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Student visa extension in the UK
Operated by YouSafe Consultancy.
What extending a Student visa means
You may be able to extend your Student visa to stay longer and continue your course or study a new course; this includes if you currently have a Tier 4 (General) student visa.
Who can extend
To extend you must: be in the UK on a Student visa or a Tier 4 (General) student visa; have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed student sponsor, shown by your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS); and show your studies are at a higher academic level than your current course (the academic progress requirement), with exceptions. If you have been in the UK with a valid visa for less than 12 months, you will need to prove you have enough money to support yourself in the UK.
Showing academic progress
The new course must be at a higher academic level, or at the same level and related to your previous course or career aspirations (degree level or above at a Higher Education Provider), or intercalated to a medicine, dentistry or medical science course you started on your Student visa; you do not need to show a higher level if: - you are resitting exams or repeating modules - applying for the first time to a new institution to complete a course started at an institution that lost its student sponsorship licence - applying after working as a student union sabbatical officer to complete a qualification started under your last Student visa - completing a PhD or other doctorate started under your last Student visa - continuing a medical/dentistry/medical science degree after an intercalated course - extending to complete your studies because you have done (or want to do) a work placement or study abroad programme
When to apply
- Earliest 3 months before your course starts - You must apply before your current visa expires - Your new course must begin within 28 days of your current visa expiring - You must also apply within 6 months of getting a CAS - You can stay in the UK until you get your decision
Fees and decision time
It costs £558 to extend, per person, plus the healthcare surcharge; fingerprints and photo (biometric information) are taken at no fee. A decision will usually be made within 8 weeks, and you may be able to pay to get a faster decision.
How to apply
Application is online; you must not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision or the application will be withdrawn.
Partner and children
Your partner or children must apply separately to extend their visa, either at the same time as you or at any time before their current visa expires.
Tier 4 visa — the legacy name explained
Tier 4 (General) is the former name of the Student visa; some current holders still hold this visa and can extend from it under the rules set out above.
Extending to study more, or switching to the Graduate visa?
The alternative at course completion is switching to a Graduate visa (2 years if applying on or before 31 December 2026; 18 months on or after 1 January 2027; 3 years for a PhD or other doctoral qualification). Full treatment lives on our Graduate visa page. A course that is eligible for a Student visa is studied by extending the Student visa, not on a Graduate visa.
Frequently asked questions
My student visa runs out before my course finishes — can I extend it without leaving the UK?
Yes, you can apply from inside the UK if you meet the conditions above. Apply before your current visa expires and within 6 months of getting your CAS.
I failed some modules and need to resit — do I still have to show academic progress?
No, you do not need to show a higher academic level if you are resitting exams or repeating modules.
I am moving from a bachelor's to a master's — when do I apply for the extension?
Earliest 3 months before your master's starts, and before your current visa expires. The new course must begin within 28 days of your current visa expiring.
My new course starts a month after my visa expires — is that gap allowed?
No, your new course must begin within 28 days of your current visa expiring. You should apply before your visa expires, and your new start date must meet this 28‑day window.
I still hold an old Tier 4 visa — can I extend it, or do I have to start again?
You can extend from a Tier 4 (General) student visa under the same rules as a Student visa, provided you hold a valid CAS and meet the other requirements.
How much does it cost to extend a student visa, and how long will the decision take?
The fee is £558 per person plus the healthcare surcharge. A decision is usually made within 8 weeks, with a possible paid faster decision.
I have been in the UK for less than a year — will I have to prove my money again?
Yes, if you have been in the UK with a valid visa for less than 12 months, you will need to prove you have enough money to support yourself in the UK.
Can my partner and children extend with me, or do they apply separately?
They must apply separately to extend their visa, either at the same time as you or at any time before their current visa expires. General information only — not legal advice. For CAS and academic-progression questions, speak to your licensed student sponsor. For individual advice, consider seeking help from an OISC‑regulated immigration adviser or a solicitor.
Created with AI assistance; researched, fact-checked, and edited by the YouSafe Consultancy editorial team.