Visas quick guide

Study visa guide

Student visa rules summary

There are a number of hurdles to get over for a student visa (formerly known as tier 4). First you need a confirmation of acceptance for studies (‘CAS’), second you need maintenance, third you need to not be victim of general grounds or refusal, fourth you must submit biometrics.

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You could be refused under general grounds for refusal for reasons such as changed circumstances, false representations, health, public good, not supplying documents, entry for different purpose, convictions, immigration offending, refusal to attend interview, refusal to answer questions, NHS debt or litigation debt.

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The visa starts as a 30 day vignette but is really only for 10 days as that is how long you have to collect your biometric

residence permit ('BRP') after arrival. The college has to keep a copy of your BRP.

You must pay a £300 immigration health surcharge.

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You can be interviewed to check you can speak English and are a genuine student.

The college sponsors you by issuing a CAS. To apply for a visa you need the CAS and some details the college gave the Home Office. You can only apply for the visa within three months before the course starts, and your CAS must not be more than 6 months old. You can only use a CAS once. Some colleges have been whitelisted onto a tier 4 pilot allowing them to certify your evidence without you having to resend it to the Home Office, and allowing you to stay six months after your course.

In any case, the course must be full time at least level 6, or part time at least level 7, or at least 15 hours a week at least level 3 (level 4 if probationary sponsor), or at least B2 English language course.

You might be able to switch to tier 4 if you are already in the UK as a tier 4 student or tier 2 migrant. There are special rules on extending from in the UK.

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To extend your stay you must show academic progression. However even if you leave and apply to return you still need to show you are a genuine student so academic progression always helps. Academic progression means a higher level course, or the same level if degree level and either approved by the college as connected, the same subject group or specialisation, or the two courses combined support your career aspirations; either way you and the college have to explain how it is credible given your history, course level and subjects. The classic acceptable combination is a masters in a subject matter followed by an MBA to make you a manager in that subject.

You can only switch course if the college says it is related and you will still pass the new one.

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A tier 4 visa lets you arrive a month before your start date or a week before a pre-sessional course. The visa lasts for the course plus a week if under 6 months course, a month if over six months course or four months if a year long course. For pre-sessional courses it is a month extra for course under six months, two months for six months course or four months for year long course.

There is a general cap on how long you can study under tier 4, which is two years below degree level and five years at degree level. One visa can also cover a pre-sessional course if you have an unconditional offer on a degree course and the pre-sessional course lasts less than three months and ends less than a month before the degree course.

The college has to check you can speak English to CEFR B2 level for a degree. Below degree level they must make you sit a SELT to B1 level. The Home Office will want originals of your certificates, transcripts or online check, plus TB certificate and proof of funds for tuition and maintenance. Qualifications are judged for equivalence by NARIC.

Maintenance is calculated at £1,334pcm in London or £1,023pcm outside London, for up to nine whole or part months. You need to prove positive balance cash funds, and this can include a letter from your parents combined with proof they are your parents. You will convert to GBP on the OANDA site. You can deduct course fees paid and up to £1,265 college-run accommodation cost paid. Funds must have been available for 28 days ending within 31 days of the application. Electronic bank statements need stamping or to be accompanied by a letterhead confirmation, or you can use paper originals or get a letter from the bank confirming the balance. Documents need a verifiable translation.

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You will normally only be allowed to work full time in holidays (which includes post study leave), plus 20 hours a week in term time at degree level or 10 hours a week below degree level. However there are rules, for example you can’t do a permanent job or be self-employed or in business. Probationary sponsors can’t offer work placements below degree level.

You cannot access public funds and the application fee is £348.

For immigration advice you need an OISC registered or exempt adviser such as a college, and we can put you in touch.

Immigration rules change by statement of changes every four months on average so please check with us to get the latest position. 

We do not advise the public directly and cannot earn referral fees from those who do, yet we still recommend you use an immigration adviser as the immigration rules are notoriously complex, application fees are expensive and adverse decisions are hard to reverse.