You cannot switch to this visa if you have one of the following visas:

• a visit visa
• a short-term student visa
• a Parent of a Child Student visa
• a seasonal worker visa
• a domestic worker in a private household visa
• leave outside the immigration rules

Eligibility

To switch to a Student visa you must:

• be in the UK
• have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed student sponsor – shown by your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

If you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for less than 12 months, you’ll need to prove you have enough money to support yourself in the UK.

Apply to switch your dependants’ visas at the same time as you switch your own visa. If you cannot apply at the same time, your partner or child can switch their visas at a later date – this must be before their current visa expires.

When to apply

The earliest you can apply is 3 months before your course starts.

You must apply before your current visa expires. Your new course must begin within 28 days of your current visa expiring.

For example, if your visa expires on 1 December, you must apply for a new visa before 1 December. Your new course must begin by 29 December.

You must also apply within 6 months of getting a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

You can stay in the UK until you get your decision.

If you applied for an administrative review because your application was refused, you can stay in the UK until you get your review decision.

• extend your visa if you’re eligible, for example to continue your studies in the UK
• switch to a Student visa from another visa if you’re already in the UK
• switch to a Graduate visa to stay in the UK for at least 2 years after successfully completing your course

Fees

For each person, you’ll need to pay:

• £475 to extend this visa
• the healthcare surcharge – check how much you’ll have to pay

You may need to pay £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken.

Apply

You must apply online.
As part of your application you’ll need to prove your identity.
How you do this depends on where you’re from and the type of passport you have.
You’ll either:

• give your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point
• use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document (you’ll also create or sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account)

You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

How long it takes to get a decision

A decision will usually be made within 8 weeks.
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision – you’ll be told if you can when you apply.

After you apply

You’ll be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer, for example because:

• your supporting documents need to be verified
• you need to attend an interview</span
• of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction)</span

If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to withdraw your application by contacting UKVI. Your fee will only be refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

If your application is successful

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

• • a biometric residence permit – if you gave your biometric information at a UKVCAS centre
  • a digital immigration status which you can view and prove online – if you used the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app

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