If you move to the UK for a period of study, but then you decide that you want to extend your stay, it’s likely that you want to stay and work in the country. But it could also be that you want to travel around Europe or resume your studies at another institution nearer to home. Whatever your reason, it may also be possible for you to extend your stay under a student visa. If so, are there any restrictions as to how long you can remain in the UK?

Can I Extend My Student Visa In Uk

Extending your visa in the United Kingdom is generally easier than other parts of Europe. The long, standardized visa application process means that most people should be able to avoid complications on the road. However, there are a few things you need to know, or your embassy might request additional documentation.

Do you want to stay in the UK more? Then it is legal. Now students are allowed to stay in United Kingdom after they graduate. This is good news for international students who want to extend their stay in the UK after completing their studies. There is a change in the rules that entitles international students to remain in the country on a post-study work visa. The Government has put into place a much more liberal set of laws for extending your stay after graduation. As per the new Immigration Rules, Tier 4 student visa holders will not be deported from Britain or have their visas cancelled if they fail to find jobs within a certain period of time.

Extend your visa

You may be able to extend your Student visa to stay longer and continue your course or study a new course. This includes if you currently have a Tier 4 (General) student visa.

To extend your visa you must:

• be in the UK on a Student visa or a Tier 4 (General) student visa
• have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed student sponsor – shown by your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
• show that your studies are at a higher academic level than your current course (called the ‘academic progress requirement’) – there are some exceptions

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.

Your partner or children will need to apply separately to extend their visa. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.

You can also switch to a Graduate visa to stay in the UK for at least 2 years after successfully completing your course.

Showing academic progress

If you’re currently studying in the UK, you’ll usually need to show your studies will be at a higher academic level than your current course.

Your new course must be one of the following:

• at a higher academic level than your current course
• at the same level and related to your previous course or career aspirations – it must be degree level or above at a Higher Education Provider (HEP)
• intercalated to a medicine, dentistry or medical science course you started studying under your Student visa (including a Tier 4 (General) student visa)

You do not need to show your studies are at a higher level if you’re doing one of the following:

• resitting exams or repeating modules
• applying for the first time to a new institution to complete a course you started at an institution that lost its student sponsorship licence
• applying after working as a student union sabbatical officer to complete a qualification you started studying under your last Student visa (including a Tier 4 (General) student visa)
• completing a PhD or other doctorate that you started studying under your last Student visa (including a Tier 4 (General) student visa)
• continuing your medical, dentistry or medical science degree after completing an intercalated course
• applying to extend your stay to complete your studies because you’ve done (or want to do) a work placement or study abroad programme

Read the guidance for more information about when you need to prove your studies are at a higher level.

If you’re applying to work in the UK

You can get a CAS if you’re applying to work as a student union sabbatical officer.

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.

Fees

For each person, you’ll need to pay:

• £490 to extend this visa
• the healthcare surcharge – check how much you’ll have to pay

You’ll need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken – there’s no fee for this.

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 or resident permit you have.

You’ll either:

• 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
• give your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point – this is to get a biometric residence permit