Making your application

Before you apply, ensure that you have:

• Prepared all supporting documents
• Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number

You need to have a bank/credit card to pay for the visa application and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).

When you have everything ready, apply online by going to extend your visa , or if you are switching from another visa type go to switch your visa .

Before you can start the online application form, you will be asked to download the 'UK Immigration: ID Check app' and take a photo of either your current BRP card or your passport - it will ask you for the document that is required. This will be submission of your biometrics and if you are able to complete this process, it will mean that it is not necessary for you to attend an in-person biometric appointment.

However, if you cannot download the app or experience problems, please see the guidance on the UKVI website . If you are unable to complete this process you will need to book an appointment at a UKVCAS centre and you will be re-directed to the UKVCAS website, following submission of your online application.

At certain times of the year, the VISAS Team can support you with making your application inside the UK and we can check your application and documents in a visa submission workshop. Please see if you are able to book a visa submission workshop appointment . Before your workshop appointment please complete sections 1 & 2 of the application form and save your application before you complete the 'Declaration' section. A Visa Advisor can then check your answers on the application form and advise you of any necessary changes before you submit and pay for your application.

If you choose to apply for your visa without assistance from the Visas Team, you must provide proof of your in-time visa application, please contact the Visas Team to clarify what you need to provide.

Although you will be able to keep your passport whilst you are waiting for the decision on your visa application, you must not leave the UK as this will automatically withdraw your visa application.  You should receive a visa decision to the email account you entered on your application, within 8 weeks of providing your biometric information (Standard Service). If you applied using either the 'Priority Service' or 'Super Priority Service', please see the UKVI website for information on costs and timescales.

If you will be receiving a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) it will be delivered by courier to the 'Contact Address' or 'Postal Address' that you entered on your visa application. Therefore, if you will be moving accommodation after applying for your visa, we recommend that you enter the following University address on your application:

VISAS Team M23, Building 37,

University of Southampton,

University Road, Highfield,

Southampton SO17 1BJ

If you choose to have your BRP delivered to your 'Contact Address' or 'Postal Address' then you will need to be present at this address to receive it on the day it is delivered. The courier cannot deliver your BRP to a different person or a different address, they will only deliver to the address on your visa application.

If you will be receiving a digital immigration status or 'e-visa' you will receive this by email. You will then need to share your status with the University by generating a share code on the UKVI website . Please note that you are unlikely to receive a BRP if you have a digital status.

Before you apply, ensure that you have:

• Prepared all supporting documents
• Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number

You need to have a bank/credit card to pay for the visa application and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).

When you have everything prepared, apply online by going to Apply .  Once you have completed your online application, you will pay for the visa application fee and the IHS.

You may be eligible for a Standard Visitor visa if you will be studying:

• as a visiting student on a short course or period of study which will be completed in less than six months
• an exam only
• a distance learning programme

Please note that you cannot study for any part of a University of Southampton degree programme as a Visitor. If you need further information about this, please contact us .

We recommend that students who will study on a Pre-Sessional English language programme apply for a Student visa. This is because it is not possible to switch from a Standard Visitor visa to a Student visa inside the UK. If you have a Standard Visitor visa, you will have to leave the UK after your Pre-sessional course has finished and apply for a Student visa from your country of residence or country of nationality, in order to start your degree programme here.

You can find more information on our Short visit webpage.

Decisions on visa applications made outside the UK typically take 15 days to be processed, although there may be an option to apply for a faster application service such as 'Priority' or 'Super Priority' service. You might be given this option at the payment stage of your online application.

At the Visa Application Centre (VAC)

You may need to book an appointment to attend the Visa Application Centre (VAC) in order to submit your biometrics. Or you may be able to use the 'UK Immigration: ID Check App' instead to submit your biometrics (this will depend on your nationality) and in this case you will not need to attend an appointment at the VAC.

If you are required to attend an appointment at the VAC you will need to:

• Take your documents with you (even if you have already uploaded them)
• Give your fingerprints and have a photo taken of your face (biometrics)
• Give your signature

You may also have an interview.

After your application has been decided

If you attended a VAC to give your biometrics and your application was successful, you will collect your passport from the VAC in your home country and you will receive a visa vignette (visa sticker) in your passport - this is a one-time entry clearance that will allow you to travel to the UK.

It is very important that you do not travel before the start date of this entry clearance. You must also ensure you arrive before the end date of the visa vignette. However, it is important to note that there will be a separate deadline for you to arrive in time for your course. If you do not arrive in time before the latest course acceptance date, you may not be permitted to start your course.

Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)

If your programme is longer than six months, your Student visa vignette (entry clearance) will be valid for 90 days to allow you to enter the UK. You will collect your visa for the full length of your stay when you arrive in the UK. The visa you collect when you arrive is called a Biometric Residence Permit card (BRP). Your BRP is your visa card and it contains your biometric information. Click here for further information on BRP cards.

You will be asked to select the location where you would like to collect your BRP during the online visa application process. You can collect your BRP from the University of Southampton by entering the Alternative Collection Location (ACL) code: 2HE382

If you choose to collect your BRP from the University, you will receive your visa when you attend your 'Right to Study Check' appointment.

If you choose to collect your BRP from a Post Office, you must collect it before you can attend the 'Right to Study Check' or enrol at the University.

Digital Student visa

If you used the 'UK Immigration: ID Check App' for your visa application, you will receive the visa decision to the email address you entered on your online application form. The email will contain important information about the conditions attached to your visa. You will not need to have a physical visa to travel to the UK, you will only need your passport. However, you must ensure that you do not enter the UK before the start date of your visa, otherwise you could be prevented from entering the UK, or you may be permitted to enter as a Visitor but you will not be able to start your course with a Visitor status and would have to leave the UK. You should have the option to download a copy of your digital Student visa and if you prefer you can print this and carry it with you. You can also create a share code to 'view or prove your immigration status' - please see the UKVI website .

Arriving in the UK

There is useful information on the UKVI website concerning entering the UK .

We hope your experience at the University of Southampton and your time in the UK is both happy and rewarding. You can find helpful information for international students on the following University webpage .

The University is required to keep a copy of your current passport or travel document and your current immigration permission.

If you have a Student visa and are starting a new programme in September or January, you will be invited to attend an appointment to complete your in-person Right to Study Check.  If you are starting your course or returning to your studies at another time during the year, please Contact Us

You will also need to attend the Right to Study Check if you have a Student visa and are returning after a period of suspension, you are returning after having repeated your studies externally, or you are collecting a new visa from the University.

If you selected your BRP card to go to a Post Office, you must collect your BRP card before you attend the in-person Right to Study Check.

If you do not have a Student visa and have another visa type or immigration permission, you will need to upload a copy of your current visa or permission and a copy of your passport for us to check. If you have a digital status then you will need to send us your share code. Please see instructions on the weblink below:

https://southampton.likn.co/studentservices/visa-and-immigration/during-your-studies/enrolment-registration.page

If your application was refused, please Contact Us for further advice.