then it's possible to  get ILR. Longjetivy visa or something.

I've beilive if you've been here ten years as a student then it's possible to  get ILR. Longjetivy visa or something.

10 years of international fees.  Youch!   

I actualy know of someone who was planning on doing this. A Levels, Bachoulrs, Master, PHD I guess.

I actualy know of someone who was planning on doing this. A Levels, Bachoulrs, Master, PHD I guess.

Must have a lot of money!  Cuz he/she will have to pay international fees all the way through. 

Must have a lot of money!  Cuz he/she will have to pay international fees all the way through. 

Or $120,000 in student loans by the time that PhD is done. 

For just one year for my MA, I've borrowed $28,500.  $16,000 of that went just to my tuition.  Ouch. 

Or $120,000 in student loans by the time that PhD is done. 

For just one year for my MA, I've borrowed $28,500.  $16,000 of that went just to my tuition.  Ouch. 

Am patiently waiting for next Autumn to qualify as a 'home' student. 

Lucky you...  Unless I end up married to a Brit, I'd always end up paying international fees.  Such a racket...  My uni will take any overseas student as long as they can pay up.  There's a girl in one of my classes who is from Taiwan and I swear she barely speaks English. 

Am patiently waiting for next Autumn to qualify as a 'home' student. 

What's the critia for that?

Three years residency, I think...I just know that my oldest son will have the residency requirement by the time he starts uni and therefore will be paying "home student" fees.  Or, rather, my husband and I will be paying home student fees...

What's the critia for that?

Peedal is right, it is 3 years residency on s/thing other than a student visa - i.e., work permit, marriage to a Brit, Right of Abode/ancestry visa, etc. - for most places.