Correct lengths of visa and correcting errors
Last updated: 12/06/2026 15:12
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
Your visa will be issued as an eVisa only. It is important that you access your eVisa as soon as possible and ensure it is correct before travel.
Dependants of students will also receive an eVisa.
If you applied for a Standard Visitor Visa, this will be issued as a vignette in your passport.
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 online eVisa error reporting form 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 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: