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Information about how to make a Student visa application when resident in the UK.
- If you have a visa that was issued for study at another university you must apply to extend your visa before you can enrol at UCL
- If you hold a visa issued for study at UCL and are starting a new programme of study you must apply to extend your visa before you are allowed to enrol on your new programme of study
In both cases you do not need to have received your new visa before the start of the programme. However you must be able to prove to us that you have submitted your extension application.
On this page you will find information about:
- The application process
- What you need to make an application
- Credibility interviews
- How to make your application
- Overstaying
The application process
Find out more about:
- How and where you make an application
- When to make your application
- Making an application in the UK
- Biometrics
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
- Credibility interviews
How and where is an application made?
A Student visa application in the UK is completed, paid for, and submitted on-line. When you complete your application on-line you are given the choice of using:
Standard Service
It costs £490
You will need to upload all your supporting documents on the UKVCAS website.
You will receive an email to let you know whether you are eligible to use the IDV app. The app enables you to provide biometrics information on a smartphone. If you are eligible, the email you receive will include instructions on how to use the app. If you are not eligible to use the app, you must log back onto the UKVCAS website to book an appointment at your nearest location, you will have the choice of a free service at one of the 6 CORE CENTRES or for an additional fee you may wish to travel to one of the 50 Enhanced Service Points. Optional added-value services will also be available. If your application includes family members, you will all need to attend an appointment at the same time.
The Home Office aims to process your application within 8 weeks from the date you provide your biometrics. It may be quicker during quiet periods and slightly longer during busy periods
Priority Service
It costs £990
You can make a priority application by applying online.
You will need to upload your documents on the UKVCAS website.
You will receive an email to let you know whether you are eligible to use the IDV app. The app enables you to provide biometrics information on a smartphone. If you are eligible, the email you receive will include instructions on how to use the app. If you are not eligible to use the app, you must log back onto the UKVCAS website to book an appointment at your nearest location, you will have the choice of a free service at one of the 6 CORE CENTRES or for an additional fee you may wish to travel to one of the 50 Enhanced Service Points. Optional added-value services will also be available. If your application includes family members, you will all need to attend an appointment at the same time.
The Home Office aims to make a decision on your application within 5 working days from the date you provide your biometrics
Super Priority Service
- You have an in-person appointment at a UKVI centre
- It costs £1,290
- You will receive an email to let you know whether you are eligible to use the IDV app. The app enables you to provide biometrics information on a smartphone. If you are eligible, the email you receive will include instructions on how to use the app. If you are not eligible to use the app, you must log back onto the UKVCAS website to book an appointment at your nearest location, you will have the choice of a free service at one of the 6 CORE CENTRES or for an additional fee you may wish to travel to one of the 50 Enhanced Service Points. Optional added-value services will also be available. If your application includes family members, you will all need to attend an appointment at the same time.
- Your visa application will be processed within 24 hours from providing your biometrics. Your BRP will be sent to you through the post 5-10 working days later
- Appointment availability can depend on whether you are applying in a busy period. You may wish to travel to a UKVI centre which is slightly further away.
Whichever service you choose you will leave the Core Centre/Service Point with all your evidence including your travel document – Please do not leave the UK until a decision is made on your application otherwise it will lead to your application being withdrawn!
When to make an application
You should prepare your application 2 months before the expiry date of your current visa. However, this is not always possible and you have up until the expiry date of your visa to submit an in-time application in the UK. The application date is the date you submit and pay for your application on-line. You then have 45 days to submit your biometrics and upload your documents online and vertify them at one of the UKVI Core Centres or Enhanced Service Points (or two days if you are using the Priority Service).
Under immigration law, as long as you submit an in-time application your visa will automatically be extended whilst it is being considered by UKVI. This means you will not be illegally in the UK.
It is not advisable to make your application after the expiry date of your visa. You will become an overstayer which is a criminal offence and could have serious consequences for any future immigration applications.
Making an application in the UK
You can only make an application in the UK if your new programme starts within 28 days of the expiry date of your current visa. If it starts later than this you will need to leave the UK and apply for fresh entry clearance from your home country.
If you are switching from another visa category to the Student Route you should check that you are eligible to switch within the UK. You can find this information on page 11 of the Student Guidance. If you are not eligible you will need to return to your home country to apply.
Biometrics
As part of the application process you will be required to give biometric information (this means fingerprints and facial image) at a UKVI Core Centre or Enhanced Service Point.
You will be told what you need to bring to your appointment when you submit your application, this will include:
appointment confirmation - passport or travel document -supporting evidence
At your appointment you will:
- show your appointment confirmation (you will get this as an email containing a QR code) and ID documents to confirm your appointment
- enrol your biometric information (fingerprints, photograph) and digital signature
- submit your supporting evidence
- show your passport or travel document and have your identity checked
- speak to a member of staff who will check that your biometric information has been successfully enrolled and your passport and supporting evidence has scanned correctly
Immigration Health Surcharge(IHS)
All Student visa applications made for a programme of study of more than 6 months in duration will be required to pay a fee for access to NHS health care in the UK. You must pay this fee in advance and it is a mandatory requirement for a visa application. If you do not pay it your visa application will be refused. Please see our guidance page for further information about IHS ees.
What you need to make an application
Please ensure you include all relevant pages of these documents with your Student visa application.
Passport(s): You will need to provide your current passport and any previous passports needed as part of the application
Current BRP: If issued.
CAS statement: You will need a CAS from UCL. Please see our guidance on what a CAS is and how to obtain one
Financial evidence: If you have been in the UK for less than 12 months or absent for at least 3 months within the last 12 months then you will need to submit documents to show you meet the financial requirements. If these documents are not in English you will need to additionally supply an official verified translation. For information about what evidence you need to provide for your finances please see our "Money" page under the Student visa section.
ATAS certificate: You may be required to provide an ATAS certificate with your application if you are not from the European Economic Area or Switzerland and are planning to study in the areas of Science, Engineering and Technology. To find out whether you need an ATAS certificate please see the "Academic Technology Approval Scheme" tab in our Student visa page. If you need an ATAS certificate for your programme, you will be required to submit it with your application documents.
English language: You do not need to provide English language evidence if you are studying a UCL degree. Your CAS will state that UCL (higher education institution) has made its own assessment, and therefore you are exempted from providing English evidence in your visa application.
Academic Progression Evidence: Certificate or transcript of degree for which your current Tier 4 or Student visa was issued to study or ‘Formal written confirmation’ from your current sponsor confirming that you are highly likely to complete your course successfully. IOE & CLIE pre-sessional students must submit their certificate of successful course completion.
Translation of documents: 1) Confirmation that the translation is an accurate translation of the original document. 2) The date of the translation. 3) The full name and signature of the translator or of an authorised official of the translation company. 4) The contact details of the translator or translation company. 5) The translator's/translation company’s credentials. 6) The translation must be certified by a professional translator/translation company. 6) The translation can be an original document or a copy.
Credibility interviews
UKVI is now carrying out “credibility” interviews for students making visa applications in the UK. A credibility interview is used by UKVI to determine whether they think you are a genuine student. Questions may be asked about your background and immigration history; about your previous education; about the studies you are planning to undertake in the UK; and/or about your financial circumstances.
Find out more about:
- If you will have an interview
- How the interview will be conducted
- What they will ask
- How the interview affects your application
Will I have an interview?
Not all students will be asked to attend an interview. If you are required to attend an interview they will send you a letter through the post informing of this.
You will need to complete the Interview Reply Form and Declaration sent to you in the post by the Home Office and email it to the Home Office before the deadline as stated on the Home Office’s covering letter.
If you do not attend the interview your application will automatically be refused.
How will the interview be conducted?
The interview will take place at a UKVI centre as stated on the Home Office’s covering letter. The interview will be conducted in English and therefore your ability to communicate in English will be tested.
For most students the interview will be 30 minutes long and it will be conducted by a Home Office member of staff in the UK (either in person or by Skype). The report of the interview will then be sent to the visa officer who will consider it alongside your visa application and supporting documents.
What will they ask?
They may ask you questions about the following:
- Your previous immigration history
- Your previous study history, current study and post-study plans
- Your finances
To prepare for your interview it would be a good idea to prepare the following:
- Make sure you are familiar with your course, its content and the modules you may be taking
- Consider what your plans are post-study and how your study links with this
- Be prepared to explain your finances and where the money is coming from
How will the interview affect my application?
The visa officer who deals with your application will be given a copy of the transcript of the interview and will use that to assess your credibility along with the other documents you provide with the application.
How to make your application
You should apply here if you are extending your current Tier-4 or Student visa, and here if you are switching from another visa type.
We have created a helpful guidance document to aid you with completing the online application form,
Overstaying
If you are eligible to extend your visa from within the UK, you must ensure that you submit your visa application before your current visa expires. If you do not submit your application in-time, you will become an overstayer.
Overstaying means allowing your visa to expire and staying in the UK which is a criminal offence.
If you have become an overstayer, you will need to depart the UK immediately. Any further visa application you make will need to be submitted from outside the UK. Please note that we may also be required to interrupt your registration whilst your case is resolved. You will be required to provide evidence to show that you have left the UK before we can consider assigning a new CAS.
It is likely that you will miss significant teaching on your programme. As such, you must inform your department that you are an overstayer, that you are required to leave the UK and seek authorisation for this period of absence. You can use the UCL Authorised Absence Form in order to do this.
You will need to contact the UCL Visa Compliance Team and it is also advisable contact the Student Immigration Advice Team who can provide you with immigration advice by using the contact form.