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Apply for a Student Route Visa from overseas

Last updated: 23/03/2026 09:08

Detailed information on the application process and requirements for making a Student Route Visa application from overseas.

Eligibility criteria

You’ll need to apply for your visa from outside the UK if:

  • you’re coming to the UK to study for the first time
  • you’re returning to your studies after a break
  • you’re not eligible to apply from within the UK.

This is often called applying for 'entry clearance'. You’ll need to apply from your home country or a country where you’re legally living.

Before you apply, make sure you’ve received your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from us - it’s an essential part of your application.

How to apply

You can apply for your Student Route visa up to 6 months before your course starts, as shown on your CAS. We recommend starting your preparations as soon as possible so you have plenty of time to gather your documents and submit your application.

Visa processing usually takes around 3 weeks during quieter periods, but it can take longer between July and early September.

Check visa processing times for your home country.

Be aware that there can be frequent delays during the peak application period from July to September 6.

Both TB testing and ATAS clearance can take some time, particularly in busy periods. It is best to begin processes early.

Check if a Tuberculosis (TB) test is required for your country of origin and course length (more than 6 months).

If needed, book your appointment well in advance. Review our ATAS guidance for details of this process.

If you are a new applicant, it is sent automatically upon firm acceptance of an unconditional offer; current students request it through SIMS online.

Allow a minimum of five working days to receive the CAS email.

Here is a brief list of the documents you will need to prepare.

More information can be found in our guide to extending your student visa in the UK:

  1. current passport
  2. Cardiff University CAS statement
  3. any academic qualification and/or document that is listed on your CAS statement
  4. evidence of successful completion of your previous course if applicable
  5. Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Certificate (if applicable)
  6. TB clearance certificate (if required, see step 3)
  7. financial documents where applicable; see Money required and financial evidence for full details
  8. if previously sponsored by an official financial sponsor within the last 12 months but no longer receiving financial support, a letter confirming their consent to your remaining in the UK is required
  9. if you are under 18 at the time of application, you will need a letter of consent from your parent or a legal guardian

Translating documents

If your documents are not in English, you must submit a certified translation by a professional translator. This applies to references, qualifications, transcripts, bank statements, and letters.

The translation should include:

  • Confirmation of its accuracy
  • Date of translation
  • Full name and signature of the translator or a translation company official
  • Contact details of the translator or translation company

For help finding qualified translators, you can check the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) directory, which lists UK-based companies offering professional translation services.

Complete the overseas online application form.

We have additional guidance to help you complete an overseas Student Route Visa application form online.

Optional: Contact Student Visa Support via Student Connect to check your form and documents before submission.

Book and attend your appointment at the Visa Application Centre (VAC) to submit supporting documents and biometric information.

You will be linked to the booking page after submitting your online application.

Your application won't be processed until you meet this requirement.

All applicants can be invited to attend an interview with the UKVI caseworking team. There is no reason to be concerned if you are invited, but you should ensure that you are prepared.

If invited, you will be sent an invitation by email to the address entered on your application form. Be sure to check your emails regularly (including junk/spam folders) to ensure you do not miss anything.

Currently, most interviews are held remotely. A link to join or instructions on how to obtain this should be included in your invitation email.

Common question topics to be prepared for are:

  • your course and reasons for choosing it
  • study location
  • reasons for studying in the UK and Cardiff
  • how you researched to decide the above, and the sources you used
  • your future plans and how your studies will support these

You may use written notes as a prompt in your interview, but ensure you are not reading from pre-written answers.

The purpose is to satisfy the Entry Clearance Officer that you are a genuine student with the required English language ability. Failure to attend without a reasonable explanation may result in refusal.

Check your emails regularly for invitations from UKVI.

You will receive a decision on your application via email. Ensure that you check your emails regularly, including the spam and junk folders, as messages can be filtered out.

Your email will confirm whether your visa has been granted or otherwise.

If your application is granted

If your decision notification email states that your visa has been granted, you will be granted permission to study under the Student Route Visa.

Your email will contain a summary of your visa conditions and validity dates. Read the email carefully and check the information is all complete. Read our guidance on the correct lengths of visas and correcting errors to help you here.

Until approximately 15 July 2025, your visa will be issued as a 90-day visa vignette (sticker in the passport) (except for EU, EEA and Swiss nationals) and an eVisa. Allow time to collect your passport with visa from the VAC (they will send you a notification that this is ready to collect). Read your decision email for guidance on how to access your eVisa. We also provide guidance on this process. You must access your eVisa and check the online details as soon as possible.

After 15 July 2025, Student Route visas will be issued as an eVisa only. It is vital that you access your eVisa and ensure it is correct before travel. Read your decision email for guidance on how to access your eVisa. We also provide guidance on this process. You must access your eVisa and check the online details as soon as possible.

What to do if your visa application is rejected

If the application is rejected, this means that the validity requirements were not met. In this case, there is no recourse to review or appeal. Your application fee will be refunded (minus an administration charge). If you still wish to pursue your course, a new Student Route visa application will need to be made. This may require deferral to the next academic year if there is insufficient time to reapply.

What to do if your visa application is refused

If your visa application is refused, the first step is to check why it was refused. This information will be attached to your decision email, normally in a PDF attachment.

If you believe there was a mistake in how your application or documents were assessed, you can apply for a review of the application decision. This is called an Administrative Review.

Only the original application and submitted documents will be reviewed; you cannot send new documents.

Administrative Reviews can take a long time, sometimes up to 12 months.

If you applied for your visa from outside the country, you have 28 days from the date on the refusal notice to request an Administrative Review. You must submit your request in writing using the correct form. Clearly explain why you believe the reasons for the refusal are incorrect.

If you find that there was no mistake in the decision, or if you choose not to request a review, you may be able to apply for a new visa. You cannot use the same Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) again. Contact the Student Visa Compliance Team with your refusal notice and explain how you plan to address the reasons for the refusal to ask for a new CAS.

Due to the time needed for a fresh application, you may have to defer to the next academic year if there is insufficient time to reapply.

UKVI Student Visa Application processing times

  • Takes approximately 3 weeks
  • Cost: £524 (this will rise to £558 from 8th April 2026) + IHS fee + Visa Application Centre (VAC) fee
  • Biometrics are submitted during an in person appointment at a VAC or via the UKVI IDV app (currently for EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals only)
  • Allow 5-10 working days for collection of passport with visa vignette

Contact us

Our offices are open from 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday.

Student Visa Support enquiries