Find out everything you need to know about applying for a student visa from outside of the UK.

Visa application requirements

You can apply for a student visa to study in the UK if you’re 16 or over and you:

Check if you need a student visa.

When and where you can apply

The earliest you can apply for your visa is six months before your course start date.

You can apply in the country where you are living. “Living” means you are in the country lawfully for a reason other than a short-term visit, such as work or study. You can’t apply if you’re a tourist.

Documents you need for a visa

There are several documents most people will need to supply to get a visa.

See the visa application documents you need to provide.

Proof of funds

Check what documents you need to supply to prove you have the money to do your course.

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies

Find out how you get a CAS and why you need one.

Cost of application

It costs £490 to apply outside the UK. You must also pay £490 a person for any dependants.

You also have to pay a healthcare surcharge for each year of your course. This also applies for each dependant.

The IHS is set to increase to £776 per year from 6 February 2024.

Check how much you'll have to pay before you apply.

Apply online for your visa

You must apply online on the UKVI website.

Check how long your visa will take to process.

Proving your identity

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity.

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 (this applies to most EU nationals) – you’ll also create or sign into a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.
  • You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply. You normally submit all your documents at the centre or using the app.

If you need to attend a centre, many have extra “user pay services” (such as priority visa processing and document checks) which you pay for online or when you go to the centre. Find a visa application centre to see its services.

Credibility interview

You may need to do a credibility interview (done via a video link) with UKVI as part of your visa application.

If you don’t attend your interview, your visa application may be refused.

Find out how to prepare for your credibility interview.

Receiving your visa

If your application is successful, you’ll get either a:

For non-EU nationals, if your visa is for longer than six months, you get a 90-day vignette (sticker) in your passport.

This begins either 30 days before the course start date on your CAS or seven days before the date you said you would travel to the UK, whichever is later.

The vignette in your passport allows you to enter the UK within the 90-day period but it’s not your actual visa.

When you arrive in the UK, you get your BRP. This is your visa.

Important: You must always arrive in the UK within the validity of your Student visa. This will either be within the validity of your 90-day vignette (if you have been issued one) or after the valid from date of your Student visa (this applies to most EU nationals who have been issued a digital immigration status).

As part of the University registration procedures, you will need to show either your date stamped 90-day vignette or a flight ticket/boarding pass showing the date you entered the UK. If you have entered the UK before the validity of your Student visa, you will not be able to register for your course. You will need to leave the UK and re-enter during the validity of your Student visa.

If you need a replacement vignette

If you cannot travel within the validity period of your vignette, or if you have lost your vignette, you can apply for a replacement. You will have to pay £154 for this new application and provide your biometric information again, but you will not have to submit a new student visa application.

You will need to apply online for a Transfer of conditions (vignette transfer).

Select the following options:

  • Confirm your visa type: BRP Vignette Transfer
  • Category of application: To transfer or replace your visa (vignette)

In the additional information section you should explain that you have been granted a student visa to study in the UK but that you need a new 90-day vignette as you have not been able (or will not be able) to travel to the UK before the end of your 90-day vignette.

Only apply if you are certain you can travel to the UK. If you cannot travel within the validity period of your new vignette, you will need to re-apply and pay £154 again.

You will be able to collect your Biometric Residence Permit when you arrive in the UK. If it has been delivered to us, we will hold it for you.

Studying for fewer than six months

If your visa is for fewer than six months, non-EU nationals receive a vignette (sticker) in their passport. This is a visa for the entire study period. Check the end date is correct.

How long your visa will last

If your course is:

  • 12 months or longer, you receive a visa that is the length of your course plus four months
  • between six and 12 months long, you receive a visa that is the length of your course plus two months
  • less than six months long, you receive a visa that is the length of your course plus seven days.

If you’re studying a pre-sessional course which is less than six months, you receive a visa that is the length of your course plus one month.

Arriving in the UK

See our guidance for what to do when you arrive in the UK.

Collecting your biometric residence permit

You collect your biometric residence permit as part of the Sussex registration process.

See more from Applying for a student visa