What You Need to Know about the Student Visa Process

To be eligible for a student visa, all applicants need a Certificate of Acceptance of Studies (CAS). This certificate is issued by their educational institution, which will act as their sponsor during their stay in the UK. Importantly, the initial student visa application must be submitted from overseas. Applications made from within the UK will be rejected as invalid or refused.

Most EEA citizens can conveniently apply for their student visa using a mobile app to validate their passport and ID, greatly simplifying the process. Other applicants will need to complete an online application and then attend a biometric enrolment appointment in their country of residence.

Depending on the applicant’s nationality, they may also be exempt from proving they meet the financial criteria, making the process quicker and less stressful. If you are of a nationality which cannot benefit from the exemption, strict documentary criteria will apply.
However, the application process can sometimes be more complicated than anticipated.

There can be many issues arising from application processes. The biggest challenge is not meeting the criteria from the Immigration Rules, which partially varies depending on the country of nationality and where the application is submitted from.

For those who meet the requirements, selecting the wrong form at the set out can lead the applicant on the wrong path. This will result in delays and sometimes refusals. Technical glitches or using the wrong passport scanning app will also hinder the process. When problems persist and the start of the school year approaches, the situation can become particularly stressful, especially for those who have invested heavily in private school or university fees.

Our team has extensive experience assisting students with their visa applications. We can:

• Assess Your Situation: Evaluate the best course of action for your specific circumstances.
• Guide You Through the Process: Ensure you select the correct forms and use the appropriate apps.
• Resolve Issues: Help rescue the situation if your application process has encountered problems.
• We can also discuss whether you are eligible to come to the UK under a different visa route, depending on your family’s circumstances.

We can also discuss whether you are eligible to come to the UK under a different visa route, depending on your family’s circumstances.