When and how to apply for your student visa
Understand the timelines for submitting a Student Visa application, and whether you need to apply from inside or outside the UK.
When and how to apply for your visa
Applying for a new Student Visa
If you are applying from overseas, the earliest you can apply is six months before your course starts.
If you are applying from within the UK, the earliest you can apply is three months before your course starts. There must be no more than 28 days between your old Student visa expiring and your new course starting. You must also make your new visa application before your visa expires or before your new course starts, whichever is the earlier date of the two.
We recommend that you apply no later than one month before your course begins so you can arrive on time. Do not make any non-refundable travel plans until you have received your visa.
It is important you don’t leave your application until it’s too late. Take the time in getting your supporting documents together before starting your application.
If you are a citizen of a European Economic Area (EEA) member state and have pre-settled or settled status, you do not need to apply for a UK Student Visa. You view and prove your immigration status to the University online.
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APPLYING TO COMPLETE A FOLLOW-ON COURSE
If you have completed an undergraduate degree and are progressing onto a masters level course, you should apply before your new course starts and before your visa expires.
However, if there are more than 28 days between the date that your visa expires and the date that your new course begins, you cannot apply in the UK.
If you are applying to complete a course that is at the same academic level as your previous course, you need to complete the previous course before making your visa application from within the UK. The University also needs to confirm your academic progression on your new CAS. It is very rare that you will be able to make a new visa application from within the UK for a course at the same level as your previous course.
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EXTENDING A VISA FOR AN EXISTING COURSE
You must apply before your visa expires, or before your course finishes, whichever is earliest. You can carry on studying your course whilst you are waiting for a decision on your visa as long as you’ve submitted your visa application on time. The exception is for graduate visa holders who must have their new Student visa issued to pass the Right to Study check.
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STUDENT UNION SABBATICAL OFFICER
If you are applying for a visa as a sabbatical officer, you can start the role with your existing visa as long as you have completed your course. You must extend your visa before your existing visa expires to continue with the role.
Where to apply from
Whether you make your application from inside or outside of the UK depends on your circumstances.
Coming to the UK for the first time
You should make your application from your home country or country of residence.
Within the UK
If you are already studying and preparing your visa application to either join a follow-on course or extend your visa, there are strict requirements on whether you can make the application from the UK.
You must:
- meet UKVI’s academic progression rules
- have enough time between your visa expiring and your new course starting
- be able to switch into the Student Visa category, if you are currently in the UK under a different immigration category
Make sure that you apply before your existing visa expires.
You should email immigration@mmu.ac.uk if you are unsure if your visa application can be made from within the UK.
What happens next?
When you apply for your UK student visa, you will pay for:
- the cost of the application
- the health surcharge for both yourself and your dependants (where applicable)
A visa application centre will scan your supporting documents and take your biometric information.
Once you have submitted your application and supporting documents, UKVI may also ask you to attend an interview to check you are a genuine student. You can click here to download our Credibility Interview Helpsheet.
If you are making your application from within the UK, and UKVI still have a record of your biometric information, they may ask you if it’s ok to use this information again. Please make sure you check your email regularly to see if they request this as it may speed up your application.
Application timelines
If you apply from within the UK, you should receive a decision within eight weeks.
If you are applying from outside the UK, you can check how quickly you’ll receive a decision on your UK visa.
Depending on where you are when you apply, you may be able to pay an additional cost to speed up the visa application process.
