Step-by-Step Guide to the UK Student Visa Process

Step-by-Step Guide to the UK Student Visa Process

Step-by-Step Guide to the UK Student Visa Process

If you’re an international student planning to study in the UK, understanding the student visa process is crucial. This comprehensive guide outlines the essential steps to secure your UK Student Route visa, ensuring a smooth transition to your studies.

 

1. Determine If You Need a Student Visa

You can apply for a Student visa to study in the UK if you’re 16 or over and you:

  • Have been offered a place on a course by a licensed student sponsor.
  • Have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course.
  • Can speak, read, write, and understand English.
  • Have consent from your parents if you’re 16 or 17.

This visa has replaced the Tier 4 (General) student visa.

 

2. Choose an Eligible Course

You must have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed student sponsor. Courses you can study include:

  • A full-time course leading to a qualification that’s below degree level (RQF level 3, 4, or 5) with at least 15 hours a week of organized daytime study.
  • A full-time course leading to a qualification that’s degree level or above (RQF level 6, 7, or 8).
  • A full-time course at degree level or above that’s equivalent to a UK higher education course and is being delivered as part of a longer course overseas.
  • A part-time course leading to a qualification that’s above degree level (RQF level 7 or above).
  • An English language course at level B2 or above in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Your education provider will send you a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number once they’ve offered you a place on the course. You need a CAS before you can apply for your visa.

 

3. Prove Your Knowledge of English

You must prove your knowledge of the English language when you apply. You can do this by:

  • Passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider.
  • Having a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English, gained through study at a UK school that you began when you were under 18.
  • Having a degree-level academic qualification that was taught in English.

You must prove you can read, write, speak, and understand English to a certain level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale. The level depends on what you’re studying:

  • Degree level or above: Equivalent to CEFR level B2.
  • Below degree level: CEFR level B1.

If you’re studying at degree level or above, your Higher Education Provider can assess your level of English themselves.

 

4. Prepare Financial Evidence

You must have enough money to pay for your course and support yourself in the UK. The amount you need depends on your circumstances and what you’re applying for.

  • Course fee: You need enough money to pay for your course for one academic year (up to 9 months). The amount you need to pay will be on your CAS.
  • Money to support yourself: You’ll need to show you have enough money to support yourself unless you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months on the date of your application. The amount depends on where you will be studying:
    • £1,334 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses in London.
    • £1,023 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses outside London.

You must have this money for at least 28 consecutive days. The end date of the 28-day period must be within 31 days of the date you apply for your visa.

 

5. Gather Required Documents

When you apply for your Student visa, you must provide:

  • A current passport or other valid travel documentation.
  • A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider.

You may also need to provide:

  • Proof you have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course.
  • A valid Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if your course and nationality require it.
  • Proof of parental or other legal guardian consent if you’re under 18.
  • Proof of your relationship to your parent or guardian if you’re under 18.
  • Your tuberculosis test results.
  • Written consent for your application from your financial sponsor if you’ve received sponsorship for your course fees and living costs in the last 12 months.

You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances.

 

6. Apply Online

You must apply for your Student visa online through the official UK government website. The earliest you can apply is:

  • 6 months before your course starts if you’re applying from outside the UK.
  • 3 months before your course starts if you’re applying from inside the UK.

You must apply before your current visa expires. Your new course must begin within 28 days of your current visa expiring.

You’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks if you’re applying from outside the UK, and within 8 weeks if you’re applying from inside the UK.

 

7. Pay the Visa Fee and Healthcare Surcharge

It costs:

  • £363 to apply for a Student visa from outside the UK.
  • £490 to extend or switch to a Student visa from inside the UK.

You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application. How much you pay depends on how long your visa lasts.

 

8. Biometric Information and Visa Decision

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. You can do this by:

  • Having your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre.
  • Using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document.

You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

 

9. Arriving in the UK

You can arrive before your course starts. This can be either:

  • Up to 1 week before, if your course lasts 6 months or less.
  • Up to 1 month before, if your course lasts more than 6 months.

You must not travel to the UK before the start date given on your visa, no matter when your course starts.

 

10. After Your Studies

After successfully completing your course, you may be able to:

  • Extend your visa if you’re eligible, for example, to continue your studies in the UK.
  • Switch to a Graduate visa to stay in the UK for at least 2 years after successfully completing your course.

For more information and resources, visit the UK Government’s official website and UCAS.

 

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