Applying for a Student visa during your studies

Applying for a Student visa from inside the UK 

If you need more time to complete your studies you may wish to extend or switch to a Student visa. You will need to request a CAS from the Immigration Compliance team to apply. We ask that you get in touch 3 months before your current visa expires. Please note, processing a CAS takes time. If you request a CAS less than 2 weeks before your current visa expires we cannot guarantee a new CAS will be ready in time for you to apply inside the UK. 

Can I extend my visa within the UK? 

If your course ends after your current visa expiry date you may be able to apply for your Student visa inside the UK. There are several requirements that must be met to permit a visa extension from inside of the UK. When you request a CAS we will assess if you meet these requirements and advise accordingly. 

Obtaining a CAS if you can extend within the UK: 

If you can apply for your Student visa from inside of the UK we will generate and issue you a CAS. We will be in touch with you throughout the CAS process and ask that you keep a close eye on your student emails. If you do not respond to emails this can delay the CAS process. Once the CAS is issued you can then submit your Student visa application. A guide on how to complete the application is available to be sent to you alongside your CAS. You will need to keep in touch with the team to provide the outcome of your visa application as soon as you receive it.

Obtaining a CAS if you cannot extend within the UK: 

If you cannot apply for your Student visa inside the UK we will need evidence you have left the UK before your CAS can be issued. You can find further information on the visa application outside the UK in the “Applying to extend your visa from outside of the UK” section. 

Applying for your Student visa from inside the UK 

Many students can be supported to apply for their Student visa inside the UK. Below you will find information relating to application process within the UK

Financial requirements when extending within the UK: 

If you have lived in the UK for at least 12 continuous months at the time of your application, you do not need to submit any financial evidence with your visa application.  

If you have lived in the UK for less than 12 months, you will need financial evidence to show that you have enough money to study and live in the UK. Depending on your nationality, you may not need to submit the information with your visa application. The list of nationalities not required to show evidence can be found on the gov.uk website. If you are required to provide financial evidence, information is provided in the “Financial evidence documentation requirements” section below. You will be asked to submit your evidence to the Immigration Compliance team to check it meets the requirements as part of the CAS process.

Documents you will need 

The supporting documents you need for your application will depend on your situation. The following documents are needed when you apply for your Student visa:  

• Current valid passport
• CAS document from the Immigration Compliance team
• ATAS certificate (if applicable) 

Some students may need extra documents, including: 

• Official translations of any evidence which isn't in English
• Documents for your dependants
• A letter of consent from your parent or legal guardian stating that they consent to you using their funds for your studies. A template of this letter can be provided upon request
• Your birth certificate (if you are using relying on a parent's or guardian's bank statements)
• Evidence about any changes to your name
• a letter of no objection from your financial sponsor to your continued studies  

Submitting your application 

Once you receive your CAS you should submit your Student visa application on the UK Government website. For the application to be valid you must submit it before your current Student visa expires. To submit the application you will need to pay the following fees: 

• The Student visa application fee of £524
• The Immigration Health Surcharge, at a cost of £776 per year. A half rate fee of £388 is charged for periods of time that are under 6 months long.  

Any dependants applying with you will pay the same fees as above. 

You must email evidence of your submitted visa application to [email protected]. This can either be proof of payment or email confirmation from UKVI that your application has been submitted. If you fail to provide evidence before your current Student visa expires you will be placed on a temporary withdrawal from studies.

After submitting your visa application you will need to submit your documents and biometrics to UKVI. 

If you’re eligible to use the UK Immigration: ID Check app  

Using the app, you will upload your supporting documents on your mobile device. It does not need to be your mobile device as no personal information is stored on the app. You are not required to attend any appointment to submit biometrics.  After submitting your biometrics and documents, you should receive a decision within 8 weeks. You must not leave the UK whilst you wait for a decision on your Student visa application. 

If you’re not eligible to use the UK Immigration: ID Check app  

After paying for your visa application, you’ll be directed to the 'Book an Appointment' webpage.  

There are biometric appointment locations in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen. Take all of your supporting documents with you to your appointment. At the appointment the staff members will scan your fingerprints and take your photo.  After your appointment, you should receive a decision within 8 weeks. You must not leave the UK whilst you wait for a decision on your Student visa application. 

Application decision received 

Once you receive a decision on your application you must inform the Immigration Compliance team via email. If you have been granted your Student visa you will be able to generate a share code using view and prove your immigration status. You should send that share code to us or let us know if you have any technical problems. If you have received a refusal on your application you must urgently inform the team and we will advise you on the next steps. 

Applying for your Student visa from outside the UK 

You may need to apply for a Student visa from outside the UK if: 

• You are returning from a temporary withdrawal
• Your previous visa has expired
• You do not meet the requirements to apply inside the UK

Financial requirements when applying outside the UK 

You will need to show you have enough money to pay your tuition fees and living costs.

The financial evidence you submit must show funds for: 

• Your next year of tuition fees
• Living costs of £1136 per month up to a maximum of 9 months
• Living costs of £680 per month for each dependant up to a maximum of 9 months

Financial evidence documentation requirements 

You must ensure that the financial evidence provided meets the below criteria. 

• Bank statements show the bank’s letterhead on each page
• Bank statements are no more than one month old
• Bank statements show that you have held the required funds for no less than 28 consecutive days
• Bank statements are in English, or accompanied by a stamped, certified translation
• A supporting letter from the main applicant's parent (if relying on funds in a parent’s account)
• The main applicant's original birth certificate (if relying on funds in a parent’s account). This must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation
• Multiple bank accounts can be used to prove this requirement. These accounts must be in your name or in your parent or legal guardian’s names only
• The money doesn’t need to be in pounds, but should equate to that amount when using the OANDA currency converter 

More detailed information can be found on UKCISA’s webpage.

The Immigration Compliance team will check your financial evidence before you submit your Student visa application. 

Certain nationalities may not have to submit financial evidence in the visa application. You should have the evidence prepared and available in case it is later requested by the Home Office. 

Sponsorship letters 

If all or part of your studies will be funded by an official sponsor, you must provide an official sponsorship letter. Official sponsors may include your home government or an employer. Your parents do not count as an official financial sponsor. The sponsorship letter must include the sponsor's name and contact details, the validity dates of your funding, and the amount of money you will receive. Scholarships from the University of Dundee do not require a sponsorship letter.  

Tuition fees that you have already paid will be confirmed on your CAS letter. 

Documents you will need 

The supporting documents you need for your application will depend on your situation. The following documents are needed when you apply for your Student visa extension:  

• Current valid passport
• CAS document from the Immigration Compliance team
• Financial evidence 

Some students may need extra documents, including: 

• ATAS certificate
• Official translations of any evidence which isn't in English
• Documents for your dependants
• A letter from your parent or legal guardian stating that they consent to you using their funds for your studies. A template of this letter can be provided upon request
• Your birth certificate (if you are using relying on a parent's or guardian's bank statements)
• Evidence about any changes to your name
• A letter of no objection from your financial sponsor to your continued studies
• A TB test from an approved clinic (you can check who needs a TB test on the gov.uk website)

Submitting your application 

Once you receive your CAS you should submit your Student visa application on the UK Government website. To submit the application you will need to pay the following fees: 

• the Student visa application fee of £524
• the Immigration Health Surcharge, at a cost of £776 per year. A half rate fee of £388 is charged for periods of time that are under 6 months long.  

Any dependants applying with you will pay the same fees as above. 

You must email evidence of your submitted visa application to [email protected]. This can either be proof of payment or email confirmation from UKVI that your application has been submitted. 

After submitting your visa application you will need to submit your documents and biometrics.

If you’re eligible to use the UK Immigration: ID Check app  

Using the app, you will upload your supporting documents via mobile device. It does not need to be your mobile device as no personal information is stored on the app. You are not required to attend any appointment to submit biometrics.  After submitting your biometrics, you should receive a decision within 3 weeks. 

If you’re not eligible to use the UK Immigration: ID Check app  

After paying for your visa application, you’ll be directed to the 'Book an Appointment' webpage.  

Fees for your biometric appointment vary depending on UKVCAS centre rates in your home country.

 Once you have submitted your biometrics, you should receive a decision within 3 weeks. 

Application decision received 

Once you receive a decision on your application you must inform the Immigration Compliance team via email. If you have been granted your Student visa you will be able to generate a share code using view and prove your immigration status. You should then send that share code to us or let us know if you have any technical problems. If you have received a refusal on your application you must urgently inform the team and we will advise you on the next steps. You will also need to provide the Immigration Compliance team with evidence of your date of entry to the UK. This should be in the form of your ticket or boarding pass.