This process applies globally except for EU/EEA or Swiss nationals whose passport has a biometric chip are advised to follow the digital application process.
1. Prepare your supporting documents
You should submit a completed Student Route visa application with the correct supporting documents. Your decision can take longer to be assessed if you do not do this.
You will need:
- Current passport/travel documentation
- CAS reference number
You may also need:
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Proof of finances (to fund your course fees and maintenance)
- Parental consent letter if using your parents' bank account
- Your birth certificate to prove your relationship
- OANDA Conversion if your maintenance is in foreign currency
- Proof of parental or guardian consent (for students under 18)
- Education certificates
- TB test certificate (if necessary)
- ATAS certificate
2. Check the postcode for Biometric Resident Permit (BRP) delivery
At the end of your Student Route visa application, you will be asked to enter a post code of a post office where you can collect your BRP in the UK. Please enter KT1 1TP – this is Kingston upon Thames Post Office, Unit L7, Bentall Shopping Centre, Dolphin Street, Kingston upon Thames KT1 1TP.
If you wish to collect your BRP at another post office, you must enter the post code of that post office.
Do not enter the University post code as Kingston University is not an Alternative Collection Location for BRPs.
3. Submit your Student Route visa application
Do this on the Government website.
4. You will be invited to book and attend an appointment
This will be at a VFS or TLS Visa Application Centre (VAC) to submit your biometric information (fingerprints and digital photograph) and supporting documents.
5. Wait for your decision.
Your application will be sent to UKVI to assess. UKVI will complete biometric, criminal and travel history checks. You may be called for an interview.
Please check the Government website for the latest information about global decision waiting times.
6. Collect your passport.
A visa vignette (sticker) will be stamped inside your passport with 90-day validity (from the start of your visa) to travel to the UK and you will be contacted when your passport is ready for collection. Please do not attend the VAC until you have been contacted.
You will not be required to complete a PCR test before arrival into the UK however you should check with your airline if this is required for your flight. Read more on the UK government website about entering the UK.
The latest global decision waiting times can be found on the Government website
UKVI will process all applications as soon as possible and apologise for any delay customers experience. They are unable to offer refunds for visa fees once you have visited the Visa Application Centre and submitted your biometrics. Please note: if your student visa is granted but it is too late to travel the money your paid for your visa application fee and the immigration health surcharge will not be refunded.
We recommend you apply as soon as possible if able to do so rather than waiting until August if you need to travel in time for the September course start date.
Where there are extremely compassionate or compelling circumstances, UKVI may consider expediting specific cases. However, the bar for this is very high and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Customers should make these circumstances known at the visa application centre or by contacting UKVI.
There are a few steps you can take to make your application journey smoother and help avoid delays:
- Read and follow our Guide on our website to complete your Student Route visa application. It has important information relating to supporting documents, post code for your BRP delivery in the UK, and answers to general questions on the student visa application.
- Before you start your application check that you have all the documents you need. This will mean UKVI won't need to contact you for further documentation.
- Make sure you have your documents ready and try not to rush your application. Check the information you have provided is correct.
- Make sure the funds (proof to show you have enough money to pay for your course and support yourself in the UK) are stored in your (or your parent's/legal guardian's) bank account for at least 28 consecutive days before you apply for your visa. We also advise you add a little extra money to the account to allow for currency fluctuations.
UKVI provides priority and super priority services, which enable your visa to be processed more quickly than other visa applications. Applications for the priority service are typically processed within five working days with an extra fee. You may select the 'priority service' when you apply if you verify your identification at a visa application centre and the service is offered in the country from which you are applying.
A student's partner, or children aged under 18 may be able to come to the UK providing the student is studying an eligible course. You can choose to apply for their visa at the same time as you apply for yours or after you have received yours. You must provide proof of your relationship and proof of finances to fund their maintenance. This is in addition to the proof of finances that you will show as part of your own application.
Important changes to the Student Visa Route from January 2024
For courses starting from 1 January 2024 onwards, international students on a UK student visa will no longer be able to bring dependants to the UK except for those that are on research-based higher degree (PhD).
For more information, please see the UK Council for International Student Affairs.
In order to apply for a Student Route visa, you must have received the CAS reference number from us. If you have not yet requested a CAS, you should apply for this as soon as you have accepted an unconditional offer with us. You can find lots of information and advice about requesting a CAS on our web pages but if you cannot find the answer to your question, please get in touch with the CAS team and they will be able advise what you need to do.
For updates to the status of VACs in your country check with:
- TLS Contact if you are in Europe, Africa and parts of the Middle East
- VFS Global for all other countries
Appointments are continually being released so if you are not able to get an appointment time to suit you, please keep checking back on the VFS or TLS website.
Some locations have more than one appointment centre so if you are not able to find a suitable appointment at your preferred location, you may wish to check availability at other locations near you.
You should consider applying as early as you can so that you have plenty of time to attend your appointment and receive your visa before your course is due to start. Applications overseas can be made up to six months before the course start date.
