Extending Your Student Visa from Inside the UK

International students can apply to extend their Student visa if they are currently studying in the UK and plan to continue studying or start a new course.

This guide explains everything you need to know about how to extend your student visa in the UK, including eligibility requirements, fees, and documents.

For legal advice and support with your UK Student visa extension, contact Wembley Solicitors at 0203 417 3700 or email info@wembleysolicitors.com.

Table of Contents

What is a UK Student Visa Extension?

A UK Student Visa extension allows international students on a Student or Tier 4 (General) visa to stay longer and continue their studies or begin a new course.

Extending your Student visa is the legal way to stay in the UK and keep studying once your original visa expires. It allows you to continue your education without interruption, providing the necessary time to finish your current course or begin a new one. This process is vital for international students wishing to extend their academic journey in the UK beyond their initial visa period.

Who Can Extend a Student Visa in the UK?

International students currently in the UK on a Student visa can apply for an extension if they need additional time to finish their course or start a new one.

1. Students Continuing Their Current Course or Starting a New One

If you're already in the UK on a Student visa and need more time to finish your course, or you're starting a new course at a higher academic level, you can apply for an extension. You must have an unconditional offer from a licensed student sponsor and meet all eligibility criteria.

2. Students Adding a Work Placement or Study Abroad Year

Some degree courses include a work placement or a study abroad year. If your course now includes one of these options, and you need additional time to complete it, you'll likely need to extend your visa to cover the full duration.

3. Students Repeating a Module or Resitting Exams

Sometimes you may need to repeat a module or resit an exam. If this extends your studies beyond your current visa end date, you can apply for an extension to complete your course.

4. Students Transferring to Another Institution

If you're switching to another UK educational institution, you may need to extend your visa, especially if your new course starts within 28 days of your current visa expiring.

5. Student Union Sabbatical Officers

If you've been elected as a Student Union sabbatical officer, you can apply to extend your visa to allow you to carry out your duties during your term in the role.

6. PhD Students Needing More Time

PhD research often takes longer than expected. If you need extra time to complete your doctoral research, and your university agrees, you can apply for a visa extension.

7. Students with an Unconditional Offer for a New Course

You can also apply to extend your visa if you've been given an unconditional offer to study a new course in the UK. Again, the course must be offered by a licensed student sponsor, and it should start within 28 days of your current visa ending.

Who Cannot Extend Their UK Student Visa?

While many students can extend their visas, some do not meet the eligibility criteria. Here's who cannot extend a UK Student visa from inside the country:

1. Students Who Have Already Completed Their Course

If you've already finished the course your visa was granted for, you cannot extend your visa unless you've been accepted onto a new course.

2. Students Who've Reached the Five-Year Cap

Generally, students are not allowed to spend more than five years studying at an undergraduate or postgraduate degree level in the UK (with some exceptions, such as medicine or architecture). If you've reached this limit, you won't be able to extend.

3. Students Waiting for Resit Results or Appeals

Unfortunately, you cannot extend your visa just to wait for exam resit results or the outcome of an academic appeal. You'll need to explore other options or return to your home country while waiting.

4. Students Applying from Outside the UK

If your Student visa has already expired or you've left the UK, you cannot apply for an extension from abroad. You would need to submit a new visa application from outside the UK instead.

What is the Academic Progress Requirement?

When extending your Student visa, you usually need to show that your new course is at a higher academic level than your previous one. This ensures students are progressing through their education rather than repeating similar-level studies.

Your new course must be:

• At a higher academic level than your current course.
• Or at the same level, but directly related to your previous studies or future career goals. It must also be at degree level or above and offered by a recognised Higher Education Provider (HEP).
• Or an intercalated course in medicine, dentistry or medical sciences, which forms part of a longer degree.

When You Don't Need to Show Academic Progress

There are several exceptions where you don't need to show academic progression, such as:

• Resitting exams or repeating modules.
• Changing to a new institution after your previous one lost its student sponsor licence.
• Returning to complete your course after working as a student union sabbatical officer.
• Continuing a PhD or doctorate that began under your last Student visa.
• Rejoining your medicine, dentistry or science degree after an intercalated year.
• Extending your visa for a work placement or study abroad programme as part of your course.

If you're unsure whether your situation qualifies, it's wise to seek professional advice from an expert UK immigration solicitor.

When to Apply to Extend Your UK Student Visa

You can apply to extend your UK Student visa up to 3 months before your new course starts. You must apply before your current visa expires, and your new course must begin within 28 days after your visa ends.

Additionally, your application must be submitted within 6 months of receiving your CAS.

Here's what you need to keep in mind:

• You can apply up to 3 months before your new course starts.
• You must apply before your current visa expires.
• Your new course must start within 28 days of your current visa's expiry date.
• Your application must be submitted within 6 months of receiving your CAS.

Example: If your visa expires on 1st December, you must apply before this date, and your new course must begin by 29th December.

You can stay in the UK legally while waiting for your visa decision, even if your current visa has expired, as long as you applied before it did.

UK Student Visa Extension Requirements

Generally, students holding a Tier 4 (General) student visa or a Student Route visa can apply for an extension if they meet specific conditions.

You're eligible to apply for an extension if you:

• Hold a valid UK Student visa or a Tier 4 (General) student visa.
• Hold a valid CAS from a licensed student sponsor.
• Have an unconditional offer of a place on a course.
• Are enrolling in a course at a higher academic level than your current one (this is known as the academic progress requirement).

If you've been in the UK for less than 12 months, you'll also need to show you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your studies.

Tip: If you have dependents (a partner or children) in the UK, they must apply separately to extend their visas, either at the same time as you or before their current visas expire.

Documents You'll Need for a Student Visa Extension

When you apply for your Student visa extension, you must provide:

• Your valid passport
• Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), if you have one
• Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
• Proof of financial stability (if you've lived in the UK for less than 12 months)
• Academic qualifications
• ATAS certificate (if required)
• Proof of English language proficiency (if required)
• Additional documents, depending on your circumstances

Contact our immigration solicitor in London to check your eligibility for a Student visa extension and obtain a comprehensive document checklist.

How to Extend Your Student Visa in the UK?

You must apply online through the UKVI website to extend your UK Student visa to stay longer and continue your course or study a new course.

You should apply to extend your student visa UK before your current visa expires. The UK Home Office recommends applying up to 3 months before your visa's expiry date, but no later than the expiry date itself. Applying late can lead to refusal or overstaying, which has serious consequences.

Follow this step-by-step process to extend your UK student visa.

Step 1: Obtain a CAS

The first step is to get a new CAS from your university or educational institution. This document confirms that you have an unconditional offer to continue or start a new course with a licensed student sponsor. Make sure you meet their eligibility criteria and provide any documents they ask for. Without a valid CAS, you won't be able to apply for the extension.

Step 2: Prepare All Required Documents

Next, gather all the important documents you'll need for your application. This usually includes your current passport, your existing student visa, proof of finances like bank statements, and academic certificates or transcripts. Requirements can vary depending on your course and situation, so double-check what applies to you.

Step 3: Complete the Online Application

Visit the official UKVI to fill out the online student visa extension application form. Create an account, fill out the online form carefully, and make sure all your information is correct. You'll also need to pay the visa application fee along with the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which covers your access to NHS healthcare while in the UK.

Step 4: Book and Attend Your Biometric Appointment

After submitting your application, you may be asked to book an appointment at a nearby UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre. Here, you'll provide your biometric details, which means fingerprints and a photograph, required for your visa application.

Step 5: Wait for the Decision

Once you've completed the steps above, your application is sent to the Home Office for assessment. Processing times can differ, but you will generally receive a response within eight weeks. You will be notified of the decision either by email or through your online UKVI account. While awaiting the outcome, as long as your application was submitted before your current visa expired, you can remain legally in the UK.

Need legal assistance with extending your Student visa? Reach out to our team at 0203 417 3700 or info@wembleysolicitors.com today.

How Long Does It Take to Extend a UK Student Visa?

A UK Student visa extension usually takes up to 8 weeks to process when submitted from within the UK. However, you may be eligible to use the Super Priority Service for a faster decision in just 1 working day (24 hours).

What Is the Cost of Extending a UK Student Visa?

The cost of extending a UK Student visa includes a £524 visa application fee, plus a healthcare surcharge fee, which is currently £776 per year for students.

Since visa fees are subject to change, find the current fees for Student visa applications and the healthcare surcharge for students.

How Our Solicitor Can Help You Extend Your UK Student Visa

Extending your UK Student visa can be a complex and detailed process. Our immigration solicitor offers expert guidance and hands-on support to make sure your application is accurate, complete, and stands the best chance of approval.

Here's how we can help:

1.    Assessing Your Eligibility

Our solicitor will carefully review your situation, including your current visa, academic progress, and finances, to confirm whether you meet the requirements for extending your Student visa. This personalised assessment helps avoid wasted time or costly mistakes.

2. Advising on Required Documents

We will provide a clear checklist of all necessary documents, like your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), financial evidence, and any other supporting papers. We also guide you on how to obtain and prepare these documents so they meet UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) standards.

3. Preparing and Submitting Your Application

Our immigration solicitors help fill out your online application correctly and thoroughly, reducing the chance of errors. We often draft a detailed cover letter explaining how your application meets all visa rules, strengthening your case. We also manage the submission process, including fee payment and booking biometric appointments.

4. Providing Ongoing Support and Representation

Our solicitor acts as your representative, handling communication with the Home Office. If they request more information or clarification, our solicitor will respond promptly. If your application is refused, we can advise on appeal options or administrative reviews.

5. Handling Complex Issues

If your case has complications, such as previous refusals, overstays, or unusual circumstances, our solicitor provides tailored advice to navigate these challenges and improve your chances of success.

Using an immigration solicitor can simplify your Student visa extension, reduce stress, prevent errors, and give you peace of mind knowing you have expert help every step of the way.

Have questions about extending your UK Student visa? Contact our experienced immigration team on 0203 417 3700 or via email at info@wembleysolicitors.com.

How much do solicitors charge for a UK Student visa application?

At Wembley Solicitors, we offer affordable UK visa application-related services on a fixed-fee basis with no hidden costs or unexpected financial surprises.

Our immigration solicitors charge a fixed fee ranging from £800 to £1,000 (plus VAT) for legal help with UK Student visa extension applications.

Get Help with Your UK Student Visa Extension Now

Need help with your UK Student visa extension? Contact our immigration solicitors on 0203 417 3700 or email info@wembleysolicitors.com for expert guidance.