Check if you can apply in the UK
The information below provides guidance about how to complete the application process in the UK.
You must apply on the date your current immigration permission expires at the very latest, and no earlier than three months before the course start date on your CAS.
Warning: if you need to show funds, you must have held your funds for 28 days before you submit and pay for your application online. See our guide Funds for your Student visa application.
You will need to apply online. Click on the green ‘Start now’ button.
Read our guidance to help you to register for, and complete the Student visa application form: Guide to applying for a student visa in the UK 2024 [PDF 1,844KB]
We are currently aware that for students who use the ID Check App for the application, the form asks for CAS start / end dates, instead of course start / end dates. Please input your course start / end dates on those columns.
*UKVI will only start processing your application after you have either
verified your identity and submit your documents and application using the UK Immigration: ID Check app ;OR
attend your appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Service (UKVCAS) centre or a Service and Support Centre (SSC)
You will complete the application fee online and pay the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). The date that you pay the visa application fee is the date that you have submitted your application. You will then be asked to attend an appointment. If you have used the ID Check App to scan your passport / BRP at the beginning of the application, normally you would not have to attend an appointment, instead you will upload your documents on the evidence section of your application form. The UK government has published helpful guidance about uploading your documents. You will be informed, normally within two weeks of submitting your application if you have to attend an appointment with UKVI’s commercial partner, UKVCAS.
If you are required to attend an appointment, please see the UKVCAS website for information about booking your appointment.
You will usually keep your passport and other supporting documents whilst your application is being processed.
If you use the standard service, a decision should be made within eight weeks of your appointment or uploading your details on the app.
If you use the priority service, a decision should be made within 5 working days of your appointment or of the working day after you finished uploading your documents if you use the app.
If you use the super priority service, a decision should be made the next working day after you enrolled your biometrics or after you finished uploading your documents if you use the app.
After a decision has been made on your application, you will usually receive your decision letter with instructions on how to set up your eVisa.
Students are advised not to make plans to travel outside the UK until their eVisa is linked to their travel document.
If you leave the UK whilst your visa application is still pending, your application will be treated as withdrawn and you may have to make a whole new application from your home country before being able to return to the UK.
Do not plan any travel outside the UK until your eVisa is linked to your travel document.
Information will be checked digitally when you re-enter the UK. To prevent issues at the border, it is important to ensure your travel document (e.g. your passport) is linked to your eVisa. You do that by creating an UKVI account and updating your details.
See ‘I have submitted my Student immigration application in the UK, but I need to travel soon. Visit our Visa problems and errorsVisa problems and errors'What do I do?'Visa Problems page if you need to urgently leave the UK before you have received a decision on your application.
After a decision has been made on your application, UKVI will send you an email confirming the decision. The email will also include instructions on what you need to do to access your eVisa. It will normally require that you create an UKVI account. After its creation, you'll be able to log into the account to view and prove your eVisa. See Online immigration status (eVisa) - GOV.UK.
During the summer, and before Christmas, UKVI receive a very large number of applications and it may take longer than normal for an application to be processed.
UKVI state that they will not normally be able to provide you with updates or expedite your application. Unfortunately, the time it takes to process your immigration application is outside of Queen Mary’s control.