International student support

Eligibility Requirements for a UK Student Visa:

1. Current UK Visa:

   • You must hold a valid Student visa (or Tier 4 (General) visa).
   • You can also apply if you're in a visa category that allows you to switch to a Student Visa.  The exceptions to this, according to UKVI, are:
     • visit visas
     • short-term student visa
     • Parent of a Child Student visa
     • seasonal worker visa
     • domestic worker in a private household visa
     • leave outside the immigration rules

2. Valid CAS:

   • You’ll need a new University of Glasgow CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) to apply for a Student Visa. This is required when starting a new course, progressing to a higher level, or continuing your current course after changes.

3. Course Start Date:

   • Your course must begin either before your current visa expires, or within 28 days after it expires.

4. Academic Progression:

   • If applying for a new course, you must have completed your current course successfully or your CAS must confirm that you meet the academic progression requirement.

5. Maintenance Requirement:

   You must show you have enough money to cover:

   • Unpaid tuition fees (from your CAS)

   • £1,136 per month for living costs (up to 9 months, or £10,224 total)

   Important: Make sure to calculate the required amount based on your course length (round up to a full month if needed).

6. Exemption for Students in the UK for 12+ Months:

   • If you've been living in the UK on a valid visa for 12 months or more, you do not need to provide evidence of maintenance funds.

For detailed guidance on documents, CAS, and financial requirements, refer to our "Documents and CAS" section.

When to Apply for a Student Visa

You can apply for a Student Visa once you have a new CAS for your course. If you're applying in the UK, the Admissions office can usually issue your CAS within 3 months of your current visa expiry date (except in certain cases, like if you're moving to a higher level on an integrated course). 

You must always apply before your current visa expiry date to make an "in-time" application. The date you submit the online application form is your "date of application."  

Key Points

• You must apply on or before your current visa expiry date to stay lawfully in the UK and continue studying at University of Glasgow.

• You don’t need to have your new visa before your current visa expires to start or continue your studies, but you must show proof that you’ve made an "in-time" application to the Immigration Compliance Team.

Specific Requirements:

• For UoG Students: If your current visa is from University of Glasgow, apply and complete Visa Registration by your visa expiry date, and within 6 weeks of your course start date.

• For Students from Other Institutions: If your current visa is from another institution (e.g. GIC), apply and complete Visa Registration by your visa expiry date and within your UoG course start date.

In-Time Application Benefits:

• You can stay in the UK lawfully while waiting for your Student Visa decision.

• You can start or continue your studies at UoG while waiting for the decision (except if switching from a Graduate Visa).

Overstaying:

If you apply after your visa expires, you will be considered an "overstayer," which should be avoided. Overstayers cannot work or study in the UK.

Document Checklist:

After submitting your online application and paying the visa fee, you’ll receive a "Document Checklist." This shows the date you applied and proves that you’ve applied in time. You’ll need to provide this to the Immigration Compliance Team to complete your Visa Registration and start your studies.

How to Complete and Submit Your Student Visa Application

1. Choose the Correct Application Form

   • For Student or Tier 4 (General) Visa holders: Use the online Student Visa application form to "extend" your visa.

   • For other eligible visa holders: Use the online Student Visa application form to "switch" to a Student Visa.

2. Apply Before Your Current Visa Expires:

   • Submit your application on or before your current visa expiry date to make an "in-time" application.

3. Estimated Visa Processing Times:

   • Standard Service: Up to 8 weeks.

   • Priority Service: 5 working days.

   • Super Priority Service: Next working day.

4. Visa Fees and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS):

   • Visa Fee: £490 for Standard service.

   • IHS: Most applicants must pay the IHS based on the length of your visa (from £388 to £776). Check the IHS website for details on costs and exemptions.

     Students in receipt of a Chevening, Marshall or Commonwealth Scholarship who have chosen the relevant type of application at the beginning of the form, do not need to pay the IHS (but will still complete the IHS section of the form which will calculate the IHS payment as '£0.00'). 

5. Biometric Details:

   • ID Check App: If available, use the UK Immigration ID Check app to reuse your biometric details from a previous UK visa.

   • TLScontact Appointment: If you can't use the app, book an appointment to provide biometric details within 45 working days of applying. See the UKVI's Biometric Enrolment guidance.

6. Post-Application Steps:

   • Upload Documents: After submitting your application, upload the required documents to your UKVI account.

   • Biometric Appointment: If needed, book and attend a TLScontact appointment to provide biometric details.

   • Wait for a Decision: You’ll receive an email with the outcome of your application.

7. Address Changes:

   • If you change your UK address after applying, inform UKVI through the appropriate method (If you have a visa sticker use this form or if you have online digital status, use your online account.)

Make sure to keep a copy of your decision email safe!

Your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies)

Make sure your CAS is valid for your new course at UoG or any changes in your studies. It must include an academic progression statement if you're applying for a Student Visa in the UK.

Required Documents

Documents can be from the UK or abroad, but they must meet UKVI's requirements. Refer to the UKVI Student Guidance, Financial Evidence, and Immigration Rules for more details.

Prepare Documents Before Submitting Your Application

• If using the UK Immigration: ID Check app: Upload before the deadline in your UKVI application account.
• If not using the app: Upload before your TLScontact biometric appointment.

Common Documents to Prepare

• Current Passport (ID page)
• Current Visa (e.g., BRP, visa sticker, or digital visa details)
• CAS: If tuition fees were paid after your CAS was issued, include receipts from UoG.
• Academic Progression Evidence: If applying for a new course, provide a certificate or a letter showing successful completion of your previous course (certificate or formal "highly likely to successfully complete" letter)
• Academic Documents on CAS: see the "English Language" and "Evidence used to obtain offer" sections. You may be told that some documents may not need to be submitted.
• ATAS Certificate: If required, apply early as processing can take 4-6 weeks. Submit the certificate with your visa application.
• Financial Evidence: Show you have enough money for tuition and living costs (£1,136/month for living, up to £10,224 for 9 months). Tuition fees paid after CAS needs receipts from UoG. If the length of your course includes a part of a month, round it up to a full month.

Using Parental or Guardian Financial Evidence
If using a parent or guardian's finances, provide:

• Proof of relationship (e.g., birth certificate)
• Letter of consent from your parents

Official Financial Sponsor Letter
If you have financial sponsorship (e.g., government or scholarship funds), include a sponsor letter confirming they’ll cover your tuition and living costs.

Currency Conversion & Translations

• Convert any non-GBP financial documents to GBP using a reliable converter (e.g., OANDA).
• Non-English documents must be translated by a certified translator and include specific details (e.g., translator's name, signature, and contact details).

Other Considerations

• Living in the UK for 12+ months: If you’ve lived in the UK for 12 months or more on a valid visa, you won’t need to provide financial evidence for your visa application.
• Differential Evidence: Some applicants may not need to provide financial or academic evidence, but it's still best to have them ready in case UKVI requests them.

Please see the information on (Student) Dependants here.

Starting from 1 January 2025, UKVI will issue all visa holders with an online digital visa status, accessible with a share code, and will no longer issue BRPs.

If Your Visa is Less Than 6 Months

Your visa will be a sticker in your passport or a digital visa status, and you won’t receive a BRP.

If You Get a Digital Visa Status

Follow the link in your decision letter or email to check if you can generate a share code before traveling to the UK. You will need to show your digital visa status upon arrival if asked by a UK Border Officer, to prove your rights to work and study.

You will not receive a visa sticker or BRP if you have a digital visa status.

Reporting Errors with Your Digital Visa

If you notice an error, report it immediately. UKVI warns that if you don’t, you might need to apply for a new visa, which could be costly and delay your studies.

• For 90-day visa sticker errors (like wrong name, nationality, or 'valid from' date): Contact the International Enquiry Service for corrections before traveling. There may be a fee.
• For digital visa errors: Report to UKVI's Settlement Resolution Centre before traveling. If the error occurs after arrival, contact International Student Support for advice.

Student Visa conditions

For detailed information on your visa conditions, including work and study rules, refer to the Appendix Student under "Period and conditions of grant for a Student".

Make sure to also check the Immigration Compliance Team webpages for your responsibilities as a Student Visa holder, including attendance and engagement requirements to keep your visa valid. 

This also covers when you need permission from your School Office / Graduate School for any absences or time spent outside the UK during term time, as it can impact your visa status.

Changes to your studies, such as course adjustments, may affect your visa's validity or require a new application. Visit our webpages for common scenarios.

For more information on working during or after your studies on a Student visa, see the International student support webpages. 

Traveling Outside the UK

When re-entering the UK, you need to show proof of a valid Student Visa, your digital visa status (with a share code ready before you travel).

Ensure you do not exceed the allowed time outside the UK during term time, and get permission from your School Office/Graduate School if required, as outlined on the Immigration Compliance Team webpages.

Certain changes to your studies, like early course completion or long absences, can affect your visa validity or expiry. Contact the Immigration Compliance Team if you’re unsure whether any report has been made that could affect your visa.

For common study changes that might impact your visa, refer to our relevant webpages.

Returning to the UK After Completing Your Course

If you leave the UK after finishing your course, you can return as long as your Student Visa is still valid and you re-enter before the visa expires.

If you're unsure about any report that might affect your visa, like early course completion or absences, contact the Immigration Compliance Team.

A UK Border Officer decides whether to let you back into the UK, so be prepared to explain your reason for returning. Keep relevant documents in your hand luggage, such as:

• Resuming your course after a short absence: A Certifying Letter to show you're still a registered student.

• Returning to apply for a new Student Visa: Your CAS for the new course and an explanation that you’ll apply for a new visa before your current one expires.

• Applying for the Graduate Visa: A Certifying Letter for Former Students and proof you meet the requirements to apply before your visa expires.

• Attending graduation: A Certifying Letter for Former Students and proof of your graduation enrollment, plus evidence of leaving the UK before your visa expires (e.g., flight tickets).