You must have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed student sponsor.
To prove this, your education provider will send you a reference number (called a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)) once they’ve offered you a place on the course. You need a CAS before you can apply for your visa.
When you can apply depends on whether you’re applying from inside or outside the UK.
The earliest you can apply for a visa is 6 months before you start your course.
You’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.
The earliest you can apply is 3 months before your course starts.
You must apply before your current visa expires. Your new course must begin within 28 days of your current visa expiring.
You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.
You may be able to:
1 . extend your visa if you’re eligible, for example to continue your studies in the UK
2 . switch to a Student visa from another visa if you’re already in the UK
3 . switch to a Graduate visa to stay in the UK for at least 2 years after successfully completing your course
You can arrive before your course starts. This can be either:
1 . up to 1 week before, if your course lasts 6 months or less
2 . up to 1 month before, if your course lasts more than 6 months
You must not travel to the UK before the start date given on your visa, no matter when your course starts.
It costs:
You must pay the visa fee for each person that joins you.
Healthcare surcharge
You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application.
How much you pay depends on how long your visa lasts. Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.
