• August 25, 2022

How to switch from your current UK visa to a student visa while being in the UK

How to switch from your current UK visa to a student visa while being in the UK

LONDON Aug 24: If you are in certain category of visa for which you have valid visa for less than 12 months with enough money to support yourself in the UK then you may be able to switch to a student visa.

However, not all visa types can be converted to a student visa.

The first criteria you need to meet to be able to switch your current visa to a UK student visa is to be in the country. You cannot switch your visa from outside the UK.

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

You will also need to have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed student sponsor – shown by your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

However, 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

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 switch their visa. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.

You must apply before your current visa expires. Your university course must start within 28 days of your current visa expiring. The earliest you can apply is 3 months before your course starts.

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.

For each person, you’ll need to pay £490 to extend or switch visas.

You also will have to pay towards the healthcare surcharge – check how much you’ll have to pay here (https://www.immigration-health-surcharge.service.gov.uk/checker/type)

A decision is usually made within eight weeks.

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