Student Visa (Former Tier 4 General Visa)

The new immigration permission is divided into:

• Student route (for adult students aged 18+)
• Child student route (for students aged 4 – 17)

The Student Route is available to both non-EEA and EEA international students. EEA nationals are subject to the same immigration conditions as non-EEA nationals post-Brexit.

Some of the main changes to the new Student Visa UK requirements include:

• International students can apply for the visa up to six months before the course starts
• To be eligible for the visa, the applicant will need to score 70 points in the new points-based system
• A new Graduate Visa has been launched for those who graduate from a British educational institution. This will allow the graduates to work and look for work in the UK for up to two years

To apply for the visa, follow the below steps:

1. Gather your financial evidence and supporting documents to show you are eligible for this visa. Your evidence should include your ability to pay tuition fees, personal living expenses, and living expenses of any dependent family members
2. Prepare additional supporting evidence (including academic qualifications, English language test certificates, etc.)
3. Accept your offer of a place at your university to receive your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
4. Where required, pay the £2,000 tuition fee deposit (depending on course requirements)
5. Confirm that all details on your CAS are accurate
6. Use the Gov.uk page to complete the online Student Visa application
7. Choose where you intend to collect your biometric residence permit (BRP) after you arrive in the UK
8. Provide your supporting documents and BRP when you attend your visa appointment at the visa application centre
9. Your passport will be sent to you with your entry sticker (vignette) affixed
10. Travel to the UK and collect your BRP within 10 days of arrival

If you want to study in the UK, you should first ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements. International students aged 16 years and over can apply for a visa if the following circumstances apply:

• Have received an unconditional offer on an approved course
• Can demonstrate their written and spoken understanding of English
• Have enough money to support themselves while in the UK and pay for their course
• Score at least 70 points in the points-based system

If you are applying to extend your existing visa or switching to a new visa from another immigration status, you must submit your forms to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) from within the UK.

To be eligible for this visa, you must have received an unconditional offer from a licensed and approved sponsor. You must also do a course that is one of the following:

• Full-time leading to a qualification that is at least level 6 on the Ofqual register
• Part-time leading to a qualification that is at least level 7 on the Ofqual register
• An overseas course of dependents study that is equal to a UK higher education course, and it is being run by an overseas higher education institution
• Full-time, with at least 15 hours per week of organised daytime study, and leading to a qualification that is at least level 3 on the Ofqual register
• A recognised foundation programme as a postgraduate doctor or dentist
• An English language course at level B2 or above on the CEFR

As a part of your application, you must prove your knowledge of English by passing a secure English language test (SELT). The minimum fluency required varies based on the course you are going to do.

The following categories of applicants are exempt from proving their knowledge of English:

• Those who have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in an English-speaking country
• Those who have previously studied in the UK as a Child Student
• Those who are entering the UK for a study abroad programme as part of a university degree course in the United States

When you apply for this visa, you must submit a bundle of documents to support your eligibility. One of our immigration lawyers in Birmingham will be happy to help you with gathering all the necessary evidence for your case, such as:

• Your current passport or another valid travel document, which must have a blank page
• A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies document from the approved course provider
• Proof that you can support yourself and pay for your course
• A written and signed consent from your parents or legal guardian if you are under 18
• Evidence of your relationship with your parent or guardian if you are under the age of 18
• Your tuberculosis test results (if required)

You may need additional documents based on your circumstances or immigration background.

In certain circumstances, you can renew your visa if your current sponsorship is still valid. You must submit your application before your authorised stay expires, but no more than 3 months before your course date starts. Once you have submitted your form, you will be allowed to stay in the UK until you get your decision.

Some of the extension requirements include showing that the reason for extending your stay is to engage in further academic progress. For full details on what constitutes progress, view the Gov.uk visa extension page.

It costs £475 to extend your visa, but you will also be required to pay the healthcare surcharge and an additional £19.20 to have your biometric information taken.

It usually takes up to 8 weeks to get a decision from the Home Office, but you can get a faster response to your request by applying for the Priority or Super Priority services.

If you wish to study in the United Kingdom, there are a number of costs you will need to pay.

It costs £363 to apply for a visa from outside the UK, while it costs £490 to extend or switch to this visa inside the UK.

If you are applying with your family, you must pay an additional fee of £363 per person for each of your dependants.

In addition, you will also need to pay the healthcare surcharge, depending on your circumstances.

You can apply to bring your wife, husband, unmarried partner and children under 18 years old in the UK with you if you are either:

• A government-sponsored student starting a course that lasts 6 months or longer
• Enrolled in a postgraduate course designated as a research programme that lasts 9 months or longer

Eligible postgraduate programmes include PhDs and other doctoral qualifications or masters programmes with a research component, including a requirement to produce original work.

International students who do not fit either one of these categories will not be eligible to bring their dependents with them to the UK.

This restriction will apply for all international students starting courses from 1 January 2024.

You family members may be able to work and study once in the UK.

The earliest you can submit your application is 3 months before the start date of your course.

You will usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

However, you may apply for the Home Office’s Priority or Super Priority services to receive a response from the authorities between 5 working days or 24 hours.

If you switch from the Student Visa to an eligible visa for a qualifying period of time, it may be possible to apply for ILR (indefinite leave to remain). The Student Visa itself does not lead to ILR (settlement), and the time spent in the UK on this visa cannot be used to count towards the time requirements.

If you wish to apply for ILR to stay in the UK, you must switch to an eligible visa. The visas you may be eligible to apply for include:

• Skilled Worker Visa 
• Start-Up Visa
• Innovator Visa

If you work in the UK, it may be possible to apply on the basis of time spent working in the UK on an eligible visa. Learn about how to apply for ILR after five years, and the difference between the five-year and ten-year routes.

For graduates who wish to work and stay in the UK after studying, one option is to switch to the Graduate Visa but please note that this does not lead directly to ILR.

The following are the financial requirements:

• £1,334 per month for up to 9 months for London-based courses
• £1,023 per month for up to 9 months for non-London courses
• If stationed in London, the Doctorate Extension Scheme costs £2,668 per month.
• If you live outside of London, you will pay £2,046 per month for courses.

You must be able to demonstrate that you have this money for 28 consecutive days, with the termination date being within 31 days of the date you apply for the visa.

International students are excluded from the English language requirement if they meet the following criteria:

• You have previously completed an English course at the undergraduate or postgraduate level at an accredited educational provider.
• You have already demonstrated the required level of English proficiency in another visa application.
• You are applying to travel to the UK as part of a study abroad programme as part of a university degree programme in the United States.

Those from majority English-speaking nations will also not be required to meet the English language requirements.

Exempt are nationals of the following countries:

• Australia and the Bahamas Antigua and Barbuda
• Barbados
• Belize
• Canada
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Ireland
• Jamaica
• Malta
• The country of New Zealand
• St. Kitts & Nevis
• St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago (T&T)
• UK
• USA

Yes. It is advised that you follow the steps below to appeal a Student Visa refusal.

Enlisting the help of an immigration lawyer at IAS reduces your chance of refusal. Our team can compile your application, ensuring all your documents are in order and we’ll send it off for approval.

These are the services we can offer our clients:

• ensuring you have appropriate documents for your application;
• checking your preferred university/institution is able to function as your UK sponsor;
• contacting and liaising with your Tier 4 Sponsor;
• arranging and obtaining your University’s CAS;
• producing a Letter of Representation to be submitted alongside your application. This letter outlines your case and refers to any applicable UK immigration regulations to support your application;
• corresponding with the Home Office until your application is complete;
• and filling out and correctly compiling your application form’s documentation to the highest standard.

Determine the reasons for your visa refusal (this will be detailed in your refusal letter). Based on the details in the refusal letter, consider whether you want to request an administrative review or reapply. If you want to request a review, you should first verify the filing deadline (which is usually 14 days for in-country applications and 28 days for applications from outside the UK). You can also make the modifications indicated in the refusal letter and reapply for the visa.