Applying for a Student visa inside the UK
You can apply for a Student visa inside the UK if you meet the UKVI's eligibility requirements to do so.
Eligibility to apply for a Student visa inside the UK
You can apply for a Student visa in the UK if you meet the UKVI's eligibility requirements, and:
- Currently hold a valid Tier 4 visa, or
- Currently hold a valid Student visa, or
- Hold a valid visa for a category that UKVI permit to "switch" into the Student visa route
The course start date stated on your CAS must be either before your current visa expires, or, within the 28 days after your current visa expires.
Student and Tier 4 visa holders
You must also meet the UKVI's academic progression requirement, or, be exempt from showing academic progession.
If you hold another type of visa
UKVI say you cannot apply in the UK to "switch" to a Student visa if you have one of the following:
- a visit visa
- a short-term student visa
- a Parent of a Child Student visa
- a seasonal worker visa
- a domestic worker in a private household visa
- leave outside the immigration rules
When and how to apply
You can apply for your Student visa:
- within the 3 months before your current visa expiry date
- once you have the CAS and have prepared all required documents for your visa application
- before your current visa expires
You must apply (submit the online Student visa application form) before your current visa expiry date.
Tier 4 or Student visa holders
Complete the online Student visa application form for use inside the UK.
If you hold another type of eligible visa to apply in the UK
Complete the online Student visa application form to "switch" into the Student visa route.
Application process
Once you have submitted the visa application form you will need to:
- Download your Document Checklist - show this at Visa Registration or Check-in
- Download a copy of your completed visa application form
- Create a log-in for the UKVCAS appointment website
- Give your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point, or
- If you have applied for a visa inside the UK before, use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document
Once you have undertaken the steps above the UKVI will process your visa application. Once a decision has been made on your visa application you will receive a decision e-mail from UKVI.
You can expect to receive your BRP usually within 7-10 working days after receiving the decision e-mail.
Please see the ISS Submit Guide for details.
ISS Prepare-Complete-Submit guides to applying for a Student visa inside the UK
The Prepare-Complete-Submit guides have been made to offer you in-depth support to assist you with preparing to make your Student visa application inside the UK at each stage of the process:
PREPARE to make your visa application and gather the documents required
Supporting Documents Prepare guides for your Student visa application:
- Self-funding students - documents guide
- Officially financially sponsored and scholarship students - documents guide
- Academic documents on CAS, academic progression and ATAS - documents guide
COMPLETE your visa application
SUBMIT your visa application form and documents (including information on the evidence required for Visa Registration and what to do when you get your new visa)
ISS Video Guide
See our useful video guide to applying for a Student visa inside the UK as below.
Please note: if you have paid tuition fees after Admissions have issued your CAS you will need to prepare receipts from UoG as evidence of the extra amount paid for your visa application. Admissions are no longer able to offer CAS updates for accommodation fee payments.
CAS
Please see the "Your CAS" information.
Documents
See the UKVI's Student guidance and the ISS Prepare-Complete-Submit guides. You should prepare all required documents before you submit your online visa application form.
Documents need to meet the requirements stated in the UKVI's Student Guidance and the UKVI's Immigration Rules in:
Applicants who have lived in the UK for 12 months or more when they apply
If you have been living in the UK on a valid visa for 12 months or more at the time you make your Student visa application, UKVI say you will not be asked to provide financial evidence of meeting the Student visa maintenance requirements.
Differential evidence arrangements
Certain nationals applying for a Student Route visa do not need to provide evidence of their finances or their 'evidence used to obtain the offer' documents with their visa application. See Appendix Student, paragraph ST 22.1 for full details.
You must still meet all the Student Route visa requirements and ensure that you collect the documents before submitting your application, as UKVI have the right to request your documents at any time during the application process.
BRPs
How you will get your new BRP
UKVI will post your new BRP to you via courier to the UK address you entered onto your visa application form. Check your BRP details are correct once you receive this.
Report any errors with your BRP to UKVI
- Errors in length of visa or visa conditions- apply online for administrative review within 14 days of (the £80 fee is refunded if UKVI agree there was an error)
- All other errors: report online within 10 days of receipt of the BRP - corrections are free.
If you change your UK address, passport or any personal details after submitting the online visa application form
You must notify the UK as soon as possible by completing and submitting a Change of Circumstances form.
Once you have received your new BRP
- You will need to show this to the Immigration Compliance Team at the University as part of completing Visa Registration or Visa Check-in, and
- You will also need to return the old / expired BRP to UKVI via post:
Freepost RRYX-GLYU-GXHZ
Returns Unit
PO Box 163
Bristol
BS20 1AB
Useful links
UKVI's Immigration Rules:
UKCISA webpages - Making a Student visa application in the UK
ISS Video guide: Applying for a Student visa in the UK (click below!)
