Visa Information for Overseas Guests

Visa Information for Overseas Guests

If you are a student from outside the European Economic Area your guests may need a visa or entry clearance to attend the ceremony. As a general guide, if you require a visa to come to the UK it is almost certain that your family will need one too.

If your family need a visa to attend the ceremony they can apply for a Visitor's Visa which will allow them to stay in the UK for a maximum of six months. A Visitor's Visa is only intended for short visits and cannot be extended.

Full details of who needs a visa can be found on the UK Visas and Immigration website.

To help your family get permission to come to the UK you should send them the following documents:

1. A letter of invitation from you. You can download a  sample invitation letter  for guidance (link opens as a Word document).
2. A student attendance letter. This can be produced via the Self Service on e:Vision. Simply navigate to the Print Supporting Letter section and select Attendance Letter. If you are having issues producing a letter, please submit an enquiry on Compass
3. A photocopy of your passport pages that show your details of your UK Student Visa, and the most recent immigration stamp from the British Authorities.
4. 2 passport photos
5. Evidence such as bank statements, to show you can provide your family with financial support during their stay in the UK (This will not be necessary if your family are only coming for a short visit and can provide evidence that they have their own funds).
6. Your graduation invitation  (your initial invite will have been sent to you by email.)  If you no longer have a copy of this please contact graduations@sunderland.ac.uk

Your family should take all of the above documents with them when they go to apply for a Visitor's Visa from the British Embassy or High Commission in their own country.

Please follow the below link for further information:

Standard Visitor Visa