Looking to extend your UK study visa? Whether your course duration has changed, want to do a placement year, or repeat a year, you’d have to apply for a UK visa extension.
It will allow you to stay in UK without any disruption for as long as you need. As an international student, you need to apply for UK visa extension at least 3 months before the commencement date of your course within the validity of your current visa.
This means that if your visa is going to expire on the 1st of December, you’ll have to apply for a visa extension before that date. If you’re a current student needing a visa extension due to course extension, course transfer, or reassessments, you’ll need to request a new CAS via the CAS request form.
Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty and understand everything regarding UK visa extension for international students.
How to Apply for a UK Visa Extension?
To apply for a UK student visa extension, you should be in the UK on a Student visa or a Tier 4 (General) student visa.
Here’s the systematic process to apply for a UK visa extension:
Step 1: Check Eligibility
Verify the validity of your current visa as well as its type to confirm whether it can be extended or not.
Step 2: Gather Mandatory Documents
Sort out all the required documents and make sure that they’re accurate, complete, and authentic.
Step 3: Prepare for Application
Decide the category of your UK visa extension application (Student, Skilled Worker, etc.). Then, you have to make sure that you have a valid payment method so you can pay the application fee.
Step 4: Create an Online Account
In order to lodge your application for a UK visa extension, you will have to visit the official website of the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website. If you already have an account, simply log in, or if you don’t then create an account.
Step 5: Complete the Online Application Form
The next and most important step is to fill out the application form accurately. Give all requested information, including your current visa information, a particular reason for the extension, and all the mentioned personal details.
Step 6: Upload Documents
Upload scanned images of all the mentioned documents to the online portal. Confirm that they’re genuine and readable.
Step 7: Pay the Application Fee
The current application fee for a Student visa or changing your visa type to a Student visa is £490. Pay this application fee online.
Step 8: Biometric Verification
Following the payment of the application fee, you’ll need biometric verification. For this, book an appointment to provide the required biometric information (fingerprints and photographs) at a designated service point
Step 9: Submit the Application
After completing all the steps, review your application to make sure it contains no errors or inconsistencies. Then, submit your application online.
Step 10: Track Your Application
You can track your application status through the online portal. If any additional information is required, respond promptly.
When You Can’t Extend Your Study Visa?
You cannot extend your visa in the following conditions:
- If you are retaking some or all of your course as an ‘external student’ (meaning you do not have to attend classes but only need to take exams or submit assignments)
- If you want to attend your graduation ceremony
- If you have already received your qualification in UK
- If you have already exceeded or will exceed the 5-year limit for degree-level studies.
- If you do not meet the academic requirements to continue your studies in UK
Note: Always remember that UK student visas cannot be extended to gain eligibility for the Graduate Route, and there must be an authentic academic reason for extending the Student Visa.
How Can StudyWise Help You?
At StudyWise, we make sure that all students wanting to head to the UK for higher studies receive genuine assistance and support. So, whatever your concern is, come to us, and our proficient student counsellors and visa experts will provide you with customized guidance as per your case.
Let’s join hands to realize your study aspirations in the UK!
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FAQs:
What if your old visa expires before you get your new visa?
There’s no need to worry as you won’t be in the UK illegally. However, you’ll have to submit your immigration application right before the expiry date of your current visa. During this period, when UKVI considers your application, you have full rights to live in the UK. It doesn’t matter how long it takes for UKVI to give the verdict for your application.
How long does a UK visa extension take?
Applications for UK visa extensions that are lodged by applicants staying in the UK usually take up to 8 weeks to process. If, by any instance, you leave the UK while your application status is pending, your application will be automatically withdrawn or removed by UKVI.