Student Visas

A student visa is designed for foreigners to apply for this primary immigration route who are looking to undertake a course of studies at either a British college or university. It has replaced the Tier 4 Visa under the new UK immigration system.

If you are applying outside the UK the earliest you will be able to make an application for a student visa is 6 months before the course is due to start. However, if you are applying from inside the UK the earliest you will be able to make an application is 3 months before the course is due to start, but you must apply before your current visa expires, your new course must begin within 28 days of your current visa expiring.

If your course is a degree level, you can usually stay in the UK to study for up to 5 years; If it is below degree level you can usually stay in the UK to study for up to 2 years.