Applying for a
Student visa guide 2025
(Inside the UK)
This guide is for international students extending their Student visa or switching to a Student visa in the UK to complete a course of study at the University of East London, who have been assessed as eligible for a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
The guide explains:
1. How to set up an account with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), and 2. Tips on how to complete the Student visa extension application form.
The guide assumes the student is completing the visa application form and they are a nonUK or Irish national who understands the Student visa rules and requirements and have prepared the required documentation.
If you apply using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check app, the questions may be ordered slightly differently, but the guide can still assist with how to answer.
Information on the Student visa rules and requirements, including required documentation is available on the UEL website or intranet (only available for current enrolled students).
Starting your Student visa application
To access the Student visa application form, go to Student visa: Extend your visa - GOV.UK
Carefully read the information on this page and click the ‘Start now’ button.
Select: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Click ‘continue’.
Select applicable.
*EU, EEA, or Swiss passport holders will be taken straight to the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app. This guide can still assist you with how to answer the questions, but the questions may be ordered slightly differently. You can find further guidance on using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app on the UKVI website.
If Yes:
Select: Yes
Select applicable.
If you select 'It expired less than 18 months ago' it will ask the following:
Select: Yes
Select applicable.
If you do not have a Biometric Residence Permit, or it expired over 18 months ago, you may be required to book an appointment with UKVCAS to have your biometrics taken (fingerprints and a photo). This guide can still assist you with how to answer the questions, but the questions may be ordered slightly differently.
If you have a Biometric Residence Permit that expired less than 18 months ago, and the details are the same as those on your current passport, you will be taken to the following screen.
Carefully read the information on this page and click the ‘Continue’ button and follow the instructions to create and account.
If you do not have a phone that is compatible, click ‘I do not have a phone that can use the app’ and follow the instructions.
Section 1: Completing the visa application
Start
Read the guidance carefully and only once ready to apply click ‘Apply now.’
Select: Yes
Select applicable.
*If the answer to this is ‘Yes’ please notify ISA immediately.
Contacting by email
Enter a valid email address and create a memorable secure password.
You will need to confirm this email address.
UKVI will send an automated email to the email address you enter, with a link to sign into your visa application form. This link can be used to access your account if your application accidentally closes before you submit, or if you wish to check something after you have submitted.
Click ‘Save and continue.’
Contacting you by email – Confirm the email belongs to you.
You can add and additional email if you wish.
UKVI may contact you via this email to discuss your application, so it is important to provide an email address you check regularly and have access to.
Select applicable.
*In this context, immigration adviser, refers to a legal specialist (solicitor, lawyer etc). It does not apply to the International Student Advice service, who work at UEL.
Click ‘Save and continue.’
Check your answers.
Check the information outline in this section. If everything is correct, click ‘Continue’.
Section 2: Application
Your name
Enter your full name as shown on your passport / travel document. Enter your first and any middle name in the ‘Given name(s)’ box. Enter your surname (last name) in the ‘Family name’ box.
If you only have one name, click –‘I do not have a current passport or travel document.’
Then click ‘I do not have both a given and family name’ – Enter your name.
Click ‘Save and continue’.
Any other names
You must enter any other names you have been officially known by. For example, if you changed your name after marriage.
Do NOT include nicknames or informal names you go by.
Click ‘Save and continue’.
Confirm contact email, telephone number and postal address
Email: You will be asked to confirm the email address UKVI can use to contact you.
Telephone number: Your telephone number – Enter your telephone number and specify if it is for use whilst in the UK or whilst outside the UK.
UKVI may contact you via this number to discuss your application so it is important to provide a number that you will have access to.
Postal address: Enter the postcode of your current UK address and select the correct address from the list by clicking ‘FIND UK ADDRESS’.
Give the month and year that you started living at the address.
Select applicable.
*If you do not own a property and are not renting one, select ‘Other’ and explain your living arrangements. To the right is an example of what this may be.
Previous address history: Give details of your previous address, whether inside the UK or overseas, and how long you have lived there.
Your sex and relationship status
Your sex needs to be the same as that shown on your passport you are using in this visa application. If you do not identify as either male or female you can select unspecified.
Relationship status – you must accurately state your relationship status.
Click the ‘I am unsure of my current relationship status’ if you are unsure.
Click ‘Save and continue’.
Your nationality, country and date of birth
Your nationality needs to be the same as that shown on the passport you are using in this visa application.
If you have a dual nationality, you will need to decide which nationality you will apply for the visa with and answer accordingly. This should be the nationality stated on your CAS.
Your passport
You must enter the passport details of a valid passport that you intend to use to apply for your visa.
The passport you use for you application must match the passport information on your CAS. If you have obtained a new passport since receiving your CAS, OR, if there are any errors on your CAS you must contact isa@uel.ac.uk to get your CAS amended immediately.
If you are a dual national, you must enter the details of the passport that is stated on your CAS.
Issuing Authority – this should be stated on your passport. If this is not stated on your passport enter the country where your passport was issued.
Click ‘Save and continue’.
Your identity card
If your country issues national identity cards, you must enter the number here, after selecting ‘Yes’. Not all countries issue identity cards, so if you do not have one, select ‘No’. An identify card is different from a passport.
Click ‘Save and continue’.
Your other nationalities
Answer ‘Yes’ if this applies to you and provide additional information as required.
Your current immigration status
What type of visa or leave to remain do you have? – Select applicable. In most cases this will be ‘Tier 4 (General) leave to remain’.
Your current visa or leave to remain
Enter your current start and visa end date, as shown on your digital immigration status. If you are applying to extend a Student visa in the UK, you must apply before your visa end date.
If your current visa end date has already expired, do not continue with the application and contact International Student Advice immediately.
Revocation, cancellation or curtailment
This may apply to you if a previous visa sponsor informed the Home Office that they had withdrawn sponsorship.
It is important you answer this question honestly and declare any of the above.
If you are unsure contact the International Student Advice (ISA) service before making your application.
Time in UK
Enter how long you have lived in the UK. If you have lived in the UK for more than 12 months, this will be used to assess if you are required to provide financial evidence with your visa application.
About your first parent
You will need to enter the details of both parents in these sections.
If you do not have your parents’ details at the time of completing the application, you MUST save the application at this point and obtain your parents details, before completing the section.
You should only click the ‘What if I do not have my parents’ details?’ link if you do not know who your parents are and have no way of obtaining their details.
If you only have one parent – Enter the details of the parent only, click ‘Save and continue’, then click ‘What if I do not have my parents’ details?’ and tick the box confirming ‘I only have the details of one parent.’
Click ‘Save and continue’.
Your National Insurance number
If you have a National Insurance number, enter the reference here, or select ‘I do not have a National Insurance number’ if you have not applied for one.
Click ‘Save and continue’
Driving licence
Select ‘Yes’ and enter your driving licence number if you have one.
World Travel History
You must declare any travel to any other countries in the world in the past 10 years.
If you select ‘Yes’ you will need to provide further information, including country of visit, purpose and travel duration.
If you have not been issued a visa to any other country in the world in the last 10 years, select ‘No’.
Click ‘Save and continue’
Evidence of English Language
If you have previously been issued a student Tier 4 or Student visa and have provided your evidence of English language ability, which meets the requirements listed, select ‘Yes’.
If you have not previously provided evidence of English language ability that meets the requirements listed, select ‘No’ and answer the remaining questions accordingly.
Click ‘Save and continue’.
Immigration history
If you have never experienced any immigration problems, please select ‘No’.
If you have experienced an immigration problem (as listed on the application form), you MUST declare it here. Failure to declare a previous immigration problem may result in a refusal and being subject to a ban from entering the UK for a period of 10 years.
If you select ‘Yes’ you will need to provide further details including the type of immigration issue, the country where the issue happened and when the issue happened. You must also give more details regarding the issue in the free text box.
Click ‘Save and continue’.
Breach of UK immigration law
If you have never breached immigration law, please select ‘No’.
Click ‘Save and continue’
If you have breached UK immigration law, you MUST declare it here. Failure to declare a previous breach may result in a refusal and being subject to a ban from entering the UK for a period of 10 years.
Medical treatment in the UK
If you have received medical treatment in the UK, you must declare this.
You then need to say if you had to pay for the treatment or not. If you had to pay, you would need to state if you made the payment in full or not.
If you select ‘Yes’ you will need to provide further details including:
Whether it was Accident and Emergency (A&E) or a Doctors, clinic or hospital non-emergency treatment centre.
Name of the hospital, clinic or doctor’s surgery.
The address, including postcode.
The date you started receiving the treatment.
The date you stopped receiving the treatment. If the treatment is ongoing, tick the box, ‘I am still receiving this medical treatment’.
Click ‘Save and continue’
Public funds
‘Public funds’ refers to money paid by the UK government to citizens, such as child benefit etc.
Student visa holders are not eligible to claim this funding and so you should answer ‘No’. If you have accessed public funds, please contact ISA.
Click ‘Save and continue’.
Convictions and other penalties
You must answer these questions truthfully and provide information for ANY country and not just those in the UK.
If you answer ‘Yes’ to any of the questions, you will be asked for more information.
Failure to disclose a conviction or other penalty can be classed as deception, and you may be subject to a 10-year ban from entering the UK.
Click ‘Save and continue’.
War crimes
You must read the information and tick the box to confirm you have read this, alongside answering the questions.
Click ‘Save and continue’.
Terrorist activities, organisations and views
You must read the information and tick the box to confirm you have read this, alongside answering the questions.
Click ‘Save and continue’.
Extremist organisations and views
You must read the information and tick the box to confirm you have read this, alongside answering the questions.
Click ‘Save and continue’.
Person of good character
You must read the information and tick the box to confirm you have read this, alongside answering the questions.
Click ‘Save and continue’.
Your employment history
If you have ever worked for any of the industries listed, you must select the relevant option.
You will be asked to provide further information if you select ‘Yes’.
If you have not worked in any of these industries, select ‘I have not worked in any of the jobs listed above.
Click ‘Save and continue’.
Sponsor licence number and address
The sponsor licence number for UEL is R8768R6M6.
Enter the university address as follows: University of East London University Way London E16 2RD
Click ‘Save and continue’.
Place of study
UEL is a ‘Higher Education Provider with a track record of compliance’.
Click ‘Save and continue’.
Primary site of study
This is stated on your CAS.
If your primary site of study, as stated on your CAS, is the same as the UEL address entered previously, select ‘Yes’.
If your primary site of study, as stated on your CAS is different (for example it is based at our Stratford Campus) please select ‘No’. You will then be asked to enter the primary site of study as stated on your CAS.
Click ‘Save and continue’.
UCAS details
If you are studying an undergraduate degree and applied through UCAS you must provide your UCAS identifier number.
If you are studying a postgraduate degree, select ‘No’.
Click ‘Save and continue’.
Academic Technology, Approval Scheme (ATAS)
If you are required to provide an ATAS certificate this will be stated on your CAS.
If it is confirmed on your CAS that you require an ATAS certificate, select ‘Yes’ and enter the ATAS reference number.
If your CAS does not state that you require an ATAS certificate, select ‘No’.
Click ‘Save and continue’.
Current or past official financial sponsor
Before answering this question, please click and read ‘What is an official financial sponsor?’
You should only select ‘Yes’ if you have sponsorship which meets UKVI criteria. If your studies are being financed by a family member or friend, this is not official financial sponsorship.
Click ‘Save and continue’.
If you have a scholarship from UEL, this will have been deducted from the amount paid, as stated on your CAS. Therefore, you should select ‘No’ even if you are in receipt of a UEL scholarship.
Future official financial sponsor
Before answering this question, please click and read ‘What is an official financial sponsor?’
You should only select ‘Yes’ if you have sponsorship which meets UKVI criteria. If your studies are being financed by a family member or friend, this is NOT official financial sponsorship.
Click ‘Save and continue’.
If you have a scholarship from UEL, this will have been deducted from the amount paid, as stated on your CAS. Therefore, you should select ‘No’ even if you are in receipt of a UEL scholarship.
Course information
You must complete this section using the information on your CAS.
Name of Sponsor Institution: University of East London
Course name: Enter exactly as stated on your CAS.
Qualification you will get: If you CAS states NQF level 6, 7 or 8, select either RQF level 6, 7 or 8 in the UKVI drop down menu.
Are you going to be a Sabbatical Officer –Select ‘No’.
Click ‘Save and continue’.
If you have been in the UK for less than 12 months, you will be asked the following questions:
Only select ‘Yes’ if you have paid money towards UEL accommodation and this is stated on your CAS. It is only possible to deduct a maximum of £1483 from the total amount of money required for maintenance. Even if you have paid more that this to UEL accommodation, only this amount will be shown on the CAS and can be deducted from the overall amount you are required to show.
You cannot deduct money paid to private accommodation providers.
If you have not paid any money towards UEL accommodation, select ‘No’.
Click ‘Save and continue’.
Course fees
Enter the amount as stated on your CAS.
If you or a parent / legal guardian have made payment towards the tuition fee and this is confirmed on the CAS, select ‘Yes’ then enter the amount paid, as stated on your CAS.
When asked how you can prove this has been paid, select ‘My sponsor has confirmed this information on my CAS’.
Click ‘Save and continue’.
Student loan
If you select ‘Yes’ to this question you will be asked ‘Have you already received your student loan?’
A loan letter will only be accepted by UKVI, if it is issued by a government, government sponsored student loan company, or an Education Loan scheme as outlined in UKVI guidance
If you are not in receipt of a student loan, select ‘No’.
Click ‘Save and continue’.
Maintenance funds
You will be asked to confirm if the maintenance funds are in a bank account in your name. If the funds are in a bank account in your name, select ‘Yes’.
If the funds are in a bank account in your parent(s) / legal guardian(s) name, or if you are being wholly sponsored by an official government or an international scholarship agency, select ‘No’.
If you select ‘No’ you will be asked to confirm you have your parent(s) / legal guardian(s) consent and how you will evidence your relationship.
It is important to note that an Affidavit is NOT sufficient evidence to show a relationship / guardianship. You must provide a legal court document.
Click ‘Save and continue’.
Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
If you have passed all pre-CAS checks your CAS will be released and emailed to you.
Once you receive the CAS, check it carefully before proceeding. If there are any errors, notify ISA immediately.
Select ‘Yes’ and copy and paste the CAS number from your CAS document. This will ensure it is entered correctly.
Click ‘Save and continue’.
Your course start date
Enter the start date as stated on your CAS.
*If you are extending your Student visa to continue the same course at UEL, this will not be your actual course start date, but the day after your current Student visa expires.
Click ‘Save and continue’.
Your course end date
Enter the end date as stated on your CAS.
Click ‘Save and continue’.
Continuing a course of study
If you are applying to extend your Student visa to continue a current course of study, select ‘Yes’.
You will be asked to enter your original course start date. This information is available on at the bottom of your CAS.
If you are starting a new course of study at UEL, select ‘No’.
Check your answers
Check the information outlined in this section. If everything is correct, click ‘Continue’.
Section 3: Documents
If you have been in the UK for less than 12 months you may be asked to confirm the document(s) you will submit as evidence that you have the required maintenance funds.
You can add multiple financial institutions and documents, if required.
If you have been in the UK for more than 12 months you will not be required to provide evidence of finances.
Mandatory documents: These MUST be provided as part of your application. This will vary depending on your personal circumstances. Tick each box to confirm you have the document(s).
Other documents (if applicable): If other documents are listed and you do not provide these documents your application may be delayed or refused. Tick each box to confirm you have the document(s).
Click ‘Save and continue’.
You should submit all documents listed in both the ‘mandatory’ and ‘other documents’ section (if listed) unless your application is being considered under the differentiation agreement. Then you just need to submit the ‘Mandatory’.
Section 4: Declaration
Verification consent
Tick the box to confirm your consent.
Click ‘Save and continue’.
Conditions
Carefully read and confirm you accept the conditions of the visa.
Click ‘Save and continue’.
Declaration
Read the declaration and click the applicable option.
For most applicants this will be ‘I am the applicant aged 18 or over’.
Click ‘I accept the above’.
Check your answers
Check the information outlined in this section. If everything is correct, click ‘Continue’.
Do not submit or pay for your application until you have prepared any supporting documents, as you must meet the rules on the day you apply for the Student visa. This is the day you submit and pay for the application, NOT the day of any appointment.
Section 5: Pay
Click ‘Pay now’ and proceed to make the payment.
Once you have paid the IHS you will see a screen that confirms your IHS reference number. You are advised to take a note of this.
Click the ‘Return to my application’
*The amount of IHS you need to pay depends on your individual circumstances and how long you are extending your visa for.
Application Fee & Further Steps
Choose a service standard – you will be asked to select either Standard service, which usually takes up to eight weeks from when you attend an appointment (if applicable), or Priority service at an additional cost.
Application costs are available on the UKVI website
If you were not able to use the UK Immigration: ID check app – you will be directed to the ‘Book an appointment’ page of the application where you need to select continue.
You will then create and account with UKVCAS and book the appointment.
If you used the UK immigration: ID check app, you will be asked to upload any additional evidence required. Make sure you complete this section and click ‘Upload’ and ‘Save and continue’ at each stage, even if you have no documents to upload.
Updating the Immigration Compliance Team
If you are applying to extend your Student visa to cover a current course you are studying at UEL, it is important to keep our Immigration Compliance team updated on the status of your pending visa application throughout, until you receive a decision.
You should make sure to send them evidence of the following documents:
• Visa application form (PDF)
• Any communications you receive from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) about your pending application.
• The decision notification you receive from UKVI (usually sent to you by email).
• Your new immigration status and Share code.
Please email the Immigration Compliance team your documents.
