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Study visas
Important information on visas required for study in the UK
There are two main immigration permission routes to study in the UK. They are the new Student route visa and the Visitor visa route for short-term study (less than six months).
Which immigration route you require depends on a number of factors, including the length of your studies. The different immigration routes have different conditions attached. It is very important that you obtain the right permission for your study in the UK.
The Student route visa came in on 5 October 2020 replacing the Tier 4 visa route. If you are coming to study a course of six months or more you will need to apply for the Student route visa. In this section, you will find the information you will need to apply for this visa.
The new Visitor route, which came into effect on 1 December 2020, is the most appropriate route for those coming to the UK to study for a course of six months or less, for example, our Study Abroad students.
The Visitor route will replace the Short-term study visa route in the majority of cases. Short-term study visas from 1 December 2020 will only be applicable to students coming to study an English language programme for a duration of 6-11 months.
Please note
If you are a student from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nigeria, you will be required to take part in a Pre-CAS interview before you receive your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies.
Find out more information about Pre-CAS interviews.
Faq Items
eVisa information
UKVI are replacing physical documents, such as BRPs and vignettes in passports, with an online record of your immigration status.
You will be able to use an eVisa to travel to the UK. You will not need to carry a physical document, except for your passport, which must be registered to your UKVI account. You must keep your passport details up to date in your UKVI account.
Until the 31 December 2024 you will need to continue to carry your BRP when you travel, if you have one.
The benefits of eVisas include:
- They are secure and cannot be lost, stolen or tampered with, unlike a physical document.
- You will not need to wait for, or collect, a physical document after your application is decided. You might still need to provide biometric information in person, UKVI will tell you if you need to do this.
- It will be quicker and easier to prove your status at the UK border, and share your status with third parties like your University and landlords.
You can watch a video on what an eVisa is.
Why do I need a UKVI Account?
You will need to create a UKVI account to access your eVisa and share information about your immigration status and conditions, such as your right to work or rent in the UK, using the view and prove service. You do not have to pay to create a UKVI account.
How do I get an eVisa and a UKVI account?
If you are a student with a BRP expiring on 31 December 2024, you can now create a UKVI account and access your eVisa – you no longer need an invitation from UKVI. You should create your account as soon as possible.
If you have any concerns that an email you receive may not be genuine, please email the International advice team on internationaladvice@ljmu.ac.uk.
Please email the International advice team on internationaladvice@ljmu.ac.uk.
Sign up for updates on this page to keep up to date on when you will be able to access your eVisa.
If you have permission to stay in the UK, once you have created your UKVI account you will be able to sign in to the view and prove service to access your eVisa.
How will I use my UKVI account?
Once you have created your UKVI account you will be able to view the details of your eVisa online, for example your type of permission, when it expires and your conditions of stay in the UK.
You can update your personal information in your UKVI account, such as your contact details.
Your eVisa will be linked to your passport in your UKVI account. You must keep your passport or ID card details up to date in your UKVI account. You must tell UKVI about any changes, so that your immigration status can be easily identified at the UK border.
You will still need to carry your current passport with you.
If you have any questions about this please email the International Advice Team on internationaladvice@ljmu.ac.uk.
Applying for a Student visa inside of the UK
When you apply for the Student visa you must obtain a Valid Confirmation of Acceptance (CAS) and meet other requirements.
If you are a continuing student, you can request your CAS via the My LJMU Portal https://myservices.ljmu.ac.uk/ ‘CAS Request for Continuing Student’.
New students will have their CAS issued by our International Admissions Team.
Can I apply inside the UK?
Your new course must start within 28 days of your current visa expiring. Check your CAS confirmation of your new course start date.
You must also meet Academic Progression rules you can read more in Appendix Student Section 14 on the Gov.uk website.
You can apply inside the UK as a student, unless you hold immigration status in one of the following categories:
-
Visitor
-
Short Term Student
-
Parent of a child student
-
Seasonal worker
-
Domestic worker in a private household
-
Permission outside the Immigration rules
When should I apply for my Visa?
If you are applying for a new course, you should apply no more than 3 months before the start date of the course. You should apply only once you have completed your previous course.
If you are extending your visa for a course you have already started, you should apply as soon as you meet the requirements for this visa. We would recommend starting to prepare for your visa application at least two months before your visa expiry date and longer if you need to apply for ATAS clearance.
The last date in which you can make an in-time visa application is the date your visa expires. The International Student Advice Team would not advise waiting so late, just in case of any issues with validity of your application (please see next section ‘Making a Valid Application’)
Do not worry if your visa expiry date passes and you have not received a decision. If you have submitted a valid visa in time (so by your visa expiry date) you can lawfully remain in the UK while you are awaiting your decision.
Where to apply for your Student Visa
You make your online application via this link: www.gov.uk/student-visa/apply
To complete the application you will need to pay:
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The Immigration Health Surcharge. This is £776 a year (and per dependant if applicable). If you are applying for a period of extension of 6 months or less you will be charged £338
-
Your application fee which is £490 per applicant (and per dependant if applicable)
How much does the application cost?
The visa application costs £490 for the Standard application. You may be able to pay more to get a faster decision.
Please note
Although the Standard Services take 8 weeks as long as you pay and submit your visa application prior to your current visa expires, you can continue to stay lawfully in the UK for your decision regardless of how long it may take.
Enrolling your biometrics
Most applicants will be required to provide their biometrics as part of the application process. If you have previously submitted your biometrics to UKVI, you may be directed to use the UK Immigration: ID Check App to complete your application.
If you are not eligible to use the app, you should be directed to the UKVCAS website.
All UKVCAS Service points offer free appointments now (apart from the Premium lounges) although these get booked up very quickly. Currently, free appointments are released at 9am every day. You can read more on the
- You will then either need to upload your documents, or you can take them along to the Centre, however you will be charged a fee if you upload your documents at the Centre
- You DO NOT need to post anything so your passport remains with you.
- There is also an option to purchase ‘add on’ services from UKVCAS but most students will not need these.
Supporting document checklist
Please note this is a general guidance list. Please check your UKVI account for a list of documents you will need to submit to support your application.
- Your completed Student Route online form
- Your passport (and previous passports if applicable)
- Your Biometrics Residence Permit (if applicable)
- Your CAS letter
- Documents of previous qualifications if they are listed on your CAS
- Acceptable translations (if any documents are not in English or Welsh)*
- Your ATAS Certificate (if applicable)
Please note
If either a Government or Scholarship agency was sponsoring you within last 12 months but this has now ended, you will need their written consent to extend your visa.
What is an acceptable translation?
If any of your documents are not in English or Welsh, you must also provide translations.
Each translation must contain:
- confirmation from the translator/translation company that it is an accurate translation of the original document
- the date of the translation
- the full name and original signature of the translator, or of an authorised official of the translation company
- the contact details of the translator or translation company; and
- (if you are already in the UK and applying for further leave) certificate by a qualified translator and details of
- the translator or translation company’s credentials
ATAS
- For some courses, you are required to get ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance. You should make sure you do this in plenty of time.
- Your LJMU Offer Letter will state if you need to apply for ATAS. If you are, you will need to do this before LJMU will issue you with a CAS.
- ATAS applications can be made here: www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-scheme
Exemption from Maintenance Requirements
Please note
If you have had a UK visa for 12 months prior to the date of your application, you do not need to prove that you have money to support yourself. You also do not need to prove your finances if you are applying a Student Union Sabbatical Officer.
If you are not exempt from meeting the maintenance requirements, you will need to show:
- Evidence of your bank statements (or other financial document) covering 28 days and no more than 31 days old at the time of application
- If you are a sponsored student you will need an official financial sponsorship letter
Financial requirements for Self Sponsored Students
If you are a self-sponsored student and you haven’t had a valid UK visa for 12 months at the time of application, you will need to be able to demonstrate you have enough money in your (or your parents) bank account. You can also use financial evidence in the name of your dependant partner but only if your dependant is applying at the same time as you.
The maintenance fees for living costs for the main applicant are £1023 per month which is capped at 9 months. For example, if you are coming to study for a course of 9 months or more you will need to demonstrate you have £9207 (£1023 x 9 months) along with the full first year’s tuition fee.
If you have paid any of the tuition fee to LJMU and this is written on the CAS or is demonstrated on an official receipt, you can deduct this from the amount you need to show in your bank account.
The money needs to in your account for a minimum of 28 days. The financial evidence you use should be no more than 31 days old at the time you apply.
You can use your parents bank statements also, if you do, you must also show your original birth certificate (officially translated if not in English) along with a letter of support from your parents to say they are happy for you to use their funds.
Evidence you can use to demonstrate your finances: -
- Personal Bank Statements
- Letter from your Bank
- Certificate of Deposit
- Loan Letter
Personal Bank Statements
Your financial evidence should:
- Have your name or your parent’s/legal guardian’s name and the account number
- Be on official stationary or an electronic record
- Be printed or electronic (not handwritten)
- Include the date of the statement
- Include information about the bank, such as contact details or a branch code
- Show transactions and amount held over time
Bank Letter
A bank letter should contain information as above in Bank Statements, although rather than transactions the letter can state the balance and the length of time held (it must be written in the letter you have held the required funds for a minimum of 28 days).
The bank letter should be on headed paper and provide contact details for the bank and be signed by an official from the financial institution.
Certificate of deposit
This is a certificate issued by a bank to confirm that the named person has deposited or invested a specific amount of money. Certificates of deposit are accepted if they meet the following requirements:
- the certificate of deposit must have been issued within 31 days of the date of application
- the certificate of deposit shows that you have held the funds for at least 28 days
- you must be able to access the funds held at any time
Loans
If you are applying for your visa from overseas the loan must be available to you before you travel to the UK. This is unless it is an academic or student loan from your country's national government and will be released to you when you arrive in the UK, or it is a loan for your living costs that is paid to your Higher Education Provider for passing to you.
Any other type of loan will not meet the Student route requirements. If you wish to use money from any other type of loan, you need to transfer the funds to a bank or building society account in your name (or a parent's name) and use one of the other forms of evidence listed above.
Please read Appendix Finance on the government website for information on finance and maintenance requirements:
Evidence from more than one bank account
Where evidence from 2 or more accounts is used, the caseworker should make a decision based on:
- the closing balance of the account that most favours the applicant (providing it falls within the required 31 day period up until the date of application)
- any additional evidence of funds available on the date of that closing balance and at any point during the 28 day period linked to the closing balance used
If you are a Sponsored Student
An official financial sponsor is defined in the guidance as:
- The UK government
- Your home government
- The British Council
- Any international organization
- An international company (the Home Office has not defined ‘international company but it seems to mean a company with a trading presence (an office) in more than one country
- A University
- A UK Independent School
If LJMU is sponsoring you and has included details of this on the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) no other documents are needed to show official financial sponsorship
The sponsor letter needs to contain the following information:
- Your name
- The name and contact details of the official financial sponsor
- The date of the letter
- The length of sponsorship
- The amount of money the sponsor is giving you, or a statement that all course fees and living costs will be covered
Please note
If you official financial sponsor is not covering all of your courses fees and maintenance, you must be able to demonstrate that you have the additional amount.
Differential Agreement (Low Risk Nationals)
If you are a national of a country listed in Paragraph ST 22.1 of Appendix Student of the Immigration Rules there is no need to submit evidence of finances OR qualifications, however the Home Office may ask you at any time to provide them, so you should have all documents ready.
Once you receive your Decision
It can take 8 weeks to receive a decision if you have opted to apply via the Standard Service. Please note the International Advice Team will not be able to request updates from UKVI on your application until the 8 week timeframe has elapsed.
You will receive your Visa decision by email. If successful, you will receive proof of your immigration status either in the form of a physical BRP (Biometrics Residents Permit) or in digital status, as an eVisa. If you are an EU or EEA national or you used the UK Immigration: ID Check app to submit your application, you will receive an eVisa only.
If you have been advised your immigration status will be via online
If you get a new BRP please check that all the information is correct. If you see any errors on it, you will need to report this to UKVI. Please contact internationaladvice@ljmu.ac.uk for further information.
If everything is Ok with your BRP or eVisa, please email a scanned copy or photograph of your BRP to the My LJMU Portal International Student Documents Upload.
If your visa is refused please contact the International Advice Team on internationaladvice@ljmu.ac.uk for further assistance.
Applying for a Student route visa outside of the UK
Applying for a Student visa outside of the UK is referred to as ‘Entry Clearance’.
In order to apply for entry clearance as a Student visa you must have a current passport, obtain a valid electronic document Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) and meet the 70 points.
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Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) – 50 points – LJMU will issue your CAS
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Sufficient money to cover your tuition fees and living costs (or evidence of official sponsorship) - 10 points
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English Language Requirement – 10 points
Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS)
A CAS is an electronic document that LJMU issues to you when you are made an unconditional offer.
You will need your CAS reference number to enter onto your online Student application form. The CAS itself is not required for your Student application, but it gives you all of the information about your course and Student sponsor, and some of the information about money that you need to complete your Student application form. Your CAS is valid for 6 months.
If you are a new student your CAS will be issued by LJMU’s International Admissions Team.
If you are a continuing student, you can request your CAS via the My LJMU Portal ‘CAS Request for Continuing Student’
English Language Requirements
LJMU is required to assess your ability to read, write, speak and understand English. The method of assessment will vary. LJMU will tell you how it will assess your English and the level of English you must have, which is subject to minimum levels set by the Home Office.
Maintenance and tuition fees
You will need evidence you meet the financial requirements. Information about this is contained in this under ‘Evidence of finances’ heading
When to apply:
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You should apply for your visa in plenty of time for your course starting
-
You must apply before you travel to the UK
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You should apply no more than six months before the start date of your course
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No later than six months after your CAS was issued
ATAS
For some courses, you are required to get ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance. You should make sure you do this in plenty of time. Your LJMU Offer Letter will state if you are required to apply for ATAS. If you are, you will need to do this before LJMU will issue you with a CAS.
ATAS applications are made online.
How to apply
You should apply for the Student visa in the country in which you are living. All applications for the Student visa are made online.
You can start the application at any point as the application will save your information as you go. However, you will not be able to submit the application form without a valid CAS and you should ensure you have all the documents that are required for your visa application ready at the time you apply.
You can check online for updates to the status of Visa Application Centres in your country.
Ensure you have all the relevant documentation you need to attend the appointment.
Application fee
The application fee is £490 per applicant, paid as an equivalent in your local currency.
Some of the Visa Application Centres (VACs) charge an additional fee to process your visa application. If you do not wish to pay this additional fee, you will need to attend a difference VAC.
It may be possible at your VAC to pay extra for a priority or super priority service to get a decision quicker. To check the services offered at your local VAC, select your country from the list of Visa Application Centres.
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
The IHS entitles you to use free healthcare services under the National Health Service. The fee is £776 a year for students coming to study a course of 6 months or more. If your visa includes part of a year that is six months or less you will be charged an additional 50% of the annual charge for this period (£388). If your visa includes part of a year that is more than six months, you will have to pay the full annual change or this period.
You can use the IHS calculator tool on the UK Government website to check how much you will have to pay.
The Student visa application form will calculate the amount that you need to pay and ask you to pay it before you can complete your application. After you have done this you will receive an email containing your IHS reference number. This number will automatically be included on your application form cover sheet.
Supporting documents
To make a successful Student visa application you must meet all the Student visa requirements and provide evidence in the required format. Your documents can be copies or originals.
Please note this is a general guidance list. Please check your UKVI account for a list of documents you will need to submit to support your application:
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Evidence of your Official financial sponsor (if you are a sponsored student)
-
Evidence you meet the English Language Requirement
-
Documents of previous qualifications if they are listed on your CAS in the ‘Evidence used to obtain offer’ section
-
Acceptable translations (if any documents are not in English)
-
Your ATAS Certificate (if applicable)
-
Your completed Student visa application form
-
Your valid passport (and previous passports if applicable)
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A valid TB test if applicable
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Evidence of you meet the financial requirement
-
Receipts for any tuition fees you have already paid (unless they are written in your CAS)
Acceptable translations
If any of your documents are not in English or Welsh, you must also provide translations.
Each translation must contain:
-
confirmation from the translator/translation company that it is an accurate translation of the original document
-
the date of the translation
-
the full name and original signature of the translator, or of an authorised official of the translation company
-
the contact details of the translator or translation company; and
-
(if you are already in the UK and applying for further leave) certificate by a qualified translator and details of
-
the translator or translation company’s credentials
Evidence of finances
You will need to show:
-
Evidence of your bank statements (or other financial document) covering 28 days and no more than 31 days old at the time of application
-
If you are a sponsored student you will need an official financial sponsorship letter
Financial requirements for self-sponsored students
If you are a self-sponsored student, you will need to be able to demonstrate you have enough money in your (or your parents) bank account. You can also use financial evidence in the name of your dependant partner but only if your dependant is applying at the same time as you.
The maintenance fees for living costs for the main applicant are £1023 per month which is capped at 9 months. For example, if you are coming to study for a course of 9 months or more you will need to demonstrate you have £9207 (£1023 x 9 months) along with the full first year’s tuition fee.
If you have paid any of the tuition fee to LJMU and this is written on the CAS or is demonstrated on an official receipt, you can deduct this from the amount you need to show in your bank account.
The money needs to in your account for a minimum of 28 days. The financial evidence you use should be no more than 31 days old at the time you apply.
You can use your parents bank statements also, if you do you must also show your original birth certificate (officially translated if not in English) along with a letter of support from your parents to say they are happy for you to use their funds.
Evidence you can use to demonstrate your finances
- Personal bank statements
- Letter from your bank
- Certificate of deposit
- Loan letter
Personal Bank Statements
Your financial evidence should:
- Have your name or your parent’s/legal guardian’s name and the account number
- Be on official stationary or an electronic record
- Be printed or electronic (not handwritten)
- Include the date of the statement
- Include information about the bank, such as contact details or a branch code
- Show transactions and amount held over time
Bank Letter
A bank letter should contain information as above in Bank Statements, although rather than transactions the letter can state the balance and the length of time held (it must be written in the letter you have held the required funds for a minimum of 28 days).
The bank letter should be on headed paper and provide contact details for the bank and be signed by an official from the financial institution.
Certificate of deposit
This is a certificate issued by a bank to confirm that the named person has deposited or invested a specific amount of money. Certificates of deposit are accepted if they meet the following requirements:
- the certificate of deposit must have been issued within 31 days of the date of application
- the certificate of deposit shows that you have held the funds for at least 28 days
- you must be able to access the funds held at any time
Loans
If you are applying for your visa from overseas the loan must be available to you before you travel to the UK. This is unless it is an academic or student loan from your country's national government and will be released to you when you arrive in the UK, or it is a loan for your living costs that is paid to your Higher Education Provider for passing to you.
Any other type of loan will not meet the Student route requirements. If you wish to use money from any other type of loan, you need to transfer the funds to a bank or building society account in your name (or a parent's name) and use one of the other forms of evidence listed above.
Evidence from more than one bank account
Where evidence from 2 or more accounts is used, the caseworker should make a decision based on:
- the closing balance of the account that most favours the applicant (providing it falls within the required 31 day period up until the date of application)
- any additional evidence of funds available on the date of that closing balance and at any point during the 28 day period linked to the closing balance used
Please read Appendix Finance on the government website for information on finance and maintenance requirements
If you are in receipt of financial sponsorship
A financial sponsor is defined in the guidance as:
-
The UK government
-
Your home government
-
The British Council
-
Any international organization
-
An international company (the Home Office has not defined ‘international company but it seems to mean a company with a trading presence (an office) in more than one country
-
A University
-
A UK Independent School
If LJMU is sponsoring you and has included details of this on the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) no other documents are needed to show official financial sponsorship
The sponsor letter needs to contain the following information:
-
Your name
-
The name and contact details of the official financial sponsor
-
The date of the letter
-
The length of sponsorship
-
The amount of money the sponsor is giving you, or a statement that all course fees and living costs will be covered
If your official financial sponsor is not covering all of your course fees and maintenance, you must be able to demonstrate that you have the additional amount.
If you were being sponsored by either your Government or Scholarship agency within the last 12 months but this has now ended, you will need their consent in the form of a consent letter to extend your visa.
Differentiation arrangement (low risk nationals)
If you are a national of a country listed in Paragraph ST 22.1 of Appendix Student of the Immigration Rules there is no need to submit evidence of finances OR qualifications, however the Home Office may ask you at any time to provide them, so you should have all documents ready.
Enrolling your biometrics
You will prove your identity as part of the application. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have.
You’ll either:
- give your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a visa application centre
- use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
Visa interview (also known as credibility interview)
The Home Office will interview most students before granting them immigration permission to come and study in the UK. Your request to attend an interview will be emailed to you, so please keep checking your inbox and ‘junk’ and ‘spam’ folders as it may go there.
During the interview the Home Office will ask you a number of questions about your course, why you have chosen to study this and why you have chosen in this location.
The Home Office must be satisfied that you are a genuine student and that your English Language ability is at the correct level. If they are not, your visa may be refused.
During the interview, if you have any connection problems (if virtual) or can’t hear it is important that you advise the Home Office staff member of this.
Visa processing times
In most cases you should receive a decision within 3 weeks, however processing times can be longer. There may be priority services available for an additional fee. You can check this with your VAC (Visa Application Centre). If you are concerned your application is taking a long time please contact the International Advice Team on internationaladvice@ljmu.ac.uk.
Receiving your decision
Most students will receive a vignette (sticker) in their passport which is used to travel to the UK. When you arrive in the UK, you will collect a biometric residence permit (BRP).
Along with the vignette you will receive a letter. Keep this letter and bring it to the UK with you. If your visa application is for six months or less, your vignette will be valid for your whole stay in the UK. Otherwise, the vignette in your passport will be valid for 90 days.
If you have used the UK Immigration: ID Check app receive their permission in the form of an online digital status and will not receive a vignette. This digital status can be shared with anyone who needs to check your permission.
If you get a new BRP check that all the information is correct. If you see any errors on it, you will need to report this to UKVI. Please contact internationaladvice@ljmu.ac.uk for further information.
If everything is ok with your BRP or eVisa, please email a scanned copy or photograph of your BRP to the My LJMU Portal International Student Documents Upload
If your visa is refused please contact the International Advice Team on internationaladvice@ljmu.ac.uk for further assistance.
Guide to Completing the Student Visa application form from inside the UK
The International Student Advice Team have put together a step by step guide to completing the online visa application inside the UK (PDF, 3.7MB). The guide explains how to answer every question that could appear on the online form.
Guide to completing the Student Visa application form outside of the UK
The International Student Advice Team have put together a step by step guide to completing the online visa application outside the UK. The guide explains how to answer every question that could appear on the online form.
Police Registration suspended
The Police Registration scheme, which requires some migrants to register with the police, is suspended with immediate effect.
From 1 August 2022, no-one is required to register under the scheme or update their local police force about changes, even if their immigration documentation says they must.
This change applies to students who have already registered with the Police and who have a condition to register with the police listed as part of their leave to enter or remain in the UK. Students will also no longer be required to communicate any updated personal details to the police.
For any questions about this please contact the International Student Advice Team on internationaladvice@ljmu.ac.uk.
Visitor visa guide for courses of six months or less
The International Student Advice Team has produced an Information Sheet with answers to FAQs about studying at LJMU on a Visit visa.
Visit Visas for Coming to the UK for a visit
The International Student Advice Team have produced an Information sheet for students and their family to come to the UK for a visit, for example to attend your Graduation Ceremony.
Please see our Information sheet on coming to the UK for a visit (PDF, 607KB).
Changes to Your Course of Study and Visa Implications
Student and Tier 4 visas are sponsored visas and issued for you to study on the course as stated on your CAS. The visa conditions and length of validity are based on the information about your course of study as stated on your CAS.
In most circumstances, changes to your study circumstances may have an impact on your visa/ immigration status in the UK.
The International Student Team have produced an information sheet with advice and points to consider if you are thinking of making any changes to your studies at LJMU.
Changes to Study Circumstances and Visa Implications (PDF, 386KB)
Information for international students travelling with dependents
Information recently shared by BUILA for international students travelling with dependents: