Visa - Visa advice
Support and guidance

You should apply for your Student visa as soon as you receive your official offer and have your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from City St George’s, which you will usually be invited to apply for two-three months before the course start date. It’s recommended to apply for your visa as soon as you have your CAS to allow enough time for processing.

A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is an official reference number issued by City St George’s that confirms that you have been offered a place on a course. It’s required to apply for your Student visa. You will receive your CAS once you have accepted your offer, met any conditions, and provided required documents such as proof of prior qualifications and financial evidence.

To apply for a Student visa, you’ll typically need your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), a valid passport, evidence that you can support yourself financially and pay the tuition fees. Additional documents may be required depending on your personal circumstances or country of application.

Yes – when applying for a UK Student visa, you may be able to do this digitally using the UK Home Office IDV app if you are an EU national. Alternatively you must provide biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) at a visa application centre in your home country or country of residence.

You may also be invited to an online credibility interview as part of your application, where a UK Visa and Immigration Officer asks you to explain your study plans and how you came to choose your course in order to assess that you are a genuine student and your plans after your course. Not all applicants are asked to attend this interview.

For a Student visa, decisions are usually made within three weeks of proving your biometrics when applying from outside the UK. Processing times can vary depending on the country and time of year, so it’s best to apply as early as possible to allow for any delays.

Some postgraduate diploma and degree courses offer the option to study part-time. However part-time students are not allowed to work during their studies unless their course includes a work placement that is an integral and assessed part of the course.

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a fee that you must pay as part of your visa application that gives you access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) while your visa is valid. The IHS is paid online as part of your visa application, using a debit or credit card.

You can travel into and out of the UK whilst at City St George’s on a Student visa during weekends and holiday periods when you are not expected to be studying. However, depending on your nationality, you may require a visa to enter other countries. When you re-enter the UK, you may be required to prove that you are currently enrolled and studying at City St George’s. It is important to be aware of your responsibilities as a Student visa holder.

As part of the university registration process, you will need to create a share code from the eVisa portal and share it with the university as proof of your Student visa status.

You will also need to book an in-person appointment with the registration team in order to complete the registration process.

If you are on a full-time Student visa at City St George’s, you can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during official university breaks. If your course includes an assessed and integral placement, you may be allowed to work full-time during that placement. Part-time students on a Student visa are not allowed to work, and you cannot be permanently employed, self-employed, or start a business while on this visa.

Yes - if you’re on a full-time Student visa, you can work full-time during official university breaks, such as Christmas and Easter holidays but not during the period that you are expected to be working on a dissertation.

The Graduate visa allows international students who have completed a UK Degree at undergraduate level or above to stay in the UK after graduation to work, look for work, or be self-employed. It’s valid for two years for undergraduate and master's graduates (18 months from January 2027), and three years for doctoral graduates.

You cannot apply for a Graduate visa while still studying a postgraduate course on a Student visa. You can only switch to a Graduate visa after you have successfully completed and been awarded your UK degree.

If your visa application is delayed, check your application status online and allow extra time for processing. If your application is refused, please send a copy to the International Student Advice team immediately for guidance on next steps.

Your Student visa includes a grace period of up to four months, depending on the length of your course, which allows time to attend your Graduation Ceremony. You must apply to extend your visa or switch to an appropriate visa type before your current visa expires to maintain legal status. Do not overstay your visa. For guidance on your options, contact the International Student Advice team promptly.

For guidance on immigration matters, contact the International Student Advice team at City St George’s. They can help clarify requirements, review your documents, and guide you through the application process.

Most Student visa holders cannot bring dependants under current UK rules. You can only bring a partner or child if you’re studying a PhD or other doctoral-level course, or if you’re a government-sponsored student on an eligible programme.