Visas and immigration

Applying for a student visa from inside the UK

If you are already in the UK and need to extend or switch to a Student Visa, this guide will help you through the process. Check if you are eligible, when to apply, and what documents you need.

Can I apply for a Student Visa inside the UK?

You may be able to apply for your Student Visa from within the UK, depending on your current visa, academic progress, and the start date of your new programme (if applicable).

For more information about the academic progression requirement and the full range of exceptions, access the Student and Child Student guidance, UKVI and contact our team.

When to apply

Once you have received your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) and you have checked you meet the UKVI requirements, you can start your visa application.

The earliest you can apply is 3 months before your new course.
You must apply before your current visa expires and you must apply before you enrol on your new course.
Your new course must start within 28 days of your current visa expiring.

How to apply checklist

Apply for ATAS clearance (if needed) as part of your application

It takes five to 10 weeks. Find out more about ATAS.

Get your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies)

Check the details carefully. It can only be used once.

Check your visa gap

Your new course must start within 28 days of your current visa expiring. If the gap is longer, you must leave the UK and apply from your home country.

Make sure you meet Student route requirements

Do this before applying.

Complete your online Student Visa application form

Pay the application fee, immigration health surcharge, and any biometric fees.

Use the UK Immigration app to submit your biometrics

If you can’t use the UK Immigration app, book an appointment at a UKVCAS service point. Upload your documents before or at your appointment (charges may apply).

Upload your documents

Be sure to upload all required documents to support your application

Attend a credibility interview

(If requested)

Important

If you travel outside the UK, Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man before the UKVI decides the outcome of your application, you will have to make a new student visa application and obtain a new Student visa before returning to the UK.

Receiving your decision

If your application is successful, you will get an eVisa (online record of your immigration status). Your decision email or letter will tell you how to access your eVisa.

From October 2024, the Home Office stopped producing Biometric Residence Permit cards (BRPs). If you currently have your permission in the form of a BRP, you should set up a UKVI account to receive your eVisa.

As soon as you receive your new Student eVisa, you must check that all the information shown is correct, including:

Your name and date of birth
Your picture
That you are a student on the Student route
That the start and end dates of the permission are correct
The conditions (i.e., work conditions).

Checking your immigration status online

If you used the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to apply for your visa, you can see your visa status online.

To view or share your visa status, you need:

Your passport details (used for your visa application)
Your date of birth
The mobile number or email used in your visa application

You will get a ‘share code’ - our team needs this to check your visa status.

Visa refusals

If your Student Visa is refused, contact us immediately for further information and guidance.

If you believe the refusal was incorrect, you may be able to request an Administrative Review. Your refusal letter should detail why your application was refused and give instructions for requesting an administrative review if it applies to you.