Student Visa Lengths

The duration of your Student visa depends on the academic level and duration of your course. As well as covering the duration of your programme, as set out in your CAS, your Student visa should also include an additional 'wrap-up period' after the end of the course which varies in length.

The table below explains how much time you should be granted on your Student visa based on your level and duration of study. If your visa duration is not what you expect based on the information below then please contact us.

Type of course Length of course Length of Student visa
Degree level or above

12 months or longer The full length of the course plus 4 months
6-12 months The full length of the course plus 2 months
Less than 6 months The full length of the course plus 7 days

Below degree level: English language and foundation courses

6-12 months The full length of the course plus 2 months
Less than 6 months The full length of the course plus 1 month

 

Those applying for a Student visa from outside the UK who are either studying a course of 6 months or more or a pre-sessional English language course should be able to enter the UK up to one month before your course start date or 7 days before your travel date, whichever is latest.

Overseas applicants who will be studying a course shorter than 6 months and not a pre-sessional English course will only be able to enter the UK 7 days before your course start date.

If your course end date is beyond 31 August 2024

Your BRP card will have an expiry of 31 December 2024. This is because the UKVI is set to move to digital immigration statuses from January 2025. The UKVI guidance on BRP cards confirms that you should not report a BRP card end date of 31 December 2024 as an error.

You can check the full length of your visa in the decision letter or e-mail that you should have received notifying you of the outcome of your visa application. 

UKVI has advised that they will provide updated guidance on the transition away from BRPs in early 2024.