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Adult students

How to extend a student visa in the UK

This page explains the process of extending a student visa if you are applying from inside the United Kingdom.

You will have to be able to show you have a place in a course with an approved education provider, and have enough money to cover your course fees and monthly living costs when you submit your application. You may need a lower amount of money for your living costs.

You have to fill in the application form, and provide it with your visa fee and documents and proof. You must also arrange to give your biometrics. You can post your application or make an appointment to take it to a public enquiry office.

More information

  • Extending a student visa in the United Kingdom

    The process of extending a student visa inside the United Kingdom is:

    Step Find out more
    1. Choose the course you want to study, and check that it is at a level we accept. See Your course of study for more information on the acceptable levels and types of courses.
    2. Check that the provider of the course is a licensed Tier 4 sponsor. See Your education provider  for more information. 
    3. Work out how much money you will need to have to cover your course fees and living costs when you submit your application. See Your money to find out how to calculate the amount that you will need.
    4. Get a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) from your education provider, and gather all the documents you used to obtain your CAS. (You get 30 points for having a valid CAS.) See Evidence used to obtain your CAS  for more information.
    5. Gather all the documents you need to prove that you meet the money requirement. (You get 10 points for showing that you can cover your course fees and living costs). See Evidence of your money for details of the documents we accept. 
    6. Complete the application form, and add your supporting evidence and your visa application fee. See How to complete the application form  and Visa fees  for more information.
    8. Arrange to enrol your biometric information (fingerprints and photograph) at one of our enrolment centres, if you have not done so before. We will then send you an identity card for foreign nationals. See ID cards and biometrics for more information on what you will need to provide. 
    8. Submit your application by post or in person. See When and where to apply to find out how you can submit your application.


Application forms

Application form and guidance for Tier 4 (General) students applying from inside the UK

See also

Terms explained

  • Approved education provider

    An education provider that is approved by us and has been given a licence to bring both students to the United Kingdom under tier 4 of the points-based system. This can be as an adult (known as a general student) or child student categories, or both.

All glossary terms

Policy & Law