Correct lengths of visa and correcting errors
Last updated: 17/10/2025 16:45
You must check that your visa has been issued for the correct length of time.
Errors on your visa must be reported to the UKVI within a fixed timeframe or it may not be possible to correct them.
Correct length of Student Visas
When considering your application for a Student Route visa made in or outside of the UK, the UKVI must comply with the following regulations:
| Type/length of course | Period granted before course start date | Period granted after course end date |
|---|---|---|
| 12 months or more | 1 month | 4 months |
| Six months or more but less than 12 months | 1 month | 2 months |
| Pre-sessional course of less than six months | 1 month | 1 month |
| Course of less than six months that is not a pre-sessional course | 7 days | 7 days |
The 'start' and 'end' dates referred to above are the start and end dates listed on your CAS.
Dependents of students are granted the same length of time as the student.
If you have financial sponsorship, and your financial sponsor limits the time you may study in the UK, your visa may be issued for the same length of time stated on the sponsor letter plus the usual post-course period allowed.
How will my visa be evidenced/issued
The way that all visas are issued is in a period of change and there is currently a transition to a digital-only system for leave over 6 months.
In all cases, when your visa is granted your will receive a decison letter from the UKVI. This will be sent by email to your registered account. It will include information about the category of visa granted and the dates leave is valid from and until. Check this letter carefully.
Your visa may be issued in more than one format, particularly for visas issued before July 2025. Read on for the format that your visa is expected to take and information on how to best check your immigration permission has been issued for the correct duration.
If you applied for your visa in the UK
| Visa national | Non-visa national | |
|---|---|---|
I used the UK immigration: ID check app or I attended an in-person UKVCAS appointment | E-visa (digital status) only | E-visa (digital status) only |
If you applied for your visa overseas
| Visa national | Non-visa national | |
|---|---|---|
| I was directed to and able to use the UK Immigration: ID Check app for my visa application form Please note: this applies only to EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals at the time of writing | n/a | E-visa (digital status) only |
| I attended a Visa Application Centre appointment as part of my application | Visa permission under 6 months: Visa vignette (sticker) only (Please note: any error must be corrected overseas before travel) Visa permission over 6 months: Visa vignette (sticker) for 30-90 days, followed by E-visa (digital status) | Visa permission under 6 months: Visa vignette (sticker) only (Please note: any error must be corrected overseas before travel) Visa permission over 6 months: Visa vignette (sticker) for 30-90 days followed by E-visa (digital status) |
The UKVI have stated that from 15 July 2025, visa vignettes for those granted Student Visa permission will no longer be used. We understand this is for leave issued for over 6 months only. Ensure you check your decision information from the UKVI for information on how to access your eVisa before travel.
Dependants of students will still receive a vignette and eVisa until further notice.
Correcting errors
| Type of permission | Error |
|---|---|
| Visa vignette (sticker) for a total grant of leave under 6 months | Any error can ONLY be corrected overseas. Contact the VAC directly as soon as possible and allow time for correction before travel |
| E-visa (digital leave) application made overseas, all errors application made in the UK, all errors | Complete the following online eVisa error reporting form https://www.gov.uk/report-error-evisa Further information on the eVisa error correction process can be found on our eVisa page. |
Until an error is confirmed by UKVI, the details included on your vignette or eVisa apply. If your document or eVisa has expired already, please contact SVS for information about overstaying implications urgently.
Corrections can only be made where an error has occurred. If you have been granted leave for a different course or institution, or applied for leave in an incorrect category, a fresh application must be made.
Errors must be reported within the relevant deadline. Check the UKVI pages for the application deadline for eVisas and vignettes. If the deadline is not met, then a new visa application may be required under UKVI policy. In many cases, such an application will NOT be viable in the UK.
Update your University record
If you report an error with your visa and are issued with corrected leave, you must ensure that you provide a copy of your updated permission to the University to ensure that your record remains up to date. You can do this by attending the Centre for Student Life with your new BRP/eVisa Sharecode and passport, or by opening an enquiry with the same through Student Connect.
Contact us
If you have questions about the correction process or experience any difficulty with the process, get in touch: