Applying for your student visa outside UK

You can learn all about preparing and submitting a Student visa application outside the UK in this section

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You can learn all about preparing and submitting a Student visa application outside the UK in this section

Applying for your student visa outside UK

Before you apply for your visa you should ensure you have the required supporting documents. You should refer to the Student visa section of the UK Government website and Home Office Student and Child Student Guidance for full details on applying for a Student visa. 

The more prepared you are before making your visa application the less risk there is of making a mistake. In order to become more familiar with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requirements you can also refer to the advice from the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website. 

If you are currently enrolled at the University of East London, you should refer to the Student Visa Guidance on the Intranet for further information.

Passport

You must submit a valid passport in support of your visa application. Your passport will need at least one full page that is blank on both sides. 

 

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) 

You must have a CAS, for the University of East London, before you make your Student visa application. When you receive your CAS check that the information is correct, and your personal details match your passport. 

More information about 'What is a CAS?' can be found on our Student visa page.

 

Qualification documents 

Your CAS will state any qualifications used as part of the assessment for your admission to your course. 

As the University of East London is a Higher Education Provider (HEP), if you are applying to study a course at degree level (RQF 6) or above you are not required to provide evidence of your qualifications with your visa application. If you are studying a course below degree level, you must provide any qualification documents listed on your CAS with your Student visa application, unless you are from a country listed under the ‘Differential Evidence Requirement’.

Differential Evidence Requirement

If you are from a country under the 'Differential Evidence Requirement', you don’t need to submit qualification documents with your Student visa application. The list of counties covered by this is in paragraph ST22.1 of the Immigration Rules.

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) may request this evidence during the application process, so it is important to have your qualifications available and in the required format.
 

English Language documents 

Your CAS will state any English language document used as part of the assessment for your admission to your course, which you need to submit to make your Student visa application. 

If your CAS states that you are a national from a majority English speaking country as defined by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) or the University, as a Higher Education Provider (HEP), has assessed your English language ability and it is at the required level, you are not required to submit evidence of your English language document. 

 

Financial documents

The Student visa application requirements are very strict, it is important to ensure that your financial documents contain all the required information.

Please refer to the 'Financial requirements' and 'Financial Documents' tab for more information. 

 

Tuberculosis (TB) test certificate 

You will need to take a TB test and submit your TB test certificate with your visa application, if you are coming to the UK for more than six months and you have been living for at least six months in one of the countries specified by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). 

The test must be taken at a TB test clinic that has been approved by UKVI. The test will involve having a chest x-ray and if your test shows that you do not have TB, you will be issued with a certificate which is valid for six months. You must include this certificate in support of your visa application. 

Please note the requirement to have this test, and provide evidence with your visa application, is dependent on where you are, or have been, resident and not on your nationality.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate 

You may require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if you are undertaking a certain course in subject areas such as, but not limited to, engineering, technology and science at Master's or PhD level. Your offer letter and your CAS will tell you if you need an ATAS certificate. 

The ATAS certificate is issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for permission to study the course. You must be issued with an ATAS certificate before you make your Student visa application. 

Students and researchers who are nationals of EU countries, the European Economic Area (EEA), Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland or the United States of America do not need an ATAS certificate. 

You can find more information about the ATAS certificate on the UK Government website.

 

Translations 

If your documents are not in English, you will need to submit the document in your language and include a fully certified translation by a professional translator or translation company of these documents.

The translation must provide the following:

  • A statement from the translator or translation company confirming that it is an accurate translation of the original document
  • The date of the translation
  • The translator or an official of the translation company's full name and signature and,
  • The translator or translation company's contact details. 

You can find more information under the 'Translating Documents' section of the Student Route Caseworker Guidance.

 

Under 18 

If you are under 18 years old at the time of application, you will need to provide a letter from your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) to show that they support your application. You will also need to provide a copy of your birth certificate (or another government issued document) that shows the names of your parents. 

You can find more information under the 'Parental Consent of Students and Child Students under 18' section of the Student Route Caseworker Guidance.

 

Differentiation arrangements 

The differentiation arrangements means that some nationals are not usually required to submit their qualifications or evidence of their money with their Student visa application.

However, if you qualify for differentiation arrangements, it is important that you have your qualifications and financial documents available and in the required format, as UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) may request this evidence during the application process. Failure to provide these documents, when asked, will lead to your application being refused.

As outlined in Appendix Student (paragraph ST22) of the Immigration Rules you can benefit from the differentiation arrangement when making your Student visa application if:

  • You hold a passport which shows you are registered as a British National (Overseas), or which was issued by the competent authorities of Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, or Taiwan (which includes the number of the identification card issued by the competent authority of Taiwan); OR
  • You are a national of any of the following:

Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, The Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United States of America.

You are considered a low-risk applicant if you are applying for a Student visa (inside or outside the UK), and you are a national listed above as outlined in paragraph 22 of Appendix ST of the Immigration Rules.

This means you will not normally need to submit your qualifications or evidence of your money with your Student visa application. In all situations, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) may request this evidence during the application process, so it is important to have your qualifications available and in the required format. Please refer to our section 'Differentiation arrangements' for more information.

The Student visa application requirements are very strict, it is important to ensure that your financial documents contain all the required information.

Please read this section carefully as it is easy to make a mistake that can lead to a visa refusal. In addition, the 'Financial requirement caseworker guidance' and the 'Appendix Finance section in the Immigration rules.

 

How much money do I need?

You are required to prove that you have sufficient money to pay for the first year of your course fees and living expenses before you submit your Student visa application.

You must be able to show the following:

  • Any unpaid tuition fees, as stated on the CAS, plus
  • £1,483 per month for living costs for the duration of the new visa (minus the additional wrap up period), to a maximum of nine months (£13,347).

If your funds are in your local currency, please use OANDA to convert the funds into UK pounds sterling, when preparing your documents.

If you have already paid some of your course fees, this will be stated on your CAS and can be deducted from the amount of money you need to show for your maintenance. If you have already paid up to £1,483 to the University for on-campus accommodation, and this is stated on your CAS, you can deduct a maximum of £1,483 (even if you have paid more) from the amount of money you need to show for your maintenance.

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will use your CAS to confirm how much money you need for your course fees. It is important you check the information on your CAS thoroughly before you make your visa application. You should check your CAS states your total fee amount and any fees paid, correctly.

 

The 28-day rule

Unless you are using a loan letter or sponsored by a government or international company, your financial documents must show that the full amount of money that you need has been in the account for 28 consecutive days (finishing on the date of the closing balance). This means that the account must not have dropped below the amount that you need to show at any time during the 28-day period. This amount you need to show should remain in your account until your visa has been issued to you. In addition, the financial document must not be more than 31 days old on the date you submit your visa application.

If you are a national that qualifies under the differentiation arrangements for your Student visa application you are not usually required to submit evidence of your funds with your visa application. However, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) may request this evidence during the application process, so it is important to have your financial documents available and in the required format. Please refer to our section 'Differentiation arrangements' under 'Application documents' tab for more information.

How should my financial documents be presented?

Your financial documents must be presented in the correct format as outlined in Financial Requirement Caseworker Guidance.

Please see below a checklist for each financial document.

Personal bank statements or passbooks

Personal bank statements or passbooks, either original or electronic, covering a consecutive 28-day period ending no more than 31 days before the day of your visa application, must include all the following: 

  • Your name (or the name of your parent/legal guardian - if applicable) 
  • The account number 
  • The bank's name and logo 
  • The bank's contact details or branch name or code
  • The amount of funds in your account 

Bank letter

You can provide a bank letter which must confirm the following: 

  • Your name (or the name of your parent/legal guardian - if applicable) 
  • The date of the letter 
  • The account number 
  • The bank's name and logo 
  • The bank's contact details or branch name or code
  • The amount of funds in your account 
  • A statement confirming the minimum amount of funds have been in your account in the last 28 days

Any letter issued by your bank must be used to apply for your visa application within 31 days of the date of the letter. 

This can be the easiest and most simple way to provide evidence that you have the correct amount of maintenance funds. 

Certificate(s) of deposit

A certificate issued by a bank to confirm that you (or your parent/legal guardian) have deposited a specific amount of money. Certificates of deposit will normally be accepted if the certificate confirms the following: 

  • Your name (or the name of your parent/legal guardian - if applicable) 
  • The date of the certificate which cannot be older than 31 days
  • The account number 
  • The bank's name and logo 
  • The bank's contact details or branch name or code
  • The amount of funds
  • The date the funds were deposited
  • A statement confirming the funds can be withdrawn at any point

The Certificate of deposit must show that the funds have been held for more than 28 consecutive days.

Official financial sponsorship letter

An official financial sponsor can be your own government or the UK government, the British Council or any international organisation, international company, university or independent school.

You must provide a letter from the sponsor on official letter-headed paper that includes all the following:

  • Your name
  • The name and contact details of the official financial sponsor
  • The date of the letter
  • The length of the sponsorship
  • The amount of money the sponsor is giving to you or a statement that your official financial sponsor will cover all your fees and living costs. You must ensure your official financial sponsor knows the amount of funds UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will expect you to have access to.

If you will be receiving sponsorship from an official financial or government sponsor that does not cover all of the fees and maintenance, please remember that you will have to show that you have the rest of the required maintenance in a format that meets UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requirements.

Loan letter

A letter confirming educational loan funds must include the following:

  • Your name
  • The date of the letter (the loan letter cannot be dated no more than six months before the date of your visa application)
  • The loan provider/financial institution's name and logo
  • The funds available as a loan
  • Confirmation that the loan is provided by your national government, their state or regional government, a government sponsored student loan company or is part of an academic or educational loans scheme
  • Confirmation that the loan funds will be released to you before travelling to the UK and that there are no terms and conditions attached to the release of the funds
  • Confirmation that the loan provider is regulated by either the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) or, in the case of an overseas loan, the official regulatory body for purpose of issuing student loans in the country the institution is in and where the money is held. For example, if your loan letter is from India, the loan letter needs to state the loan provider is regulated by the Reserve Bank of India.

If you are from the USA relying on Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), your loan letter will meet the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) format requirements, as long as the loan you take out covers the course fees and living costs as stipulated by UKVI.

Funds not held in your name

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) state money used for your Student visa application must be held in either:

  • Your name
  • Your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) name. You will need to submit a letter giving you permission to use their funds and one of the following additional documents:
    • Birth certificate that shows the name of your parent(s)
    • A certificate of adoption that shows the name of your parent(s) or legal guardian(s)
    • A court or government issued document naming your legal guardian or establishing the sole responsibility of one parent
  • Your spouse's name (for example, husband or wife) only if your spouse is applying for a Student dependant visa at the same time as you are applying for your Student visa. Please see our Dependant page on further guidance on your eligibility to bring dependants to the UK. Please note you will need to show funds for yourself and your dependants.
  • A joint account only if you are named on the account

Top tips when preparing your documents

When preparing your financial documents, it is important to note the following advice: 

  • It is a good idea to hold more money than you need in order to consider currency exchange rates, as the rates may change during the 28-day period 
  • Do not use any of the money in your account until after your visa has been issued to you 
  • The money you need to show in your account must not drop below the required amount, for a single day 
  • The financial documents must not be more than 31 days old 
  • Use the official exchange rate website OANDA to convert your currency, if your money is not in UK pounds sterling 
  • Don't forget to include any translations if any of your documents are not in English. Please refer to our section on 'Translations' under the 'Application Documents' tab for more information, as there are specific requirements for translations. 

You can find more information about the financial evidence on the UKCISA website. 

Before you start your Student visa application you should make sure you are familiar with the requirements.

The more prepared you are before making your visa application the less risk there is of making a mistake. In order to become more familiar with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requirements you should read advice from the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website.

You should also read the Home Office Student and Child Student Guidance before applying for a Student visa. 

When you are ready to start your Student visa application, please see our Applying for a Student visa outside the UK Guide to help you.

Where to apply? 

You should apply for your Student visa in your home country. Normally you cannot apply for a Student visa in another country unless you are currently living in that country, except as a visitor. 

 

When to apply? 

You must apply for your Student visa before you travel to the UK and start your studies at the University of East London. You can only submit and pay for your visa application once you have been issued your CAS. 

The process of obtaining a Student visa outside the UK can take three weeks for a standard application, but it can take longer particularly during busy periods, so you should begin to prepare as early as you can. For information about application centre opening times and faster priority services see the UK Government website.

If you leave it too late to apply, your visa may not be granted in time for you to enrol before the deadline and you will be unable to start your course.

Please also find a useful guide created by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) on how to apply for your Student visa and the importance of submitting your Student visa application early.

You can find out more on the UK Government website about how long it will take to process your application. 

 

How to apply? 

When you are ready to start your Student visa application, please see our Applying for a Student visa outside the UK Guide to help you.

You must make your Student visa application online. 

To start your visa application, you will need to register and then complete the online form in English.

You will then be required to pay the application fee. The cost of the standard Student visa application is currently £490. Faster priority services may be available at a higher cost. It is strongly advised that you check the UKVI website prior to applying as fees are subject to change at short notice.

If you are not a national eligible to use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app, you must book an appointment at your nearest Visa Application Centre (VAC) in order to submit your biometric details (fingerprints and facial image), after paying the visa application fee. You are advised to upload any supporting documents to your online application prior to attending your appointment. The Visa Application Centres (VAC) offer a document scanning service, but this is usually at an additional cost.

Some nationals such as the USA will book an appointment to enrol their biometrics at a local Immigration Centre as part of their application and post their passport to a UKVI scanning hub after attending the appointment. The address will be provided as part of the online application. 

 

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) 

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) if you are studying a course lasting six months or longer. This entitles you to use the National Health Service (NHS) at no extra cost, if you become unwell or have an accident during your stay in the UK. 

You must pay the IHS even if you do not use the NHS or even if you have your own private health insurance.

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a mandatory charge that you must pay if you are studying a course lasting six months or longer. This entitles you to access the National Health Service (NHS) if you become unwell or have an accident during your stay in the UK. You must pay for the IHS even if you do not use the NHS or if you have private medical insurance.

The current charge is £776 per person for each year of the visa that you are applying for.

You will be required to pay the full amount of the IHS as part of your visa application. For example, if you are applying for a visa to study an Undergraduate (Bachelor's) degree lasting three years, you will be charged 3x the annual surcharge before you submit your application. This fee is in addition to your visa application fee. 

How much you pay overall will depend on how much leave you are granted.

  • Where the length of leave granted is six months or less, the amount you would pay will be half the annual surcharge.

  • Where your application includes part of a year that is for more than six months, you will be required to pay the full year (For example, if your length of leave is one year, six months and two days you will have to pay the surcharge for two years). 

You can calculate your Immigration Health Surcharge on the UK Government website. If your visa application is not successful, you will automatically be refunded the Immigration Health Surcharge.

If your visa application is not successful, you will automatically be refunded the Immigration Health Surcharge. 

 

Can I travel whilst my visa application is pending? 

You should not plan to travel to the UK whilst your visa application is pending. If you do leave your home country whilst your application is pending, this can cause significant implications to your application, and a high chance your Student visa application will become invalid.

If you are a national that does not require to apply for entry clearance (visa) before you travel to the UK to enter as a visitor (for example, if you are from the USA or EU), you must not attempt to travel to the UK whilst your Student visa application is pending. This could cause both visa and financial implications for you, as you will be required to return to the country where you submitted your Student visa application and re-enter the UK once your Student visa has been granted.

What happens when my Student visa is granted? 

Once your application has been decided you will either be invited to collect your passport from the application centre or the decision will be posted to your address.

You will receive a 90-day entry visa vignette (visa sticker in your passport) and a UKVI Decision email. You must keep the letter and bring it to the UK with you. The 90 days will start 30 days before the course start date on your CAS or seven days before the date that you specified on your application as your intended date of travel to the UK, whichever is later.

You must travel to the UK within the validity of the 90-day entry visa and before the last date of enrolment.
When you receive your visa, it is important to check that all the details are correct. If you have been issued with a visa vignette you should check the information on this visa along with the UKVI decision email is correct:

  • Name and date of birth
  • You have been granted the correct visa route that you applied for
  • UEL's sponsor licence number
  • The start and end dates are correct. More information about this can be found on our Student visa page, under 'Length of Visa'.
  • Work conditions are correct

Creating a UKVI account to access your eVisa

An eVisa is a digital record of your immigration status. It contains proof of your visa and the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK.

You will need to create a UKVI account to access your eVisa.

Once you have created your account you will be able to view and prove your immigration status online.

Watch this video on how to create a UKVI account and access your eVisa.

You should do this before travelling to the UK to mitigate any issues or delays at the UK Border.
 

EU, EEA or Swiss nationals

If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national and have applied for a Student visa using the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' App you will receive an electronic visa (eVisa). You should use your UKVI account that you used when applying for your visa to sign in to view and prove your immigration status. You will not receive a 90-day entry visa vignette in your passport, therefore you must travel to the UK once you Student visa is approved and by the latest date of enrolment. 
 

Errors on your visa

If you notice any errors on your vignette, decision email or eVisa, you will need to request these errors are amended in line with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requirements. Further information about how to correct any errors can be found on UKCISA website. We would also advise that you contact the International Student Advice (ISA) service, as they can provide support and guidance to you on reporting the errors to UKVI.


Travelling to the UK

When you are preparing for your arrival in the UK, you may have questions about what to bring and what to expect. Useful information about preparing and travelling to the UK can be found in our International Student Handbook.

It is important when you arrive to the UK to ensure that you see an immigration official/officer and request a date stamp on your 90-day temporary travel vignette (visa sticker in your passport) as this is your evidence of when you entered the UK. You will need to provide evidence of this to complete your Right to Study check.

Entering the UK using the eGates

It is important to be aware of the eGates when arriving in the UK. They are automated self-service barriers located at immigration areas in UK airports. You can enter the UK via the eGates if you are a national from EU, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland or the USA.

If you enter the UK using the eGates, you will not be given a stamp in your passport and will need to keep evidence of the date that you entered the UK (such as boarding pass and/or luggage tag) and provide these in addition to your other documents when you enrol. You will also need to keep these documents safe for the duration of your stay in the UK to prove the date that you entered the UK.

It is important that you enter the UK during the validity of your Student visa. If you enter the UK before the start date of your 90-day temporary travel vignette or before the start date communicated to you by UKVI, using the eGates, you will enter the UK as a visitor. You will not be able to enrol onto your course as a visitor and will be required to leave the Common Travel Area (UK, Ireland, Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey) and re-enter the UK after your Student visa is valid in order to 'activate' your Student visa.

 

What do I need to do if my Student visa is refused?

If your Student visa application is refused, it is important that you contact us immediately. You must contact the International Student Advice (ISA) service to discuss your next steps.

If your visa is refused your application fee will not be refunded, however, if you have paid the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) then this will be refunded automatically.


Administrative Review

If you think the refusal decision is incorrect, you can ask for a visa administrative review. If you are outside the UK, you must apply for an administrative review within 28 calendar days of the date you receive the refusal notice.

If you are inside the UK or your visa was cancelled at the border, you should check the UK Government website on the timeframe in which you need to apply for an administrative review.

Your refusal letter will detail why you are refused and provide instructions for requesting an administrative review. It costs £80.

You should note that administrative reviews are not an opportunity to provide additional information that was not included in your initial application, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will only assess the administrative review based on the information held by the original decision maker.