UK Student Visa Application 2023 | Guide & Requirements

Are you looking for how to apply and get the UK Student Visa? well Good news cos you are on the right page. Here i will be sharing with you the required guidelines and application procedures and requirements you must know before applying for the UK Visa Application in 2023.

British higher education providers are recognized internationally for their creative and challenging environments that help push students to be their best. Their academic standard is highly regarded by experts in various fields of study. The United Kingdom is a multicultural country that allows migrants and visitors from different parts of the world. By studying in the UK, you will have the opportunity to experience a new culture and meet people from different backgrounds. As many presume that a UK student visa is difficult, it is not difficult as long as you can prove that you have sufficient funds to pay your tuition fees and living costs.

UK STUDENT VISA REQUIREMENTS

Institutions in the UK offer short and long-term courses, and the term of courses will determine the type of visa to process. The short-term study visa is applicable if you’re studying a short course that is valid for six months and if you’re over 18 years old.

There are requirements for processing your study visa, and they can be seen below;

• Passport photograph.
• A valid passport and travel document.
• Acceptance letter of the course offered by a licensed Tier 4 sponsor, evidenced by a CAS form from your course provider.
• English language proficiency: It is important to talk about a Secured English Language Test (SELT). If you’re from an English-speaking country, you may not need to take this test.
• Proof Of Financial support: There is a need to show proof of your financial support that can take you throughout your stay in the UK. You may likely have to print your statement of account as evidence of funds.
• Academic Qualifications: Documents of your previous academic qualifications are required. The last school you attended, your GPA, and also your transcript should be included in the document.
• A biometric test is also required, which involves a digital scan of your fingerprints and a digital photograph.
• Applicants between the age of 16-and 17 applying for a tier 4 visa must have written consent from a parent or guardian that they can live independently.
• Medical Examination: To check for tuberculosis and other health challenges.
• Provide a valid ATAS certificate if your course and nationality require it.
• You may also need to provide additional documents as requested by the institution.

UK STUDENT VISA REQUIREMENTS FEE

There are three methods of payment. Namely;

• Online transaction: Online transaction is done using either a master card or visa card
• Using demand draft at the visa application center and selected branches of Standard Chartered Bank.
• Use of Cash at the visa application center and selected branches of Standard Chartered Bank.

UK STUDENT VISA APPLICATION FEE

UK Student Visa Fee is about £348 for applicants outside the United Kingdom but for applicants living in the UK Student Visa to cross to another institution, and the fee is about £482.

HOW TO APPLY FOR UK STUDENT VISA

There are a variety of steps to take when applying for a student visa. 

• Apply To Your School Of Choice: The first step involved when trying to apply for a student visa is to apply to the institution and course of your choice, get accepted, and ensure you receive an acceptance letter before applying for a student visa.
• Confirmation Of Acceptance Of Study (CAS): Request a CAS number from your institution and cross-check the information on the CAS received. CAS is a way to make an application to an Visa once, and it is valid for six months. Your study visa must be readily available before validity elapses.
• Apply for ATAS clearance if applicable in your institution: ATAS certificate (document) is part of your application for permission to enter the UK.
• Visa Process: Check the visa process in your country of residence and follow due protocol.
• Documents Needed: Ensure all necessary documents are properly arranged and complete.
• Online Application: Complete the application form online by clicking on the “Apply Online Now” button below , then submit it and pay the application fees and the immigration health surcharge (if applicable), and upload your documents.
• Biometric: Book a biometric appointment with the VAC.
• Interview: You may be contacted to attend an interview, do that with utmost simplicity and confidence.

UK STUDENT VISA PROCESSING TIME

The longevity of the student visa process is an important factor in deciding when to apply and when to make travel arrangements. It is all dependent on factors such as the type of visa you applied for and the country or embassy where the application is made. On average, it takes up to 3 weeks or more to process your visa, however, do not wait for the last minute. It is advisable to start processing your study visa three months before your traveling time.

UK STUDENT VISA EXTENSION

Your expiry date for your visa is extremely important. If you are in the UK after this date without requesting a visa extension, you could be considered an overstayer which means you’re within the UK without a visa to enter the country. The act of overstaying the validity of your passport is considered a crime. If you extend your stay by more than 30 days, you will generally be denied entry to the UK for a minimum of 12 months.

If your visa is close to expiring, you should apply for a visa extension. Student Visa extension should be done weeks before your visa expires. The application process for visa extension takes up to 6-8 weeks. If you overstay your visa due to the COVID-19 pandemic, check on the UK government website and then apply for “exceptional assurance.”

For the student who would love to continue studies as the current study is coming to a close, the student visa gives you an opportunity to extend your visa. You can extend your visa valid to a maximum of 2 years.

UK STUDENT VISA REQUIREMENT EXTENSION APPLICATION

• To make a successful Student Visa extension application, you will need to:You’ve to be in the UK currently to be able to apply for a visa extension.
• Your current valid (i.e., not expired) Student Visa or a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa must be readily available.
• Present an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed student sponsor
• Make available the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) for your new course of study.
• You have to meet the ‘academic progress requirement’ to make a successful student visa extension application.

UK STUDENT VISA DEPENDANT

• UK student visa dependant is another type of visa that enables the student to come with their family. For student visa holders, dependents are defined as;Husband or wife
• Children below the age of 18
• Unmarried partners who have been in a relationship similar to marriage with you for at least two years.
• If you’re bringing in your children, you have to come with your partner, and the only exception is when your partner is dead.
• You can consider applying for a dependent visa for this reason;If your course duration is above six months and you’re studying a postgraduate course.
• If you’re currently studying a postgraduate course, but you’ve received an official sponsorship from the government.

APPLICATION FOR DEPENDANT VISA IN THE UK

If your dependents are outside the UK, they will need to complete an online application form with an application fee of £363 per dependant.

If your dependants are within the United Kingdom, they will also have to complete an online application form with an application fee of £490. 

At the point of writing the form, the student should also begin the process of applying for the student visa so as to indicate in the answers that you have a dependant applying with you, and will also have to pay the health surcharge.