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Applying for a Student visa

To apply for a Student visa, you must submit a fully completed visa application form with supporting documentation.

HOW TO APPLY

APPLYING FROM OUTSIDE THE UK

APPLYING FROM INSIDE THE UK

  • You can submit your application and pay your visa application fees and immigration health surcharge from inside the UK by using the online application.
  • You then download and print your Student visa application document checklist
  • Book a biometric appointment on the UKVCAS website, where you will upload the relevant supporting documents.
  • If you're assessed as eligible to reuse your biometric data submitted with your previous visa application, an email instruction to use an IDV app will be sent.  
  • Otherwise, you will need to book an appointment to attend one of the visa centres in the UK. 
  • The earliest time you can apply for a visa is normally three months before your visa expiry date. 

WHAT TO DO ONCE YOU RECEIVE A DECISION ON YOUR APPLICATION

If your visa application was successful, you should:

If your visa application was unsuccessful, please send us the refusal note you received and request a new CAS. Please note that a CAS cannot be used more than once so do not submit a fresh visa application form without getting a new CAS.

COLLECTING YOUR BIOMETRIC RESIDENCE PERMIT

You will normally be issued with a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) automatically if your visa is approved and the total length of your course is longer than six months. The BRP includes information about you, and is used to confirm your identity, your right to study in the UK and your right to any services or benefits you're entitled to.

  • If your Student visa application is made from outside the UK, you will need to collect your BRP card once you arrive in the UKYou must usually do this before the vignette sticker in your travel document expires or within 10 days of arriving in the UK, whichever is later. The Post Office will keep your BRP for 90 days.
  • If your Student visa application was made from inside the UK, your BRP will be sent to your correspondence address by courier.