Extending your student visa

This post was written by Charles Kelly on October 30, 2008
Posted Under: Uncategorized

Extending your student visa in the UK should be straightforward, but many discover that the process is not as simple as they think.

We receive hundreds of enquiries from students who want to extend their visas to complete their studies or start a new course. Many are refused by the Home Office for a variety of reasons.

If you are an international student on a student visa or with leave (permission to stay) to study in the UK, you can apply to extend your visa subject to meeting the immigration rules.

The UK Border Agency website advises that:

You must have last entered the UK with a valid student visa or prospective student entry clearance or visa

You must have been granted permission to enter or stay to re-sit an examination, or

as a student union sabbatical officer, as a as a work permit holder, under the Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme (now known as the International Graduates Scheme) or under the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme or

you have valid leave (permission to stay) as a student.

If you attend a succession of short courses below degree level the maximum time you can stay in total as a student is two years. A short course is a course less than one year long or longer courses broken off before completion.

How to apply for a Student Visa Extension

In order to apply for an extension to stay in the UK to study you will need to complete an FLR(S) ‘Further Leave to Remain’ application form, which can be downloaded from the UK Border Agency website.

You must carefully study the guidance notes before completing and submitting the application form, otherwise you could be refused and lose your fee.

Why do Students get refused an extension?

In most cases, students are refused an extension of their leave to remain because they have failed to comply with the immigration rules. Common reasons include:

Working too many hours (yes, they can find out)

Not making satisfactory progress on the course (yes, they check attendance records)

Studying at a ‘non-approved’ educational establishment, which is not on the DIUS Register of Educational and Training Providers.

The first two reasons are quite clear, however, the last is less obvious. Many students arrive in the UK on a student visa for an approved college, but later find that the College or course is not what they thought it was or, as in the case of Affinity Training, the college has gone out of business. Students often feel pressured into rushing to signing up with a new provider or college and fail to check the DIUS Register.

You can search the register by visiting:

http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/providersregister/search.cfm

Transferring to another provider can be traumatic, but do not be pushed into making the wrong decision, as choosing the wrong college may result in your visa extension being refused.

Can I appeal against a refusal?

Yes, you can appeal to the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal (AIT), but you must have grounds of appeal and a valid case. If in doubt, take legal advice or see www.visaappeals.com for further information on the appeals process.

Finally, your stay in the UK on a student visa does not qualify you for permanent residency or Indefinite Leave, however, if you are legally in the UK for more than 10 years you may qualify for residence under the ‘long stay’ concession.

Reader Comments

Hi
i am pakistani and get to inform new visa policy of uk border agency for paistani community.becuase majority of western think bad for us and no douobt they have strick rule for us in first hand in the world.what u will say about my open view and i had also apply for student visa in jan 2009 study period and now a days my appeal is running process.so plz guide me for that ECO was decline my visa due to fluctuate in balance and hav’t probabilities in balance.i have received aknowledgement letter one week ago.

Written By salman iqbal on April 4th, 2009 @ 8:53 am

You can change courses, but take advice, as your visa extension is affected by a numbe of factors.

Written By Charles Kelly on May 11th, 2009 @ 11:45 am

hi,
i have been allowed to complete my pending course work and dissertation by the registrar of university as i made an appeal against some irregularities with the MBA office as my course was held for about 8 months,later on my appeal was successful and i am presently commencing with my course.
I wanted to know that during those 8 months i worked for about 40 hours as there was no university, will there be any problem with that now,please help me with this.

thank you.

Written By raj on May 11th, 2009 @ 11:03 pm

Hi,

I have submitted all my modules on 24th April 2009 and i am waiting for my results which will be published in June 2009. My visa expires on 31st of May 2009. In this case is it possible to apply for extension of student visa as i am waiting for my results.

Written By krishnaraj on May 14th, 2009 @ 10:52 am

I have submitted all modules on 24th april 2009 and i am waiting for my results which will be published in June 2009. My visa expires on 31 st of May 2009. in this case is it possible to apply for extention of student visa as i am waiting for my results.
Thank you

Written By Bakhtiyor on May 15th, 2009 @ 5:51 pm

my visa is gettin expired in august 09.can u tell what are the documents i need to submit to the homeoffice for the extension, how much balance do i need to show and for how many months??

Written By yogesh on May 16th, 2009 @ 12:16 pm

Can any help urgently on the above question asap ??

Written By Venugopal Tatikunta on May 16th, 2009 @ 5:38 pm

hi
i am a student , i came here in 2008 , and then i got admission in english learning school , than some one told me that this school is not authorized , no what to do . my extension in in 2011 , and i m from pakistan
cheers

Written By Danial kansi on May 19th, 2009 @ 3:35 am

hi, am indian, if i fail in my exam….and if i want to resit for an exam, will you please guide me how much balence do i need to show.

Written By shwetha on May 21st, 2009 @ 12:49 pm

hi,
I am a Pakistani national. I got my student visa in Jan 2009.but i couldnt go to UK tht time. Now i am willing to travel in August as a student coz my course will start in September. Visa is valid till May 2010. can any1 please let me whether it is OK to travel and will i be able to get my visa extended??

#10

Written By sadia on May 28th, 2009 @ 4:05 am

Check back with the Emabssy, as a visa (which you obtained for a course starting 2009) usually has a time limit upon which you should travel.

#11

Written By Charles Kelly on May 29th, 2009 @ 4:49 pm

Dear sir/madam
I am student in uk.i came here at 2006 for sandwich course(nvq 2&3 health and social care).i supose to finish 2008 at octomber but my college is closed august 2008.then i join other college deffirence course then i finish and passed this course then again i join other college which is same course tourism and hosoitality but problem is i am not sure fully liceince or not.can tell me please how can fine that college registered from home office or not.ant if not can i change college?thanks.

#12

Written By jay on May 31st, 2009 @ 11:44 am

You are right to be concerned.

The UK Border Agency publishes a list of licensed colleges on its website:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/employersandsponsors/pointsbasedsystem/registerofsponsorseducation

#13

Written By Charles Kelly on May 31st, 2009 @ 3:52 pm

I have a criminal conviction for using TV without TV license. Would this affect my application for extension as a student?

#14

Written By Jay on May 31st, 2009 @ 11:42 pm

Good day sir/ madam,
Can you please tell me,how long can a student stay after his visa has expired?
Thamk you.

#15

Written By Sharat Someshwar on June 1st, 2009 @ 11:54 am

You should not stay beyond your visa term and risk being banned from returning to the UK.

#16

Written By Charles Kelly on June 1st, 2009 @ 2:00 pm

hi. i have tried ma best to download the form for my pre hand knowledge but despite many efforts its not gonna download. so how would i know about the extension requirements. tell me howwwwwww ?

#17

Written By shaf advocate on June 2nd, 2009 @ 5:49 pm

HI, I AM A STUDENT FROM AN INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE I FINISHED MY NVQ3 HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE. NOW I WANT TO TRANSFER TO ANOTHER SCHOOL AND ENROLL ANOTHER COURSE AM I ALLOWED TO DO THIS? WILL MY VISA BE AFFECTED UPON EXTENSION THIS NOVEMBER? CAN SOMEONE HELP ME PLEASE

#18

Written By imelia wong on June 9th, 2009 @ 10:14 pm

hi i have done my PGD diploma of 120 credit hours from listed college of Greenwich in start of june now my final 60 credit hours are going to be completes (for thesis)from University which start from sep 09, but my visa expire at the end of june can i apply for extension to remain in uk

#19

Written By tk on June 9th, 2009 @ 11:18 pm

hi am student frm india i need 2 extend ma visa dis nov.cn sum body tell wot document r required 2 extend ma visa?pls tell me asap.

#20

Written By harry on June 17th, 2009 @ 7:17 pm

you need to fill out a tier 4 application for all extensions after 1st june 2009

#21

Written By zara on June 18th, 2009 @ 1:31 pm

Hi,
I have just finished my graduation. I am entitled to have 2yr PSW. But, I’ve decided to go back to my country to set up my own business and apply for PSW from there, if I still stick on the PSW stuff. My visa gonna expire with in couple of days and I don’t want to renew it. The question is, what’s buffer time to depart after the visa is expired, as I’ve not booked my travel yet but will do in a short. Just curious about the legal issues.

Thanks

#22

Written By Arif on June 18th, 2009 @ 7:23 pm

sir, i am filling form of student tier 4, but i am confused in the section of maitenance and course fees. i will show those balance in yearly or full fees? please solve my query.

#23

Written By Sara on June 19th, 2009 @ 7:18 am

hi,
am a international student in uk. i came for the january period.. but i was not in a mood to study as i ahd a hard home sick. so can i continue my course onwards.. i have been registered at the school too.. pls give me a answer.. i want to continue my course…

#24

Written By mady on June 19th, 2009 @ 8:05 am

What do the terms of your visa state? Does it mention any “buffer time”?

To all people here on a visa - you should comply with the terms of your visa (e.g. apply for an extension or leave before it EXPIRES). Otherwise you will be breaking the terms of your visa and be branded an over-stayer/illegal immigrant and you could be deported and/or banned from returning to the UK for up to 10 years.
This could also affect future applications to other countries.
http://www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

#25

Written By Charles Kelly on June 19th, 2009 @ 1:21 pm

The Home Office/UK BorderAgency are not interested in whether or not you were “in a mood” to study.

The immigration rules on student visas are clear. You must show satisfactory progress and attendance, otherwise your visa could be revoked.

My advice is that you should get back to study instead of sitting around whining!

http://www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

#26

Written By Charles Kelly on June 19th, 2009 @ 1:34 pm

My friend has been waiting as well for over 4 months now, he applied in Country for extension in Feb and is still waiting, biometric’s done in march, its really crazy!!

why are they taking soo long at HO, anyone?? is it caus they are too busy with back log of applications or isit caus they are doing further checks on certain cases………. its been 17weeks since the submission of application and 12.5weeks since the biometrics. and do most of people get their papers back within this time frame of 14 weeks or it can take longer than that and also has anyone got positive outcome after waiting for 14weeks or more ??

Any suggestions from seniors and members will help!!

Also if anyone else have been waiting for more than 14weeks please post here

Thanks
Shaun

#27

Written By shaun on June 25th, 2009 @ 8:48 pm

Hi,

I was wondering if anone can help me?
I am a South African and received my student visa in 2006 to start studying in September 2006. When I arrived in the UK I took a tour of the uni and was very unsatisfeid. I deferred my course until Feb 07 and used the time to look for a different uni. Unsuccesfuly I started studying at the original uni in Feb 06. My visa expires in Oct 2009 but I still have a semester left, I have passed all my subjects and have good grades. Will they refuse my visa extention because I did not study for the first 6 months of my visa?? Please help.

#28

Written By Christie on June 26th, 2009 @ 3:53 pm

PLS CAN U HELP ME TO KNOW IF A STUDENT HOW WAS BOOK BY THE POLICE FOR NOT HAVING A VALID TRAIN TICKET BUT HAS PAID THE FINE STAND THE RISKS OF NOT HAVING HIS VISA EXTENDED.UR INFORMATOIN WILL BE OF ASSISTANCE TO ME.
STAY BLESS
JOHN.

#29

Written By JOHN on June 27th, 2009 @ 11:23 pm

Hello,
I was just wondering, how long will waiting for a visa extension (student, tie4) take (normally) and how long will it be for you to receive a letter asking for you to book an appointment to submit your biometric details?

Thanks =)

#30

Written By Ivan on June 30th, 2009 @ 11:43 am

hi there
my course at language college finished 22 of may and my visa will be run out 31 of july ,my course at uni in mechanical engineering will be started 28 of september ,
would i be able to get the extension inside britain or i need to go overseas for it ?
thanks for your atention

#31

Written By ali on June 30th, 2009 @ 2:43 pm