Students coming to the RCM for periods of study six months or shorter are recommended to enter on a Standard Visitor visa. This category of visa is much cheaper and easier to obtain than a Student visa. This applies to students on the following courses:
- NAFA / RCM International Placements
- Princeton Experience Programme
- Boston Experience Programme
- Exchanges (shorter than 6 months)
Standard Visitor visas can also be used by applicants travelling to the RCM to attend an audition, or international students returning to the UK to re-sit an examination or attend a doctoral viva voce examination.
Applying in Advance
Students from some countries, known as ‘visa nationals’ need to apply formally for a UK Standard Visitor before travelling. At the moment this will be issued in the form of a vignette (sticker) in the passport. At some point in 2025 UKVI expects to switch to issuing e-visas for visitors.
Check if you need a UK visa on the gov.uk website
You will need to have your fingerprints and photograph taken (known as ‘biometric information’) at a visa application centre as part of your application.
All applications should be made online.
Apply for a Standard Visitor visa
The RCM will provide you with a letter confirming that you have an unconditional offer of a place. You will also need to provide details of your accommodation and travel plans, along with evidence that you have enough funds to support yourself during your stay. You can find the most up-to-date list of documents you need to provide on the UK Government website.
Applying on Arrival
If you are not a 'visa national' you can normally be granted permission to enter on arrival, without needing to apply for a visa in advance. You don’t have to fill out an application form or pay a fee. However, you will need to have your supporting documents available to show to the Border Force official if asked at your port of entry, so make sure you carry them in your hand luggage.
**Although non-visa nationals do not have to apply for a visa in advance, an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) may be required before travel. The ETA is currently being rolled out. At the moment is only applies to a small number of countries in the Middle East. From 8 January 2025 people travelling to the UK as visitors from most non-EEA countries will require an ETA, and this will be a requirement for all countries from 5 March 2025. You can find out more about how to apply for an ETA on the UK Government website.**
E-gates at the border
Eligible travellers from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, the United States, the EEA and Switzerland are able to use the ePassport gates at 15 ports in the UK. If you enter via the e-gates you will not receive a stamp in your passport showing your date of entry to the UK. You will need to provide evidence of your date of entry when you register at the RCM, such as your travel ticket or boarding pass.
