Originally Posted by
gaelflyer
Alas this is only partly true. In Schengen there is one visa for the entire area, but a UK visa is not valid in Ireland or an Irish visa valid in the UK.
There are not passports checks between the UK and Ireland. While a UK visa is no strictly valid in Ireland, no one checks when you travel between the UK and Ireland. You do not need both an Irish and a UK visa for vacationing.
Originally Posted by
kalina
I'm Russian and I'm coming to Britain for studies, my UK visa is valid till the end of January 2009.
I would like to visit Germany and Finland during this period.
I can't apply for Schengen visa here in Russia, cos first - I'm leaving very soon and it won't be ready, and second - I'm not yet sure about the dates.
As Alex pointed out, most embassies in the UK will let non British citizen apply for a visa if they can show that they are resident in the UK. Your student visa shows that you are resident in the UK, so this is not a problem. Same status applies with a UK working holiday visa or even a long term permanent resident status.