UK student visa extension is offered to the international students planning to expand their stay in UK to continue their studies or opt a new course. Before the initiation of the new course, international students must obtain the UK study visa. If a student has a UK student visa, valid for less than 12 months, they might need to demonstrate availability of sufficient finances.
Eligibility for UK Study Visa Extension
Continuing students are eligible to apply for UK study visa extension upon demonstration of the following eligibility criteria:
- The student must be currently studying in the UK with a UK student visa or a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa.
- The applicant must provide evidence of an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licenced student sponsor. The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) letter is required for this purpose.
- The student also needs an academic progress report, displaying that the course he wants to pursue is higher than the present course.
Application Timeline for UK Study Visa Extension
- For UK visa extension, students can apply from 3 months before the program commencement.
- Aspirants can apply for the UK study visa extension at any point of time before the expiry of their existing visa.
- The new course must begin within 28 days of the expiry of the current UK student visa.
- The application should be submitted within 6 months of availing a CAS.
- Until the student receives the decision, they can stay in the UK.
- In case the student has applied for an administrative review due to the rejection of their application, they are allowed to stay in the UK until the decision notification is received.
UK Study Visa Extension Fees
- For applying to the UK study visa extension, students need to pay a mandatory fee of 475 GBP (~47k INR).
- Students also need to pay a variable healthcare surcharge, based on their age, type of stay, nationality and related similar factors.
- An additional fee of 19.20 GBP (~1900 INR) might be required for the biometric information taken, including photo and fingerprints.
Application Requirements for UK Study Visa Extension
Students currently residing in the UK while studying usually need to prove that their future course will be at a higher academic level in comparison to the current program. The student must pursue any one of the following types of courses for availing UK study visa extension.
- At a higher academic level.
- At the same academic level but related to the previous course (must be at a degree level or higher).
- Related to medicine, medical science or dentistry courses began under the UK student visa.
Applicants will be exempted from displaying a course at a higher academic level if they are doing any one of the following:
- Resitting exams or repeating their modules
- Applying for the first time to an institution to complete a course they began at another institute that lost its licence
- After working as a student union sabbatical officer for completing a qualification they started under their previous UK student visa
- Continuing a doctoral degree that the student began under the last UK student visa
- Completing a dentistry or medical science course after finishing an intercalated course
- Applying for UK study visa extension for completing their studies as they have done a study abroad program or work placement previously.
Check: Jobs in UK for international students
How to Apply for UK Study Visa Extension
Students planning to extend their UK study visa need to apply online. Students need their identity proof as a part of the application process. This solely depends on the student’s origin and immigration type.
- While applying, the student might use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan their identification documents and sign in to their UKVI account.
- Otherwise, the aspirant must visit a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to submit their biometric information for a biometric residence permit.
- After submitting their application, the students must not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands until the decision is made. In case of disregarding the above guidelines, the application will be rejected.
- The decision is usually declared within 8 weeks of application.
UK Study Visa Extension Decision
If the application is complex, the student will be contacted in that case and it might take longer because of the following factors:
- The supporting documents provided by the student will be verified
- The student might need to attend an interview
- Personal circumstances like if the student has a criminal conviction
If the applicant wants to edit their application or withdraw after submission, they can contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) directly. The student will only get a refund is UKVI has not already started processing the application.
The applicant’s partner and family members need to apply separately for UK study visa extension. They can apply along with the student or any time before the expiry of their current UK visa. If the UK study visa extension is successful, the student will either get biometric information at a UKVCAS center or a digital immigration status update which can be proven online.
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